Fishing Frenzy

Covering roughly two thousand square kilometers, and having a depth up to 30 meters is Port Phillip Bay. 'Rip" bay, as Port Phillip is referred to, is about three kilometers wide. Being one of the most dangerous entrances, the Rip should only be navigated in calm waters by skilled people with the use of a Port Phillip bay fishing map.

Numerous table fish are able to be identified in this bay. Gummy Shark, Whiting, Garfish, Flathead and Bream are the common species. Port Philip is home to numerous fishing hot spots. Inquiring with the local people at the nearby fishing tackle stores allows you to discover exactly where the fish are biting.

Throughout different periods of the year you will find species such as King Fish, Yellow Tail, Sharks, Salmon, Snook, Whiting, Squid, Garfish, Flathead and of course the Snapper. The locals tend to be very helpful when tracking down these species. Thy have years of knowledge and are more than willing to give a friendly angler a few tips.

Regular catches in the Rip are Salmon, Leatherjacket, Barracouta, Snapper, Squid and champion Whiting. November to April are the warmer months of the year, and is the best time to go after a number of different species. The Yellow Kingfish run is definitely something to enjoy. You will also be able to find plenty of Squid migrating into the bay each year around October.

The best locations to fish for these types of Squid are at Quessncliff, Port Napean as well as Point Lonsdale. Here they reach up to 300kg. During late October, the Snapper get into the bay and are also common catches.

Targeted off the stonewall at Nepean Bay, you will find lots of Kingfish. Anglers regularly anchor six hundred meters as they chase these green rockets in this area. Land based fishermen also do very well in this area, and the expert Game fishermen enjoy a good catch from the piers of Port Lonsdale and also Queenscliff. Seven Gill Sharks are commonly caught here as well.

Moving up on the western side of the boat ramp of Intended Head, you will get good access to Prince George Bank. Places worth looking into are the Governor's reef and Grassy Point. Anglers fishing off the land from the pier are lucky in catching fair amounts of Leatherjacket, Whiting and Flathead during the summer months.

Home to the Flathead, Snapper and Whiting is Geelong's Cario Bay. Fishermen of Cunnigham Pier are well rewarded for the efforts they put in. This Pier regularly produces Slimy Mackerel, Barracouta, Flathead and also Travally. Land based anglers are usually very successful.

A popular hot spot for its regular catches of Spotted Ling, Snapper, Gummy Sharks and Flatheads, is Geelong Grammar School. North of St George's is a good spot for catching Whiting. Fishing can also be very successful within the old channel markers.

In the area of Curlewis Bank, the Whiting species are very popular. Good accessibility to Clifton Springs comes in the form of a boat ramp. Bream can also be found in the area around Werribee. Overall, the Rip offers many fantastic spots fro enthusiasts, and using a Port Phillip bay fishing map is to best route if you intend on having a successful season.