Kerferd Road Pier Fishing – Awesome Hotspot – 4 Km From City

Kerferd Road Pier fishing offers a simple, easy-to-access pier that produces the usual fishing species on Port Phillip Bay.

Snapper, Flathead, Flounder, Trevally, Mullet and Calamari are all caught by anglers.

There’s the odd big snapper – especially during a big blow, with the vast majority of catches being smaller pinky snapper and flathead.

Kerferd Road Pier Fishing Overview

As a general rule of thumb, fish the rising tide for snapper and pinkies, then the low and running out tide for flathead.

Keep in mind, as with all fishing spots, these rules are never hard and fast.

While Kerferd Road Pier is closer to Albert Park I’ve included it under the Port Melbourne fishing topic as it’s within range of the other hotspots in the area if you’re looking to target a series of locations.

Suggested Bait When Fishing Kerferd Road Pier

A lot of fishos choose pilchards, raw chicken breast and squid.

Personally, I’ve used whitebait, bluebait, prawns as well as soft plastics successfully at Kerferd Road Pier. With good catches of pinkies – many legal-sized.

I’d like to get back there and try out some chicken with my “secret sauce” as I have a feeling it would perform well here.

When fishing with bait I generally use a paternoster rig here. Though, on occasion will select a running sinker if the water is a bit rough.

Having said that. When I target flathead I’ll generally use soft plastics at Kerferd Road. Motor-oil colour works well. Paddle-tails are my usual choice.

Like all Piers close to the city this pier can get pretty busy. Split between folks fishing and people sightseeing.

Parking can be difficult at the weekend and on public holidays. Also later in the day in warmer weather. Parking is not free beachside, but there is some free parking in the backstreets. Just make note of the signs.

I’ve found it can get pretty busy later in the afternoon and early morning.

So, like most of the inner Melbourne fishing locations – in the warmer months, it pays to arrive a little earlier.

Some years back repairs did a lot to restore usage off this pier, after being closed for several years. So it feels nice and solid underfoot again, at the time of writing.

Kerferd Road Pier Fishing Tackle

Generally, I’d recommend fishing Kerferd Road Pier using light tackle.

However – there’s an exception to this. During a big blow snapper often come in close here. So heavier tackle is in order to handle a snapper rig and be able to case it.

At that time a beach rod and a snapper sinker with some chunky baits on a paternoster rig will often be needed to get the job done.

The rest of the time though fishing Kerferd Road Pier with light tackle is where the smart money is.

Either a running sinker or paternoster rig if using bait. A light spinning rod with a line under 10kg (5 or 6kg often better) and light sinkers.

Kerferd Road Pier Fish Species

Fish Species	Quick Info
Pinky Snapper (Juvenile Snapper) Mugilidae sp	Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Snapper Mugilidae sp	Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Flathead Platycephalus sp	But much more prevalent during warmer months.. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Australian Salmon Arripis trutta	Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Whiting Sp	Generic Name for a number of Whiting Species found in Australia. Bait:
Mullet Mugilidae sp	Can sometimes be the only game in town during cooler weather. Bait: luebait, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Squid Tentacles
Southern Black Bream Acanthopagrus butcheri	Can become less active during Winter. Activity picking up in late August. Active during warmer months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Crabs, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait

Kerferd Road Pier Fishing Review Summary

Kerferd Road Pier is a well-established, historical fishing location and can get busy at times.

However, catches of fish are often good for a variety of species.

But it is certainly well worth trying. Especially if you live close by!

Mostly because it is historically productive. Is easy to access and offers a great range of fish species.

Pros

• Close and easy access from Melbourne
• Family-friendly – children under strict supervision
• Good range of fish habitats and fish species
• In the right conditions, you can target big Snapper
• In clear, calm conditions Squid fishing can be productive some reports indicate.
• Good spot for targeting flathead
• Some free parking to be had in back streets, subject to signage.

Cons

• Parking is good, but can work out expensive during the day.
• Toilets unpredictable. Sometimes fair – sometimes rancid.
• Traffic can be heavy during peak hour