McCrae Beach
Summary for 24 Oct 2026
Bite Compass is showing a medium fish activity bite score on 24 Oct 2026. Wind is around W at 13 km/h. Solunar feeding windows are listed below.
Feeding Windows
Local Knowledge
McCrae Beach is the strip of bay sand between Dromana and Rosebud, tucked under Anthonys Nose and the slopes of Arthurs Seat, with the small Anthonys Nose boat ramp just past its eastern end. It sits just inside the bay's more tidal southern end, so the current is gentler here than at Rye or Sorrento — easier water for newcomers. Whiting, calamari and flathead work the sand and weed patches just off the beach. It is the kind of spot where the fishing is gentle and the bathing boxes get photographed more than the catch.
Cast small baits on a light paternoster onto the sand between weed patches for whiting, ideally at dawn or dusk. Work squid jigs over the darker weed on calm, clear evenings. Hop soft plastics back along the bottom for flathead.
Gentle water, gentle fish: whiting and flathead off the sand, and calamari over the darker weed on calm evenings. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Flathead 27 cm and 20. Squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish: combined bag 10. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring.
Port Phillip Bay berley is capped at 10 litres, and in its intertidal zone you may only take marine worms, bass yabbies, squid, octopus and cuttlefish. Give the Anthonys Nose boat ramp a wide berth on busy mornings — trailers reversing there are a spectator sport in themselves. Park legally on the foreshore road; the rangers in summer are keener than the whiting.
Access & Conditions
Foreshore parking runs along the beach, and the Anthonys Nose boat ramp sits just east of the point. The sand is flat and easy for families. Expect a crowd when the summer foreshore camping season is running.
Faces north across the bay; northerlies and north-westerlies put chop and weed onto the beach, while southerlies are offshore and glassy. The water is shallow, so the higher half of the tide and low light fish best. Clear water after calm days suits the squid.
Boat traffic around the Anthonys Nose ramp at the eastern end is the main hazard — stay well clear of the launch lanes. The sand shelves gently, but weed patches hide the odd rock. Shuffle your feet when wading to warn off rays.
Gear & Rigs
A 7 ft light spin rod, 2000–2500 reel and 6 lb line is plenty in this flat water. A short paternoster with size 6 long-shanks and pipi or bass yabby for whiting. Size 2.0 squid jigs in natural colours for the weed edges. 2 inch plastics on 1/12–1/8 oz jigheads hopped slowly for flathead.
Seasons
Whiting and flathead fish best from late spring into autumn. Calamari are best through the cooler months, on calm evenings. Salmon are an occasional autumn and winter visitor along the shore.
If This Spot's Blown Out
Frequently Asked
Yes — it is a calm bay beach where whiting, calamari and flathead are taken from the sand, best at dawn and dusk.
Dawn or dusk on the higher half of the tide, on a southerly or calm day.
No. In Port Phillip Bay's intertidal zone only marine worms, bass yabbies, squid, octopus and cuttlefish may be taken.