Curdies Inlet (Peterborough)

Curdies Inlet is the broad estuary of the Curdies River at Peterborough, and the best fishing is in the estuary itself, which runs 16 km upstream from Peterborough to Curdievale. It is a good black bream fishery with fish to 2 kg, and also holds estuary perch, small salmon, luderick, flounder and small silver trevally. A boat is necessary for the best fishing, but the inlet's edges near town give land-based anglers a start. The Curdievale end is a local favourite when the ski boats aren't out — which tells you what summer weekends are like.

Fish light line under 3 kg with a heavier shock leader, pea-size sinkers and size 4–1 hooks. Baits that work include podworm, black crabs, whitebait, prawn and pipis. Fish edges, snags and drop-offs for bream, and use small soft plastics or hard-body lures around structure for perch. From the bank, cast towards channel edges on a moving tide. Luderick hold around weedy rocks and timber in the lower inlet; a float with a small hook and a strand of green weed is how to target them rather than catch one by accident.

Black bream are the main target, with estuary perch, luderick, small salmon, flounder and small silver trevally also caught. Victorian limits: black bream 28 cm and 10, estuary perch 27 cm with a combined bag of 5, luderick 23 cm and 10, Australian salmon 21 cm with 20 combined with Australian herring, flounder 23 cm and 20 combined, silver trevally 20 cm and 20 combined. Bream and estuary perch must be kept whole until you are away from the water. Hand spears are banned in Curdies Inlet.

Launch from the ramp on the northern side of Peterborough or at Curdievale upstream of the bridge to reach the best water. Ski boats use the inlet in summer, so fish early or late on hot weekends. The Arches Marine Sanctuary and Twelve Apostles Marine National Park are both to the east near Port Campbell and are no-take.

The Peterborough boat ramp is on the northern side of town, with parking nearby. Land-based anglers can fish the inlet edges near town. Curdievale, upstream, has a picnic area by the river. The town edge is flat and easy for families.

The inlet is sheltered from the ocean swell, but strong winds can chop up the open water. The mouth at Peterborough closes naturally and is opened artificially when water levels get high, so for weeks at a time there may be no tide in the inlet at all. Tidal flow and clarity vary with the mouth and river flows. Calm mornings and evenings suit lure fishing. After heavy rain, the water colours up and the bream often move. This is the Shipwreck Coast, so an inlet that stays flat while the ocean next door misbehaves is worth the drive.

Watch for ski boats and other traffic in summer. Muddy edges can be soft — test your footing. The inlet mouth meets an exposed surf coast; do not wade the entrance. Wind can make small-boat crossings uncomfortable.

Black bream to 2 kg are the main fish, with estuary perch, small salmon, luderick, flounder and small silver trevally.

There are ramps at Curdievale, upstream of the bridge, and on the northern side of Peterborough.

Podworm, black crabs, whitebait, prawn and pipis all work.