Fishing Reports Melbourne & Victoria: Latest
The Melbourne Fishing Reports page offers the latest reports compiled by Dave. Therefore giving you some indication of where the fish are biting in Victoria.
Latest Fishing Reports By Species
Snapper Fishing Reports
Rated as Victoria’s favourite saltwater fish. The Australian Snapper.
Every week we collate reports from several resources and present them. Giving you a view of where Snapper are biting – and what bait and lures are working for others.
Port Phillip and Western Port Bay are considered Victoria’s Snapper Hot spots.
However, they are caught in good numbers right around the Victorian coastline.
Check out our Dedicated page for Melbourne Snapper Fishing Reports
Murray Cod Fishing Reports
Murray Cod fishing reports largely come from regional Victoria & NSW.
Places near to the Murray River. The Ovens and Goulburn Rivers, Lake Eildon and Lake Nagambie.While Murray Cod can be found in waters like the Yarra River (upstream from Eltham) these catches are not as common.
Flathead Fishing Reports
Flathead is one of the most popular Aussie fish species. Right after Snapper and Whiting.
In our reports “Flathead” refers to all species, unless otherwise indicated. This is due to how people report them as just "flathead" or even mis-identifying "dusky" etc out of their range.
Flathead are a great table fish and fight well.
They can be caught on a range of baits and lures. Soft plastics are very effective.
Check out our dedicated Flathead Fishing Report Page.
Whiting Fishing Reports
King George Whiting are one of Victoria’s most popular saltwater fish.
They can be finicky feeders and are very shy.
So stealth is important. As table fish, their flesh is superb.
Check out our dedicated Whiting Reports Page.
Calamari - Squid - Fishing Reports
Most of the Squid reports I collect tend to be from Port Phillip & Western Port Bays.
Generally, you will find a lot of action occurs in spots like Mornington Pier. Plus a lot of boat and kayak anglers consistently do well with squid fishing.
Bream - Fishing Reports
For the most part, Bream fishing reports tend to come from around Melbourne and Gippsland.
However this much-loved estuary species is often caught in the Western district estuaries too.
Our dedicated Bream Fishing Reports Page can help drill down into where the bream are biting .
Trout Fishing Reports
Trout are an introduced species in Australia, however, it is not believed they cause the kind of damage seen with species like European Carp or even Redfin. They are a highly prized fighting fish that has excellent table qualities.
As such they are actively farmed and every year the Fisheries Department releases Trout in Victorian streams.
When reporting the name “Trout” is often used interchangeably in submitted reports. So we record both Rainbow and Brown Trout – and indicate the species when it is available to us.
Usually, Trout Season is closed between June and September. The day of the month can vary each year.
Redfin Fishing Reports
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.
Carp Fishing Reports
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.
Silver Trevally Fishing Reports
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 fish’s 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.
Most people preferring to remove the louse when cleaning.
Given they are pretty tasty this is good news. Right?
Mullet Fishing Reports
Mullet can make an excellent starter fish to target, especially for young children. You only need light equipment and they are pretty easy to catch.
They are also pretty good eating!
While a lot of mullet are caught we receive fewer reports on this species as many anglers regard them as by-catch or a nuisance.
This is unfortunate as they are a sustainable species to target and I highly recommend them!
Yellowbelly Fishing Reports
Yellowbelly – also known as Golden Perch – is an Australian Native fish found in inland rivers and lakes.
It is a good fighting fish that can be targeted using a variety of surface and diving lures. As well as baits including worms and yabbies.
Gummy Shark Fishing Reports
Gummy sharks make up the bulk of the catch for what Victorians buy in fish and chip shops as "flake."
They are a small and harmless species of shark. A sister species is targeted in the United Kingdom where they refer to it as a "smooth hound."
While not as tasty as species like snapper, flathead or whiting the flesh is sweet and boneless. Making it a good table fish suitable for children.
Australian Salmon Fishing Reports
The Australian Salmon is not a true “salmon.” In fact, it is not related to salmon and trout at all.
A sustainable fish to target, due to the massive schools they travel in. They are famous for moving through bays and estuaries jumping out of the water as they munch smaller bait fish. This is often referred to as a “bust-up.”
They can also be prolific in the surf during Winter where you’ll see surf fishos targeting them alongside Tailor.
Freshwater Eels
While not my personal favourite a lot of folks love them.
As fishing reports on eels are pretty rare we haven't created a separate page at this time.
Freshwater Eels – usually the Short-finned Eel around Melbourne, are a part of freshwater fishing life.
Size & Bag Limits In Victoria
Please make sure you are familiar with the minimum size and bag limit for each species when fishing in Victoria. At the very least carry an identification guide.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority video giving detailed instructions on how to measure you catch.
If you’ve never measured a fish or are unsure of the right way to do so this video will help make sure you stay legal.
Victorian Fishing – Government
In recent years there has been an emphasis on recreational Fishing from the Victorian government that should help us all catch fish.
Starting with the “Target One Million” campaign, free boat ramps and the wonderful restocking and environmental improvement efforts led by the Fisheries department.
Finally, the revenue raised by the government from boating licenses, boat and trailer registrations and fishing licenses is being re-invested. That means it’s going into Victoria’s fishing and boating infrastructure.
In turn, helping to support the multi-billion dollar recreational fishing industry. A significant boost to the Victorian economy.
Better Fishing Reports Quick Tips
Does Aniseed Attract Fish?
Yes, it does. Aniseed adds a strong scent to bait and lures that affects the senses of fish. Acting as an attractant. Many people add aniseed to their bait and berley. While a lot of commercial fish attractants contain this ingredient. It should, however, be used sparingly as too much will have the opposite effect. Dried anise flowers can be ground up for Aniseed and used.
Does Garlic Attract Fish?
Yes. Many fish species are attracted to garlic. The strong odour works on the fishes senses as an attractant. Many anglers add garlic to their bait and berley. Many commercial fish attractants contain garlic.
Does Salt Attract Fish?
Natural salt like Rock Salt and Sea Salt (not salt with iodine which will repel fish) do attract fish. Both for freshwater and saltwater species. The reason being that salt is a major component of blood. Predator fish are attracted to blood in the water. The salt acts as a substitute and attracts predator species.
What Is A Paternoster Rig?
A Paternoster Rig is a fishing rig that usually has two hooks attached to smaller leaders running out from the main leader. The entire rig is often attached to the main-line using a swivel, split-shot or line-stop to help reduce line tangling.
The sinker is most often placed at the bottom. But can be placed above the hooks, for example when Gummy Shark fishing using a Breakaway Rig.
A Paternoster Rig can be used in both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Though it is very a very common rig used when pier fishing it is also used when fishing from a boat or kayak. Allowing the two hooks to increase the amount of available bait used to entice the fish.
Double fish hookups can and do occur when fishing with a Paternoster Rig.