Snapper continue to chew

Simon Welsh with a snapper. (supplied)

The land-based snapper fishing has continued to highlight the local angling this week with fantastic reports continuing to come through.

St Helens has been a popular one this week with reports of fish to 3.5kg being taken.

Silver whiting and pilchards remain a popular bait at present, rough nights and dirty water is the key to success.

Portarlington and St Leonards are all over reports at the moment with plenty of fish coming from both structures producing plenty of fish, if you can get a spot.

It is packed down there but the fishing is phenomenal, fish to 6kg are being landed with lots of fish ranging between 1kg to 3kg.

Most baits are working well being launched out on a running paternoster rig.

It does pay to bring a smaller rod as there are plenty of fish being caught in close also.

At Portarlington the fishing inside the harbour has been great also with anglers casting small soft plastics picking up good numbers of pinkie snapper, trevally and salmon.

Anglers fishing from boats are finding great snapper reports and again most of the outer harbour is producing fish. Some areas worth trying are the channel, spoil grounds, old channel off Portarlington, quarries, Alcoa and 9ft Bank.

Due to the water temp still being low it’s key to be fishing at particular times when they are more likely to chew such as first/last light and tide changes. Fresh baits certainly help, too.

St Leonards to Queenscliff has been fishing very well for King George whiting with reports of anglers finding fish to 45cm. Not all anglers are bagging but the quality of the fish at the moment are fantastic.

Don’t be surprised for this time of year to pick up some pinkies and gummies whilst chasing them, too.