ANGLERS fishing in 40-70m of water offshore from Torquay down to Lorne and beyond have encountered large shoals of striped tuna to about 4.5kg.

But they've been hard to catch.

Trolling lures has been the standard approach but it's not uncommon to troll through hectares of them without getting a strike.

Those who have taken them agree that the small pink occy skirts, rigged with a tiny ball sinker in the head and a straight 3/0 hook, seem to be effective, at least some of the time.

Kingfish have also been present offshore.

Most have been less than 2kg, however, there have been some bigger ones among them being taken in about 30m of water off Barwon Heads.

Down Portland way, bluefin tuna have been taken on the wide grounds when weather permits, both on skirted trolling heads and deeper running lures.

The bluefin captured recently have ranged from 18-30kg, with bigger fish reportedly hooked and lost.

PORT PHILLIP BAY

Kingfish to about 6kg have been taken inside Port Phillip Bay, some from land-based anglers.

Nuns Walk, at the bottom of Strachans Rd, in Mornington, has been a worth trying should you be able to catch garfish or squid for bait.

Southern calamari, although mainly small, have been in good numbers throughout the bay, and along with the gars, which seem to be plentiful, are the mainstay of inshore catches.

While pinkies have also been plentiful, larger snapper have been more of a challenge.

Anglers prepared to target them in the deeper water off Carrum and further south, preferably at first light, have had repeated success on fish to 5kg. Freshly caught garfish has been the most productive bait.

WESTERN PORT

Western Port is still producing great whiting fishing, with 5m of water a good depth to begin whether fishing the southern reaches or off the Quail Bank and other noted grounds to the north. Local charter operator Matt Cini, of Reel Time, has consistently found quality whiting fishing for his clients in the southern reaches of Western Port, regularly returning with fish more than 40cm.

Elephant fish have been active inside Western Port with most being taken in the East Arm from Tortoise Head to Rhyll and within the adjacent waters of Gardners Channel.

Large gummy shark have also been about.

Graham Stevens landed several recently, including a 25kg pearler that took a pilchard.

Graham says the last of the run-out tide is when the action begins, which has also been producing the odd snapper to 4kg.

Although some of the gummies have been taken during the day, anglers fishing at dawn and dusk, as well as throughout the night, seem to be landing the bigger ones.

Mulloway have been present but not easily caught.

Cranbourne Bait and Tackle customers Brad Palmer and Ash Shaw caught a nice 9kg mulloway from the jetty adjacent to the Corinella boat ramp last week using fresh southern calamari for bait.

GIPPSLAND LAKES

The jetties at Lakes Entrance are well worth trying, with a variety of fish being taken.

Silver trevally have attracted attention, along with chopper tailor and the occasional salmon.

Just up the road at Kalimna, anglers fishing from the jetty have been surprised by some fairly large flathead, however, sand crabs have been a nuisance when using bait.

Anglers fishing from Shaving Point at Metung have also been picking up an occasional nice flathead, both on bait on soft plastics.