Snapper hauls getting bigger

A haul of calamari caught off Clifton Springs. (supplied)

Snapper reports are becoming more consistent and with the water temp increasing we should only see it get better and better.

The inner harbour is still producing reports but the outer harbour is definitely the zone to be at the moment with more consistent and bigger fish.

Anglers fishing with baits along the edge of the channel have been pulling fish to over 5kg and in respectable numbers, the fish are still a bit touchy and fussy but as the water temp increases they should chew much harder.

Gummy sharks have also been hanging around in decent numbers inside the bay, more particularly around Clifton Springs.

Most anglers have been picking them up chasing snapper however if you did want to target them fresh salmon is ideal.

Clifton Springs remains a hotspot for anglers in search of calamari and don’t want to travel or deal with the crowds at Queenscliff. Clifton Springs even appears to be fishing better on some days with boats bagging out and some of the squid coming in at a fantastic size for that part of the bay. Size 3.0 Shimano Flash Boost Rattle jigs have been a standout in this area.

Alcoa Pier has been holding large numbers of Australian salmon tight along the structure. Casting small minnow profile soft plastics have been lethal with natural colours working well. There has also been pinky snapper holding along the pier too with anglers picking them up on the soft plastics also.

Queenscliff Bight has really heated up this past week with the calamari reports coming in thick and fast. No massive ones by the sounds of it but they shouldn’t be too far off now. Casting size 3.5 jigs along the weed beds and also drifting in the deep water have both been doing damage.

Offshore Barwon Heads is continuing to fish well for snapper and gummy sharks with plenty of reports from recreational and charter boats hauling in some quality fish.

The 50 metre line seems to be where most of the action is at the moment. Fresh baits like salmon and squid have been working very well.