Find out the unwritten rules of boat ramps.
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Megan Fisher
Week three of the new year and the reports from local anglers have been a mixed bag, not just in numbers but also in the variety of species being caught.
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Of course, the main fishing locations have been crowded with holidaymakers, making it a tough job catching a fish and getting on the water, with boat ramps in great demand.
When using boat ramps, there is a set of unwritten rules you should follow:
Always have your boat ready to unload as soon as you move on to the ramp.
Have it loaded with your fishing gear, life jackets and bait.
Ensure the chains and other ties are undone before you back your trailer into the water.
When ready to float your boat, clear the ramp quickly, allowing the next boat to be launched without undue delay.
It’s no big deal in the scheme of things, but showing courtesy to other boaters goes a long way.
The same manners should be applied when removing your boat from the water.
Most boat ramps have a wash-down bay, so a quick rinse before heading home is always a good idea — especially if you’ve been in salt water.
Using a set of ‘rabbit ears’ to flush the salt out of your motor is also wise.
Before hitting the road, check all your tie-downs and fastenings to ensure everything is secure.
Don’t forget to check the plug, lights and brake lights before heading off.
Safety always comes first.
Now, looking at the fishing action around our region.
All in all, it has been better than average, although many cod caught have been below the legal size.
While frustrating for anglers, the number of cod indicates that the future is looking good for their populations.
Yellowbelly, while not as plentiful, are still providing good action, as are trout and redfin.
The top three spots for fishing in our area are Lake Eildon, Dartmouth, and the Hume.
A close fourth is Mulwala, though you’ll need a NSW fishing and boating licence to fish there.
Lake Mulwala and any part of the Murray River are considered NSW waters, so NSW laws apply.
Interestingly, Lake Hume is considered Victorian water.
This anomaly arose after the construction of both the Hume and Mulwala dams, when state governments flipped a coin to decide ownership of certain border waters.
Congestion at boat ramps around saltwater venues mirrors that at freshwater locations, so the same etiquette should be applied.
Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters, based at Queenscliff, reports a successful run.
He has been bagging whiting from around Swan Bay to St Leonards, as well as from Portsea to Point Nepean.
The best baits have been squid strips, pilchards and mussels.
Outside the heads, from Point Lonsdale to Barwon Heads, Rod has been catching snapper and flathead along the sandy bottom.
There have also been gummy sharks around the crayfish pots and dive sites.
Fresh salmon fillets and small whole squid have proven the best baits for these catches.
Rod also mentioned various offshore species, including tuna, couta, mako shark, blue shark, trevally and the much sought-after yellowfin kingfish.
North of the NSW border at Eden, John Liddell reported that the reefs from Boyd's Lookout to Green Cape were teeming with snapper, morwong and large flathead.
Graham Cowley noted similar action further north around Narooma and Montague Island.
Way down south at Flinders Island, James Luddington found good catches of gummy sharks, flathead, whiting and snapper near Lady Barron.
Stay safe and good fishing!
Nikita Gray shows off her catch.
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