Fishing Victoria Forum

PhilN wrote:Hi Graeme,
I haven’t fished there before, but I’m hoping you can help me out re launching from Walkerville Sth. Went for a drive there last weekend to suss it out. Should of waded out of the beach but I didn’t.
Holiday season - virtually no parking and no space for a boat and trailer - how do you manage that?
Low and high tide - does it make a difference?
Beach gradient - does it get deep quickly?
Is the sand soft or hard under water?
Got the weather conditions sussed for a beach launch but not the above?

As it turns out, my friend launches from Walkerville North not South. So that's what my comments have referred to. No crowds to speak of, even on this long weekend. Some fishos get a local guy with an old tractor to launch and retrieve their boat, so they don't have to take their vehicles near the sand or salt.

Back now after spending three days on the water over a five day period.

Day 1 we caught stacks of flatties in Middle Channel at Corner Inlet. Most just undersize but a few good keepers. Couldn't find a whiting or a legal size gummy.

Day 2 mainly drifting at Waratah Bay. A few keeper size flatties and pinkies, plus a large snook. Still no whiting or gummies.

Day 3 again at Waratah Bay. Landed my first good kingfish off Cape Liptrap, trolling a Rapala X-rap Magnum 30 lure. What was great about this catch was that there was no clue as to where the kingfish might be, as we weren't near structure or a bust-up or diving birds, just in the middle of the ocean. The lure did its job of finding a 'needle in a haystack'. Seconds after the fish was hooked my mate saw a bait ball on the sounder, so I presume the kingies were simply following this school of small fish wherever they went. In the stomach of the kingfish I found a small leatherjacket. And in the stomachs of my family this evening, you'll find a kingfish.

Sounds like a great 3 day’s mate!
Nice work with the kingie :thumbsup:

Sound like a good trip especially the 3rd day.
It's a nice surprise when you cantch something unexpected
Well done

graemebowman wrote:

PhilN wrote:I’m hoping you can help me out re launching from Walkerville Sth.
Holiday season - virtually no parking and no space for a boat and trailer - how do you manage that?
Low and high tide - does it make a difference?
Beach gradient - does it get deep quickly?
Is the sand soft or hard under water?

Just spoke to my mate who owns the boat. He said that, because the gradient is not as steep as a normal ramp, the main thing a lot of people have there is a third wheel on the front of their trailer so they can disconnect and, when necessary, push the trailer in and out of the water separate from the car. You also need a long rope to link trailer to tow bar upon retrieval. So unless you have a really small boat you can easily handle, it could be a bit of a specialised operation. I'd suggest watching a few others launch and retrieve before doing it yourself. And do it when the crowds aren't there.

When it's busy at Walkerville South, DO NOT leave your car and trailer on the sand.
I haven't been there for years, I'm talking about the ramp South of the point
I believe there may be a new ramp opposite the beach houses
Gra