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Once again we have passed on by, the change in hours from Daylight Savings time to regular time for another season. With it brings mixed reactions of a Summer gone by and the Winter that lays ahead in a few short weeks. Still this hasn't phased the fishing in recent weeks and this will again continue onwards.
Many Melbourne anglers pack away the boat as soon as the T.W Sherrin ball is bounced. As the AFL gears up into that unstoppable machine it is for another season holding many people's attention.
Its the cooler weather times ahead, where there will be some equally hotter times from a fishing point of view both locally and further afield of which I'll mention below in detail shortly.
Kruno Horvatincic was Thinking BIG when this huge Gummy took a bait recently.....
It's been an exciting past few weeks on those slender grey muscled Sharks of Western Port. We've noticed some distinct patterns to these Gummys....there are none !!
By this we mean you need to put in the time and be prepared to sit through an entire tide if need be as the classic times of a tide change aren't always the prime times so to speak.
In contrast we have experienced very good fishing mid tide in many regions and depths ranging from 8mtr to 22mtr's plus. This has occured in the Northern areas around Joes Island. Also along the Middle Spit across from Hastings as well as many areas along the entire length of the Western Channel. So as you can see from the above, the main ingredient to success is perseverance in an area chosen. We've also encountered a myriad of sizes ranging from 6, 7 & 8kg through to some real hefty weights well over the 18-19kg range. Also we've seen a few over the 20kg mark and often at times when you would least expect it!!
Once again it shows that almost anything is possible with commitment & patience.
Michael Kruger joined along on a friends Bucks Party charter recently, having a lot of fun with this fast running Gummy that woke the crew up for the morning.
Jarryd Hansch with his arms pretty full holding a lovely BIG Gummy that was a fitting end to this charter. Jarryd looks a little seedy here still. He'd spent the best part of the night prior, getting a little 'refreshed' lets say and felt a little less active until this Gummy had the Shimano Twin Power drag singing in the wind....
Facebook fan Giuliana was all smiles after booking an individual spot on an individual evening charter. Once this Gummy was landed there were bigger things to attend to shortly as you'll see below.
Magilla Alert!! All hands on deck!!..These ragged toothed Sharks aka 7Gill's are also on the move in Western Port. They occasionally steal baits set for Gummy Sharks, often though they are lost as their formidable array of teeth usually makes quick work of mono leaders. The use of Inline Circle style hooks such as the Rigmaster PenOtrate Inline Series are a good choice. Generally there is a far better chance of hold on the outside of the jaw, away from line cutting teeth.
Steve Fields in the field so to speak with some of our recent 'produce'.
This Big Gummy was a great addition to a busy night with many hookups over the charter.
A work colleague who had a successful Gummy Charter earlier in February persuaded Peter Kent & co to book a Gummy charter. Results were good with very good sized Gummy's landed over the session.
This Big Bertha Gummy later in the charter was a two person job to hold comfortably for a quick pic prior to release. Excellent Gummy Shark.
Recently we've also encountered a few med to large Calamari that have taken a fancy to Gummy baits being retrieved for checking. Often they'll stubbornly hold onto the bait until it is within a few metres of the boat, before swiftly retreating back to a safe distance.
It's at these times a quickly offered up cloth style squid jig will bring them undone. As they haven't been frightened off by the gummy bait with a single hook in it. The sight of a cloth covered squid jig will almost always result in the immediate capture. These top eating Cephalopods are great bait for anything that swims.
Another view of the Huge Gummy that Kruno had while onboard a charter courtesy of a Gift Voucher. Think BIG Gift Vouchers are an excellent gift for a friend or partner, offering a very real chance at landing a trophy fish of a lifetime while on a Think BIG Charter.
Yodah(True name I kid you not) really had the force by his side. Check out the powerful purple hued colors present in this sunset pic with a quality Gummy Shark.
Simon Edmonds has achieved what he had wanted to for years now and that was to land a quality Gummy Shark. He also got to see a few more landed by his mates on this charter.
Lucky Phil as he's known amongst mates joined Gary Perazzi and crew for a work Christmas charter. Originally booked in the last week of Dec. A combination of cancellations followed because of unsuitable weather. Eventually we had a great weather window and the guys had some top Gummy Shark action. The results were quite good with quality Gummy Sharks landed on the trip.
