The fishing in the port around Phillip Island is steady without being sensational. At the moment the real action is on the surf beaches where salmon have been caught in good numbers when the weather has been favourable. There are also other spots further afield to consider if you’re looking for a change from Western Port.

I went fishing with my brother recently at one of my favourite old fishing haunts at Walkerville South. I hadn’t been fishing there for a few years but on my last few trips there at this time of year I had done very well, with good catches of big King George whiting and flathead. It’s one of those places where you beach launch your tinnie and fish a few hundred metres off the beach for whiting or drift a few kilometres offshore for flathead.

On the day we were there it was a beautiful sunny day and the scenery was just magnificent – but we couldn’t lose a bait. Nevertheless, it is a spot to keep in mind if you’re looking for a great day out in a different location.

The surf fishing season is now in full swing and there are a lot of good salmon to be caught if the weather would give us a bit of a break. If you can get to fish in between the sessions of gale force winds and find a spot that’s free of weed then you will do well. Most of the locals are getting 8-10 fish a session.

Woolamai Beach has probably been the most productive beach. Kilcunda, Williamsons and Baxters beaches are also doing well but weed can be a problem. Fishing the last couple of hours of the run-in tide and the first hour or so of the run-out has been the best. Whitebait, bluebait and surf poppers are accounting for most of the fish.

Below the bridge in the Clelands Bight area there are still a few whiting around 40cm, plus some good-sized garfish. The last of the run-out tide is the best time for these species.

Above the Bridge in the Dickies Bay area there are also some good gars on the go, with a few small whiting mixed in.

At the Newhaven and San Remo jetties there have been some good catches of salmon and trevally.

There have been reports of lots of seven-gilled sharks and small gummies just north of the boat ramp. The ‘seven gillers’ are in the 15-20kg range. The Corals are still producing a few snapper in the 1-4 kg range, as is the Rhyll area.

The Tarwin River is quiet with only a few trevally being caught and even fewer estuary perch. There are plenty of eels on the go for all you eel lovers.

There are some reasonable snook about over the reefy areas and the odd whiting. You can find some flathead drifting over the sandy areas. Fishing off Point Leo and Somers Beaches after dark has been producing some gummies to 6kg.