Yellowtail Kingfish at ‘The Rip’

Coming off a very slow January on the King George Whiting front, the decision was made to focus our efforts on Yellowtail Kingfish in ‘The Rip’ (Port Phillip Heads). The Fishing during February was as consistent as ever with Kingies hooked on every trip. Battling against the seals were an issue on some days but we worked with it and reaped the rewards. February & March was absolutely spectacular with Kingfish over 8kg landed on almost every trip. On some occasions we boated over 10 Kings with the majority well over the magical meter mark. Sending down live baits including Calamari, Arrow Squid and Slimy Mackeral gave us the best results with the odd fish hooked using small knife & flutter jigs. Unfortunately the bite died off by late March and it was time to start rigging up the game gear for our Portland Tuna season.

Portland Bluefin Tuna – Sensational Start

Sensational start is the only way to describe the beginning of the Tuna season down in Southwest Vic. Our first weekend chartering for the season saw fish to 20kg in absolute abundance. 4 & 5 way hookups were not at all uncommon with the sound of screaming reels all around the back of the boat consistently throughout the weekend. 90% of fish this weekend were caught by trolling Hardbody Rapala X-Rap lures as well as smaller 4″skirts in the green and blue colours.

The most impressive aspect of the Tuna fishing at the moment is the areas in which the fish are feeding. MOst of our fish were taken on the 80m line from Cape Nelson to Cape Bridgewater. The days of having to drive all the way out to the Continental shelf to catch both Bluefin Tuna are gone.

Keep an eye out for more reports over the season.
Tight Lines
Sharkmen Fishing Charters 24/4/2017