Sorrento Pier

Sorrento Pier sits beside the Searoad terminal for the Queenscliff car ferry, and the dredged channel in front of it gives land-based anglers deep water within a cast. There are plenty of weed beds and a fair bit of reef around it — excellent calamari habitat — and it is a hotspot for King George whiting from November to April. The current runs a little softer here than at Portsea, which buys a longer fishing window either side of the tide change. Each time the ferry comes in it stirs up a free berley trail, whether you asked for one or not.

For whiting, the recipe is light tackle, small hooks and a light berley trail, with baits dropped onto the sand between the weed. Calamari come to jigs cast over the weed and reef edges, especially at low light. Fish the slower water around the tide change and keep well clear of the ferry berth when it is working.

King George whiting (best from November to April) and calamari all year are the headline pair. Pinkies, leatherjackets, salmon and garfish make up the mixed bag. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Squid (including calamari), octopus and cuttlefish: combined bag 10. Snapper 28 cm and 10 (no more than 3 of 40 cm or over). Leatherjackets no minimum and 20 combined. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Garfish no minimum and 40 combined.

Keep out of the ferry's berthing area and follow any signs or staff directions — ferry and terminal traffic have right of way, and a ferry does not give way to a whiting rig. Whiting and snapper must be kept whole until you are away from the water. Port Phillip berley is capped at 10 litres.

The pier is at the bottom of Sorrento township beside the ferry terminal, with cafes, restaurants and picnic and barbecue facilities in town a short walk away. Parking at the Sorrento boat ramp is limited in the height of summer. The deck is flat, but expect foot traffic around ferry departures. Dogs on lead; no jumping or diving. Sorrento in January is all boat shoes and gelato queues; the pier at dawn is the antidote.

This end of the bay is close to the Heads and very tidal, but Sorrento's current is gentler than Portsea's. Southerlies are offshore; a northerly brings chop. Calm, clear mornings and evenings when the current eases — which near the Heads comes later than the printed high and low — are best for both whiting and squid.

Watch for deep water, strong currents, submerged obstacles, a slippery surface and service vehicles at times. Ferry wash and berthing manoeuvres make the berth side dangerous — fish well away from it. 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 is a popular fishing spot, best known for King George whiting (November to April) and calamari. Keep clear of the ferry berth and terminal.

November to April is the peak. Fish small baits on light tackle with a light berley trail around the tide change. The minimum size is 27 cm and the bag is 20.

The ferry berths at the pier and the channel in front is dredged, which gives deep water close in. Fish well away from the berth while the ferry is moving, and expect a short disturbance each time it comes and goes.