Fishing report - All the rubbish fish from Warneet

[Vargs]

Forecast was looking good for a change so went out from Warneet this morning.

Got to the ramp at 7:30 and the main car park was full, I guess it was a good looking day for all. Launched 1.5 hours before low tide which was still tight as it was a very low tide today.

Went out to Quail bank to try for squid and there would have been about 20 boats spread out along the length of the back. Tried for an hour with no luck but something did take the prong I had on a float out the back but did not hook. I was in 3-7 m, clouds were still out. Did not see anyone pull a squid in. I did get my first fish, a fat toadie.

Went to target fish tried a few spots out deeper near Crawfish rock and the park boundary but could not get good control with the current. Got one 45cm couta and kept it for bait.

Moved to Gentle Annie and caught 9 couta and 5 small flathead just on legal. All thrown back as the small flatties do not give a big enough fillet even if they are 27 cm. Many couta caught on couta. At least is was busy with a hot bite for about an hour on pippie, squid and fillets. A number of bust offs as well, I assume more couta and their monstrous teeth. Moved further up the channel to mix it up but no action.

Moved out to 13m at the mouth of the main Warneet channel and got one more couta and a 80cm banjo. That is the biggest fish I have ever caught but had a fight like a log or gumboot.

When I came in the boat next to me had got one 5kg snapper but no other bites among the four of them. The guy who runs the tackle shop at the ramp had a lot of excellent tips, quite different to what I would have thought. One guy had bagged out on whiting at middle spit. I have a lot to learn as Westernport takes some figuring out.

So lots of fish, just needed a ray and I would have had the full bag of rubbish by-catch. It was a lot of fun none the less and beats donuts. I am hoping for a great spring and that first snapper.

If there is anyone who knows Westernport but no longer has access to a boat and wants a fish, PM me as I am happy to exchange some learning for a day out on the bay.

[Lightningx]

Would have been a beautiful day on the water. Good luck with your first big red... should start to fire up not long now :thumbsup:

[young_buck]

Great report, WPB can be the greatest place to fish and the most frustrating at the same time. Good luck on the red.

[Nude up]

great read bad luck no snapper but the couta will be good bait.

[4liters]

The rays (or skates at least) were all hanging out at Point Leo fwiw

[CarlG]

The rays (or skates at least) were all hanging out at Point Leo fwiw

Good fun on light gear.!

[Brett]

The rays (or skates at least) were all hanging out at Point Leo fwiw

No they weren't, at least not close to the beach anyway.

[STriplett1997]

Exact same yesterday out from tyabb bank and lysaghts, coutas, flatties and a banjo.

[4liters]

The rays (or skates at least) were all hanging out at Point Leo fwiw

No they weren't, at least not close to the beach anyway.

Was anything else hanging out close to the beach out of interest?

[Brett]

The rays (or skates at least) were all hanging out at Point Leo fwiw

No they weren't, at least not close to the beach anyway.

Was anything else hanging out close to the beach out of interest?

1 PJ, 1 Couta, 1 Rock cod. lots of small bites. From 5:30pm till 10:30.