It’s been tough picking the weather lately – one day it’s been hot, the next day chilly! Some genuinely cold, wet and windy days were with us in early April and I reckon there will be more where that came from in May.

My turf in the south of the bay is alive at the moment with several reports of mulloway taken from inside the Patterson River at Carrum. It’s no secret that these fish are taken quite often in this system. I know of three anglers who have caught jewies in the Patto. What is most encouraging from the recent captures is the regularity and size of the fish being taken, and the methods that are bringing them undone!

I love sportfishing and it’s pleasing to report that many of the mulloway taken recently have fallen to cast and retrieved lures, including soft plastics. One such angler is Tony Hiam, from the eastern suburbs, who nailed a 7kg beauty, casting a Maria barra lure on threadline tackle near the first marina gate. Tony’s fish tried to run inside the marina gates on a couple of occasions, but luckily turned and came back into the main canal. It wasn’t his first mulloway from the Patto and it was a top effort on light tackle.

The Patto continues to turn on some quality bream fishing as well, both for the spinners and the bait fishermen. Most of the popular spots are producing.

Mullet are also in huge numbers and are keeping anglers busy with light rods, poles and floats. A small live mullet makes great jewie bait too, so don’t forget to pack the heavy outfit.

Snapper reports have been very scattered but some quality pinkie fishing is still on offer on the shallow reefs. 1 to 2kg fish have been regularly taken off the Frankston Reef, Fishermans Beach and Bird Rock. Best results are always at first and last light, especially in the shallows, but slightly deeper reefs will still produce during the day. Like their larger cousins, pinkies love fresh strip baits of tuna fillet, squid and fresh pilchard. In very shallow water, try drifting your baits unweighted through your berley trail.

Reports of kingfish in the south of the bay have also been very encouraging, although I have had no confirmed captures to date. I spoke to one angler who got cleaned up fishing for pinkies and gars early in the morning off Mornington recently and he was sure it was a king.

Two small kings were landed from this same location last year, so I wouldn’t be surprised.

The squid mayhem continues from most of the piers, especially at Mornington. I visited the pier the other night and there was barely enough room to swing my rod, let alone a cat! It was encouraging to see anglers sticking to the bag limit and using some good quality squid jigs. One young bloke I spoke to was using a $1,200 outfit and said he only fishes for squid!