Mega tuna! The words that can send many hardcore anglers into a spin, with work put on hold and a road trip down the West coast on the cards. The run of solid bluefin that have been moving along the West coast has been nothing short of amazing – with some huge fish well over 100kg being caught. While the weather has made trailer boat fishing uncomfortable the bigger boats have been getting out and into them.

For fishers planning on heading to Portland; Abalone virus restrictions have been updated as of Tuesday 25th May 2021. While the virus controls area has been extended, line fishing without the use of sinkers is now permitted. For updates on restrictions please visit the ‘Agriculture Victoria’ page on Facebook.

Even though he’s been under the weather of recent – chasing barrels can’t keep James Rogers from Unreel Fishing Charters away from the water. James has been ‘taking it easy’ over the past few weeks and has had his son Tristan take the reins on some super sized fish out from Port Fairy, Portland and Apollo Bay. A triple hook up on mega fish has been their best recent effort.

Matt Cini from Reel Time Fishing Charters has experienced some excellent barrel fishing over the past week with leading hand Alex and customer Will. The guys have landed multiple barrel tuna with double hook ups something that all bluewater anglers dream of. Most of these tuna have been found around the inshore 60m area out from Apollo Bay and Portland.

Customer Aaron has also been fortunate enough to get out amongst the tuna action of late. Aaron has been fishing out from Apollo Bay where he landed a lovely ‘mini barrel’ of 76kg. Fishing a bit wider was the key, with plenty of life about but the fish very flighty.