Melbourne Cup weekend was wet and wild, with winds up to 70kph, and 89mm rain in 48 hours making it impossible for the many anglers to launch their boats. The famous fishing platform of Portland – the Lee Breakwall – was the only option for fishers to wet a line.

What a weekend it proved to be for those brave enough to tackle the conditions. Cars were lined up bumper to bumper, and over 30 large snapper were caught, and as many lost at the last moment. The Stawell Angling Club had their monthly run to Portland with ‘Waxy’ landing an 8.5kg snapper and ‘Darkie’ landing a 7kg version, just to show that you don’t need a boat to catch large snapper.

Not to be outdone, local Todd Sheehan caught two nice snapper

of 5.9kg and 3.1kg. Pete Johnson landed a terrific 7kg snapper, which was the first big one landed for the weekend. Other locals who had success were Norm Stevenson with a fish of 6.5kg, ‘Durbo’ with a 6.1kg fish, and Lindsay Ryan who landed one weighing 3.2kg. This is just a few of the many. Other catches off the Lee Breakwall included gummy sharks to 10kg, whiting, flathead and barracouta. Not to be outdone, Kath Stevens has been landing good catches of calamari squid.

Surf fishing along the North Shore in front of the Surrey and the Fitzroy river mouths has produced good-sized gummy sharks, snapper and the odd mulloway. Those boat fishing along the North Shore also landed gummy sharks, snapper, barracouta, salmon, and calamari squid.

In the harbour, the trawler wharf has provided land-based anglers with catches of snapper to 43cm. The marina is producing calamari squid, the odd trevally and small snapper. In the canal, black bream and mullet have been keeping the younger fisherfolk keen. In the Blacknose area, good-sized King George whiting are being caught by those putting in the time to target these great eating fish.

When the weather is right, fishing offshore in 60–80m of water between Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater has yielded flathead, gummy sharks, snapper and morwong.

As we get into the warmth of December, the yellowtail kingfish should start to fire up along the North Shore and off the Lee Breakwall. These are great fighting fish and a real challenge for anglers.

It looks it’s going to be another great season. We have already witnessed with the beginning of the summer snapper run, so if you’re thinking of heading our way, give the boys at Portland Bait & Tackle a call (03 5523 5213) for all your latest weather and fishing updates. We are open 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm.

Don’t forget to mark down the weekend of January 19/20, 2008, for our fantastic weekend fishing competition. There are loads of cash and prizes to be won.