Olivers Hill

Below the lookout on the Nepean Highway at Olivers Hill, the shoreline turns from Frankston's sand to rock, and the inshore water here is broken ground and weed beds that hold calamari and whiting, with salmon schools at times. The rocky shore is productive for land-based fishing, with snapper, flathead and garfish also on the list. The lookout is a handy place to read the water first. It is the first proper rocky ground south of Frankston, and you feel the change underfoot straight away.

Cast squid jigs over the weed edges for calamari, especially in clear water at dawn and dusk. Whiting take small baits on the sand patches between the broken ground. Salmon schools are a metal-lure job. Fish a rising tide, since low tide leaves it very shallow, and budget a few rigs for the rocks. The lookout is the best place to plan your session and the worst place to land a fish.

Calamari (squid combined bag 10) and King George whiting (27 cm, bag 20) are the headline species here, with salmon (21 cm) schools at times. Flathead (27 cm), snapper (28 cm, bag 10 with no more than 3 at 40 cm or more) and garfish are also taken. Skates and rays can't be taken within 400 m of any rock wall.

Fish the rising tide — at low tide the ground is too shallow. In Port Phillip Bay's intertidal zone, nothing but worms, bass yabbies and cephalopods may be taken, so leave the rock pools alone. The lookout car park is full of people admiring the water; you're the one standing in it.

Olivers Hill is on the Nepean Highway south of Frankston. There's a small lookout car park on the highway, and free parking and toilets at the Olivers Hill boat ramp about 600 m north. Footing on the rocks is uneven, so this spot is not suited to wheelchairs or small children.

The shore faces west-north-west into the bay. Calm, clear days suit squid and whiting; westerly blows bring wash for salmon but make the rocks dangerous. The rising tide is the key.

Slippery, uneven rocks — wear grippy shoes and stay off them when waves are washing over. Getting down from the road needs care. A lifejacket is sensible for anyone fishing the rocks alone. Watch the highway traffic if you park up at the lookout, and the boat traffic around the ramp.

The inshore broken ground and weed beds at Olivers Hill hold calamari and whiting, with salmon schools at times. Snapper, flathead and garfish are also taken.

On a rising tide — at low tide the water is very shallow. Dawn and dusk are best for squid.

Not well. The ground is too shallow, so come on the rising tide.