Mordialloc Pier Fishing Times, Tides, Weather & Reports

Mordialloc Pier Fishing

Mordialloc Pier: A Beautiful Long Pier

Mordialloc Pier is a popular fishing spot, thanks in part to its length. It stretches 174 metres (570.86 feet) and sits in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Mordialloc.

It’s a popular place for land-based fishing in Port Phillip Bay.

Fishing at Mordialloc Pier can be challenging now. Dredging in Port Phillip Bay has changed the underwater environment, which affects fish habitats and makes catches less predictable. More anglers and occasional creek pollution have also made fishing tougher, so it might be slower than locals remember. When you go is important—early mornings and evenings, especially around the tides, usually give you the best chance.

Here’s a quick summary of what species are most active in each season:

• In spring, snapper start to arrive, and squid fishing can be excellent, especially on clear, calm days. Garfish numbers pick up as the weather warms.
• Summer is a good time for pinkie snapper, garfish and flathead, especially when the water temperature is higher. Bream can still be caught, but warm weather tends to bring more garfish and salmon closer to the pier.
• Autumn sees good chances for squid on clear days, and flathead are often caught further out. Bream start becoming more active after rainfall, especially near the creek channel.
• In winter, bream are at their best, particularly after rain. Pinkie snapper are still around, but fishing can be quieter overall. Squid are less common, but persistent anglers might still find a few.

Snapper are most active in spring and early summer. Squid fishing is better on clear, calm days in autumn and spring. Garfish bite more in warmer months, and bream are easier to catch in cooler weather or after rain.

Anglers often catch squid during calm, clear weather, especially at dusk. Snapper are caught too, mostly smaller pinkies in cooler months, with bigger ones showing up in late spring. Bream bite well after rain, especially in the creek channel, and you might also catch flathead and Australian salmon further out on the pier. It’s a good idea to check recent fishing reports before you go, since conditions and fish activity can change quickly. You can bookmark this page for updates on reports and fishing times.

Berley Pays Off

The pier begins at the mouth of the creek, with beaches on either side. Most people prefer fishing from the pier or from Mordialloc Creek rather than the beach.

You’ll need to put in some effort here. The fish are around, but using berley can help you catch more. Bread, tuna oil, and chicken pellets all work well. Some of the best baits at Mordialloc Pier are peeled prawns, sandworms, pilchard strips, silverfish, and fresh squid pieces. For soft plastics, locals like Z-Man and Gulp! brands in natural colours. For berley, Stimulate Berley Pellets and Big John Berley Mix are popular. You can make your own mix or buy one from a tackle shop. There are a few local tackle shops near the pier where you can get fresh bait, berley, and gear. Buying from a local store also lets you ask for advice or check recent catch reports. For best results, throw in a small handful of berley every 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the berley close to your bait, but don’t use too much or you might scare the fish away. A berley cage or bucket near your spot can also help by slowly releasing scent into the water.

The creek channel runs along the left side of the pier. Both the creek and the pier are good for bream and pinkies.

For bream, use light running sinker rigs or small hooks with peeled prawns or worms.

Pinkies like paternoster rigs with strips of pilchard, squid, or soft plastics.

On the right side, just after the drop-off, you can catch squid. Use squid jigs in sizes 2.5 to 3.5 in natural colours for the best results.

Garfish are found on both sides before the bus shelter, and they prefer float rigs with tiny hooks baited with silverfish or maggots.

After the bus shelter, the water gets deeper, and you can catch flathead, pinkie snapper, Australian salmon, and other species.

For flathead and salmon, use a paternoster or running-sinker rig with pilchards, bluebait, or soft plastics. Change your rig and bait based on what you want to catch to improve your chances.

Always check and follow local fishing rules before you start. Rules and limits can change from year to year or even between seasons, so make sure to check for the latest updates before every trip. In Victoria, most people need a recreational fishing license to fish in saltwater areas like Mordialloc Pier. You can get one online from the Victorian Fisheries Authority website or at most tackle shops. Some groups, such as children under 18 or seniors over 70, are exempt. Most saltwater fish, like bream, snapper, and flathead, have minimum size and bag limits. For example, bream must be at least 28 cm, with a bag limit of 10 per person.

Snapper also need to be at least 28 cm, with a bag limit of 10, and no more than 3 over 40 cm. Squid and Australian salmon have their own seasonal or bag limits too. Check the latest rules on the Victorian Fisheries Authority website, as they can change. Following these rules helps protect local fish stocks. A shorter rod works well for bream when fishing close to the pier, especially with soft plastics.

For garfish, use a longer rod. After the bus shelter, about halfway down the pier, a 9- to 12-foot rod is best. This helps you cast farther and reach the reef at the end.

Fishing is usually better during tide movements, in low light, and when the water is calm.

You can use the forecast, tide times, wind, pressure, bite windows, and recent reports on this page to plan your fishing trip. All this information is in the resource sections above, so you don’t have to leave the page to find what you need.

Pros

• Close and easy access via Nepean Highway
• Family-friendly, as long as children are closely supervised
• Good range of fish habitats and fish species
• When conditions are right, you can catch big snapper. Squid fishing is also good when the water is clear and calm.
• There is shelter about two-thirds down the pier to keep you dry if it rains.

Cons

• Parking is convenient, but it can be expensive during the day.
• The toilets can be unpredictable. Sometimes they are fine, but other times they are not pleasant. Sometimes, youth gangs gather in the area, and there can be signs of drug use in the toilets or scrub along the foreshore. For your safety, try to fish with a friend or in a group, and avoid solitary spots, especially in the evening or late at night. Stick to well-lit parts of the pier and keep your belongings safe. In recent months, local patrols have increased in the area, and you will sometimes see a police or council presence, especially during busy periods. If you feel unsafe or notice suspicious activity, you can call the local police station at (03) 9586 1555 or contact the City of Kingston Council on (03) 9581 4780. Emergency help is always available by dialling 000.

Safety checklist for anglers at Mordialloc Pier:

• Keep your valuables hidden and out of sight
• Carry a fully charged mobile phone
• Let someone know your fishing plans and when you expect to return
• Fish with a friend or in a group when possible
• Stay in well-lit areas, especially after dark
• Avoid confronting any suspicious activity; instead, report it to authorities
• Trust your instincts and leave if you feel uncomfortable

Conclusion

Fish caught from the pier are generally safe to eat. However, it’s best not to eat fish caught directly from Mordialloc Creek. The creek can be affected by stormwater runoff, urban pollution, and sometimes industrial waste, which can lower water quality. Local authorities may issue advisories about eating fish from the creek, depending on recent pollution. To stay safe, keep any fish you plan to eat from the pier area, and release fish caught from the creek. This helps you avoid health risks from creek pollution and follows local health advice.