Westport Reserve report 2/1/21 (plus lagoon pier report)

[Leonard]

Hi all,

I decided I wanted to catch a snook for the first time as they look like awesome fish, so I headed out to port Melbourne today to try and get one. I noted that there are a lot of reports and YouTube vids of people catching them adjacent to Webb dock in port Melbourne.

I caught a few mullet under the Westgate from about 5:30-7:30am to use as live bait. - I’m not too into soft plastic/lure fishing so I thought live bait would be the way to go. From there I headed out to one of the small rock walls protruding from Westport reserve adjacent to Webb dock. Taking advantage of the north wind, I ballooned out live mullet to just last the yellow posts. I also fished another rod closer in. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage anything while fishing from the rocks other than hearing one click of the drag and losing my bait.

From there I decided to take a walk and try lagoon pier for a bit. It was also very quiet with a couple of pinkies caught by a guy casting the furthest out from the bend to where there is apparently a reef. I managed to catch myself a little crab and with that, I headed home.

Would really love to get into some land based snook so if I can improve my approach please do let me know! Landbased from Westport reserve is quite pleasant and not particularly snaggy. I noticed one small patch of baitfish that all jumped out of the water well within casting distance, so I’m sure the fish are there. I hope this is of use to others who want to try the place out.

Leo

[Seniorfisho]

Next time throw some Turtleback worms on and just slow retrieve back or hop it off the bottom all the way back, good luck

[Sebb]

I've caught some there, definitely possible. Just a bad luck you didn't get one or two.

[4liters]

Snook are a pretty **** fish. They hit hard initially but even the big ones fight like weed, and they have sharp chompers so they'll often cost you your lure.

I've found most of mine holding over the seagrass beds around Shoreham/Balnarring/Somers in WPB, and I got a bunch at Portland over weed and reef as well. I've seen them at night hanging around the Grammar School Lagoon in Geelong, maybe you can try the little jetty there.

[Irishfisherman]

Yeah 4liters is right about the way they fight, I caught a 70cm one at the start of the year and I'd say I've caught flathead that have fought harder. They do taste pretty good though, and they look cool as well. Hopefully you can get some next time.

[Lightningx]

I’ve caught plenty of them off princess pier on the left side at the end.
Cheers

[Don Fisher]

Lures mate. Easier than using live bait. Although who knows you could get a mulloway so just keep having a crack that’s what it’s all about

[Leonard]

Cheers all, I’ll definitely try again. I might even get some braid and try a plastic. Am surprised that princess pier has that many as there as it looks pretty barren and sandy either side. Then again, all that structure would compensate.

Tight lines!