Kingfish begging to be caught

Jim Bob with a kingfish. (supplied)

The kingfish across the coast these past few weeks have been nothing short of spectacular with lots of reports coming through with a large number of fish over one metre being landed.

Anglers using knife jigs have been finding lots of success as well as live bait, especially if you are chasing that monster fish. Fish are also being spotted on the surface and anglers casting topwater lures (poppers and stickabits) have been accounting for plenty of kings.

The back of Charlemont reef and towards Torquay have been holding lots of kings between 15 and 25 metres of water. Bluefin tuna have been a little slower this past week but that could be due to majority of the boats now chasing kingfish and not hearing as many reports. Trolling at first light has been producing most of the fish, skited lures behind a spreader bar and diving lures have all been hot favourites.

During the afternoon the fish are often seen cruising on the surface, casting stickbaits and poppers into the fish are getting plenty of bites.

Inside Corio Bay is holding a variety of species with the spoil grounds being the zones where most of them are hiding.

Pinky snapper to 3kg, King George whiting, flathead, salmon and snook are all about and biting well. Anglers casting soft plastics on the drift are picking up plenty of fish, bait fishos are also picking up plenty.

Out of St Leonards the gummy sharks are making their presence known out in the deep water with anglers picking them up on the tide change with fresh baits such as salmon and squid.

Fishing a tide change definitely helps gets those bites, plenty of fish around 10kg but they’re a few fish over 15kg so be prepared as you may tangle with a monster.

King George whiting remain on the chew in closer also with anglers picking up large numbers of fish with pipis and squid yet again being the standout baits.

West Barwon Reservoir has been fishing very well these past few weeks also with brown trout on the chew along the main rock wall. Anglers casting spoon lures and Tassie devils have been picking up fish to over 3lb.

Stoney Creek reservoir is still holding lots of redfin to keep anglers amused at the moment and yet again casting soft plastics have been a standout.