Outside the entrance there have been quite a few makos to 60kg taken in depths of between 50 and 70m. These aren’t considered all that large for the species but they don’t get the nickname of ‘blue dynamite’ for nothing.

They should be treated with respect and some caution. I’d strongly recommend that you don’t go after these fellows unless you’re experienced with them or you go with somebody else who’s got a few under their belt.

Mixed in with the makos are blue sharks, gummies and metre long barracouta, which are providing plenty of entertainment. The ‘couta have been taking a variety of baits including fish fillets, pilchards and whole squid.

Boss of Wonthaggi Retravision, Kanen Dicker, has been concentrating on the waters offshore of Inverloch. He has been going out with son Zac and taking some very nice bags of snapper to 4kg. These fish have been scoffing down baits of pilchards and squid heads. Kanen tells me he’s had a great season, especially on the pinkies and bigger reds. With such great staff he can afford the time to go fishing more often. Maybe a pay rise in the air for some?

Closer to shore around Flat Rocks there have been whiting to 45cm, silvers and garfish taking pipis, squid, whitebait and bass yabbies. Many locals reckon that bass yabbies are second to none for whiting and I’m inclined to agree with them.

Around the area known as the ‘A’ frame house, which is just west of the Maher’s Landing boat ramp, there have been mullet and salmon taken, but not much larger than about 35cm. Both species have been caught on bass yabbies, sandworms and pipis. Not surprisingly, the salmon have also been keen on lures.

Above Maher’s Landing silver trevally have been taking pipis and whitebait. Angelo Bataskis from Dandenong tells me that he and a mate bought some bass yabbies from Rod Bending’s World of Fishing at Inverloch and went home happy with a mixed bag of quality flathead, silvers, whiting and salmon. They fished the afternoon run-out tide and the first of the run-in, which coincided with dusk.

Venus Bay has been productive on the run-in tide for salmon to 1.5kg, mainly on whitebait and squid. As has been the case for a while, after dark has seen quite a few flathead and gummies bagged along with pinkies to 45cm.