FISHING MORE RESPONSIBLY IN OUR REGION OF PLENTY

There are myriad ways to fish in southwest Victoria, whether you’re a total newbie, or a seasoned angler after a new challenge.

Scott Gray, marine scientist/researcher, fishing journo and avid fisherman, reckons the fishing diversity here is awesome.

“Apart from the natural beauty of Port Fairy, I live here because of the incredible recreational fishing opportunities,” he said. “We’ve got deep crater lakes like Bullen Merri and Purrumbete, stocked with salmon and trout. We’ve got a range of estuaries and river systems: the Glenelg, Surrey, Fitzroy, Yambuk, Moyne (above), Merri, Hopkins, Curdies and all the Otway's streams. Catching mulloway, bream or perch is on the cards.”

And coastal fishing’s a given – from beach to surf to ocean, it’s all on offer.

“You might head 60km offshore and land a world-class 150kg southern bluefin tuna along the Continental Shelf,” Scott said. “Or you can put a tinny in the sea at Warrnambool and maybe pull snapper or whiting just 100 metres out.”

“For families it’s as do-able as dangling a line from the bridge into the Hopkins River, or spending a few hours at Lake Pertobe, exploring the adventure playground and catching rainbow trout from the shore.”

However you choose to fish, make the most of it by fishing responsibly, using Scott’s top three tips.

1. Shop locally, local knowledge

Visiting the smaller tackle/bait shops pays off bigtime in local know-how on what’s biting where and when, and your best equipment/bait options.

2. Limit your catch, don’t catch your limit

You don’t have to take your full bag limit. Take only what you need or plan to eat, and leave the rest.

3. Handle with care

When releasing unwanted or undersized fish back to the water, maximise their survival chances. Keep them wet, use a fish-friendly net and handle them gently. Remember to grab a photo first!

BONUS tip – download the VIC Fishing app (from the App Store)

Useful info at your fingertips – online fishing licences, bag/size limits, staying safe and a bundle of useful before-you-go info.