Jamie Coates
Quite a breezy weekend across the Limestone Coast saw only the keenest of anglers hit the water.
However, those who were not deterred by the wind and rain did manage to find some good fish out there.
The local surf anglers were into the fish from far and wide and there was a range of species caught.
Snapper were still the big one this week, with most crews finding them without too many hassles.
There has been fish over 70cm caught by those fishing the surf, which is a serious sized snapper.
Whiting numbers for the beach goers have continued to impress, with most small sandy holes within casting range of the beach worth a shot.
Areas worth trying are Cape Douglas, Joneses Bay, Blackfellows Caves and Carpenter Rocks.
Just keep on the move until you find them and you will be set.
The South East Amateur Surf Fishing Club held a competition over the weekend and it was great to hear of so many anglers hitting the beach.
Taking home the chocolates in the seniors category was Les Godrik with a nice gummy shark, while in the juniors Levi Hunter won with a solid snapper.
A few fishos headed to the Coorong over the weekend and while there were a few fish caught, the general consensus was the weed made it almost unbearable.
It is disappointing when you drive all that way, plan so much and the weather finally lines up, for you to hit the beach and be weeded out.
Chris and Rachel Wehl fished over Cape Bridgewater way and Rachel managed her first ever gummy off the beach – it was a ripper too.
While we are over that way, Portland Breakwater has been a hot spot over the last week or so.
Snapper to 80cm have been landed, but countless between the 60-70cm have been caught.
Fish of the week down there has to go to Byron Grinham though, who landed a beast at 86cm, which took a liking to a full squid head.
Offshore fishing has taken a bit of a backseat while the weather has been average, but that looks to change this weekend.
There were a few small windows of opportunity late last week and even early weekend where a few did sneak out along the coast.
Much like the beach goers, the snapper were in high supply.
From Orwell Rocks down to Green Point, there were some good fish caught.
Glenn Fry and crew boated countless on Friday evening at Orwell Rocks with fish to 60cm being the norm.
Other anglers further down the coast boated fish of similar sizes along Danger and Green Points too.
When the weather settles enough to head offshore, I have no doubt the shark and reef fish will still be in good numbers, so get out and have a crack.
Boaties have found good numbers of whiting along the Limestone Coast.
There have been plenty from Danger Point and Racecourse Bay area, through the Port MacDonnell Breakwater, Cape Douglas, Blackfellows Caves and down to Pelican Point.
The size has been great for most and the bycatch these last few weeks has been unreal.
I have heard of sweep, trevally, snapper, gummy sharks and even the odd crayfish taking a liking to the baits, so you never know what might go home with you.
The garfish have remained pretty good despite less than perfect conditions.
There have been good numbers from the usual haunts around Petrified Forrest, Hutt Bay and Livingstons Bay, with boaties and waders sharing the success.
A few anglers have found some chunky tommy ruff mixed in with the gar on the odd occasion.
In my opinion, fresh smoked tommy ruff really takes some beating.
The inland fishing has continued this week.
Rocklands has been the go-to again with the cod, yellowbelly and redfin still on the chew.
Another spot which has been worth a look is Lake Charlegrark.
Murray Cod to 75cm have been caught in recent weeks from up that way and even if fishing is not your thing, it is a magic spot to camp or for a day trip.
The Glenelg River has started to clean up a fair bit and while it is still a long way from the colour we are used to, there is a noticeable improvement.
The mulloway fishing has been slow again, but I have heard of half a dozen fish from down in the estuary taken on live clickers.
Clickers can be tricky to find, but the fish do love them.
The Glenelg River Angling Club held a competition over the weekend and there were some good bream caught by members.
Neville Issacson boated one beauty at 1.2kg, and my young fella Finn (Coates) caught his best perch at 37cm.
The weekend looks like we are finally in for a taste of summer as we see temperatures creep into the low 30’s.
Sunday has a bit of a cool change coming behind it, but with a manageable wind forecast, it should be all good.
Until next week, safe fishing.
