Rippleside Pier

Rippleside Pier sits on the Corio Bay shore just north of Geelong's waterfront, and it has had two upgrades — new decking, seating and access ladders in 2019, then new decking, balustrades and lighting in early 2023. It is a family-friendly spot that makes it easy for anglers without boats to target King George whiting, silver trevally, salmon and pinkie snapper. It is a short, unfussy pier — no restaurants, no yachts, just a deck, the bay and whoever brought the best berley.

Fish small baits on a paternoster over the sand and weed for whiting, with a light berley trail. Small metal lures or soft plastics pick up trevally and salmon when schools move through. Pinkies take pilchard pieces or squid strip fished a little heavier near the end.

King George whiting, silver trevally, salmon and pinkie snapper. King George whiting 27 cm and 20 (kept whole until off the water). Silver trevally 20 cm and 20. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Snapper 28 cm and 10, no more than 3 of 40 cm or over.

The new access ladders are for getting out of the water, not landing fish — use a landing net. Whiting and snapper stay whole until you are off the water. 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 is at Rippleside Park on the Corio Bay foreshore, a few minutes north of central Geelong. The upgrades added decking, seating, ladders, balustrades and lighting, so it is easy going for families. The deck is short and flat. There are no shops or cafes on the pier itself, so bring what you need. On a Cats home-game arvo the pier goes quiet, which tells you everything about Geelong's priorities.

Corio Bay is sheltered. Easterly and north-easterly winds put chop on the pier, westerlies are offshore. Calm mornings and evenings on a rising tide suit whiting.

Deep water off the end and slippery boards when wet. Supervise children near the edge. 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. It's short, flat and re-decked, with seating and ladders, and whiting and trevally are within an easy cast.

King George whiting, silver trevally, salmon and pinkie snapper.

On the Corio Bay shore at Rippleside, a few minutes north of the Geelong waterfront and Cunningham Pier.