Reel Life | Be sun smart when fishing

The improved weather conditions came with more sunshine, increasing the risk of skin cancer. In fact, I need to see a dermatologist to check some suspicious-looking spots, so I recommend you all take skin-care precautions. We in Australia have the highest level of skin cancer in the world, so what used to be the slip, slop, slap anti-cancer message now includes seek (shade) and slide (on a pair of sunglasses). Do the smart thing, take all the precautions and stay skin-safe when you go fishing. Wear a hat, sunscreen and a long-sleeve shirt.

When it comes to fishing, keep your hands and fingers free from the sunscreen. The smell and the oil from it will drive fish away from your bait, so ensure your hands are clean when re-baiting your hook.

Now, to local fishing. As conditions improve, so does the fish catch. Cod are biting in the Goulburn and Murray. Anglers are also catching redfin, yellowbelly, silver perch and carp. Speaking of carp, a recent survey blamed the degradation and reduction of native fish in the Darling on carp.

The best fishing at Dartmouth Dam is during winter, which is when trout are near the surface. During the heat of summer, they move into deeper waters, and you will need special gear to reach them, such as paravanes, lead line, heavy sinkers or downriggers.

The rivers and streams in the high country are also suitable for trout fishing. The upper reaches of the Ovens River from Myrtleford to Harrietville are worth a try, and the Mitta Mitta and Kiewa rivers, as well as the Snowy, are all worth casting lures or bait to catch trout, both brown and rainbow.

Getting down and wet is the best way. Wading takes you to where the fish are and keeps you cool. Keep an eye out for bushfires when in the bush.

The best redfin fishing is in the Hume, mainly in the tree lines. The same goes for Eildon and closer to home at the Waranga Basin. The reports from the basin indicate that small fish are being caught, mainly on bait such as worms, live shrimp, small yabbies, soft plastics and diving lures, mainly red. Make sure your lures are bouncing along the bottom.

Bladed lures with a tail of red wool are also worth a try. Still, you will need to use a swivel between your main line and leader, as the motion of the lure can cause your line to twist and form a bird’s nest tangle. If you want to kick back and rest in an easy chair, try fly fishing from the bank with a sinker. Cast out into the deeper water and wait for the fish to come to you. Put your feet up in a shady spot and listen to music or read a book.

Kayak fishing is a way of fishing the rivers and getting exercise; you can either troll, cast lures, or tie up and angle a bait, which is cheaper than running a boat.

Now let’s take a look at saltwater fishing down south at Queenscliff. The report from Rod Lawn at Adamas Fishing Charters was good, with anglers getting good hauls of pinky snapper and good-size whiting inside the heads around the mouth of Swan Bay.

Along the grass beds to St Leonards, Rod said using small pieces of squid was worth trying, but remember to tenderise the squid before use. There was also a chance of picking up squid when fishing for whiting.

Salmon were also being caught when fishing the rip, and flathead on the sandy bottom. He said that while the trevally and tuna were off the bite, he was getting good-sized kingfish around the Ocean Grove side of the heads and also inside the rip.

Western Port Bay is also fishing well, and pinky snapper were found along the rubble beds lining the shipping lane from Cowes to the steelworks. Be warned that Western Port is shallow, and you risk being stranded if you hit the shallows at low tide.

North of the border at Eden in NSW, John Liddell reported snapper, morwong and other tablefish were caught by the boys from Freedom Charters when fishing the inshore reefs from Boyd’s Lookout to Green Cape near the Victorian border. You can also catch gummy sharks and kingfish. John said that when the water temperature was suitable, they caught tuna and marlin off the shelf.

Further north at Narooma, Graham Cowley said it was similar around Montague Island. Inside the bar, anglers were catching luderick, bream and large flathead. Most were around the oyster lease.

James Luddington at Flinders Island reported good-size flathead and gummy sharks; mostly near Lady Barron.

Well, tight lines and good fishing. Stay safe, watch out for snakes, take care when driving and stay COVID-19 and flu-safe.