Port Phillip Bay Fishing

Port Phillip Bay fish species are as abundant as they are varied.
From small “bait fish” through to game fish like Snapper, several shark species, including the excellent table qualities of the Gummy Shark.

Popular fish often targeted by anglers include Flathead, Snapper, Whiting, Australian Salmon, Tailor, Silver Trevally, Gummy Sharks, Calamari (Squid), bream, mullet and garfish.

Yes, a fishing license is required in all Victoria waters. There are fishing license exceptions to this including persons under 18 and over 70, certain pensions and indigenous persons.

Please check with the Victorian Fishing Authority website for more information.

The Yarra river mouth is the largest estuary flowing into Port Phillip. The is joined upstream from the mouth by the Maribyrnong River. Making one larger estuarine area.

Other notable estuaries include Mordialloc Creek, Patterson River and Werribee River. There are a few smaller creeks that flow into the bay. These are not generally targeted for fishing.

Port Phillip is subjected to a wide variety of weather patterns.

While it is often calm it can change dramatically in a very short space of time.

The influence of Bass Straight and associated weather patterns from the Southern Ocean being a major driver of weather and bay conditions.

However, it is also affected by inland weather conditions that can be equally variable.  Strong northerly winds can make boating riskier at times – including producing sudden summer squalls.

Because of this, a keen eye on the weather conditions is a must – whether you are fishing off a boat or a pier.  As even the piers can, in some circumstances, be dangerous.
There’s a simple guide that may help you make a decision that I’ve written here:  Wave Heights Port Phillip Bay Boat Guide.

Also – the Weather Bureau’s website is a must as it provides regular updates on bay conditions and should be consulted before – and during bay activity.  Particularly if you are boating.

For land-based fishos, Pier Fishing on Port Phillip Bay is one of the easiest ways to get into some deeper water and try from bigger fish.

Catches of flathead, bream, calamari, whiting, pinkies and snapper are all possible.

Plus – piers can be a great place to take the kids, to get them fishing. Taking due care to keep the smaller ones safe.

Yes. For the most part, smaller and harmless species like Gummy Sharks, 7 Gill Sharks and Schooling Sharks. Gummy Sharks are common. Larger species such as Great White Sharks do come into the bay from time to time.

Great Whites ranging in size from juvenile to adult have been spotted. In 2009 a 4m specimen was photographed circling a small boat. Mako sharks also move in and out of the bay. Sometimes causing beach closures.

Pilchards are considered by many to be the best bait for snapper in Port Phillip Bay. However, snapper is often caught on other baits including whiting fillets, flathead fillets, squid tentacles and squid hooks. Some people also use chicken breast to great effect.

Increasingly people are catching good size snapper on soft plastic lures and of course hard body lures account for plenty of snapper too.

The most popular Port Phillip Bay fish species include Snapper, Pinky Snapper, Flathead, Bream, Gummy Sharks, Australian Salmon, Mulloway, King George Whiting and Squid.

Port Phillip Bay is located in the State of Victoria, Australia. 38.1732° S, 144.8731° E. The state capital of Melbourne is located at the top end of Port Phillip. Most of the Melbourne metropolitan area extends hundreds of kilometres around the shore of the bay.