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.
What is being caught in Port Phillip Bay?
When it comes to fishing on Port Phillip Bay, the world’s your oyster. Some of Australia’s big names in seafood, including red snapper and King George whiting, lurk in these waters. There’s
gummy shark
, mulloway and garfish, flathead, trevally and bream, along with more squid than you can poke a jig at.
Where’s the best gar fishing in Port Phillip Bay?
Locations. Garfish are attracted to structures such as piers and are a good land-based fishing option. Piers worth trying include Brighton, St Kilda, Station Pier, Kerford Road, Mornington, Portarlington and St Leonards Garfish can be caught from a boat in most areas of Port Phillip Bay.
What fish are biting now Port Phillip Bay?
bread and butter species such as squid and flathead can be caught all year round. In Port Phillip bay you’re likely to come across Snapper ( pinkies ), flathead, whiting, salmon, squid, Gummy sharks, gurnard, snook, mulloway, bream, trevally, garfish, and leather jacket.
Where are fish biting in Port Phillip Bay?
Point Richards off Portarlington is a hotspot for whitings especially during the warmer months. Good snapper fishing can be found 3 km north of Port Richards channel, particularly between Beacon No. 3 and 5. This area is easily accessed from Port Arlington Boat Ramp.
Can you catch prawns in Port Phillip Bay?
You can’t collect prawns in waters less than 2m deep (the intertidal zone) in Port Phillip Bay Click here for more information on Port Phillip Bay’s intertidal zone. You can’t collect prawns in Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. Click here for more information on Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Where are the snapper biting in Port Phillip Bay?
The area around Mordialloc has the reputation as the premium Snapper location on Port Phillip Bay and Bluey’s is the only boat hire operation that provides access to the waters around the Famous Five reef systems. Just 5-15 minutes by boat and you are right in the middle of the action!.
Are there sharks in Port Phillip Bay?
Gummy sharks, also known as flake at your local fish and chip shop, are a smaller breed of shark found all over Victoria, but especially in Port Phillip Bay These sharks are much smaller than their relatives, and are usually quite thin with greyish colouring and white spots across their back.
What is the best time to catch garfish?
Garfish are most active just before winter continuing until spring They have been known to be caught when the tide is running out or during periods of high discharge from the estuary inlets.
What is the best bait for whiting?
It’s no secret that whiting eat worms, prawns, yabbies or squid and all of these baits will work on different days, however fresh bait is the best bait. Live bait is even better, be it worms, yabbies or prawns, with blood and wriggler worms being a perfect bait for big whiting.
Can you catch garfish on low tide?
I generally try to focus on an incoming tide as it’s the most productive; however, you’ll catch garfish at all cycles of the tide , but an incoming is definitely best, especially when land-based. One of the essential elements of attracting garfish to your boat and keeping them there is berley.
Why is Port Phillip Bay so dark?
“ The discolouration is mud and silt, displaced as high rainfall in the catchment flows through the river system “The foaming is likely a result of propeller wash from passing ships agitating the muddy water.
Where do you catch squid in Port Phillip Bay?
Shallow reef structures surrouding the edges of the bay are probably the easiest to find. These areas tend to range from around 1 to 6 metres deep and can be found right around Port Phillip and are most easily identified by exposed rocky cliff edges.
Why is Port Phillip not a bay?
Port Phillip is often referred to as ‘Port Phillip Bay’ or ‘The Bay’, but Port Phillip is actually not a bay at all. It’s a local port area that is actually made up of over 16 bays Examples of some of these bays are: Canadian Bay, Daveys Bay, Hobsons Bay, Half Moon Bay, just to name a few.
Can you catch whiting at low tide?
Fresh live worms and good bait presentation is critical to whiting success. Stand well back from shallow low tide gutters to avoid spooking the fish A shallow closed end gutter is a top spot to target on low tide.
What is the best time to catch King George whiting?
While you can catch whiting year round, May to September are often the best times of year to target them in Victoria. Whiting respond well to a range of baits including pipis, bass yabbies,
small cut strips
of squid, mussels and sand worms.
Is there commercial fishing in Port Phillip Bay?
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering its election commitment to remove commercial fishing nets from Port Phillip Bay by 1 April 2022 , with eight snapper longline fishery licences remaining.
What is the best bait to catch garfish?
Best Baits Small whole fish such as sprats, sandeels or whitebait work very well for catching garfish. Fish strips such as mackerel and herring are also effective, as are lugworm, ragworm and prawns. Artificial baits such as spoons or devon minnows can also be used to catch garfish.
Where do you catch salmon in Port Phillip Bay?
In the northern part of Port Phillip Bay schools of salmon often appear over the reefs at locations such as Black Rock, Beaumaris, Williamstown and Point Cook.
How do you rig for garfish?
- Use approx 600mm of leader.
- Attach your float to the top of the leader.
- Attach your #12 Long Shank hook.
- Place a “Small” Split Shot sinker approx 100mm above the hook.
- Place on a small piece of Worm, Prawn or Dough Bait.
- You are ready to fish!
Sources
https://getfished.fish/vic/port-phillip-bay/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.793074/full