Melbourne Fishing Charters

Port Phillip Bay has a sandy bottom with reefs, scallop beds and some man-made artificial reefs. The depth of water I fish is 5 to 24 metres. At the entrance to the bay there are places that are very deep, around 40 metres, and that is where we chase kingfish. Port Phillip is a lot easier to fish than Western Port with its slower tides, so we can use lighter sinkers and lighter gear.

The other species we commonly catch in the bay are snapper, pinkies, flathead, whiting, salmon, squid and gummy sharks. Of course there are many other species that I have not listed.

It can get choppy very quickly as the wind sweeps across the bay. I let everyone know the conditions and what to wear before they come on a charter, so they are prepared. It is important to know what to bring, and for those who suffer from seasickness I recommend taking motion sickness tablets beforehand, as being sick is not enjoyable on a fishing charter.

Having a charter boat that can be towed on a trailer is key to being successful in fishing around Melbourne. Some Melbourne fishing charters only operate from a fixed location. The fish move around the bay, and it takes a lot of time to get to them if you can only leave from one spot. Depending on the stage of the season and the species I am looking for, I change location so that my customers get the best results. Fishing by water depth according to the species makes a difference too. At certain times of the year areas of the bay seem deserted and you will not find a single fish, which can be so frustrating. It takes many years of experience and persistence to see the best results. Like many experts in their field, it is time on the water that counts.

Peak season in Port Phillip Bay is from September to December when the snapper are biting. A little-known fact, though, is that fishing through winter is fantastic. I also fish outside the bays in Bass Strait, where we can chase some of the larger fish such as kingfish and tuna. While many people put the boat away or head to other locations, I keep fishing, because experience has taught me there is good fishing throughout the whole year.

Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay and Bass Strait. Between them there is somewhere to fish in any weather and something to catch in any month.

I can comfortably take up to eight passengers, plus the captain and a deckhand. Boats I have owned before were registered for up to nine, but the customer experience is very different in a smaller boat without much room. Not having the space to throw a line off, and bumping into other anglers, can ruin the day. That is why I have made sure there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy their time on the water.

Each boat ramp has plenty of parking for customers to leave their car for the duration of the charter. Be sure not to park in the spots designated for vehicles with a trailer, as you may receive a parking fine.

If you're interested in a Melbourne fishing charter, I suggest arriving at the boat ramp at least ten minutes before the scheduled departure time. That gives us a moment to check you are prepared and lets us leave on time.