With wild weather and limited opportunities to fish this week, unfortunately we’ve only got a short report for you. Thankfully the forecast for this weekend is looking better, so let’s hope to see some cracking fish caught!
The trout have been the most popular target here in western Victoria this week. The Merri and Hopkins Rivers are both fishing very well for brown trout. Thanks to some heavy rainfall over the past few weeks, the rivers are running high and dirty. This is the best time of year to cast large shallow running hardbodies across the rocks, rapids and runs. Rapala F9 and Daiwa Presso are our two most popular choices in the shop. Fish to over 60cm have been caught this week; Xavier from the Tackle Shack landed a ripping 61cm fish, and Lewie Holland landed a big buck brown late last week. Young Henry Lloyd also landed himself a solid buck brown at the Merri River weir. If you’re thinking of heading out trout fishing this week, don’t forget to swing by the Tackle Shack and pick up your free measuring sticker and enter our two week trout tournament. A prize pack consisting of $100 worth of lures and an Atomic Arrowz trout rod are up for grabs! Lake Bullen Merri has also produced plenty of chinook salmon and a few tiger trout for keen anglers this week, by anglers trolling (Tassies, Double Clutches), casting (both hardbodies and soft plastics) and bait fishing with pilchards. Lake Purrumbete has fished much slower.
In the saltwater, the only reports of note this week have come from anglers targeting barrel tuna. Portland is the place to be, with many charter and individual boats landing fish up to 130kg. Salty Dog has been one of the most successful boats, with some cracking tuna landed out of the new yellow rig. Trolling a Nomad Mad Max in a hot pink colour got the bites this week. Sharkmen Charters has also put clients onto solid fish this week, with customer Dan landing a 125kg fish. Some boats have landed up to four barrels a day, incredible fishing! For those looking to head out, just remember that the tuna population is still sensitive to overfishing. Make the most of the tuna you catch by looking after them properly, and releasing any excess fish. We hate to see them go to waste!
As mentioned, we’ve got better weather conditions coming up on the weekend; about time! If you head out onto the water, be sure to send through your photos to enter our popular Golden Fish Award competition. Extra points if it’s a trout; why not enter both competitions at once!