Summer is here and the bass have been going berserk in our bass lakes such as Glenmaggie and Blue Rock.

Blue Rock Lake has probably been the standout with plenty of bass caught up the river arm. A few have been in the lower sections in the woody bays and near the wall. Cicada Lures have been exceptional this season as there have been massive cicada hatches. The bass and even trout have been feeding on them heavily.

The prime time to use lures has been late afternoon, the mornings and even in the middle of the day if you fish in the shadows. The Blue Rock bass have been a good size this season with lots around 35cm and a few bigger. Plenty have been around that 20-25cm as well. In Glenmaggie, the bass are hanging around the rocky outcrops. Soft plastics and vibes fished along the steep banks are producing bass to 35cm regularly. There are good bass in the timbre and you can quite easily catch them land-based.

Barra have been very tough over the past month. Most of the fish have been caught on early mornings on surface lures such as Sammy style walkers or bent minnows and even large stickbaits and poppers that you would chase kingfish with. The mornings are fishing well as are evenings from 6:30pm to after dark.

Surface lures have been working very well after dark. These fish seem to be scattered around, but the island has produced fish fairly consistently, especially in the reeds. The rock groins of the main boat ramp have produced a couple as well. The boaties have done well lately and the odd boater has caught barra when sounding them up in large schools and annoying them with vibes and lipless crankbaits.

• For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 5174 8544. You will get expert advice and great deals on fishing bait and tackle.