A huge Victorian Open at Gippsland Lakes with monster bags and wall-to-wall action. Andrew recaps event stats (tides, bite periods, weather) and then dives straight into angler interviews: winner Dan Kent (13.419 kg for 9 fish), 2nd Mitchell Blomquist (13.020 kg for 10 fish), and 4th Peter Breukel (12.008 kg for 10 fish). Hear how they located fish, the lures that did damage, how live imaging and sight-casting came together, and why rock, weed edges, and timing made all the difference.

Andrew also shares a quick note about new sponsors and encourages listeners to support the brands that support the show — and to check out The Collective for upcoming challenges.

Event: ABT Victorian Open

Venue: Gippsland Lakes

Dates: Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 October 2025

Saturday: Fish Activity Wheel 46 | Minor Bite 7:57 – 9:27 a.m. | Low 5:21 a.m. (0.55 m) | High 12:13 p.m. (1.11 m)

Sunday: Fish Activity Wheel 33 | Minor Bite 8:52 – 10:22 a.m. | Low 4:40 a.m. (0.63 m) | High 1:07 p.m. (1.09 m)

Bags: Day 1 – 7.005 kg | Day 2 – 5.003 kg | 10 fish total.

Approach: Started in the Mitchell River, then moved to reef + weed-edge zones packed with fish on perspective mode.

Lures: Sickle 85 Sprat (1/30 jighead), Spike 44, Slam deep hardbody, RBX 66, Fat 37 UV, Naughty’s vibes.

Technique: Cast tight to the weed edge, fish on bottom, constant contact key.

Tackle: 3–4 lb Yamatoyo Harris Fighter leader | PE 0.4 mainline.

Notes: Dozens of 36–41 fork fish; defended productive spot once scores appeared.

Payout: ≈ $2,000 + plaque + badge.

Thanks: Nicole Smith & Steve Morgan (ABT), Hurricane Lures (“Naughto”), Kris Hickson, Manning River Marine, and Kath for her support.

Bags: 6.565 kg + 6.455 kg = 13.020 kg (10 fish).

Prefish: Checked Mitchell River / ILT jetties → moved to Eagle Bay (timber + rock wall, big tides holding water).

Lure: Single SX-48 #390 (clear with green stripes) for the entire event.

Method: Slow-rolling hardbody; “if you think you’re winding slow, wind slower.” Combined sight casting and perspective mode.

Fish Size: Smallest ≈ 34 fork; many 37 fork fish.

Gear: 6’9” Shimano rod | 2500 reel | PE 0.6 | Yamatoyo Harris Fighter 4 lb leader.

Shoutouts: JML Angler’s Alliance (Tony), Shimano (event sponsor), Josh Carpenter & Starlo (event coverage), Dad (pre-fish partner), travel crew (Scott, Peter Breukel, Jamie McEwen), ABT (Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith), and Andrew’s podcast for the road trips.

Bags: Day 1 – 6.792 kg (5) | Day 2 – 6.627 kg (4) = 9 fish @ ~1.49 kg average.

Prefish: Hollands Landing (no fish) → Paynesville canals (back-up bag fish ≈ 32 fork).

Day 1: Launched Paynesville → Mitchell Flats rock bar; deep-diving Chubby scratched through rocks in ~1–1.2 m; dirty water, heavy scent; steady upgrades all day.

Hooks: Decoy Y25 Size 10.

Rod/Line: Custom Miller Rod Control Freak (1–3 kg) | 9 lb Yamatoyo PE Resinate | 5 lb Yamatoyo leader.

Day 2: Glassed-out start; moved back outside the Silt Jetties; side-scan lit up with fish in 2.2 m; switched to Hurricane Sprat 75 on 1/8 oz painted motor-oil TT jighead | 6 lb leader.

Landed four fish over 40 fork (43 fork ≈ 1.8 kg) in one-hour window (12–1 p.m.).

Payout: $7,000 cash + ABT trophy (Vic Open Champion) + exclusive patch.

Business: Runs Apollo Bay Fishing Charters (31’ Noosa Cat – snapper, flatties, gummies, school sharks, tuna). Summer spots open now via website calendar.

Thanks: Mates Alex, Fran, Matt, Kit & Declan, ABT (Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith), family for support, and the ABT community for a great event.

Dirty water + rock: A deep chubby crashed through rock was the bite trigger.

Weed-edge precision: Bottom contact with plastics and hardbodies was critical.

Fish movement: Shifting from rivers to lake edges to outer lines required timing with tides and wind.

Light leaders, heavy confidence: 3–6 lb leaders handled serious blacks.

Seeing is believing: Perspective / Live Scope and sight-casting produced massive bags.

Coverage: Josh Carpenter & Starlo

ABT Team: Steve Morgan & Nicole Smith

Dan’s Charters: apollobayfishingcharters.com.au

Join The Collective: breamfishingproject.supercast.com