Victorian Bays

Victorian Bay Fishing Guide

Fishing in bays is not the same as fishing in the open sea or in rivers because bays are usually more sheltered than the open ocean. The water in them is often calmer and shallower and is strongly influenced by the tides, wind, and changes in water temperature. Fish can be found in bays throughout the year, but their behaviour in the bays changes from season to season. For example, a typical bay fishing trip would see the angler launch a small boat from a protected ramp and concentrate on the shallow weed beds which contain bream or flathead as the tide rises. Unlike offshore fishing, where you may have to go further and face more difficult conditions, or river fishing, where the current is generally steady, bay fishing requires you to plan according to the tides and to move between different habitats as the day goes on. This approach allows anglers to cope with changing conditions and to aim at particular species when they become active.

Structure

Many of the bays have a mix of sand flats, weed beds, reefs, channels, mud bottoms and shallow shoreline features which provide a variety of habitats in which the fish can find their prey. For instance, Port Phillip Bay is famous for its large areas of sand flat and weedy shallows which attract bream and flathead, whereas Western Port has muddy channels and good seagrass beds suitable for whiting and gummy shark. Corio Bay, which is near Geelong, has rocky reefs and protected areas that contain snapper and squid. Because of this, fish generally move around the bays by following the tides and their food sources rather than remaining in one place the whole day.

Tidal Influence

Tide conditions are particularly significant when it comes to fishing in bays. The movement of the water spreads around the food and usually causes the fish to feed. There are instances when fish go into shallower waters during the higher tides to feed and then move back into the deeper channels as the tide goes down. For this reason, fishing is generally most successful during the times when the tide is rising or falling, particularly in the two hours before and after the high or low tide reaches its peak, since the fish are shifting to new feeding areas. Fishing at early morning or late afternoon, when the light is less intense and the fish are not so cautious, can also increase your chances of success. The direction of the wind can affect water clarity, wave height and intensity. Light to moderate winds, which only gently disturb the surface of the water, may be of help by breaking the surface film, whereas strong winds can lift sediment and make it more difficult for the fish to see their food. By noting the times when the tides and wind conditions match up, you will be able to choose the best possible times for your bay fishing trips.

To help maximise your chances of a successful catch, here is a summary of the best fishing times for common Victorian bays and popular target species:

– In Port Phillip Bay, snapper and flathead are most active when the tide is coming in and during the first two hours of the tide going out, especially at dawn or dusk; bream tend to feed along the edges of weed beds during rising tides.

• At Western Port, whiting and gummy sharks are usually caught at the beginning of the run-out tide and during low light times such as in the early morning or late afternoon; look for whiting on the flats when the tide is covering new ground and spot gummy sharks close to the deeper channels after dark.
• At Corio Bay, snapper and squid are to be found in the shallows during high tide, particularly at sunrise or sunset; when it is midday or during low tide, go to deeper or more sheltered reef areas.
• As a general rule, when fishing in most bays you should schedule your fishing sessions around dawn, dusk, and the times when the tides are changing, paying particular attention to the two hours both before and after the peak of tidal movement. You should then modify your position and methods according to the preferences of the target fish species and the present conditions in the bay.

The tidal difference between Port Phillip Bay and Western Port is obvious. Because Port Phillip Bay has a narrow entrance, tidal changes are restricted and this in turn limits the movement of water as well as the difference between high and low tide. Consequence of this is that the fish in Port Phillip Bay move more slowly and although their feeding periods can be longer they are less intense. On the other hand, Western Port, with its broader entrance, has much greater variations in tide level, leading to stronger tidal currents and more significant changes in water depth within a short period. These larger tides cause the fish to move quickly with the changing water, resulting in shorter but often more productive fishing times as species such as whiting and gummy shark benefit from the moving food sources. If you understand these differences you can plan your fishing trips and select spots that correspond with the way the fish behave in each bay.

