Latest Fishing Reports : Melbourne Autumn 2021

European Carp are an invasive pest species in Australia.  They cause massive destruction to the waterways. Clouding up the water making it unsuitable to native species.  Basically changing the environment to suit themselves.

However, they are plentiful, pretty easy to catch – and the more folks out there catching them the healthier our waterways will be!

What can I say – catch them – catch them all!!

I’d rather see fisherfolk out there catching Carp on mass than see the government introduce a Carp specific virus to get rid of them.  That’s been proposed – I’m not kidding!

Catch them, dispatch them, eat them, use them as fertiliser on the veggies (like I do.)

Note – By Law:  European Carp, no matter the size, are not to be returned to waterways.  They must be humanely dispatched immediately.  What you choose to do with them after that is up to you.  Here’s my suggestions on catching European Carp.  

_{European Carp Season: All year round in Victoria}

Known as Redfin in Australia, sometimes as English Perch and in some countries simply “Perch.”

While they are an introduced species – and somewhat of a pest in some waterways – they are nowhere near as destructive as European Carp.  They also taste better and require a little more skill to catch.

I love catching Redfin – and it’s common for me to target them regularly.

_{Redfin Season : All year round in Victoria}

Great tasting fish and often in good numbers in Victorian saltwater bays, beaches and estuaries.

People who have never caught them before are often shocked to find a small louse inside the fishing mouth.  This creature actually eats the fishes tongue, then sites where the tongue used to be and collects free meals as the fish eats.  Pretty gross!

However – the louse is not a threat to humans and fish with the louse present when caught can be safely eaten.

Given they are pretty tasty this is good news.  Right?

_{Silver Trevally Season :  All year round in Victoria: Min Size: 20cm. A combined total limit of 20 for one or more species of trevally}

Mullet often tend to be a by-catch rather than a targeted species in Victoria.  This is a shame as they are in plentiful numbers and pretty easy to catch.

Generally, a lighter tackle is used.  They make an excellent beginner species and are ideal for getting kids started in fishing.

_{Mullet :  All year round in Victoria. No size limit. A bag limit of 40 composed of all or any species of mullet.}