Snapper and gummy sharks seem to be the flavour of the month at Port Albert.

Snapper have been caught in good numbers inside Port Albert with the most notable catch an 8.7kg snapper taken just inside the entrance by Wes Brew. Pinkies have been caught in good numbers too, in the entrance and around at The Clumps.

Gummies are in very good numbers inside with most boats targeting them getting a feed. The Entrance and Blue Hole have been the most productive areas.

Whiting and flathead have been caught in fairly good numbers by those that chase the tides. Brian Spiteri of Traralgon had a good run on an afternoon run-out tide taking his bag of whiting and a nice flathead in the Old Port, using both pipis and bass yabbies.

Offshore, there have been a lot of good gummy sharks taken. Whale Bay has been firing very well with gummy sharks to 14kg taken by myself and daughter Natalie. It has been firing early in the morning with the majority of the fish in the boat by 9am. Silver trevally and bonito have been the bait of choice.

In January the whiting should take that next step and start to school a bit more, and grow a lot bigger. The spots to try for whiting will be Old Port, Basket Beacon, Busby Light and The Entrance. The last of the run-out tide and the first of the flood tide, using fresh bass yabbies (clickers) or pipis for bait, should see you boat some whiting.

The warmer weather will also see flathead hang to the shallow weed patches, allowing the soft plastic fishermen to give them a good working over. The falling tide seems to produce the best results for me.

The snapper offshore will drop a little in size but increase in numbers as the water warms up. The reefs out around Cliffy Island should produce some good catches of pinkies. They have in past seasons.

While out around the islands don’t forget the resident kingfish. They can be caught on the same reefs as the snapper. The reef system off Manns Beach should be getting its yearly influx of pinkies soon too. With these reefs being within easy reach of Port Albert, they’re a good option for the visiting offshore angler.