It’s starting to warm up here, not only the weather, but the fishing as well. Fishing conditions really can change overnight down here.

We have seen some good catches of gummy sharks offshore ranging 1-1.2m in length, large ’couta up to 1.4m and the usual big flathead with the large ones tipping 3.5kg.

The gummies have been caught approximately 4km straight out from the entrance and the best baits are bluebait or a whole pilchard. The only downside is the large number of both leopard and Port Jackson sharks that go with them.

The large flathead are being caught on the grounds straight out from the Port Albert entrance in 25-32m of water with good quality fish being caught from 1.3kg up to the 3.5kg mark. These fish seem to be on the prowl on the rising tide.

Tobes and Lutsy, from Mt Evellyn, had a good two days fishing with an assortment of fish from a few gummies to some large ’couta, gurnard, and some large flathead. To top the trip off they were paid a visit by a pod of dolphins at first, then sighted a whale about 400me from the boat.

Local Don Black is also having a good time on the water. His freezer must be well-stocked with flake and flathead fillets. Darren from the Alberton Roadhouse said there’s also been some nice calamari up to 1.5kg and these have been caught with jigs as they follow the hooked flathead to the surface.

There have also been a couple of small school sharks caught near the Fairway Buoy. This is very early for them, as they’re usually not caught until January or February.

At the Manns and Kearneys entrances there have been some nice salmon caught, ranging 0.7-2.5kg. These have been caught on Raider Lures while drifting with the school.

On the river front, the Tarra River is starting to produce some size silvers and it shouldn't be long before they make their way upstream. By the next report we should see the yearly influx of large snapper to the offshore reefs, as well as the migration of the large King George whiting to the estuary. Port Albert is renowned for both of these.

For the latest fishing information, contact Chase’m Charters, (03) 5183 2267 or 0409 798 018.

CAP

‘Lutsy’, from Mt Evellyn, caught this gummy shark approximately 4km out from Port Albert Entrance. They have been biting best on the rising tide.