In these days of rising petrol prices choosing a fishing destination can be tricky.

One of the benefits of choosing the Warrnambool region for your summer fishing holiday is the enormous variety of options available. Many destinations have one super spot or one abundant species, but if either are shut down for one reason or another then the trip could be a wasted one. Here are a few options to try if you’re fishing Warrnambool this summer.

If you have a seaworthy boat then heading out from any of the local ramps to the 40m line usually produces some productive bottom fishing. Berleying for sharks is another option.

Try trolling for kingfish around the shallow reef areas.

Drop netting similar areas for crayfish is also good. Try throwing plastics for pinkies in between hauling up the hoop nets.

If sea conditions aren’t great then there are plenty of good inshore options only 1 to 2km from any local ramp. Species include pinkies, salmon, squid and whiting. Morning produces the best conditions before the sea breeze gets up.

There are plenty of productive surf beaches to visit of an evening that can produce pinkies, mullet and salmon with the chance of the odd gummy or mulloway.

The Warrnambool breakwater is best fished in rough conditions for pinkies and salmon.

There are plenty of estuaries from the Curdies to the Fitzroy that produce good bream and mullet fishing for the holiday angler. Add estuary perch and the odd school mulloway if you’re fishing the Hopkins.

Trout can still be taken over the summer. Baitfishing the deeper holes with shrimp or mudeyes, or flicking naturally toned soft plastic stickbaits, is the best option. It’s under an hours’ drive to lakes such as Elingamite and Bullen Merri – both can produce good summer angling if it’s too rough out at sea.

Redfin are also a popular summer option. Lake Gillear, the Hopkins River above the falls and Lake Elingamite are the best local options.

Plenty of snapper have been taken early in the season. Good fish have been reported along the coast from Port Campbell through to Port Fairy and this should continue all summer. If you don’t have a boat, plenty of pinkies have also been taken from local surf beaches such as Logans Beach.

On the estuary scene, things have been a little patchy. The mouth of the Hopkins was closed or nearly closed for most of November so there weren’t reports of mulloway like last year. The odd jewie has been taken from the Moyne though. Bream have also been patchy but should really fire up shortly.