The Werribee South Beach extends from the Werribee River mouth north to the rock wall at Wyndham Harbour.
The beaches to the south of the river are off-limits due to Melbourne Water Board usage.
The beach area is fishable, though shallow, from the Northern bank of the Werribee River, starting just after the Werribee boat ramp and Werribee River Pier.
From the beach, on the northern side, it’s possible to cast out for flathead and whiting. Look for deeper holes between sandbars. Google Maps or Google Earth are handy for this.
The latest Werribee Fishing Report Here.
Werribee South Beach Overview
Werribee South Beach Werribee South Beach Fishing 1 A beach rod of around 10 feet is ideal. Fishing light though, unless you need the weight because of the wind.
So keep that sinker as light as you can, without sacrificing casting distance.
Note that it can get busy in the summertime. In fact, it can get pretty busy on nice summer days in the evening.
It’s a popular spot for families, not just fishos.
Boat Fishing Offshore From The Beach
A lot of small boats and kayakers fish just off the shore here. Conditions can be perfect at times. Like glass. But be wary of onshore winds if you’re in a yak or small boat.
It can get choppy fast and the winds blowing from the west (onshore) can make returning to land difficult. Not to mention the river mouth’s white caps in these conditions. While it is dredged there can be minor “bar” conditions at times.
Smaller boat and kayak fisho’s target flathead and pinky snapper. With some scoring some pretty good calamari in the offshore seagrasses.
Campbells Cove is only a short distance away by boat and is a popular fishing spot for boaties and kayak fishing. Campbells Cove is located to the north of Werribee South Beach and extends to the RAAF base (check conditions for off-limit areas, especially if accessing by land.)
Kayak Launching Off The Werribee South Beach
There are a number of car parks giving access to the beach that are great for launching kayaks. Especially if you’d prefer to avoid the Werribee South Boat Ramp traffic.
Doing so will get you out into slightly deeper water, just offshore. There are some great flathead and calamari fishing to be had from your kayak here.
Werribee South Kayak Fishing Launching Video
Werribee South Beach Fish Species
Note that where species such as snapper, squid and gummy sharks are listed they are not likely to be caught land-based from the beach.
Rather they refer to catches just offshore from the beach. A boat or kayak is normally needed.
Fish Species | Quick Info |
---|---|
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Squid or Calamari Sepioteuthis australis | Best fished when waters are clear with little turbulence. Top times can be during June to September. Bait: |
Werribee South Beach Review Summary
While not as popular as a land-based option as the nearby Werribee South Pier and Wyndham the Werribee South Beach still produces fish, particularly bream and flathead.
As such it is worth fishing, particularly when the tide is rising or in.
Just offshore of the Werribee South Beach, drifting a small boat or tinny can produce a surprising amount of species.
These include snapper, squid and even gummy sharks. Not forgetting, of course, some good flathead.
Pros
- Easy Drive From Melbourne Via Princess Freeway
- Produces Land-Based Bream and Flathead catches
- Just offshore Boat and Kayak fishing can be excellent
- Family-friendly beach
Cons
- No public toilets, other than those at the Boat Ramp (which are often terrible.)
- Not consistent land-based fishing. So be prepared to try a few spots and/or the Werribee River Estuary