Around the Bay - Tuesday, October 18, 2022

With Jim’s Bait and Tackle

MOTOGP weekend and, of course, it was raining and windy – riders wouldn’t know what to do if it was fine for four days.

Cup weekend, the traditional start to the season, is just around the corner and with most accommodation booked out we expect to see plenty of fish caught.

I do get asked a lot why we are only doing a report every second week and the answer is simple, there isn’t that much to report at the moment; this will change soon.

We have been very busy in the shop and bringing in a lot more stock to fill all the extra space. 

We are still building and listening to our customers so if you do have some suggestions, please feel free to discuss with us. The bait freezers are now full and ready to go. 

For those who were hoping that the price of pippies would come down I have some bad news; the supplies look to be just as hard as last season.

We are also seeing the supply of pilchards from the new plant in Lakes Entrance and the first few deliveries have received very good reports for their quality.

Reports are favourable for the season to come. When asked how the fishing has been the best answer is the same as the weather; not consistent, nothing resembles normal and basically hot and cold.

We have seen some quality sized snapper but be prepared to put in plenty of time for one good fish.

The bigger fish are all where you expect to find them, Elizabeth Island to Lang Lang and squid and pilchards the preferred baits. The better eating and bigger numbers of snapper/pinkies has come from further down and some of the jetties.

Although early we have already seen good numbers from in the shallows on the mud, Coronet Bay the best; the size around 40cm and plenty of them when they bite. 

Several reports from across the corals of small pinkies, many bordering on undersize and tiny. 

We have seen some quality from Cowes and Newhaven jetties, not all from night, a handful from the middle of the day.

Calamari is plentiful if you want to put in the time but both baited and artificial jigs will be needed; Cleeland Bight, Reef Island and Ventnor the best spots.

Whiting have probably been the best of all the reports. Numbers aren’t massive but the quality means you don’t need 20 for a good feed. Finding them has been a little tricky and those fishing have struggled to find them in the same spots on consecutive days. Head out to your favourite spot, spend half an hour and if nothing then move a bit.