Another clients personal best Gummy Shark with this model around the 13.5kg range.
Reg Think BIG Client Khalid Raffoul owns and operates Dreamride Limousines. He really didn't quite know what to say when this Big Gummy keeled over one of the Shimano Bluewater T-Curves. Howling off with the current. He briefly asks ' Is this a Gummy?' It easily removed around 100-120mtrs of 30lb Shimano Power Pro braid under a very firm drag setting. There's no doubt about it, these Big Grey Girls can really take a LOT of line on that initial run!! This Gummy was a conservative 18-19kg easily
This Big Gummy literally blew the wind out of Khalid after holding it for a quick few pics!!
It's always great to have a father son team aboard. For this charter with young Justin aboard, it was a perfect opener Gummy Shark that made Dad Tony very proud !!
When the weather for Good Friday isn't that good, what do you do ?? Make Thursday Good Friday instead!! That's what was organised last week, as it was looking atrocious for Friday. The clients were all ok for this untimely change and all were eager for a bit of Easter Flake for the table.
We had the good fortune of a very loyal client over the years. Colin Sires had booked weeks earlier and was part of a posse of reg clients. Colin is one happy vegemite after landing this Gummy Shark, as it has been a milestone of sorts for both client & skipper alike. You see it has been quite a few blank trips Gummy wise along with what seems like thousands of unwanted & delightful Banjo Sharks. It was a great feeling to see that rod tip bounce with purpose when this Gummy finally made the plate for Colin !!
Another Facebook fan: Joe Taranto also was aboard this Good Thursday Charter & was pleased with the results of this fine Gummy Shark.
A trip across from Southern Gippsland at Traralgon was well worth the wait said Matt. Recently he was part of a Gummy Charter along with his father Shane.
Eve nights see the Gummy's bite. Shane Taylor is right onto this as he smiles contently with a great size Gummy. This was one of several landed aboard a charter that his son was on also.
Now this guy has a well travelled story to tell. Hailing all the way from The Netherlands. Frans was in Australia for a brief business visit with his partners here in Melbourne. There business, Incotec Seeds in Seaford is a Vegetable Seed company. Over the years they have introduced some innovative techniques to the Australian Vegetable Farming industry.
The brief from John Canavan was to introduce Frans to some Western Port ideas. So once we had aquired fresh bait, we set off. Setting some fresh baits down and commencing the wait. I'd said soon after, 25 mins should see action. Action wasn't too far out with a 27min wait. Along came this excellent Gummy for Frans. When your used to catching small Pike & Carp in small canals, this sure did come as a suprise for him.
Later in the charter Ryan capped off his personal best nicely with this solid Gummy around the 13.5kg mark. It's great to see the buzz clients get from hooking, fighting & then landing these iconic Melbourne species !!
Port Phillip Bay: Cooling water temps and it's sometimes easy to forget it early April. It has been fairly quiet boatwise on many parts of Port Phillip Bay around the eastern side of the bay. Traditionally in April Snapper are available in good numbers in Port Phillip Bay. Often there are better size fish available around the 4-5.5kg range. However reports are sometimes hard to find unless you get out there & have a go!!
This is exactly what we did on a charter a few weeks back. With clients wanting to experience some Snapper before Winter sets in proper. The deeper regions around Mornington through to Mt Martha just shy of the Shipping Transit lanes were chosen. These are good areas to have a sound around prior to anchoring. Finding Snapper on your sounder prior to anchoring is a proven method when on these wider grounds.
Nice Snapper on a chilly but calm morning.
Blue hued highlights on the fin tips are typical of School sized Snapper from the mud areas.
In coming weeks both Snapper & Gummy Sharks will continue to be very viable species to target. Not forgetting some excellent Whiting fishing to be had. The ever growing popularity in Calamari fishing both landbased and kayak bound will continue on right throughout Winter. The smaller Calamari on offer now will rapidly grow to maturity over coming weeks/months.
For those keen to experience the thrill of Offshore Tuna fishing, follow our updates via links below:
Think BIG Fishing & Youfish TV Facebook Pages.
Portland Bluefin Charters for further Information, Rates & Dates Available.
Thanks,
TBC
This Fishing Report was submitted on 11/2/2012 4:21:28 PM by Seamus and last updated on 11/2/2012 4:21:28 PM.
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