Are there gummy sharks in Port Phillip Bay?

Locations. Most of the larger gummy sharks are caught in the southern end of Port Phillip Bay around areas such as the Coles Channel near St Leonards, Mud Island, the Simmons Channels out from Queenscliff, and the Sorrento Channel.

How can you tell a gummy shark?

Description: Gummy sharks are a relatively small slender-bodied species with a short head. They are grey or grey-brown above and white below, with white spots on the back and upper sides. The second dorsal fin is nearly as large as the first dorsal fin.

How many gummy sharks can you catch?

The main fishery for gummy sharks is by the Commonwealth Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) in Bass Strait and off SA where there is an annual allowable catch of about 1800 t.

Is gummy shark good eating?

Gummy sharks are considered top-class eating fish. Very hard to go past some freshly caught and cooked flake in batter with lemon. They take some time to master how to fillet and skin but they taste great.

Do gummy sharks bite humans?

Predators and human interaction Mustelus antarcticus pose no known threat to beachgoers or fisherman. Because of gummy sharks’ bottom-dwelling habitat, they have minimal contact with humans, and they tend to flee when spotted, hence why observational studies of this species is difficult.

What does gummy shark taste like?

Depending on who is doing the dining, shark meat tastes like chicken — or roadkill. It’s meaty and mild — but has to be soaked well before it’s eaten because sharks urinate through their skin.

Do you Berley for gummy sharks?

Gummy sharks like a bit of water movement and don’t mind feeding around areas of high tidal flow. Gummy sharks are quite mobile, and by setting a berley bag on the bottom, you’ve got a reasonable chance of a gummy picking up the trail if you’re willing to invest a bit of time.

How do you prepare gummy sharks?

Lay the fillet with the skin side down on the table and, with a sharp knife, run the blade between the flesh and the skin, trying to leave as little flesh on the skin as possible. Once removed, discard the skin and remove any small pieces of cartilage that may remain on the flesh.

What is the best bait for Port Phillip Bay?

Targeting mullet at Port Phillip Bay Good baits include bread, dough, live maggots, pilchard, and prawn. remember that Mullet have small mouths so remember to cut these baits up into small pieces. You can also use soft plastics small minnow and grub style soft plastic with a slow constant retrieve.

Where to catch gummy sharks in Port Philip?

In the middle and northern end of Port Philip Bay gummy sharks are often caught in most of the areas where snapper can be expected. In Western Port they can be caught in a wide variety of shallow and deep water locations. Hook damage is the most significant cause of fish dying after being released.

How big does a gummy shark reel need to be?

Large Gummy sharks are very powerful. When fishing from a boat, a medium-to-heavy rod should be fitted with a reel spooled with line of 8 – 15 kg breaking strain. A heavier leader of up to 1.5 metres in length is completed with either one or two 6/0 suicide-pattern hooks.

What kind of bait can I use to catch a gummy shark?

Gummy sharks can be caught on a range of baits including pilchards, strips of squid and fillets of legal-size trevally, salmon, and mullet. Another bait that is very popular is portions or fillets of eel.

When is the best time to catch a gummy shark?

Sinker weight should be sufficient to hold the bait to the bottom in whatever current is encountered. The best time to catch gummy sharks is during the night, especially on a rising tide, however they can also be caught during the day.