Western Port Bay Fishing

Western Port Bay has a number of piers that offer excellent fishing oppotunities for a larger variety of fish species.

While light tackle can be used on piers some species and the currents can demand heavier gear.

Western Port Bay Piers are all to often in a sad state of repair due to state government neglect. For to long Fishing License fees have been diverted to other botique policies and pork barrelling.

In some areas the locals have had to campaign to save piers with some areas being refurbished and even rebuilt using local funds.

This shouldn’t be necessary.

Kudos to the communities who have fought these battles.

Western Port Bay Pier Fishing Recommendations

Flinders Pier

Flinders Pier located where Western Port Bay meets Bass Strait. I have caught some of my personal best squid here. In 2022 a 48cm model on a lumo green squid just after dusk with an almost low tide.

Hastings Pier

Hastings Pier is located to the north west of Western Port Bay, with excellent access to French Island. The current is extremely fast here, so employing heavier sinkers may be necessary. Grapnell style sinker an advantage.

Lang Lang Beach

Lang Lang Beach is on the Eastern side of Port Phillip Bay. From the beach you fish out over sand and mud flats facing French Island. There is a huge tidal variation here. At low tide the water and the beach is seperated by mud and sand. So it is best fished wh

Stony Point Pier

Stony Point Pier is located to the north west of Western Port Bay, with excellent access to French Island. The current is extremely fast here, so employing heavier sinkers may be necessary. Grapnell style sinker an advantage. In recent times about half of the ava

Warneet Pier

Warneet Pier located at the Top End of Western Port Bay.

Sample of Port Phillip Bay Fish Species

Fish Species	Quick Info
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
Garfish Hemiramphidae sp	Bait: Maggots, Whitebait or Bluebait Pieces, Bread Doung, Pipies, Prawn, Squid pieces, Sand worm.
Gummy Shark Mustelus antarcticus	Larger species are caught in Port Phillip & Western Port during April to July. With the Peak Month considered too be May. Bait: Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Pilchards, Squid, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, 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
Tailor Pomatomus saltatrix	Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Blubait,Pilchards,Sandworms,pipis,chicken,squid,whitebait, hard bodied lures, soft plastic lures.
Leatherjacket Oligoplites saurus	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
Calamari Sepioteuthis australis	Known commonly as Squid or Calamari. Best fished when waters are clear with little turbulence. Top times can be during June to September. Bait: Fish mounted on squid bait jigs