The pondage has also been fishing well for anglers using dough-style baits around the ‘Footbal oval’ and Burke Street. Pink coloured powerbait and the ‘Garlic nymph’ dynamite bait have been the best performers. Just make sure to fish them on a fine gauge treble instead of a standard hook.

Customer Emir has been fishing the pondage at Eildon recently, where there have been some nice trout starting to show. Cooler weather has brought the trout into a more active feeding mood and this has resulted in better fishing. Emir caught a lovely 2kg brown trout in his last session, using Rapala F7 spotted dogs.

Lake Eildon Staff member Ian fished the lake late last week targeting some trout. With some fish showing up deep on the sounder, Ian dropped a few lures into the depths using his downrigger. With some Tassie devils set at around 70ft, he managed some nice trout on a tassie in colour 102.

If you're keen to catch some freshwater natives, now's the time to get ready! With the mild weather we've had over the last few days, native fish like yellowbelly and Murray cod will be starting to become more active. Local lakes such as Sugarloaf and Eildon are hotspots to target yellowbelly, and they also provide good bycatch of redfin too. Eildon Guru Andy McCarthy landed this ripping yellowbelly of 15lb just a few days ago at Lake Eildon on a spinnerbait. What a fish!

There looks to be some good land-based Snapper weather coming up later in the week, with strong South-Westerlies bringing the fish in close. If you're a keen landbased angler Friday through to Saturday night look the best for you. Customers fishing the Northern section of the bay are doing well on Snapper up to 5kg.

Customer Jose has been fishing for Snapper landbased around the northern end of the bay and has caught some nice Snapper to 4.5kg. He sent us a photo of the couple he caught from Williamstown during the week on pilchard and squid baits. He has been using Snapper Snatcher style rigs because of the flash they put out in the murky water and says that they're working a treat for him.


The Yellowbelly or Golden Perch are starting to move about a bit more in most Victorian lakes and also in the Murray River. Spring is normally a very productive time of year to chase the Yellas' as the rising water levels bring food into the system for them, and along with warmer water temperatures which make them a bit more active in searching for food. The best part is you don't need a boat to access them, which is handy when the strong spring northerly winds come up!

If you're a Melbourne fisho looking for the run of a 'Red' then Westernport Bay might hold your early season answers. The northern section of the bay normally produces a few Snapper early on, and this year is no exception. Try fishing from Corinella up to Spit Point and from Warneet back towards Joe's Island. Customer Jacob has only started Snapper fishing this season and already has 2 solid fish from 2 trips after following some of the boys' advice.

 

The Patterson River has been fishing well for Bream lately, with water clarity starting to clean up. At present the river is still running with a murky green/brown stain to it, but there are still plenty of quality Bream on offer. The best bet is to fish with either Prawns, Scrubworms, or live freshwater Yabbies. Fish these baits with as little weight as possible to ensure the fish don't feel too much resistance. If lure fishing, using small soft plastics in 2-4inch range along with small vibes and sinking hardbodies is a good method. Try and use a good quality scent or attractant with your baits and lures as well, to help the fish fish your offering in the dirty water. Customers Daniel and Cam have been braining the Bream down there recently, using the above mentioned styles of lures.

Pinkie Snapper have been on the chew around the Docklands and lower Yarra recently in big numbers.  Customer Liang has been fishing for them in the Docks and has been catching some quality fish.  Using pilchard and prawn he has caught fish to 3.5kg, with late afternoon being the prime time.  At the same time using these methods you can also be a good chance of a Bream or Mulloway also.

Customer Mick has been chasing the Jewies around Melbourne lately with good results, his latest fish however has been one well worthy of bragging rights.  Estimated at around 12kg, this fish was caught bumping a Halco Scorpion along the bottom and was released after a few quick pics.  Now is the time to target Mulloway around Melbourne with the large number of Mullet in the rivers, this attracts the larger predators.