Victoria’s offshore options - part one

by Jarrod Day on 15 Aug 2012 Game fishing in Southern Victoria is limited to say the least. Yellowtail kingfish make a regular appearance during the warmer months but it is the population of sharks that gets the adrenalin boiling.

While the shark scene take’s precedence over all other species, those that want a change can do so concentrating their efforts over the inshore reefs and broken bottom. Barracouta, pike, snook, warehou, salmon, snapper, whiting, and calamari, arrow squid, flathead, kingfish, gummy shark and many other reef dwellers abound throughout the year.

Bass Strait: Access into Bass Strait is via two launching ramps, one is located at Newhaven on Phillip Island, a mere 5 kilometre boat trip through the Eastern Entrance and the other from Stony Point which is approximately a 35 kilometre trip that should only be made in boats over 5 metres as fuel capacity can become a problem.

Bass Strait’s average depth is 74 metres, of which the bottom is marginally sand, mud and shell. Few reef patches exist out wide, but are rarely fished due to their distance from the coast. What reefs do exist along the costal fringe are regularly fished providing excellent angling opportunities. For those choosing to drop a bait down in the deeper sections are kept busy reeling in monster flathead, barracouta, arrow squid and the occasional dog shark. While the shallower areas are where most of the action occurs fighting various reef species.

Shallow water success: Fishing the shallow waters of Bass Strait can be very entertaining. The surrounding coastline is rich with fish all willing to take a bait.

Techniques vary from species to species but the standard paternoster rig will work well for all without the need for getting too technical.

Suitable rods and reels can vary dramatically but try to use something versatile for a wide range of species. For most of my shallow water exploits I use a Wilson Blade ‘n’ Tails extra heavy rod, its rated to 10 kilos but is ideal when bottom bouncing. Being 7’ the rod is also capable to tossing lazer lures at busting salmon and can tire over a kingfish quite quickly having a 10kg rating. Mounted on the rod is a 4000 series reel spooled with 20lb braid, this provides enough strength where needed and allows me to fish for practically every bottom dweller in Bass Strait.

When dropping baits below, large schools of barracouta are quick to move in on berley trails and engulf every bait dropped over the side.

Having a fair set of chompers, they make quick use of your paternoster rig so make sure it’s tied from either 60 or 80lb leader. This will prevent any bite off’s when fishing for a more highly prized species.

Hook size will also vary between species, flathead can be caught using a 3/0 or 4/0 size hook, snapper will swallow a 5/0 or 6/0 and for the school and king George whiting a size 10 longshank is ideal. As a rule of thumb, size 3/0 Black Magic KL circle hooks are a good all-rounder if you don’t want to keep changing hooks depending on species. They are strong enough for snapper yet, a big gummy can still be fought to the boat. The only real time you’ll need to drop the hook size down is when fishing for whiting as they only have a small mouth in which the 1/0 KL hook will suit.

Whiting fishing can be very productive and often result in larger than normal versions. When doing so, lower your leader to 15lb as they can shy away from the heavier stuff.

In finding a productive area, you need to fish over sand patches adjacent to reefs, to do so you must be under anchor so not to move off the sand. Berley can be used but is best when placed in a pot and sent to the bottom.

Dragging baits across the bottom can entice many species and you often don’t know what will gobble them up. In this case I suggest making the rig from 60 or 80lb trace if you want to tangle with salmon, snapper, salmon, flathead and kings. Occasionally when fishing with large baits you’ll stumble across a gummy shark and lighter leader will result in bustoff’s. Then again, you could hook into a school shark or thresher, in which you’ll mostly likely get bitten off so have a wire trace at the ready just in case. Then, you can quickly deploy the wire and hope they come back for a second look.

Drift fishing is a very productive method as you can cover a larger area and find where fish are holding. When you do hook a fish, you can drop the anchor and begin to berley.

When anchoring keep in mind the size of the swell and let out enough rope accordingly. Not letting enough out can cause you to drag it and move off the mark where the fish are.

Berleying methods can be as simple as munching a few blocks of pilchards through the pot on the transom or placing some fish pellets into a pot and lowering it to the seafloor. In a short time, many species of fish will be schooled up in the trail and by sending down an unweighted pilchard, squid strip or even a pipi can result in some light tackle fun. Many species of fish will swim up a trail and sometimes you’ll be very surprised at what will turn up. Remember, have a wire trace at the ready; this section of coast is a shark’s domain.

Next week we will look a little further into the blue water options...stay tuned.