Fishos are waiting on the day they can throw in a line again | Fishing

This time of year the barrel tuna litter reports from offshore, and this will be no different when things re-open.

Port MacDonnell has already seen an influx of big fish caught by anglers trolling skirts over feeding patches. Reports coming in from Portland by people walking along the cliffs suggest there is plenty of life around Bridgewater Bay, so the tuna won't be far away from that.

Last season, the fish pretty much stayed in the one area for a few months and this was only due to one reason, the bait was there and they didn't need to mover to find it. So what would most anglers be doing to catch these awesome sport fish? You'll most likely see boats trolling larger skirts in the 8-12" mark in the prop wash and as a shotgun out the back of the boat.

If you've never trolled for tuna, there are a few things you'll need to know before you go. Probably the most important is knowing where and what to run in your pressure waves coming off the engine. When the engine is in gear and you have found your speed (usually between 6-8 knots), then trim your engine/s slightly which will make a pressure wave behind your boat. The reason you do this is because it actually creates some clean water on the front and the backs of these waves in which tuna can track that lure.

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There are a few names of lure placement positions in a spread. Short corner is the closest lure to the prop wash and is predominately a bigger lure that will track in the high-pressured water.

The next is a short rigger, which is again a shorter head lure that is placed on an outrigger pole and when the fish strikes there is a release clip that lets the line disconnect from the rigger and it's up to the rod and reel to do the work. Long rigger is the same as the short rigger, just placed further back in the spread, and can have a wide range of lures put in this position - but usually something with a longer head that will dart around a bit more.

A long corner is the most popular position for most anglers that start out tuna fishing, as they think if they get the lure away from the engines then they will eat better. This is usually where you put the lure with the longest head on it, and this is due to the erratic action that these lures put out down the back. Then there's the shotgun, which is usually used for spooky fish that won't come into the prop wash and will usually hang out the back of the boat. Usually in this position of the spread it's a long slender shaped head with some weight such as a Jaks Big Barrel Bullet or the Bonze Exocet.

The colder months across the south-west give the estuary anglers a real buzz, as this means mulloway time and many hours being spent on the water chasing that sometimes-elusive fish.

These big fish move into the rivers along our coast in search of the schools of mullet that flock into the rivers.

The last couple of years over at the Glenelg River at Nelson has seen some incredible captures including a couple of beasts over the magical 50lb mark, with the biggest pulling the scales down to 69lb. These fish are generally found in the lower section of the river from Donovans down to the estuary and can be caught on a wide range of lures and baits.

A twin hook rig is perfect for trolling the mullet as you can cover both the front of the bait and the rear of the bait depending on where the mulloway eats it. If you're looking at fishing vibe-style lures, then the Strikepro Astro Vibes, Samaki Vibelicious and Jackall Transams are the choice of us in the shop. If soft plastics are your thing, the Westin Shadteez in Dirty Harbour, Live Target swimbaits and the Zman Slim Swimz in 3" will put you in the right direction.

Trout anglers live for this time of year as the water temperature drops the trout become more active.

The Merri and Hopkins have for many years been regarded as trophy trout rivers, and now is the time you'll see these big fish get caught. Most anglers cast shallow running hard bodies into the rapids once the water begins to flow.

Pinpointing eddies behind rocks and logs will give the trout a great ambush area and an easy place to stay out of the running water.

Rapala F7s, Daiwa Double Clutches and other slender minnows style lures will get the attention of these great coloured fish.

Other options for chasing a trophy trout are the crater lakes at Camperdown namely Lake Purrumbete and Lake Bullen Merri. Purrumbete, over the past few years, has taken over as the big trout mecca in the south-west. Going off reports before the COVID-19 lockdown, signs were positive for it to continue again going into winter. Trolling live minnows such as bullheads down deep on a downrigger has been the preferred choice for the many die-hard trout chasers.

Beach fishing will hopefully be a better result than last year, when we didn't really get a lot of salmon.

Speaking to those that have chased them for years, they usually come in waves every two years. So, hopefully they turn up in big numbers this year.

Casting metal slugs at the surf breaks with a 9-10ft rod is preferred by those actively chasing them. If you're into your bait fishing, pilchards and squid will put out a nice smell for them to track down. Hot spots to find a salmon or two are Killarney, East Beach at Port Fairy, Yambuck and the mouth of the Fitzroy River.

I know my fingers and toes are crossed with the decision that will take place on May 11, which will hopefully mean we are able to get back to fishing in some capacity. Well done to everyone who has been doing the right thing and staying off the water. To those who haven't, well you've only got yourself to blame if the ban is extended. So, until then take care and look after each other.