November certainly delivered big time with loads of quality yellowbelly caught all over the top end of the lake. Reports have been coming in thick and fast with the biggest yella a staggering 72cm long – what a beast of a fish!

The average fish has been around 52-55cm in size, which is fantastic to see. The fish have been caught all over the place on the northern shores near Bonnie Doon by targeting timber in about 10-14m of water and slow rolling soft plastic grubs in darker colours (black and dark green). Drop the lure straight to the bottom and use a very slow retrieve and you will find the fish simply can't help themselves. Scrub worms have worked a treat using the same method.

Spinnerbaits have also accounted for plenty of fish, and once again, a super slow retrieve is the absolute key. The Delatite Arm has really fired up well with truck loads of fish caught and released, just like last year. Paul Thomas has continued his great form on Bonnie Doon this season with numerous trips producing good numbers of fish – he certainly has got some impressive mojo. The Jackall TN 50/60/70 have had great results in the rocky bays and points where the fish are holding in around 10/12m deep. These fish will move up through December into the shallower water around 6m but with with such a late-season start to the bite, hopefully these fish will hang around and be active for a little while yet! A Great mate of mine, Trevor Holmes came over and fished with Jarrod Biles in the AYC and came away with 7th place. Check Trev out on Facebook at ‘Victorian Inland Charters’ – he is doing some guiding over at Eildon in the summer and trust me, you won’t be disappointed with a guarantee of a good laugh out on the water. Give him a call on 0438132130.

The Ford inlet has been quite good lately with some quality goldens around the trees and steep drop offs. There have also been a lot of nice cod caught as by-catch but please return them to the water as soon as possible and attempt to release them without removing them from the water. There have been decent brown trout in numbers getting caught on the troll as well. A few nice reddies are poking about at around the 38-42cm range and make for some delicious table fare.

The holidays are now upon us, so please be careful and mindful of others and make sure you have all your safety gear as there is guaranteed to be a strong police presence this summer.