Portland has really turned it on this summer from kingfish beyond 15kg to tuna in the 10-30kg range. Australia Day right through to March has seen some of the best kingfish in quite some time, even the land-based anglers on the breakwater have had a crack at these great fish.
We’ve seen some big schools around the water tower and towards Narrawong and Fitzroy outlet. Mixed in with this was school tuna from 10-30m of water, so everyone has had a lot of fun in the last couple of months. Even divers have come to Portland to attempt to spear tuna and kingfish in the shallow water, which was successful for some. The deep-water fishing has been quite good when the weather permits; with some very good size blue-eye as well as a pink ling that went 13kg. As you come in a little from the shelf you can pick up good-sized snapper, tiger flathead, and gummy and school sharks. Bridgewater Bay is still one of the biggest hot spots for great flathead, sharks and gurnards – when the weather permits, you will have the time of your life fishing in these areas.
Anglers are also hooking up to the odd mako now around Cape Nelson, which is always a great spot to bottom bounce. Fishing this side of Lawrences Rock and back towards the corkscrew has turned up great numbers of whiting that range between 40-50cm in size. We are so lucky here in Portland to have great whiting like we do. The flathead that have started to return to this area have mixed up the bags. Pinkies, couta, and gurnards are also in numbers around the bay. The breakwater has been a bit quiet lately, but this can change at any time. You can still get pinkies, whiting, squid, salmon and the odd shark, just not in big numbers. The trawler wharf has been good with average size pinkies and some good-sized whiting. There is still a chance of the odd kingfish around the North Shore area depending on the weather and water temperatures. Tuna are also coming to play. Pinkies can be found around the reef lines on the North Shore, plus there is a chance of a good shark.
The North Shore area is a great beach fishing spot for snapper, mulloway, gummies, schoolies and seven gillers. Downsize a bit for salmon, whiting and trevally. As long as the weed is not a problem, this area can really turn it on.
The Fitzroy River has a few options for fishers; you can fish the river for bream, mullet, perch and mulloway. The mouth opening to the ocean can land you some big fish from snapper to sharks. If you venture back towards Narrawong you can also fish the Surrey River for bream and mullet or access the beach for surf fishing. At the other end of Portland you have Bridgewater Bay for salmon, mulloway and the odd shark off the beach then further around to Discovery Bay for heavy surf fishing. April should certainly see most of the above caught over the month and generally the weather is quite good to us. Good luck and happy fishing.
• For all your bait and tackle needs look no further than Portland Compleat Angler for your next fishing adventure. We also have fishing licences available in store. You will find us at 61 Bentinck St Portland next to the Gordon Hotel. Contact us on (03) 5521 1844 for all your weather and fishing reports.
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