Point Richards

Point Richards is the boat ramp and breakwall on the point west of Portarlington. Off the point, seagrass and broken ground with sand patches suit calamari, whiting and flathead, and salmon schools pop up along this coast. The breakwall puts a land-based angler a cast closer to that ground. In pinkie season the trailer bays fill before first light, which makes the breakwall the quiet corner of a very busy car park.

Cast squid jigs and small baits off the breakwall end onto the seagrass and sand. Spin small metals when salmon schools show, usually just after you have tied on a squid jig. Soft plastics hopped back over the sand pick up flathead.

Calamari, whiting, salmon and flathead. Squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish: combined bag 10. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Flathead 27 cm and 20.

Stay off the ramp and keep lines away from boats entering and leaving the harbour. Whiting stay whole until you are off the water. 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.

Point Richards is just west of Portarlington, with boat-ramp parking that fills on good boating days. The breakwall is rock — not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Bring what you need for the session.

The Bellarine's strong tides run past the point; the change is easiest to fish. Northerlies put chop on it; southerlies are offshore. Low light and clear water suit squid.

Slippery breakwall rocks and boat traffic. Strong tidal currents off the point. Wear a lifejacket on any wet jetty, wall or rock (AS 4758 level 50S or greater, children Level 100 or greater).

Yes, from the breakwall, keeping clear of boats launching and retrieving.

Calamari, King George whiting, salmon and flathead over the seagrass and sand off the point.

Around the tide change, after the morning boat rush, with low light and clear water for squid.