Tonnes of local pilchards for bait

Victorian anglers will be able to buy more locally-sourced bait thanks to a family-owned fishing business that is investing in a new plant now under construction at Lakes Entrance.

The new bait-production facility at Mitchelson Fisheries will not only bolster angler's catches — the pilles are the high-quality IQF models — but also provide an economic boost for the East Gippsland fishing region.

In addition, using local bait helps prevent the introduction of foreign diseases. There were massive pilchard kills some years ago due to a virus thought to be introduced by imported Californian pilchards.

Making more premium local bait available to anglers is a good thing. And you will catch more for sure!

Gippsland’s pristine offshore waters yield 2500 tonnes of pilchards or sardines (and anchovies) annually, significantly more than the 230 tonnes caught in Port Phillip Bay, where the pro netters have said their catch would be a great loss before their licences were bought out.

Mitchelson Fisheries supplies Victorian anglers with more than 300 tonnes of high-quality individually quick frozen (IQF) pilchards annually. It's the biggest supplier of fresh Victorian pilchards and the downfall of many a trophy fish.

Pilchards, also known as Australian sardines, are of course a top-rating bait for saltwater anglers chasing snapper, tuna, flathead, salmon and so on.

Vic Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said the expanded bait-producing facility would provide additional jobs.

“Mitchelson’s new individually quick frozen pilchards is good news for the regional economy of Lakes Entrance and good news for the growing number of recreational fishers who want quality bait from local waters.”

Sadly, it's not so good news for the fish that find a top-quality pillie to be simply irresistible.

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