Update on Charters

You would be forgiven if you thought we had slipped into another Season, with Mother Nature putting on a great show for us again over the last week, it feels more like unpredictable Winter weather! In all the Snapper Seasons we have done, this Season has been by far the worse for weather conditions. Hopefully we will have some nicer weather coming our way for some great fishing trips out on Port Phillip Bay before the end of the season for us. In saying that we have also enjoyed the small break for a few days which has given us the opportunity to get organised for the upcoming Portland Charters and the Southern Blue Fin Tuna Season.

Matthew Hunt Fishing Services will be finishing up on Port Phillip Bay on the 5th of February, we will continue to take bookings up to that date for those still wanting to get out on to the Snapper and other quality fishing in Port Phillip Bay. Western Port has an abundance of fish on offer at the moment. with quality catches of Whiting and Gummy Sharks. We can book you onto charters in Western Port with Big Time for Whiting, Gummy Sharks and Squid to the end of March. For current Western Port Charters for the rest of January check out dates HERE

 The Yellow Tail King Fish have made an appearance off Portland with perfect timing, Matthew Hunt Fishing Services will commence Yellow Tail King Fish Charters virtually as soon as we return to Portland. If you would like to get in on the King Fish action we will be targeting them from the 7th of February. We will also be conducting Mako charters during this time. It is a short window of opportunity for those two charters as we will be targeting Southern Blue Fin Tuna as of 1st March. 

Yellow Tail King Fish are fast becoming an iconic species found along the Victorian coast line in the Summer months. Great fun Sport Fish to target and an excellent eating fish! King Fish Charters : Cost $150 per person - Min 4 Max 6 Two departure times 7am and 1pm Depart Portland Public Boat ramp.

Mako Sharks are the Bad boys of the ocean and one of the toughest fighting Sharks out there. They often put on quite a show once hooked up. Don't forget the camera on one of these charters! Mako Charter: Cost $275 per person weekdays, $325 per person weekends. Departure time 8am Depart Portland Public Boat Ramp. We currently have one spot avail on an Individual Mako Charter on Saturday 18th February. Call 0419 760 510 to join in on this opportunity!

We have received some good reports coming from SA with the Southern Blue Fin Tuna already making a show in Port Lincoln. All reports are of good numbers and sizes coming through, so we will be in for another cracker season. We are able to target these amazing fish as of the first of March, with no problems of having to wait till the fish are in close to start our season off. After years of experience in off shore fishing, Matt Hunt holds a Master 5 and Skipper 3 qualification and therefore can venture to the continental shelf, which is the Southern Blue Fin Tuna's natural migration path and where the Tuna Season starts off every year. While in search of the Southern Blue Fin Tuna and Albacore Tuna on the shelf, we often encounter Dolphin Fish (Mahi Mahi) as a by-catch, another spectacular fighting fish with amazing colours and are a delightful eating fish. Studies have shown that Dolphin Fish numbers have increased in the past years due to the changes in water temperature and we should see an increase in by-catch numbers.

Matthew Hunt Fishing Services are also registered to tag and release, Southern Blue Fin Tuna, Albacore Tuna, Dolphin Fish (Mahi Mahi) and Sharks. We will be attempting to tag a number of fish on each trip, providing weather and fishing conditions are suitable. This season we will be offering the opportunity to our clients to be a part of this important research program. We will be maintaining our own records and any client that is part of a tag and release will be advised if and when we receive any data on fish tagged during charters.