Barwon River at Sheepwash

River Parade runs along the west bank of the Barwon River estuary on the northern edge of Barwon Heads, at the end of Sheepwash Road, about 2 km upstream of the bridge. It is a productive land-based stretch, with two boat ramps, one with a jetty. Winter brings big runs of small mullet and salmon that suit young anglers, and the estuary holds bream, flathead, silver trevally, whiting and the occasional mulloway. It is the quieter, muddier cousin of the bridge, with fewer tourists and more birds.

Fish the drop-offs and sand flats from the bank on the run-in tide with small baits — prawn, sandworm, pipi or bass yabby — on a light running rig. Soft plastics worked along the edges pick up flathead and bream. For mulloway, fish a live mullet at night on the big tides — the winter salmon here are mostly under the 21 cm minimum, and undersize fish can't be used as bait. Catch the live mullet here — live bait can't be brought in from another waterway.

Mullet and salmon in numbers in winter, with bream, flathead, silver trevally, whiting and occasional mulloway. Mullet no minimum and 40 combined. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Bream 28 cm and 10, kept whole until off the water. Flathead 27 cm and 20. Silver trevally 20 cm and 20. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Mulloway are 60 cm minimum, bag 5 (changes have been proposed — check the VFA guide).

Banks get muddy and slippery after rain or at high tide. Tiger snakes are common along the Barwon upstream towards Geelong — wear boots and long pants. Keep clear of the ramps when boats are launching; the kayakers are wobbly enough already.

The ramps are on River Parade, at the river end of Sheepwash Road on the northern edge of Barwon Heads, with roadside parking near them. The banks are uneven and muddy in places. Shops are back in Barwon Heads town.

Tidal estuary: the run-in tide brings clean water and fish upstream, while low tide exposes flats. Fresh water after heavy rain pushes fish downstream. Dawn and dusk, an hour either side, are best.

Banks get slippery and muddy. Watch for snakes in the grass and fast tidal flow in the channel. Wear a lifejacket on any wet jetty, wall or rock (AS 4758 level 50S or greater, children Level 100 or greater).

The Sheepwash stretch along River Parade is a popular land-based spot, as are the bridge and jetties near the mouth.

Mullet and salmon in winter, plus bream, flathead, silver trevally, whiting and occasional mulloway.

The run-in tide, best toward its end, with lightly weighted rigs; winter for the mullet and salmon runs.