Cape Schanck

Cape Schanck is the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula, a lighthouse and walking area in Mornington Peninsula National Park where Bass Strait meets the cliffs. The basalt platforms below the lighthouse are some of the most exposed rock on the Victorian coast, and anglers chase salmon in the wash and reef fish in the gutters. The fishing is real, and on a slow day the lighthouse views do a lot of the heavy lifting. It sits inside a mandatory-lifejacket zone, so anglers on the rocks must wear a lifejacket.

Fish only on calm days, from a ledge well above the wash line, casting metals into the white water for salmon or float-fishing baits along the reef edge. Lighter rigs with size 8–6 hooks and peeled prawn or pipi, worked into the gutters, pick up sweep, wrasse and leatherjackets, with snapper a warmer-month chance on bigger baits. Pick your ledge at low tide, plan a retreat route, and leave when the swell builds. The fish will still be there next calm day.

Australian salmon are the main target, with sweep, wrasse and leatherjackets in the gutters and the odd snapper. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Snapper 28 cm and 10, no more than 3 of 40 cm or over. Leatherjackets no minimum and 20 combined. Sweep 23 cm and 10 combined. Wrasse 27 cm and 5 combined. Blue groper are protected in Victoria and must be released.

The area is in Mornington Peninsula National Park: no dogs anywhere in the park, including beaches and car parks. Tell someone where you are fishing and when you'll be back. Fish within your limits on the rock, however good the casting water looks.

Parking is near the lighthouse precinct and a walk down to the cape on formed tracks and boardwalk. The descent and return are steep in places, and the stairs feel twice as long on the way up with a full bucket. It is not suitable for wheelchairs, prams or young children on the rocks.

The cape takes Bass Strait swell from the south-west, and even moderate swell sends surges across the lower platforms. Only fish it on a small, settling swell with light or northerly winds. Check the swell, tide and wind forecasts for several days beforehand, as VFA advises for any rock fishing.

Waves wash the platforms without warning and the rock is slippery. Never fish alone, face the water, don't wear waders, and never trust ropes or makeshift steps. If someone is washed in, don't jump in — throw something that floats and call 000. This coast is inside one of VFA's 11 mandatory-lifejacket zones — all rock platforms between Point Nepean and West Head — so anyone fishing from the rocks must wear a lifejacket (AS 4758 level 50S or greater, children in your care Level 100 or greater), and fines apply.

Yes. All rock platforms between Point Nepean and West Head are a mandatory-lifejacket zone for anglers: AS 4758 level 50S or greater, children Level 100 or greater. Fines apply.

Yes, from the rock platforms in calm conditions, wearing a lifejacket. It is in Mornington Peninsula National Park (no dogs), and there is no marine sanctuary at the cape.

Australian salmon in the wash are the main catch, with leatherjackets and other reef fish and occasional snapper. Blue groper are protected and must be released.