Anglers enjoying great catches of kingfish

Nigel Fisher

What a crazy time it’s been in Portland. There has been a big influx of fishos hitting the town, chasing kingfish, school tuna, makos and some great table fish such as whiting, flathead and snapper.

In the past month or so we have seen some great kingfish being caught, ranging from rats up to 1.2m. No doubt there are some even bigger models getting around. The main area this year has been out the front of the town’s water tower, and the town reef area in shallow water. This has given most anglers the chance at having a go at this great species. The north shore around the AB arm to Julia Reef has also been a good spot.

Most of the kingfish have been caught on live baits such as slimies and yakkas. Slow trolling with cone teasers or daisy chains experience the opportunity of seeing a white pointer cruising around the boats as it checked out what was a shark as big as a white pointer.

Hopefully we will still get some warm weather and light winds so the kingfish action will continue throughout March.

We have still seen good school tuna around the anchorage north shore to Julia Percy Island. Most have fallen to skirted lures and hardbodies. Some anglers have also been throwing stickbaits, soft plastics and even jigs to mix it up a bit. The tuna fishing should only get better through March, and hopefully some bigger fish will be caught in the coming weeks.

Pinkie snapper have been good along the north shore Minerva Reef to Julia Reef. Some good 30-50cm fish have been reported, with plenty of smaller ones in between. Some great whiting, trevally and sharks are also in the mix. The bay and harbour have also been fishing very well for these fish.

Land-based fishos have been catching kingfish, salmon, whiting, snapper and the odd gummy off the wall.

The guys fishing the beaches have also had some success on sharks, snapper, whiting and trevally, just to name a few.

The deep water fishing has also been very good, with excellent numbers of flathead around Bridgewater, and some gummies mixed in. Goodsize snapper, school shark, gummies and macks are being reported back towards seems to do the trick.

Cape Nelson lighthouse. Out at the shelf, when weather permits, you can pick up a great feed of blue-eye, pink ling, gemfish and makos.

Other anglers have anchored up with berley trails, sending out fresh or live baits under floats. This approach has been accounting for some good captures.

Some anglers also got to on offer. A few of the guys got an even closer look as the pointer showed an interest in their motors. It seemed inquisitive rather than trying to hurt anyone.

We must respect these great animals and use common sense when dealing with

All these species should fish well throughout March and again, hopefully the winds and tides will allow some great deepwater fishing.

Remember that Portland also has some great inland fishing areas pretty close at hand. For a start, you have the Fitzroy and Surrey rivers, and then not too far away the Glenelg River system for bream, estuary perch, mulloway and more. There are also some freshwater areas a couple of hours’ drive from Portland, so come on down and check it all out, and catch yourself a fish. Cheers and happy fishing.

• For all your bait and fishing needs, call into Portland Compleat Angler and say g’day to the crew. You will find us at 61 Bentinck Street, Portland, or you can contact us on 03 5521 1844. You can also follow us on Facebook.