REPORT: 2015 Vic Bream Classic Round 2 – Gippsland Lakes

Round 2 of the 2015 Vic bream series was held at Metung in the Gippsland lakes. Last year we were restricted to the major rivers due to bad weather but in stark contrast this year we had amazing weather, light winds and plenty of sunshine. While the nice weather was great for boating and moving around the numerous systems it did seem to hamper the fishing a little, with some well known areas not fishing as well as normal.

Pre-fish we spent the day checking out numerous spots we had and hadn’t fished before, the rivers, river mouth flats, Metung jetties and lakes entrance area. We found quite a few fish on the chew around Metung and lakes, so decided that was our plan for the next few days.

Day 1

We went straight over to a shallow bank close to Metung which we had pulled a few fish on in pre-fish and started fishing with Z-man grubs, Daiwa Double clutches  and SX40’s. It wasn’t long and Rob had our first legal while I was battling through all the small bream and pinkies. Next legal came on a bent minnow right up in the shallows and with the sun getting up we made a move and started targeting some of the jetties dotted around Metung. Using cranka crabs, SX40’s and Z-man grubs rigged with 6lb leader on our Daiwa Generation black rods we managed to pull some good fish that were holding close to the structure and we had a ball in the meantime. We lost a few fish (and a few lures!) fishing this way, but it is definitely a exciting and fun way to fish, especially if the fish are on the chew like they were. After day one we weighed in 4.60kg, sitting in 2nd place and only 10 grams off first place and sitting in a great position for day 2.

DAY 2

We knew the fishing was going to be a bit tougher on day 2, with a lot of the jetties being hit late on day 1 by other teams and without doubt word getting out of the fishing being really good around Metung. A lot of teams who ventured over to the rivers and Paynesville way struggled to get there 5 fish on day 1. We went straight over and fished some jetties first up, and without a touch for the first 30mins we knew it was going to be a tough day. We plugged away all morning with the same setup and lures as day 1 moving from jetty to jetty, we knew the fish were there as we could see them milling around the structure but they were very tight lipped. Rob managed to tempt 2 fish into the boat, while I managed to drop 2 fish and be busted off by another. It was those fish that we really needed on day 2 and without any other chances that day it left us with a very small bag for day 2 and knowing we would be slipping down the leader board. We ended up weighing in 1.44kg on day 2 and put us down into 11th place out of the 55 teams who competed.

While not the worst outcome possible, it was a bit of a disappointment slipping that far, but hey that’s fishing! We learnt a lot  about this system we haven’t seen much of and have plenty of new spots in the memory bank ready for next year.

Congrats to Paul and Alex for a great win, another unstoppable year for them it seems, and thanks to Bill for another well run event.