Ocean Grove Main Beach
Summary for 24 Oct 2026
Bite Compass is showing a medium fish activity bite score on 24 Oct 2026. Wind is around SW at 13 km/h. Solunar feeding windows are listed below.
Feeding Windows
Local Knowledge
Ocean Grove Main Beach runs east from the Barwon River mouth towards Point Lonsdale, a seasonally patrolled family surf beach that also fishes. Salmon are the main surf target — on metals or soaked blue bait — with gummy sharks after dark on fresh fish fillets, and surf mulloway taken along this coast on squid heads and pilchards over the high tide at night. The western end near the river mouth is the angler's end; the patrolled flags are for everyone else. It is the kind of beach where the fishing forecast and the surf forecast are the same document.
Fish the gutters at the river-mouth end on the rising tide. Cast 25–50 g metals into the wash for salmon or soak blue bait on a paternoster. After dark, fish fresh salmon fillet or squid into the deepest gutter for gummies, and squid heads or pilchards over the high tide for mulloway.
Salmon by day, gummy sharks and occasional mulloway at night. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring; gummy shark 45 cm partial length and 2 combined with school shark (kept whole or as a carcass until off the water). Mulloway are 60 cm minimum, bag 5 (changes have been proposed — check the VFA guide).
Fish well away from the patrolled flags and the surf club area in summer. The nippers are not interested in your gutter theory. The eastern end of the beach towards Point Lonsdale runs into the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park (Point Lonsdale part), where fishing is banned — stay at the Ocean Grove end.
Access & Conditions
Access is from the Ocean Grove foreshore and surf club area, a short walk from the town centre. The beach is seasonally patrolled. Check Barwon Coast notices for path closures. Ocean Grove began as a strait-laced Methodist seaside retreat, and the beach after dark still has an early-to-bed feel that suits the gummy crowd fine.
Faces Bass Strait, with the Barwon River's run-out tide shaping the sand at the western end. A moderate swell builds good gutters there; a large south-westerly swell makes the whole beach dangerous. Northerlies are offshore. Dawn, dusk and night over the higher half of the tide.
An open surf beach with rips — swim only between the flags, don't wade out to cast. The Barwon River mouth has strong tidal currents. Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary (no-take) covers the reef and rock platform at the bluff about 1.8 km south-west, across the river mouth — all fishing and bait collection are banned inside it.
Gear & Rigs
A 10–12 ft surf rod, 4000–6000 reel, 20–30 lb braid. 25–50 g metals. A paternoster with 1/0–3/0 hooks. Heavier 5/0–8/0 rigs with fresh fillet or squid heads for gummies and mulloway. 4–6 oz sinkers.
Seasons
Salmon peak from autumn through winter. Gummy sharks are a night option all year, on warm summer nights and from late autumn into winter, when they often come with the salmon. Mulloway are occasional, mostly on high tides after dark.
If This Spot's Blown Out
Frequently Asked
Yes. Salmon are the main surf target, and gummy sharks and mulloway come on after dark. Fish away from the patrolled flags, and don't fish the Point Lonsdale end, which is inside the marine national park.
The western end near the Barwon River mouth, on the rising tide and at low light.
The beaches here fish well for gummies after dark on fresh fish fillets. Gummy and school shark are 2 combined per person per day, 45 cm partial length minimum.