On the mighty Glenelg the mulloway fishing during February has been very good after they shut down late in January. Just like last year, the bulk of the fish have been holding between Hutchessons Landing and Sapling Creek.

The fish are mainly around 60cm with the odd 70-80cm versions in the mix. On light gear you can have lots of fun. I don’t think much will change during March so that same section of the river is where you should start your search.

Live mullet, either trolled or fished under a float, is the locals’ preferred choice of technique. Another favourite down here are spew worms that can be pumped at several spots between here and Port MacDonnell, but they are best saved for night fishing as those pesky juvenile bream aren’t as annoying when the sun goes down.

We have been trolling live mullet and lures, and it’s amazing how the lures often get the first fish but the mullet get the numbers. We have been zig-zagging along the river, trolling 100m, then angling to the other bank and back again. Often the fish have been towards the middle of the river. Keep your eye on your rod tip as old mate mullet gets quite nervous when he’s about to become dinner. That reaction should not be ignored. Target that spot, and remember it’s worth returning later on if nothing happens at first.

Mullet have been a little hard to get so trolling lures can help with bait budgeting. If you are coming down it pays to book your bait (mullet, crab, pod worm) from Chris and Cheryl at Nelson Boat Hire (08 8738 4048).

Bream have been finicky during most of February, but there was an improvement later in the month. Once again crab is the number one bait during the day, with whitebait best at night.

One trick with the whitebait is, if the bream are pecking at them and stealing them off your hook, try cutting off the tail. This seems to promote a deeper bite from the bream, improving your hook-up rate.

The water is very clear so target deeper edges and get your baits 2-4m down. The same goes if you’re flicking plastics or lures: work it the same and move, move, and move.

The estuary is still producing good bags of bream. The pod worm beds are a constant food source for them, along with small brown shell squirters. The coral that used to grow on all the poles and structures around Nelson has nearly disappeared for some reason. This is why the estuary fishes well; fish where the fish eat and you will have success.

We have had a 15m sperm whale wash up at Ocean Beach and it is acting as one big berley trail. Fishing just down from it has produced ripper bream, salmon and sharks. The smell isn’t great, but it was too good an opportunity to miss. There was also a white pointer hanging off it.

Port MacDonnell has continued to fish well for whiting, mullet, salmon and squid in the Breakwater. Livingstones is producing good garfish, snook and mullet as well.

Offshore, teraki, knife-jaw, thresher, makos and gummy sharks to 20kg can all be found at the 100m line.

Snapper joy should come from Orwell Rocks, Danger Point and Green Point, but the size of the fish has decreased. Green Point and Danger Point will hopefully produce some big mulloway during March as it has in past years. Call into the pub and we will give you a map on where to beach launch.

Tuna are also on a lot of guy’s minds during March. The last three years the first big fish have been caught on March 17/18, so we are hoping for the same this year.

We have a selection of accommodation at the pub. Nelson gives you the opportunity to base yourself for fishing either Portland or Port MacDonnell. The old fishing grapevine works well and your choice can be made during the evening when the days gossip comes through.

Call us at the pub on 08 8738 4011 for the latest information.