Great Ocean Road- beginner spots

[paulmclaurin]

I know it's a cardinal sin of web forums not to search for answers before asking questions, but I figure this might be seasonal anyway.

My girlfriend's Dad bought me a rod and reel for Xmas and I need to catch a bloody fish on it! I have a few days spare next week and we might head down past Torquay for a night or two. I'd love any adivice on fishing locations (I have no boat), bait etc. I am not too bothered about what type of fish, I'd just love to be able to say I caught a fish next time I see him!

I am a rank amature so at this stage Im not so much after a challenge as a result. Somewhere you'd take a small child to fish woule be ideal hahaha.

Thanks in advance- Paul

[blaze]

Hi Paul
welcome to the site mate, its queensland based so may be why the responces are slow.
I am in tassie but closer so I will have a bit of a go for ya.
Not a lot of help but was down at Lorne the other day and noticed a few people fishing off there, looks fishy and also notice there is a lot of smaller jetties etc as you drive along. Most of these places would score you a flathead or a few aussie salmon (what the spikes on the flathead). At any of these place if you use a running sinker rig (slide the sinker up the line, tie on a swivel then about 18" of line to a number 2/0 hook) with a pilchard or simular bait, cast out let it sink then over the next ten minutes slowly retrieve. That should score you a fish
best of luck
cheers
blaze

[Angla]

Welcome Ziggy,
If you travel East from the shops at Lorne until you get to the first rock formations jutting from the water, you may find fish close out front of the rocks. Watch for bad or bigger waves. This if the rod is like a beach rod as the length lets you bring the fish up high and over the rocks. Species will vary from rockies(parrot) to snapper.

If you travel into Lorne and go down the main street, it turns left towards the old fishermans pier, on the left along the rocks is more protected but would produce probably only flathead. This if the rod is smaller.

The pier is also a good judge of whats being caught and on what gear. Leather jackets near the pylons and larger fish passing by further out. Short or long rods here.

Wye river is probably worth a look if the weather is fine and the local shop should be better able to point out a good spot.

Always ask the locals where you buy the bait and probably none better than the fish co-op at the pier where with a bit of newspaper stuck to it's side you are sure to catch a feed at the end of the day.

Angla

[paulmclaurin]

Thanks very much guys! I will check Lorne out and see what I can do! I'll let you know how I get on.