Re: St Leonard's Report 9/12/2020

[Andrews]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to give a fishing update before the school holidays start, St Leonards remains productive land-based with plenty of Calamari, Garfish and King George Whiting being caught from the pier. Calamari and garfish are productive all hours of the day/night with some big squid and thumper gars being caught! King George are a little quiet right now in the day, but as the water warms (currently 17C) the kgw and flatties with fire up. Snapper are quiet, they've been getting a few pan sized ones at night.

Massive thank you to everyone who's followed my fishing Instagram, I should be hitting 530 Followers in the next few days! It's the support of everyone that motivates me to keep posting updates and sharing my success chasing the calamari!

9/12/2020, Sunny 23C day with a light wind swinging from a W to a S/SE, crystal clear run out tide. Great way to spend a day off.
Check out these beauty shots of the water, gave me south pacific island vibes.

Squid #1 Started out throwing out the pilchard jig with little success before this nice squid gave it a solid strike!

Squid #2 They've all been traveling in pairs and this time was not different, tossed the jig out while getting it out of the before whack! This solid squid started pulling drag!

Squid went quiet so I swapped to the the shredded iridescent white jig, few casts later and we're on!

Squid #3 No hesitation smacking this jig a few times before that hook up! This really nice squid put up a nice fight, again once he was in the net and on the pier the jig went right back out.

Squid #4, luck was on my side and his smaller friend grabbed the jig while I was dealing with this mate! That made four squid in an hour.

Few of the locals were smashing the garfish, big thumpers with the thickness of a golf ball and big, forearm length kind of gars. Easily 40+ caught between four people.

Squid #5, few more casts and we're on again! The white jig did the damage!

Squid #6, you know he brought friends! Four more squid as the three of us hooked up! I somehow managed the bigger one which I found pretty funny.

Six squid and I decided to call it an early day, the three of cleaned them on the beach giving the gulls a good feed off offcuts. Ended up diving up the squid all heading home three each, one friend caught his three and another couldn't get any! Luck of the draw I reckon!

Anyway, I'm off to cook these squid with marinade using homegrown lemons, purple garlic and spring onions with local honey over coals on the barbecue. Making the most of this glorious weather!
I'll catch you all next week when I head out after work for some more calamari.

[Texas]

Great report and photos Andrews
I know you don't target them, but, next time can you photograph some of the big gars.
Cheers Gra
P.s. do you need a long handle net at the pier ???

[e.welch]

Nice you lucky fella got some of the best fishing near where you live? Do you live in st Leonard’s if so your so lucky I live in Frankston and I’m lucky to get a couple fish

[Irishfisherman]

Awesome work yet again Andrews, you really are a great contributor to this site, providing consistent high quality reports with intricate details on the methods used not to mention the amazing photographs. I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say you are a really valued member, great work mate.

[Andrews]

Thanks Texas, I'll be sure too grab photos of the gars! They were pushing 40CM+ and pretty chunky!
You don't need one, but I think they do come in handy. I much prefer to land certain species in a net, squid and leatherjackets are the main ones.
I use my telescopic fishing net which is just under 4M which is perfect for a high and low tide. 3M doesn't always reach comfortably solo fishing.
For those curious, Crocox Fishing Net Telescopic Landing Mesh 4M is the one I have, I don't think they're made anymore unfortunately. Kogan sold them for a while but stopped the last few months.

Cheers e.welch! Thanks! I think knowing the spot and the squids behaviour helps a lot too! I live five minutes from the pier so it's an easy spot to swing by after work or on days off. I more go to socialise and enjoy the nice weather, pretty sweet spot to catch some some dinner.

Thanks Irishfisherman!I really appreciate the kind words and the same goes back to everyone here. It's pretty crazy to think a little over 12 months that I'd never even caught a squid and then using the advice here helped me become hooked on them! haha

[Lightningx]

Squid slayer you smashed it once again mate!
Really nice work. I wonder how many squid you have pulled out of there so far haha
Top report and pics as always
Enjoy the feed!
Cheers

[hornet]

Thanks Texas, I'll be sure too grab photos of the gars! They were pushing 40CM+ and pretty chunky!
You don't need one, but I think they do come in handy. I much prefer to land certain species in a net, squid and leatherjackets are the main ones.
I use my telescopic fishing net which is just under 4M which is perfect for a high and low tide. 3M doesn't always reach comfortably solo fishing.
For those curious, Crocox Fishing Net Telescopic Landing Mesh 4M is the one I have, I don't think they're made anymore unfortunately. Kogan sold them for a while but stopped the last few months.

Cheers e.welch! Thanks! I think knowing the spot and the squids behaviour helps a lot too! I live five minutes from the pier so it's an easy spot to swing by after work or on days off. I more go to socialise and enjoy the nice weather, pretty sweet spot to catch some some dinner.

Thanks Irishfisherman!I really appreciate the kind words and the same goes back to everyone here. It's pretty crazy to think a little over 12 months that I'd never even caught a squid and then using the advice here helped me become hooked on them! haha

Your Crocox net sounds like the one I purchased on ebay here is the link

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-5mx50cmfi ... SwvBBZ5Bjo

[Andrews]

Thanks Lightningx! Always love catching some fresh calamari for dinner, even better when it's a perfect day!
I'm just about to hit over 200 squid from the pier in 12 months, about 130 for this year with a few large breaks due to covid. 18 squid within December already haha! Always keep track on an excel sheet every time I catch a squid and the conditions, jig colour, tide, weather, clarity, etc.

Very similar Hornet, that would be a bit stronger for your bigger species while mine would be on the weaker side being graphite. I think that's the trade off with my net, it's weaker than something metal but it a lot lighter which is perfect for squidding. Photo of mine attached.

[fishnut]

Some noice calls there

[crispbee]

Hi Andrews,
I'm looking for a landing net similar to the one you have there. Do they open quickly and easily for times when you are scrambling on rocks?