I have hinted over the past few weeks that the start of the snapper season is almost upon us.

Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters, based at Queenscliff, has reported it is a lot closer than the calendar has indicated.

Rod said that while the big fish were still to be seen, there is an increase in pinky-size fish that indicates the big fish are not far behind.

Rod said he had been fishing the reefs just outside the heads from Point Lonsdale to Barwon Heads for what he said was reasonable fishing.

While most have been pinky size, an occasional bigger fish was caught.

The story of where the big snapper go during the off-season is an interesting one.

It states that half the fish leave the bay and head north into NSW waters.

The other half end up in South Australia.

I don’t know if that is true, but it is a good story.

Not far from Port Phillip Heads, heading up the bay to the north, is St Leonards on the west side and Mornington on the opposite side.

Both areas are renowned for snapper fishing.

While Mornington is surrounded by reefs, St Leonards is reputed to have the deepest water in the bay.

Both are a haven for snapper.

As the snapper season progresses, snapper move further up the bay and can be caught at St Kilda, Williamstown, Chelsea and just about all over the bay.

When on the bite, snapper will take almost any bait, as well as soft plastics.

I have even seen a video of a snapper caught on a ring spanner that had a hook fitted to it.

The latest from Rod is that barrel-size tuna have been seen jumping off Point Lonsdale and about a kilometre off the Ocean Grove shore, chasing bait fish.

Rod said that apart from snapper, he had been bagging calamari (squid) as well as King George whiting, and large numbers of good-size leatherjacket as well as silver trevally.

Rod said he had experienced an unusually good winter fish season.

Rod said he was also bagging good-sized gummy sharks around the dive sites.

He said gummy sharks were also on the bite in Western Port.

Let’s head north to Eden.

John Liddell said that now the weather had eased, the boys from Freedom Charters had been bagging snapper, morwong and flathead along the inshore reefs.

Further north, at Narooma, Graham Cowley said it was the same around Montague Island.

Time to check on local fishing.

By far the best action has been in Lake Eildon.

Anglers have been taking advantage of the calmer weather to fish the lake and its river arms for cod, yellowbelly, redfin and trout, with mixed results.

Keep Lake Eildon in mind, as we are coming up to the close of the cod season.

When all waters are closed in Victoria and NSW, Lake Eildon is the only place you can still fish for and keep cod.

The usual bag and size limits still apply.

Other spots worth fishing are both the Goulburn and the Murray rivers for cod and yellowbelly.

If you are after trout, you should go to Dartmouth.

Well, stay safe and good luck until next week and the end of winter.

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Monday, 20th March 2023

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