In early January, there were hundreds of small school bluefin tuna straight out the front of the Port Phillip Bay heads, stretching West along to Barwon Heads. They were in very close, and the large schools were clearly visible in the swell and on the surface.
But they just were not eating!
They would not take lures, whether trolled or stick-bait. Those who were spear fishing could do well, if they could see them in the water.
We were luck enough to have a couple of these early season tuna. When we gutted them, sure enough, there was nothing in their stomachs. So taking the lure must have been a fluke.
But the numbers gives us hope of the 2021 season to come, which usually starts properly in March, and stretches through to September.
