Port Fairy Angling Club Fishing Guide

Nowhere near as prevalent today as they were in bygone years. However, on occasions, still encountered in Port Fairy Bay and waters further offshore. Periodically schools move into the lower section of the Moyne River providing good sport for Anglers. Not a difficult fish to catch and likely to take all baits including artificial lures. Due to their glass- like razor sharp teeth a wire trace is essential. 

The relatively shallow Moyne River Estuary maintains a good population of Black Bream likely to be found from the river entrance and further upstream right through to the junction with Belfast Lough. They are caught year round with the better fishing often coinciding with rainfall in the catchment and good flows of water downstream and into the lower section of the river. Better baits include local Shrimps, saltwater worms and yabbies, small crabs and Pipi and, on occasion, small slivers of Pilchard fillets. 

Found in Port Fairy Bay and the upper estuary section (from Martin's Point to end of channel) of Moyne River. May be caught year round but colder months prove best, especially at night. Virtually takes all baits.

Compared to other regions the number of flathead caught at, and from, Port Fairy is low. Relatively small numbers are caught from boats either anchored or drifting in medium to deeper waters. On occasions very small flathead are caught within the Moyne Estuary itself but they are only of nuisance value. Not a fussy eater and will take virtually all offerings. 

Occasionally taken in the smaller inlets and rock pools along the Port Fairy coastline. Successful fishing often necessitates the use of a float together with the use of Berley. Popular baits include smaller pieces of salt water worms, sand fleas or a dough (flour and water with a dash of curry powder).

A ferocious fighting species that requires rods, reels and rigs of a high quality standard. They are a seasonal visitor to inshore reefs with start January to close April likely to be best. The inshore reefs both at Killarney and adjacent to Yambuk are accepted locations to fish for them. They are caught mainly by lures trolled behind boats but also on occasion by boats at anchor and using unweighted whole Pilchards or fillets of Squid. Larger hook sizes say 4/0 to 6/0 being used.

A very prevalent species and likely to be caught right throughout the Moyne River Estuary and, on occasions, also along adjoining beaches. Relatively easy to catch provided smaller hook sizes are used, with size 6 being a good choice. Better baits include saltwater worms, Pipi and slivers of Pilchard fillet. 

The shallow nature of the Moyne system and structure is not ideal for supporting big numbers of this species but nonetheless they are caught from time to time. The Hopkins River at Warrnambool and certainly the Glenelg River in the far south west at Nelson both being better propositions. Better baits include Spew Worms, Pilchards, Squid and fillets of smaller species. Artificial lures also account for a good number of this species. 

It has been many years since Estuary Perch were caught in the Moyne River system. The shallow water, together with the lack of suitable structure, does not attract the species. Good populations are to be found both in the Hopkins River at Warrnambool and the Glenelg River at Nelson. Baits need to be presented as naturally as possible with artificial lures also accounting for a good number of catches. 

An introduced species sometimes in prolific numbers in enclosures and the freshwater sections of all waterways of South West Victoria. Closer to Port Fairy, Lake Aringa, which is located off the Hamilton Highway, supports a good population of Redfin. They may be caught by the slow trolling of lures behind boats, the casting of lures or using one of the accepted baits such as Earthworms, Mud-eyes, small Yabbies, etcetera.

Common in Port Fairy Bay and main target fish involved in surf fishing. Caught all year round but best in Winter and Spring. Smaller specimens also enter Moyne River estuary. Better baits include Bluebait, Whitebait, Pilchard fillets and Pipi. Also caught on lures.

Compared with other regions larger examples of this species caught locally are somewhat rare but certainly plenty of fish up to and around a kilo are common. These fish are being caught in medium depth waters virtually the year round with schools moving into Port Fairy Bay and other inshore waters in the summer and autumn. Generally, in the period January to March smaller numbers have been known to move into the lower stretches of the Moyne River often providing  an unexpected catch for anglers. Not a difficult species to catch and, for the smaller range of fish, a hook size of 1/0 or 2/0 being appropriate. 

Ocean species found close in along rocky coastline and especially in areas where ground rises steeply from deep water towards the surface. Great care in fishing needed and suitable weather conditions required due to vicinity of surf and wave action. May be taken year round, and softer baits including Pipi, Mussel, pieces of Yabby and peeled frozen Prawns are amongst the best.

A small species similar in appearance to Australian Salmon but distinguished by the coarser scales and the black marking at the tip. They may be caught in relatively small numbers, for example, within Port Fairy Bay and on occasion within the lower stretches of the Moyne River. They virtually take all baits as long as they are presented on the smaller hook range.

Sometimes encountered whilst fishing for other species.  Will bite on most baits including Bluebait, Mussel and Pipi with Pilchard fillets being very effective. Smaller specimens will penetrate the Moyne River estuary and may be caught year round but Spring is probably best. 

Introduced species generally in good numbers in enclosures and the freshwater sections of all waterways of South West Victoria. They are subject to annual stocking by the Victorian Fishing Authority in many locations which includes the upstream sections of the Moyne, Merri and Hopkins Rivers. The crater lakes of Bullen Merri and Purrumbete near Camperdown being very accepted locations to try for them. They are caught by trolling lures behind boats, casting lures and all of the accepted freshwater baits.

Fishing for this sport fish has boomed in more recent times, and is proving to be an attraction, not only for locals, but numerous visitors launching their boats from Port Fairy. This species tends to be caught the year round with March to May possibly being the most successful. 

Fish size ranges from a few kilos to, some examples, in excess of 100 kgs with schools being located, on occasions, close inshore right through to the Continental Shelf. The most popular form of angling involves the trolling of lures often in the vicinity of working and diving sea birds.

An esteemed species and highly sought after for its eating quality. More often than not caught close inshore in sand patches interspersed between weed and/or kelp beds. Anglers generally use a reef anchor, anchoring in the weed/kelp beds, securing so that fishing is available directly within the sand patch. All of the softer baits are best including Pipi, Mussel, Bass Yabbies and slices of Pilchard fillets. A good deal of suitable ground exists in Port Fairy Bay to fish for the species, including not far removed from the Moyne River entrance, towards the lighthouse and inshore towards East Beach. Late Spring, Summer and Autumn are the better months to fish for the species and during this time it is not unknown for worthwhile Whiting to be caught within the lower sections of the Moyne River. 

Reasonably common from time to time in the shallow and medium depth waters of Port Fairy Bay. This species is a smaller relative of the highly regarded King George Whiting but still provides smaller delicious fillets. The species does make its way into the lower reaches of the Moyne River on occasions and is highly regarded not only as a food fish but as bait for other other larger species. The softer baits like Pipi, Mussel or smaller slices taken from Pilchard fillets are best fished on size 6 hooks. Prepackaged lines available containing a number of fly type lures also work extremely well. 

Common along the rocky sections of coastline and anywhere that weed and kelp beds are found. Bites all year round and in general terms accepts all baits.  

This list is not exhaustive of the species found available either land based or fishing from boats in areas in and adjacent to Port Fairy. 

Ref: With thanks to Russell Allardice for the information supplied on fishing locations and species. [2022]