Ammo Jetty is Perth's go-to squid spot. The heritage WWII ammunition jetty sits over weed beds in Cockburn Sound that are loaded with calamari from late winter through summer. The permanent lighting draws bait after dark, and the depth alongside the pylons means you're fishing productive water without a boat. On a calm evening in spring the jetty fills with anglers shoulder-to-shoulder and for good reason — it works.

For squid, work jigs slowly over the weed beds either side of the jetty — the lights concentrate them at night. Cast a few rod-lengths out and let the jig sink, then twitch it back along the bottom. For herring and tailor, float baits along the pylon line and fish the tide changes. Cast tight to the structure rather than out into open water; the pylons hold the bait.

Southern calamari (Aug–Feb, the main draw), herring, skippy, tailor off the end, and occasional salmon or kingfish when schools push through Cockburn Sound. Snook turn up on squid jigs and small surface lures. Garfish work the surface in the calmer corners.

This is one of the busiest fishing spots in Perth — especially on calm evenings when the squid are on. Keep rigs tidy and casts controlled. Bring a squid spike and a headlamp. The pylons will cost you jigs, so bring spares. Don't fillet on the jetty boards; the gulls will have it before it's bagged.

Park at the Woodman Point Recreation Camp car park on the eastern side, then walk a sealed 200m path to the jetty entry. The jetty itself is heritage timber, sealed and railed, with benches partway along — accessible for prams and walking-aid users for most of its length. Public toilets at the car park, no on-jetty toilets. The jetty has functional lighting along most of its length so evening squidding doesn't strictly need a head torch, but rigging baits in the dark is easier with one. Parking fills extremely fast on calm spring evenings.

Sheltered position inside Cockburn Sound means the jetty fishes through almost any conditions short of a strong westerly or NW gale. The afternoon Fremantle Doctor blows directly across the sound; the jetty stays fishable but bait baits get pushed sideways. Tide changes are the productive windows for squid and tailor — slack water is slow. Water clarity is generally good in the sound; reduces after winter storms or strong northerlies that stir up the seagrass beds.

Heritage timber boards have nail heads in places — check footing in the dark. The jetty creaks and shifts in big seas; on heavy swell or strong westerly days, the outer end is uncomfortable. Bluebottles drift in during summer northerlies and can collect against the pylons. The pylon structure will snap leaders and lose jigs; bring spares. Boat and dive traffic uses the area; keep long casts clear of moving vessels.

It sits over the weed beds in Cockburn Sound that hold calamari year-round, and the permanent lighting concentrates them after dark. The combination of structure, weed and lighting makes it the most consistent land-based squid spot in metro Perth.

Late afternoon into evening from August through February for squid. Tide changes lift the bite. Calm conditions are best — choppy water makes jigs harder to work and the jetty uncomfortable.

Yes — the jetty is well-lit and well-trafficked, and the surrounding park is safe. Bring a headlamp for rigging in the dark and grippy footwear for the heritage timber boards.

Cast slightly outside the pylon line and retrieve back across the weed rather than straight up the structure. When you do snag, point the rod directly at the jig and pull steadily; jerking usually drives the jig deeper into the timber.