Port Phillip Bay

Port Phillip Bay Fishing

Port Phillip Bay Fishing Guide

Port Phillip Bay links Bass Strait with the Southern Ocean.

Port Phillip Bay is a large estuary with plenty of fish. Snapper and whiting, for example, come here to breed during summer. Over the past 8,000 years, the bay has changed between being an estuary for the Yarra River and a bay. When sea levels rose and storms came, ‘The Heads’ opened to the ocean and flooded the lowlands.

Most of the bay’s shoreline is lined by Melbourne, its bayside suburbs, and Geelong. Popular access points for anglers include St Kilda Pier, Brighton Jetty, and Altona Pier.

If you are launching a boat, top ramps are available at Patterson Lakes, Werribee South, and St Leonards. Shore fishing is also easy from the piers in Port Melbourne, Mornington, and Queenscliff, and many beaches are accessible for land-based fishing. These well-known locations make it easy to plan your trip and find the best entry points to enjoy the bay.

Port Phillip Heads

The heads are narrow and lead into a wide, shallow, and scenic bay. Because the bay is large and shallow, the weather can change fast, which can be risky for small boats.

Before you go out, check the weather, always wear a life jacket, and tell someone your plans. Port Phillip Bay’s weather can change quickly, with strong winds, fast storms, choppy waves, and fog that can appear suddenly. Check forecasts with trusted resources such as the Bureau of Meteorology website or app, and use tide prediction tools like Getfished to stay updated on local conditions.

Tidal currents can be strong, especially near the heads, and visibility can drop fast in some conditions. Bring safety gear like flares, a marine radio, an anchor, and a torch. It’s also a good idea to have a bilge pump or bailer, extra fuel, and a first aid kit. Watch for changing conditions to stay safe and enjoy your time on the water. For more tips, see our Port Phillip Bay Safe Wave Height Guide.

The heads are interesting from a geographic perspective because thousands of years ago, the old Yarra River estuary met Bass Strait at this spot.

In many ways, the bay is a huge estuary. Thousands of years ago, both geology and Aboriginal stories say the bay suddenly filled with water. Before then, it was mostly dry land and swamps. Now, the Yarra River flows out through Port Phillip Heads.

Snapper Fishing

Snapper are the most popular and well-known fish in Port Phillip Bay.

People enjoy catching snapper because they taste great and are exciting to catch. You can find them in the bay all year, but the best time is from October to May. Good places for snapper include the reefs from Sandringham to Black Rock, the waters off Carrum and Frankston, and the area off Mornington. Many anglers also fish for snapper near the channels around Altona and at the north end of the bay near Williamstown.

Squid and pipis are popular baits for snapper. You can also catch them with soft plastic lures and jigs, but most people prefer bait. Bait often works best in cooler water or after rain, when snapper are looking for natural food. Lures and jigs work well if the fish are active and chasing prey, especially in warmer water or when you want to cover more ground quickly. Try to match your bait or lure size to the size of snapper you are targeting for the best results.

For snapper fishing in Port Phillip Bay, a popular tackle setup is a 7- to 8-foot rod rated for 6- to 10-kg line, matched with a 4000- to 6000-size spinning reel. Spool your reel with 8- to 12-kg monofilament or braided line, and use a fluorocarbon leader to reduce visibility in clear water. Running sinker rigs and paternoster rigs are both effective, depending on conditions. Use 4/0 to 6/0 sized hooks to handle large snapper. For other species in the bay, use lighter tackle. For bream and whiting, a 7-foot rod with a 2000- to 3000-size reel and 4- to 8-lb line works well. Flathead can be targeted with similar outfits, though you may want a slightly heavier leader if fishing over rough ground. For squid, use a 7-foot rod with a soft tip, matched to a 2500-size reel and 6 to 10 lb braid, along with suitable squid jigs.

For other species, timing can help you catch more fish.

Bream are best from October to early January, especially near river mouths and structures.

Flathead fishing is best between November and April, when they are more active in shallow sandy areas.

Squid are most common from April to September, with bigger catches near weed beds and piers during the cooler months.

Whiting are usually easier to find from December to March, especially over seagrass beds and shallow sand patches.

Planning your fishing trips around these seasons will give you the best chance of success. You can use Getfished Fishing Reports and Victorian Fishing Spot Fishing Times and Guides

For other sources of information, you can consider visiting reputable local bait shops such as Bay City Bait & Tackle (Port Melbourne) or Hooked on Bait & Tackle (Bentleigh), or reaching out to experienced fishing guides in the area. These experts can help you choose the right bait and spots for the day, making your trip more enjoyable and successful.

When fishing for snapper, make sure to follow the current legal size and bag limits. In Victoria, the minimum legal size for snapper is 28 cm, and the daily bag limit is 10 per person, with only 3 snapper over 40 cm allowed. These rules help protect fish stocks and keep you from getting fined. Size and bag limits can change, so always check the official Victorian fishing regulations before you go.

Also, be aware that some parts of Port Phillip Bay may be within marine parks or have seasonal closures for certain species. There may be additional rules, such as gear limits, no-fishing zones, or closed seasons for particular fish. Before your trip, check if your chosen area has any special restrictions or regulations on fishing methods. Following these rules will help you avoid accidental violations and protect the bay’s unique environment.

• Bream
• Flathead
• Squid or Calamari
• Whiting

For bream, try fishing near structures and river mouths, especially in spring and early summer. Good spots in Port Phillip Bay include the Yarra River mouth, Patterson River, and the Maribyrnong River. The docks and piers around Williamstown, and the rocky banks near Mordialloc Creek, are also popular places to catch bream.

Flathead are often found along sandy bottoms and are most active from November to April. Popular spots in Port Phillip Bay include St Kilda, Elwood, Werribee South, and the sandy areas off Clifton Springs. These places are known for producing good numbers of flathead during the peak season.

Squid are best caught around weed beds and piers during the cooler months, using small jigs for the best results. Top spots in Port Phillip Bay include the piers at Queenscliff, Portsea, and Sorrento, as well as the weed beds off Mornington and St Leonards. These areas often have plenty of squid, especially when the water is clear and the tide is moving.