Squid Fishing
(Calamari Fishing)
Squid, or calamari, are a highly sought-after target species throughout Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bays. They are found in most patches of weed and reef throughout both bays, throughout the whole year. You can catch some big Squid from September to December
Squid Fishing – Summary
Departing from Carrum or Hastings
Starting from $180 per person
5am departure in season (6am other times - check schedule)
Up to 5 hours
Details & Itinerary
Catching Southern Calamari (squid fishing) is extremely popular. They make excellent bait for Snapper, Gummy Sharks, and King Fish but they also taste great and we love eating them. The beauty of Squid fishing is they can be caught year-round. We often spend time catching them so that when you come aboard, we have the best fresh bait available. Mal will always be in touch with you to let you know where your particular charter will be departing from. (See How To Catch Calamari).
When you go on a squid fishing charter, you will need to come prepared for around 5 hours on the water. For those who need it, there is a toilet onboard. You will need to be prepared with appropriate clothing to prepare against seaspray and be aware that you may get a little dirty when dealing with the fish, especially as you may end up covered in black ink.
Squid Fishing - Schedule
- Meet at the boat ramp at Carrum or Hastings
- Hit the open waters of either Port Philip or Westernport Bays
- Search for possible schools of fish.
- Change location if required
- Head back home
What You Should Bring
- Sunglasses and hat
- Drink bottles of water
- Sunscreen lotion
- Esky in your car (Please don’t bring it onboard, we will give you bags to take your fish home)
- Bring a packed lunch and some snacks to see you through the day.
- A weather proof jacket and older clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Best time for squid fishing in Victoria
If departing from Melbourne, then the bext time to fish for calamari is January to May.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you clean our fish? No, but we will bleed them once caught and have them placed on ice to keep them in the best condition.
Do I have to fight the fish by myself? You can take it in turns. Some fish can take time to bring in. We always leave that question to the person on the rod.
Do I have to wear a life jacket? When going through Port Phillip heads every person on the boat must wear a life jacket, then it is up to you once we are out of the heads.
What size will the fish be? There are limits placed on the minimum size of most fish by the Victorian Fishing Authority. Visit our Fishing Tips page to read the FAQ’s for each type of fish.
What sort of lures do you use? We use a mixture of skirted lures and hard body lures
What is the minimum age for children? For offshore fishing, 12 years and over. In the bays, we recommend children aged 5 and above.
Squid Fishing – Taught By Experts
A lifetime of learning by Mal is your secret weapon to picking up all the tricks of the trade and looking like an expert in no time.
All Fishing Equipment Included
Equipped with all the best gear, Mal will get you set up to catch some calamari. Learn how to bait and fight the big ones.
Bragging Rights
We’re confident you will have a really fun day calamari fishing, and if you land a big one, Mal will take a photo and put it on his Instagram page so there is no doubting you caught it. Let your mates see what you’ve caught and tell the tale at your next BBQ!
Fishing Licence
Make sure you have a fishing licence before you leave. They are available online.