Our Secret West - FISHING

Our Secret West plans to get you ‘hooked’ this Festival!

We’re highlighting some of the best local fishing spots in Hobsons Bay as well as partnering with some of the best fish and chips shops to bring you festival specials. And if pizza or antipasto is more your thing we’ve got that covered too!

We asked Our Secret West fishing ambassadors, Dallas D’Silva, of Victorian Fisheries, and his son Max, to share their tips for land-based fishing in Hobsons Bay:

“There’s great fishing to be had off the piers and jetties for species such as Snapper, Bream and Whiting. It’s where the Yarra River meets the Bay so it is a productive area for fish and marine life. The great thing about going recreational fishing is that it’s such a family-friendly activity. Three places I would particularly recommend would be Warmies, Gem Pier and off Altona Beach Pier. All great spots!”

Dallas D’Silva – Williamstown Resident

Let’s take a deeper dive into Dallas and Max’s favourite fishing spots:

GEM PIER 

1 Symes Street, Williamstown

As a land-based fishing option, Gem Pier is very popular. To avoid the crowds as the weather warms up look at fishing on weekdays, evenings or early mornings when there are less folks around. And if the fish aren’t biting – at least you can catch a beautiful boat and bay view!

Our Secret West’s recipe for fishing-success: 
Try for pinkies, flathead and bream using pilchards and prawns with small hooks and lightweight lines, and be sure to keep your bait above the weeds at the bottom.

THE WARMIES

North Road, Newport

Another excellent spot for land-based fishing – and the fish love it too! The iconic Newport Power Station pumps the warm water used to drive its turbines, into the channel. For the fish, it’s their idea of a tropical heaven!

Our Secret West’s recipe for fishing-success: 
Try for Pinkies, Flathead, Salmon and the occasional large Snapper and Mulloway using blue bait, chicken breast, pilchards, pipes and whitebait, and keep an eye out for when the Power Station’s smoke stack is operating – that’s when that warm water is flowing.

ALTONA BEACH PIER

The Esplanade, Altona

Did you know that Altona Pier has had an artificial reef placed just off the end of the pier? The reef provides a marine habitat that attracts fish to the area, making this a great fishing option.

Our Secret West’s recipe for fishing-success: 
Try for Flathead, Bream and Snapper and Whiting during the warmer months using traditional baits such as pippis, sandworms, pilchards, garfish, tuna and squid, and try to get there an hour or two before or after a low or high tide and take care not to snag pylons.

Event Details

21 & 22 Nov. 
28 & 29 Nov.

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