Most Victorians would be well aware of the miserable winter weather we’ve had this year – offshore anglers probably more than most.

For those able to make the most of the brief breaks in wind and rain and who headed into Bass Strait the offshore reefs turned it on with one of the most consistent winters I can remember with snapper and gummies being the prize catches.

Snapper to 5kg and gummy sharks up to 20kg+ were regularly reported on most of the deepwater hotspots between Anglesea and Point Lonsdale with the 30-50m line being the depth to fish

Even better was the numerous sightings and even captures of thresher sharks. These magnificent sharks were spotted free-jumping off Cape Schanck in late July and more recently spotted within Port Phillip Bay at Point Nepean.

Anglers putting in the effort with small live baits set deep on the reefs should be in for good fishing for several months to come.

Queenscliff’s calamari squid have been very good and a number of anglers have had great results on the reefs in Bass Strait with specimens to 3kg not uncommon. Fresh baited jigs are working best with baits up to 300mm in length acceptable.

This is the time of year when anglers fishing fresh squid and flesh baits on the bottom on the rubble grounds beyond Victoria’s coastal reefs will score some great snapper as the fish make their annual pilgrimage into Port Phillip Bay. Consistent fishing for gummy and school sharks can also be expected. It’s also the time of year that good tiger and sand flathead can be taken from 40m out to 70m, along with some large barracouta.

As the water temperatures increase we can expect to see and hear more about mako and blue sharks, which will be following the ’couta schools and more and more threshers on the snapper reefs.

Until next month, I wish you all safe boating and good fishing… and remember an EPIRB is compulsory on all boats fishing in Bass Strait beyond 2km of Victoria’s coastline.

For the latest fishing information, contact Gone Fishing Charters, (03) 5258 3516 or 0418 510 794.