Portarlington Pier

Portarlington Pier is busy in the holidays and productive all year, and the pier itself is modern and comfortable after its upgrade. An extensive artificial reef has been installed within easy casting distance, which concentrates the fish, and the pier is the base for the ferries to Docklands. Garfish, salmon, flathead and pinkie snapper are the daytime catches, and large snapper come after dark. The Bellarine is a crossover zone between the ocean and the bay, so the tide runs strong here — that is half the reason the fishing is good. It is also the Bellarine's mussel town, so on a slow day the locals' lunch will still outshine your catch.

Cast towards the artificial reef with pilchard or squid baits for snapper, especially after dark. Float baits in a light berley trail for garfish. Spin metals for salmon when schools show. The beaches either side of the pier are worth a cast for flathead and whiting.

Garfish, salmon, flathead and pinkies by day, bigger snapper at night, whiting and calamari over the surrounding seagrass. Snapper 28 cm and 10, no more than 3 of 40 cm or over. Garfish no minimum and 40. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Flathead 27 cm and 20. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish: combined bag 10.

Keep clear of the ferry berth and the commercial wharf, and don't fish in the signed swimming-only zone of the harbour. Fish the slower water around the tide change — the current runs hard mid-tide and will happily take your sinker to Docklands without a ticket. Port Phillip Bay (including Corio Bay) berley is capped at 10 litres, and in its intertidal zone you may only take marine worms, bass yabbies, squid, octopus and cuttlefish.

The pier and breakwater are in Portarlington's harbour off the town foreshore, with barbecue, picnic and playground facilities nearby. The outer end of the northern breakwater has been fenced off — fish the open sections and check Parks Victoria's changed conditions before you go. The deck is modern and flat. Ferries run daily to Docklands, so the precinct is busy at departure times. Dogs must be on a lead; no jumping or diving. Each departure leaves a line of Docklands-bound commuters looking at your rod with open envy.

Strong tides near the Heads influence this part of the bay; slack water and the change are easiest to fish. Northerly winds put chop onto the pier; southerlies are offshore. Night and low light suit the snapper.

Expect deep water, strong currents, submerged objects, slippery surfaces and rocks, and vehicles. Ferry wash at the berth. Wear a lifejacket if you fish the lower landings or ladders — adults AS 4758 level 50S or greater, level 100 or greater for children.

Yes — anglers can fish from the pier, and it is productive year-round, with an artificial reef in casting range.

Garfish, salmon, flathead and pinkie snapper, with large snapper after dark. The beaches either side produce flathead and whiting.

Yes — it was put within easy casting distance of the pier. A pilchard or squid bait cast towards it, especially after dark, is the snapper play; expect the odd snag.