Port Phillip Bay

Catching a winter feed

PORT PHILLIP BAY Gerry Morsman

Let’s be honest, it’s not the most comfortable time of year to go fishing, but the results are quite good if you are willing to brave the cold. From gummy sharks to squid, there is sure to be something out there to keep you interested, or even better, put some well-earned tucker on the table.

Adam Thornhill with an exceptional female gummy shark caught offshore.

Another great thing about this time of year is that you generally get some very good weather windows to get out on the water, unlike summer where it feels like the weather gods never want to play the game. Another great aspect about fishing in the colder months is there is no waiting time at the ramp and far fewer boats on the water. This makes it much more peaceful and even better, gives you a greater chance at catching your target species.

Now let’s get into what’s been getting caught.

GUMMY SHARKS

We are so lucky to have such a great gummy shark fishery here in Victoria. They taste great and fight hard, and you can catch them all year round, which is something that’s pretty special for anglers.

Pyramid Rock in around 35m of water has always fished very well at this time of year. The best baits have been freshly-caught reef fish such as parrotfish and Barbers perch, which are a natural food source for gummy sharks. The reef fish don’t usually eat their own kind, so your chunk bait is more likely to stay in the strike zone long enough for a gummy to find it.

Cape Schanck in around 30m of water has also been a great location using the same baits as Pyramid Rock, as it is a very similar fishing ground. The fishing in the south channel of Port Phillip Bay around Rye continues to produce the goods, with some cracking sharks being caught on fresh squid. Frozen baits from your local tackle shop will get the job done. However, if you can get yourself some fresh yakkas, silver trevally or Australian salmon, you are giving yourself a huge advantage. SOUTHERN CALAMARI

We have one of the best squid fishing locations in the

world. We are super lucky we are able to successfully target this species in good numbers and size all year long. There have been some quality squid being caught out off Rye, even as close as the reefs near the boat ramp, so there is no need to travel far if you are launching your boat at the Rye boat ramp. Using size 3.5 jigs have been the go, and purple, greens and reds have been the standout colours. Moving a little further down Port Phillip Bay around Sorrento, you will also find great numbers of squid. Even the pier has been producing, which is great for those who don’t have a boat.

Moving over to Western Port, there has been some very good fishing around Tyabb and Quail Bank. All squid are being caught in around 3-6m of water over the reef. I understand this is a lot of area, but you just have

to keep drifting and find the squid. They don’t generally hold in one spot unless they are spawning and sitting over their eggs, so persistence is the key to a successful calamari session. KING

GEORGE WHITING

Yes, the whiting can be tough this time of year, but with a bit of persistence you can still get yourself a feed of some of the best table fish Melbourne has to offer. The southern end of the bay around Portsea has had some great reports, with quality fish up to 50cm being caught. Squid strips, pipis and mussels are the standout baits. If you can get yourself some fresh squid this will give you a huge upper hand.

Sorrento has also popped up in the reports around the boat moorings, which is quite a good area to target King George whiting all year round. Mornington and Mount Martha is a bit of an un-talked about whiting fishery, with some very good reports coming through all year round. I might get into a bit of trouble from some of the locals if they were to read this, but there is definitely some amazing whiting fishing to be had. Fishing in close around all the beaches in around 3-5m of water using squid and pipis early in the morning and late in the evening will give you the best shot at having a

good session. GARFISH

Garfish would have to be one of the most underrated fish that Melbourne has to offer. Most people think that they are just bait, but believe me, garfish are one of the best table fish you can eat around this area! They are also quite easy to catch, whether you have a boat or are land based.

Winter is a great time to target these fish, and places like Altona, Frankston, Mt Eliza, Mornington and Mount Martha will hold them in

great numbers. Silverfish and maggots are the go-to baits under a float, and your local tackle store is your best option if you want to learn the rig. Constant berley is the key to getting these fish in, and once you have them sucked into your berley they will generally stay until you catch your bag limit of 40 per person, or your desired amount.

Amy Day with her first good-sized offshore gummy shark caught on fresh Barbers perch.

Kade Thornill proving that big squid will stick around all year.