Warrnambool Fishing Report 02/10/26

Spring has well and truly arrived across the South West, and the fishing is beginning to reflect it. The estuaries in particular have really come to life, while offshore anglers are still finding tuna and the freshwater scene continues to produce quality trout. With longer days and gradually increasing water temperatures, we're now entering one of the most diverse periods of the year for local anglers.

Estuaries

The Hopkins River has undoubtedly been one of the standouts over the past few weeks. Despite plenty of dirty water hanging around following the winter rains, the bream have continued to feed exceptionally well, and we're now starting to see a noticeable change in where and how these fish are being caught.

Earlier reports had plenty of fish holding through the deeper sections of the river, where vibes, soft plastics and Cranka Crabs were accounting for some excellent bream. More recently, however, some very good fish have begun pushing into the shallows. Michael James enjoyed some great bank fishing casting shallow-running hardbodies, while Mason Walpole landed a cracking 45cm male bream on a Cranka Crab. Fish of that calibre are exactly what the Hopkins is famous for, and the condition of the bream at present has been exceptional.

The variety in the river has also increased. Corey has recently encountered quality bream and estuary perch along with a couple of surprisingly good tailor, while young Alby Ryan has been catching bream and perch with the occasional mulloway thrown into the mix. When you can realistically hook a bream, perch, tailor or mulloway during the same session, it makes for some pretty exciting fishing.

For anglers heading to the Hopkins over the coming weeks, it will be worth carrying a range of presentations. Vibes remain an excellent option for locating fish in deeper water, while soft plastics and crab-style lures can be worked around structure and along the edges. On warmer, calmer days, don't overlook the shallow flats either. A shallow-running hardbody worked across these areas can produce some large bream at this time of year.

Further west, the Glenelg River is also showing plenty of signs that spring fishing is underway. Anna and Andy Cumming have been finding both bream and estuary perch, with Anna already getting fish to respond to a Jackall Suisen on the surface while Andy has been producing fish on the Daiwa 2.35" Prawn. More recently, Andy has also found bream and perch down around the lower sand flats at Nelson.

The early topwater action is particularly encouraging. Surface fishing normally improves dramatically as the weather and water warm, so seeing fish already willing to look up suggests we're in for an exciting few months ahead. Early mornings, calm evenings and protected edges will be well worth exploring with small surface lures.

Saltwater

Offshore, southern bluefin tuna remain a genuine option. The spring run has produced some outstanding fishing along the coast, with barrel tuna regularly feeding around bait and dolphins. Surface fishing has been a highlight, with several crews successfully casting large poppers into feeding fish rather than relying solely on traditional trolling or bait fishing.

Xavier Ellul and Luke Gercovich recently enjoyed an incredible session, landing six tuna from seven opportunities casting big surface poppers around dolphin balls, including a double hook-up. When fish of this size are actively feeding on the surface, it provides some of the most spectacular fishing available anywhere in Victoria.

Anyone looking to cast at barrels needs tackle capable of doing the job. Long PE8-10 casting rods matched with large spin reels, heavy braid and leaders around the 200lb mark provide the casting distance and stopping power required. Modern tackle has made it possible to put considerable pressure on these fish while still retaining a setup capable of casting large stickbaits and poppers effectively.

Closer to shore, Australian salmon are another good option. Logan Pimblett recently landed a quality salmon while lure casting at Killarney, and this time of year can produce some excellent land-based sessions whenever schools push within casting range.

Whiting are also beginning to become a more realistic target after a quiet winter. Port Fairy has produced some encouraging catches, including fish taken by anglers targeting other species from the bank in the Moyne River. Small soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom have been effective, and the improvement should continue as we move further into spring.

Freshwater

Although the estuary fishing has taken much of the attention recently, the South West trout season continues to impress. Local rivers have produced some beautifully coloured brown trout through September, with anglers including Lee and Olivia Martin finding quality fish. The amount of dirty water flowing through the rivers certainly hasn't stopped the trout from feeding.

Further afield, Lake Tooliorook has continued its excellent run. Andy Joosen recently landed solid trout both trolling and casting around the weed edges, and the lake has now produced consistently for several months. Lake Bullen Merri is another option, with trout and salmon providing action for both bait anglers and those trolling.

Rocklands Reservoir has started to pick up big time. Luke Smith took his kids up for a fish, finding plenty of quality yellowbelly running Z-Man Grubz in the lower section of the lake. As the weather warms during October and November, this lake will fish incredibly well so keep an eye on this one!

As conditions warm, casting around weed edges becomes increasingly worth trying rather than simply trolling open water. Early mornings and overcast days are particularly well suited to working hardbodies and soft plastics around the shallower margins before fish retreat into deeper water.

Overall, it's difficult to pick a bad option at the moment. The Hopkins is producing some exceptional spring bream along with perch and the occasional mulloway, the Glenelg is beginning to show signs of its warmer-weather topwater fishing, tuna remain available offshore and the trout fishing continues to round out what has been a brilliant season.

With October now underway, the next few weeks should only get more interesting as the water continues to warm and our spring fisheries really hit their straps.

Until next week, tight lines and best of luck!