Some of the best Winter pier fishing in Melbourne, for land-based anglers, is to be had around Port Phillip and Western Port Bays.
Each pier giving you access to a variety of fish species including flathead, whiting, bream, garfish, calamari (squid) and snapper amongst others. The species to target depending on the location and seasonal factors.
Fishing From Piers
- Fishing from piers is one of the easiest ways for land-based anglers to reach fish.
- Piers provide the land-based angler with the opportunity to get out into deeper waters.
- They also provide habitat for marine life which attracts fish species into the area.
Quick Links
Fishing Altona Pier
Altona Pier Fishing Tips Altona Pier, in recent times, had an artificial reef placed just off the end of the… Read More
Ferguson Street Pier Williamstown
Ferguson Street Pier, being close to the city of Melbourne, means it can get crowded – especially weekends. However,… Read More
Gem Pier Fishing
Gem Pier gets pretty busy. I’d look at fishing weekdays and evenings or early mornings. Over weekends and public holidays,… Read More
Kerferd Road Pier
Kerferd Road Pier produces the usual fishing suspects on Port Phillip Bay. Snapper, Flathead, Flounder, Trevally and Mullet… Read More
Fishing Lagoon Pier
Lagoon Pier is known to produce fish all year round. Because it’s so close to the city it can get… Read More
Fishing Mordialloc Pier
Mordialloc Pier is a beautiful long pier extending 174 metres (570.86 feet). Read More
Fishing Port Melbourne – Easy Access, 10 Mins From City
Port Melbourne is the closest Port Phillip Bay fishing to the city. Many of the local fishing spots are… Read More
Fishing Portarlington Pier
Fishing Portarlington Pier Fishing Tips Portarlington Pier is a great, comfortable pier to fish. Good water depth. A nice reef… Read More
Fishing Sandringham Jetties, Rockwall & By Kayak
Fishing Sandringham has proven to be very successful for me. Sandringham is a bayside suburb located on Melbourne’s beautiful… Read More
St Kilda Pier Fishing
St Kilda Pier Fishing on a warm summers night was how I started targetting flathead and pinkies… Read More
Fishing Station Pier Port Melbourne
A firm favourite fishing spot, going back to the nineteenth century, Station Pier Port Melbourne is located on Beach Street. Read More
Werribee South Pier Fishing
Fishing the Werribee South Pier (on the Werribee River Estuary) can be a challenge in the early part of… Read More
Pier Fishing Melbourne & Victoria FAQ
Most piers are found on saltwater bays, estuaries and inlets in Victoria. Some are situated on freshwater, but they are nowhere near as common there.
In freshwater pretty much any species occurring in the lake or river can be caught. Including freshwater staples like Murray Cod, trout, redfin, yellowbelly and European Carp.
In saltwater, depending on the area, common pier catches include bream, garfish, immature “pinky snapperPinky Snapper 
The name "Pinky Snapper" refers to the immature Snapper. Their skin colour is different from adults (its pinker.)
Adulthood is usually considered on fish greater than 40cm - or in the 1.5 to 2kg - range, with darker red colouration.
Pinky Snapper Pre-Tied Rigs”, adult snapper, flathead, whiting, calamari (squid), Australian salmon, tailor and many more.
As in all fishing target a specific species and use bait and rig accordingly. You stand a higher chance of catching fish by being specific, rather than hoping to catch anything that’s passing by,
Choose your pier rod according to what you are hoping to achieve inline with the location you are fishing.
If your goal is to cast out and reach a reef area beyond the pier then a 10-foot or longer rod will be useful.
Whereas if you’re spinning lures or soft plasticsSoft Plastic Lure 
you may find a shorter rod between 6 to 9-foot to be more usable.
Match your reel to the size of your rod. Bigger isn’t necessarily better.
Some pier fisho’s use telescopic rods that extends anywhere from 12 to 22-feet. They often employ floats, when using this technique. Sometimes with no reel at all. Simply collapsing the rod to retrieve hooks or their fish.
G'day!
I'm Dave, I live and fish in and around Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
When it comes to fishing I love going out to land-based fishing spots, heading out in the tinny (aka an Aluminum Boat) and kayak fishing.
I've been fishing since I was a teen. Beginning as a Way back in the 1970s.
I love writing about some of my favourite Melbourne Fishing Spots as well as fishing around Victoria. As well as the tackle I use and test.
When I'm not fishing I'm working on my websites, such as Getfished, or writing computer software (my profession.)
