Gippsland Lakes

Get on your bike La Niña!

GIPPSLAND LAKES Brett Geddes

b.geddes@bigpond.com

Righto! That’s enough, La Niña. On your way. I’m sick of talking about our flooded lakes and rivers, but fortunately we are at last hearing predictions cleaner salty water pushes back in and the rivers slow down, the whiting will travel further west. Places like Raymond Island and maybe even Loch Sport will see them return.

As for bait, try live shrimp, fresh mussel or a pipi with a strip of squid will make a perfect

Justin Kohte has the Gippy Lakes bream on tap lately, and shows off a truck about 45cm.

of dry weather in the foreseeable future. KING

GEORGE WHITING

Probably the biggest highlight over the last three wet years has been the never-ending run of whiting. It’s such a big win for the holidays too, with most of them about 38-43cm. The best areas from Metung to Kalimna will be the main focus, but I’m tipping as the cocktail. For those willing to try whiting on lures, your best bet is to try Hurricane Sting blades and work them with long pauses. Scented Gulp worms also work on whiting, and you should jag a bycatch of snapper, bream and mullet.

The trick with targeting whiting is to fish running water. When the tide slows on the changes you might think that the fish have disappeared. In reality, they have just shut down, and then all of a sudden they will fire up and quite often you’re so busy you’ll get a bite as soon as your bait hits the bottom. If you go more than 30 minutes without a bite, it’s time to move. Some keen anglers say that even 15 minutes is long enough to warrant a shift.

Another thing to remember is that whiting often have bite windows, and go flat out for 40 minutes or maybe an hour and a half, and then nothing. So always have rigs made up ready to go if you need to quickly change, and use just one rod when the bite is hot. Keep that rod in your hands and don’t put it down! Whiting can strip bait from a hook in a nanosecond, so be super quick to strike, and constantly check your baits. DUSKY

FLATHEAD AND BREAM

It has been nice to see the duskies return in good numbers this summer, and there have been some big girls caught for about three months now. From the Kalimna and Metung area right up to Paynesville I’ve been sent pics and reports of flathead to 80cm, although most have been between 40-60cm. It’s rather amazing that flooded fresh water has not deterred them this summer.

I hardly finish a report these days without mentioning Brayden or Justin Kohte. Not only have they been brawling with thumping flathead from the jetties, but once again the B-Double Brothers have stacked up some cracking bream. By using soft plastics and hardbodies around 80mm you can target both species,

Tony Pettie has been catching heaps of EP, even in dirty water. Rhys Smith has been releasing 15-30 handsome trout a session from the creeks feeding the Gippy Lakes.

and you may also bump into pinkie snapper, trevally or tailor. If you’re mainly chasing bream, try the lower reaches of the Tambo and especially the Mitchell River and out into Lake King.

RIVER TROUT

All the streams of the Gippy Lakes have been constantly flooded for years on end, and this has resulted in a boom in trout numbers. These fish have grown bigger, which is obviously a sign of more food being available. Rhys Smith has been sending countless pictures and videos of walking beautiful small creeks, and from all reports the trout are thicker than ever. I’m tipping this summer and autumn will provide some of the best river trout fishing in years, and the bass will also be fat and healthy.

LOOKING AHEAD

We can only hope the rainy weather comes to a halt and our streams and lakes clean up in the coming weeks. This should result in some of the best fishing any of us have had in the last 18 months. It could be a big summer for dusky flathead, and just maybe the kingfish will move back up the lake towards Metung around late February and March. Make sure you keep an eye on the local fishing reports and don’t miss out.

FISHING NEWS

Register now for world’s biggest fishing conference

Early bird registrations are being encouraged for the 10th World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC10), which is coming to Melbourne, Australia, from 20-22 February 2023.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO, Travis Dowling, said the conference program had been announced and everyone ‘down under’ was looking forward to welcoming the brightest minds to the world’s preeminent and biggest international recreational fishing conference this summer.

“We’re encouraging recreational fishing enthusiasts, industry trailblazers and professionals in the field from all corners of the globe to make the trip and book a spot now that registrations are open.”

“The VFA and International Scientific Board have secured an incredible line up of speakers and workshops to focus on the conference’s headline theme of ‘Keeping Pace in a Dynamic and Challenging World with Changing Fisheries’.

“Steven Moyer from Trout Unlimited will talk about how anglers and science are making a difference, while Dr Beth Nyboer from Canada explores climate change and recreational fisheries.

“How to build a bridge to enhance knowledge exchange will be presented by Sascha Clark-Danylchuk and Stan Lui from the Torres Strait will delve into First Nations People and recreational fisheries.

“These four keynote addresses are a small sample of what’s on offer and are sure to generate exciting dialogue between peers, colleagues and experts in recreational fisheries management and science.

“Get set for riveting presentations, topical discussions, exciting research and a chance to forge new professional networks.”

Mr Dowling said Melbourne is also home to incredible recreational fishing opportunities for those considering wetting a line or taking a dive while here.

“February is the height of our summer so it’s a great time to enjoy our beaches, explore nature-based tourism and wildlife parks, cast a lure for iconic Murray cod or explore the amazing underwater world in Port Phillip Bay, right on Melbourne’s doorstep.”

Registrations are now open and early bird tickets can be secured at discounted prices until 15 December 2022 at www.wrfc10.com/ registrations.

To learn more about the World Recreational Fishing Conference visit www. wrfc10.com or catch the latest on our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. – Victoria Fisheries