Barwon Heads Fishing

Barwon Heads Fishing

Fishing Areas and Conditions

• Ozone Jetty and Barwon Heads Jetty fish the tidal river entrance. Water is very shallow at low tide; aim for roughly two hours either side of high tide.
• The Barwon River offers jetty, kayak and small-boat fishing. Dawn and dusk, particularly an hour either side, are suggested times to fish.
• At 13th Beach, Australian salmon can be caught year-round, particularly in colder months. Look for gutters—deeper water visible as darker patches.
• Elephant fish were caught in the river between February and April historically, but catches have become less common in recent years.

Rigs, Bait and Lures

• At Ozone Jetty and Barwon Heads Jetty, cast 2.5-inch grubs for silver trevally on 1/12 or 1/8 oz jig heads. A 2–4 or 2–5 kg spin rod with a 2500 reel is one used setup.
• In the Barwon River, use small hooks for the smaller-mouthed fish. A light running sinker rig or small paternoster rig with yabbies, pilchards, squid, maggots, worms or raw chicken are options; berley can help hold fish in the area.
• Small grub, worm and minnow imitation soft plastics suit the river. A sensitive 1–3 or 2–4 kg rod with a 2000 or 2500 reel helps detect bites.
• For surf salmon, cast 3–4-inch natural-coloured paddle tails or long-casting metal spoons and retrieve at a medium to fast pace. A 9–12 ft, 5–10 kg rod with a 3000–5000 reel and 15–20 lb braid is suggested for surf fishing.

Access and Hazards

• The main estuary boat ramp is on Guthridge Street near Ocean Grove. Two ramps on Sheepwash Road include a gravel launch suited to kayaks and small tinnies, and a concrete ramp with a floating jetty.
• Kayaks can also launch from the beach near the Ocean Grove Golf Course.
• Barwon Heads Bluff is part of a marine sanctuary; check the fishing boundaries before using that area.
• Beaches can be crowded with swimmers and paddleboarders. Keep casting clear of other beach users.