VICTORIAN fishos are currently experiencing some superb offshore fishing for southern bluefin tuna and albacore. Some big SBTs to well over 100kgs have been caught in the last week offshore from Portland, west of Melbourne. With the current favourable weather and sea conditions in the region keen sport fishermen are set to experience more of the champagne gamefishing.
Owner of Mordialloc tackle shop Fishing Fever, Lee Rayner, told Fishing World some big catches of stud fish have been taken about 60km off Portland in recent days. The biggest amongst the SBTs taken was a 126kg monster by Shane Cromie, on a trolled Rapala X-Rap. Another angler to join the 100kg plus club was Simon Rinaldi with a 101kg fish. Other notable SBT captures were a 99.7kg fish by Rob Zynevych and a 72kg model to Colin Dodson.
Simon Rinaldi – 101kg SBT on 50Wide 24kgs
Pics: Bob Macpherson
According to Rayner, as well as large numbers of southern blues in the 20-30kg range, albacore to 30kgs have been encountered off Portland and Port Macdonnell. The fish have been regularly smashing trolled skirted lures such as the effective Black Barts as well as divers like the Rapala X-Raps and Halco Laser Pros.
Mmmm…
