Get out there and catch a nice feed this autumn

Nigel Fisher

Here in Portland we have had some reasonable weather, and hopefully it will level out a bit through autumn before the rough winter seas set in.

We have already had a reasonable run on school tuna in the shallow waters, ranging up to the 20kg mark. These numbers and sizes should only start increasing as they head for the deeper waters towards Cape Nelson, Bridgewater Bay.

We have already seen a big increase of baitfish out the back, and by the time you read this report, anything could have happened.

Mid-March and April can certainly produce some very large tuna. Of course, the hardbody deep divers are skirted lures in various colours are the go.

Lure size depends on the size of the fish.

We have also seen some very large makos in the last couple of months, and we should still pick up makos throughout the month of April.

Berley and big baits have been doing the damage.

As the seas level out, April and May can be great will go anywhere if they can score these great fish. In past years we have seen albacore averaging under 10kg, but we have also seen them in the high 20s or even 30kg+.

Better seas will schoolies. months for deep drop trips out to the shelf chasing blue-eye trevalla, pink ling, gemfish and so on.

Tony with a great mixed bag from a trip to Bridgewater.

While you’re out there you can also chase albacore, which are great eating fish and provide good fights when you find them.

Chasing albacore can involve huge days on the water and a lot of miles, as they can be very widespread and in very deep waters beyond the shelf.

However, some anglers also increase trips to Bridgewater Bay to chase good feeds of flathead and gummies. You can also fish the Cape Nelson area for reef species such as snapper, nannygai, morwong and of course gummies and

The bay can also be OK at this time of year, with pan-size snapper along the North Reef line and sharks, plus the big whiting are still lurking around also.

Generally, we see good schools of sizeable salmon at this time of year. Salmon are great to catch and they put up a great fight.

If you like chasing snook, try trolling around the shallow reef lines in front of the cliffs and North Shore.

They are great areas for these fish. Alternatively, you can try deeper waters around Lawrences Rock. You can also catch sweep around the rock.

Land-based fishing can also still be very productive as we head into the cooler months.

Salmon, whiting and sharks are great landbased targets, and you can still encounter the odd big snapper off the breakwater after a big swell.

Remember we have some great estuary options for bream, mulloway and estuary perch in our region. Fitzroy, Surrey and Glenelg river are great areas to try.

There are also some great freshwater areas within a couple of hours of Portland for redfin, trout, yellowbelly and even cod.

• If you are keen to get into it this autumn, or you’re thinking of travelling to Portland for a wellearned fishing trip, call into Portland Compleat Angler and say g’day to the crew, and check out what’s on offer. They will usually have what you’re looking for. You will find them at 61 Bentinck Street, Portland next to the Gordon Hotel. You can also contact them on 03 5521 1844 for any fishing, weather report or general information. You can also follow them on Facebook.