Station Pier Fishing

Station Pier is currently closed to the public for fishing. It is not known if the pier will reopen for this purpose.

Station Pier is a firm favourite fishing spot, going back to the nineteenth century, located in Port Melbourne on Beach Street.

Fish species vary from Bream, Flathead to Pinky Snapper, adult Snapper and Whiting.

Not to mention garfish at times.

Station Pier Fishing Overview

When fishing at the Station Pier it should be remembered that at times it’s closed to fishing.

This is because the pier is used for docking the Melbourne to Tasmania passenger ferry “Spirit of Australia.”

Station Pier Fishing Station Pier Port Melbourne Other cruise ships and even naval vessels use the pier to dock from time to time. This is to be expected, it’s called Port Melbourne for a reason!

Look, if you’re living in the inner suburbs around the city, or a Port Melbourne local then this is a great pier, in my opinion.

Station Pier Fishing Tackle

Stick to the legal limit of two rods. Take a net for landing your catch as you’ll find it easier than straining a catch up this high structure with just the hook and line.

When it comes to the tackle I’d recommend for Station Pier fishing I’d opt for using a lighter tackle. No more than a 10lb line – or less. Keep your hook size down.

I recommend a rod no longer than 9 feet. You could get away with a 10-foot beach rod. But it can get seriously crowded at times.

I generally use a paternoster rig, but on occasion have used a running sinker with success as well. Particularly when targeting flathead.

At times there’s a lot of foot traffic sightseeing. Both other fishos and people boarding ships and ferries. As well as well-wishers seeing people off.

So be cautious casting and keep an eye out for other people’s kids and your tackle.

Fishing Station Pier Bait

When fishing station pier good baits include pillies, chicken, whitebait, prawns and sandworms.

Most soft plastics will fish well here, too. I’ve had a lot of success with motor oil colour swim swims.

For calamari, I tend to prefer to put a small float above the jig. But most people generally cast the jig and retrieve their squid jigs the normal way, without having a float attached. A matter of fishing style and preference, really.

The reason I use a float when fishing station pier and similar structures are it allows me to reduce the number of casts. This can help when things are crowded with pedestrian traffic.

Note – it can make it a problem too, in that your squid jig can float and snarl other fishos lines. So you can’t just cast and forget your jig and float!

However, if you’re living further afield, in the west, outer north and outer eastern suburbs then there are other piers, not closed for shipping, that will be more worthwhile to visit.

Don’t overlook the fishing opportunities along the banks of the Yarra estuary, either.

Station Pier Fish Species

Fish Species	Quick Info
Pinky Snapper (Juvenile Snapper) Mugilidae sp	Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Snapper Mugilidae sp	Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Flathead Platycephalus sp	But much more prevalent during warmer months.. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Australian Salmon Arripis trutta	Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets
Whiting Sp	Generic Name for a number of Whiting Species found in Australia. Bait:
Mullet Mugilidae sp	Can sometimes be the only game in town during cooler weather. Bait: luebait, Chicken Breast, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Squid Tentacles
Southern Black Bream Acanthopagrus butcheri	Can become less active during Winter. Activity picking up in late August. Active during warmer months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Crabs, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait

Station Pier Fishing Review Summary

Look. When it comes to fishing Station Pie if it wasn’t for the closures I’d rate this a 5/5 for Fishability.

However, the regular closures due to the docking and departing of ships make it pretty tough to fish.

That’s because when you can fish it the fact is Station Pier is a very productive pier.

It’s certainly well worth fishing as an experience.

Pros

• Close and easy access to Melbourne & Inner suburbs
• Family-friendly – children under strict supervision
• Good range of fish habitats and fish species In the right conditions
• You can target big Snapper In clear, calm conditions

Cons

• Parking is good but can work out expensive during the day.
• Toilets are better than most. Sometimes fair – sometimes a bit less than desirable condition.
• Subject to regular closures for shipping traffic such as the Spirit of Tasmania.
• Possibly permanently closed to fishing.