Blairgowrie Pier Fishing

Blairgowrie Pier Fishing

Fishing Areas and Conditions

• Blairgowrie Pier extends almost 300 metres through clear water and weed beds, reaching water around 6 metres deep.
• Squid can be targeted around the weed beds, particularly at night near the pier lights. Ink stains and visible weed can help identify places to try.
• Dawn and dusk are also productive times for squid. Black and white jigs worked slowly with occasional erratic lifts have worked here.
• Fish around two hours either side of a tide change, or at dawn and dusk. The rocky, weedy bottom can snag sinkers and jig heads.

Rigs, Bait and Lures

• For squid, cast size 2.5 or 3.0 jigs around the weed beds and work them with lifts and pauses. Smaller jigs worked slowly can reduce snagging; add a small chin weight if strong tidal flow prevents the jig from reaching the bottom.
• A 7½–9 ft light rod with a 2500 or 3000 reel, 10–15 lb braid and a matching leader suits squid fishing. Silver whiting or flesh bait suspended on a squid prong is another option.
• A paternoster rig keeps fresh bait slightly above the weed. Pilchards, silver whiting, pipis, raw chicken, squid strips, maggots and silverfish are bait options.
• For garfish, whiting and leatherjackets, use small hooks such as a size 12 long shank. Berley made with breadcrumbs and tuna oil can attract garfish and whiting.
• Soft plastics can be cast for smaller snapper and flathead when conditions allow enough casting distance.

Access and Hazards

• The pier is off Point Nepean Road. Parking and toilets are available nearby.
• The pier can be busy during holidays and at night when anglers gather to fish for squid.