The type of bay fishing available depends on the depth of the water and the geographical features of the area. In some places it is appropriate to use light fishing gear and fish in shallow water, whereas in deeper channels and along the edges of reefs heavier equipment is needed. The same bay can offer a completely different fishing experience just a few kilometres away. For instance, in Port Phillip Bay, light tackle is commonly used when fishing the shallow sandbanks at Werribee South and the weed-covered shallow areas near St Leonards, while the deeper channels close to Black Rock and the reefs off Mornington are better fished with heavier tackle if snapper are the target. In Western Port, light setups are effective on the flats at Warneet and Corinella during high tide, but heavier gear is preferred when fishing the strong tidal channels at Hastings and in the area around the Middle Spit. In Corio Bay, light tackle should be tried around Limeburners Lagoon and Grammar School Lagoon, and heavier setups should be used when fishing the reefy drop-offs near Point Henry and in the deeper water just outside the main channel. These locations therefore provide good starting points for anglers and assist in matching the gear to the conditions in each bay.

To help you choose the right equipment, here are two example gear setups for different bay conditWhen fishing in shallow water—for example, in sand flats or among weed beds—use a spinning rod of 2 to 4 kg and about 7 feet in length with a reel of 2000 or 2500 size and a 6 to 10 lb braid or monofilament line; this combination is suitable for catching fish such as bream, flathead and whiting. As bait, peeled prawns, sandworms, or small bits of pipi work very well, as do soft plastics in natural colours, small hardbody lures, and shallow-diving minnows. For bream, use worms or yabbies that are only lightly weighted, while flathead are attracted by soft plastic paddle tails and scented soft baits; whiting should be targeted using sandworm, pipi or mussel baits on small long shank hooks. hooks.

The best types of bait can differ from bay to bay and from season to season. In Port Phillip Bay, mussels and pipis are commonly used for catching bream and whiting in the summer and autumn, while in late spring and early summer pilchards and squid strips are effective for snapper in deeper water. Anglers in Western Port usually prefer fresh squid and pipis when fishing for whiting in spring and early summer, and in the cooler months they use oily baits such as pilchard, salmon or fresh fish fillet to catch gummy shark. In Corio Bay, bream and flathead take sandworms and prawns well during the warmer months, and squid jigs are most effective when fishing for squid from winter through to spring. It is also helpful to ask the local tackle shops for advice on the current best bait recommendations in order to increase success in each bay. If you are fishing in deeper water or close to reefs where you could come across larger snapper or gummy sharks, then use a rod having a weight of 4 to 8 kg and being about 7 feet long, go with a reel that is 3000 to 4000 size and 12 to 20 lb line; furthermore, heavier leaders (15 to 30 lb) can also be useful when fishing in areas with rocky formations or when targeting bigger fish.

Each bay has its own particular character since factors such as water temperature, depth, current, the structure of the bay, and the adjacent river systems all have an effect on the types of fish found in them and on the methods that are most effective throughout the year; the fishing techniques and the species that are targeted change as the seasons change.

Fish Species

To help you plan your trips and set realistic expectations, here is a quick guide to the most active species by season:

Summer

In the summer season, bream, flathead and whiting are common and active in the shallow waters, particularly in areas with weed beds and on sand flats; snapper can also be caught during the early summer, especially in the deeper sections of the bay.

Autumn

Flathead and bream continue to be abundant in shallow water. Whiting are often plentiful, and snapper are still found in deeper areas. In winter, the larger snapper and gummy shark become the main focus, typically being found in deeper channels and around reefs; although species such as bream and flathead are still active, they tend to move to deeper waters or become less likely to bite. become less willing to bite.

Spring

The number of whiting rises as the water warms, which is why they are so popular with anglers. Squid are generally at their most numerous in late winter and spring, particularly over areas with weed growth. Both bream and flathead start to move back into the shallows as conditions improve.

If you adjust your methods and focus on the species most likely to be active in each season, you will be able to get the most from your visits throughout the year.

Coastal Conditions Caution

When you go fishing, be sure to check the weather forecast and the current conditions. While you can use Getfished for general fishing planning, it is important to check the Bureau of Meteorology website for your safety. Take the proper safety equipment with you, such as life jackets and a first aid kit. Make certain that you know the local fishing rules, including the size and bag limits, as well as the licensing requirements for each bay. Fishing responsibly and safely will not only allow you to enjoy your trips more but also help protect the fishery for the future. It is advisable to have a mobile phone, even when fishing on land. An EPIRB is better, and there are particular regulations concerning the carrying of radios and flares if you are boating in the bays.

For a guide on safe boating in our bays, see our Safe Wave Height When Boating On The Bays guide.