Harmers Haven (Wreck Bay)

Harmers Haven is a tiny settlement on the Bass Coast south of Wonthaggi, sitting above Wreck Bay — a rocky, reef-studded stretch of shore between Cape Paterson and the beaches running west toward Kilcunda. It is the opposite of a family jetty: surf and rock fishing over broken reef and sand, with salmon working the gutters between the rock bars. It is the local surf-and-rock spot, and the outcrops will eat your tackle. It is a spot for anglers who like their fishing a little rough, and who would rather lose a few sinkers than share a beach with a car park full of caravans.

Walk the beach at low tide to find the sand gutters between the rock bars, then fish them as the tide comes back in. A paternoster with a star sinker and bluebait or half pilchards works in the sandier gutters; over the reef edges, fish lighter and shorter to cut snag losses, or cast metal slugs for salmon and keep them moving. A float rig with squid or prawn along the white water off the rocks can pick up mullet and trevally. Dawn and dusk on a rising tide are the times.

Salmon are the main surf fish, more reliable in the cooler months, with yelloweye mullet and silver trevally in the wash and flathead on the sandy patches. Wrasse are common around the reef; any blue groper are protected in Victoria and must go back. Victorian limits: salmon 21 cm, 20 combined with herring; flathead 27 cm; silver trevally 20 cm; mullet no minimum with a combined 40; wrasse 27 cm, combined 5.

Bring twice the sinkers you think you need and use a weak link to the sinker so the reef takes lead, not your whole rig. Fish the sandier gutters rather than casting straight over the reef. The Bunurong Marine National Park starts to the east, past Cape Paterson toward Inverloch — all fishing is banned inside it, so do not drift that way.

Harmers Haven is a short drive south of Wonthaggi. Access to Wreck Bay is by short tracks from the settlement down to the beach; the tracks and the rocky shore are not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. There are no shops at Harmers Haven — Wonthaggi and Cape Paterson are the nearest towns. Harmers Haven is the sort of place where a second car in the street counts as a crowd. There are no fees.

The bay faces south into Bass Strait and takes the full south-westerly swell. A small to moderate swell and light northerly winds are the days to fish it; a big swell turns the reef into a washing machine and makes the rocks dangerous. A rising tide fills the gutters and is the best time.

This is rocky, exposed Bass Strait coast. Waves can wash over low rock without warning, and the rock shelves are slippery with weed. Always wear a lifejacket when rock fishing — AS 4758, Level 50S or greater — and cleated footwear; never fish alone, never turn your back on the sea, and if someone is washed in, do not jump in after them: throw something that floats and call 000. Check the swell, tide and wind before you go, and watch the tide if you walk around rock points, as it can cut off the way back.

Yes. Wreck Bay below Harmers Haven is a surf and rock fishing spot for salmon, mullet and trevally. It is rocky and snaggy, so bring spare rigs, and stay west of Cape Paterson — the Bunurong Marine National Park to the east is no-take.

Wear one. Always wear a lifejacket when rock fishing — AS 4758, Level 50S or greater — along with cleated footwear. Waves can wash over the low rock at Wreck Bay without warning.

Bluebait and half pilchards on a paternoster rig in the sandy gutters between the rock bars, or 30–60 g metal slugs cast and wound fast when salmon are showing. Fish a rising tide at dawn or dusk, and use a weak link to the sinker so the reef doesn't take the whole rig.