It has been a very quiet month on the fishing front at Port Albert, with only a handful of people venturing out. As a consequence, reports have been few and far between.

The inlet is fishing very slowly for most species, with the exception of flathead, garfish and salmon. The gars are being taken on the grass edges of backwater channels between Port Albert and Manns Beach. They have been responding very well to Ultrabite Berley.

The salmon are being taken at Manns Entrance, especially when the surf is at its roughest, which pushes the salmon inside. The rivers have been fishing very well for estuary perch, which are being taken on both soft and hardbodied lures.

Offshore the fishing has been quite good, with the ever-faithful flathead still being caught in good numbers. There have been a few reports of tiger flathead being taken wide on the 35-38 m line, past Cliffy Island.

There have been reports of some good-sized snapper being taken outside along with some good catches of pinkies. It seems our summer fishing is starting out early so it may be worth popping out and dropping a line.

Winter gummies are still being caught out in Whale Bay when the weather is on side, so put on your beanies and have a go.

At the recent presentation night of the Port Albert Fishing Club, Tony Cassidy was the first member to ever receive a life membership for his long service to the club as a member of the committee, and his generous all-around support to the club over many years. The honour is richly deserved and was unanimously endorsed by the members.

Spring is only around the corner and is shaping up to be a great season, so hopefully I will see you all out on the water.