Fishing Apollo Bay
The offshore topography features dramatic underwater drop-offs and low-profile reef systems. Ocean currents sweep around Cape Otway to bring pelagic baitfish and predators near shore. Nearby coastal rivers offer sheltered estuary fishing when open ocean swells build.
Land-based fishers utilize the harbour breakwalls and surrounding surf beaches for prime access. Casting heavy metal spinners into ocean white water yields high numbers of salmon. Rock platform fishing requires careful monitoring of incoming swell sets to ensure safety.
Boating anglers launch from the harbour facilities to target offshore gamefish and bottom species. Reaching wide offshore reefs demands strict attention to changing weather and marine forecasts. Heavy tackle setups are standard gear for extracting powerful fish from deep structure.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- APOLLO BAY BREAKWALL: Fish the inner harbour side during rough seas to target silver trevally on light tackle. Cast heavy metal slugs off the outer wall to intercept passing schools of Australian salmon. Drop weighted baits into rock crevices to extract large sweep hiding in the wash.
- POINT BUNBURY: Walk out along the basalt rock ledges near the harbour entrance during low tide to reach deeper water. Cast fresh squid strips suspended under heavy floats to clear the immediate kelp line. Always wear flotation vests and studded cleats because ocean swells regularly sweep across this point.
- BARHAM RIVER MOUTH: Target shallow sand drop-offs inside the estuary entrance using small soft plastic lures. Fish a rising tide at dawn to intercept black bream pushing up from the ocean. Drift live bass yabbies through deeper channel edges to guarantee consistent hookups.
- SKENES CREEK BEACH: Locate deep ocean gutters formed parallel to the shore after strong coastal storms. Cast whole pilchards on paternoster rigs to target patrolling gummy sharks after nightfall. Use heavy surf rods to keep your mainline clear of the crashing shore break.
- WILD DOG CREEK: Search the quiet upper reaches of this small river system for resident estuary perch. Pitch small surface poppers close to overhanging bank vegetation during late afternoon hours. Set drags firmly to pull hooked fish away from submerged timber snags instantly.
Offshore
- THE 50-METER LINE: Run wider past the harbour to locate low-profile reef systems holding quality snapper. Deploy a continuous berley trail and present fresh squid strips close to the seafloor. Watch your sounder for suspended bait balls that indicate active feeding fish beneath.
- CAPE PATTON DROP-OFF: Troll deep-diving lures along steep underwater ledges to intercept yellowtail kingfish. Switch to dropping heavy metal jigs once fish marks are pinpointed on deep pinnacles. Heavy braided mainline is mandatory to stop fish from diving into sharp rock walls.
- APOLLO BAY ARTIFICIAL REEF: Locate concrete module clusters outside the harbour entrance using GPS coordinates. Hop lightly weighted soft plastics across the sand edges to catch sand flathead. Suspend small natural baits mid-water to catch silver trevally holding above structure.
- CONTINENTAL SHELF: Run wide to the 100-meter depth line during flat calm ocean weather windows. Troll spreads of skirted lures to raise surface-feeding southern bluefin tuna. Look for diving gannets and bait spraying on the surface to pinpoint active schools.
- BLANKET BAY BOMMIES: Anchor carefully near large submerged bommies located well outside local marine sanctuary boundaries. Present large fish fillets on wire traces within a steady berley trail to attract mako sharks. Ensure all safety gear and gaffs are prepared before hooked sharks approach the vessel.
Hot Spots
- BREAKWALL ELBOW: The prime land-based vantage point for casting heavy metal spinners at salmon.
- HARBOUR PYLONS: A reliable sheltered location for jigging southern calamari during high tide periods.
- BARHAM BRIDGE: Excellent estuarine structure for drifting live baits to schooling black bream.
- TUNA GROUNDS WIDE: Legendary offshore coordinates where massive pelagic schools aggregate each season.
- CAPE PATTON PINNACLES: An elite deep-water jigging mark for targeting powerful yellowtail kingfish.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Cast size 3.0 squid jigs along the harbour rock wall at first light. Allow the jig to sink near the seafloor before initiating a slow erratic twitch-and-pause retrieve. Keep harvested squid refrigerated in a dry vessel compartment to maintain fresh bait quality.
- BASS YABBIES: Wade the intertidal mud flats inside the Barham River mouth during low tide. Plunge a manual yabbie pump into burrows and dump extracted mud onto dry sand bars. Collect yabbies quickly and store them in damp river weed inside an aerated container.
- SAND WORMS: Drag a mesh bag packed with fish frames across the wet surf sand at Skenes Creek. Watch for worm heads surfacing behind the bait trail in the receding water wash. Grip heads firmly with specialized worming pliers and pull smoothly to extract intact worms.
Boat Ramps
- Apollo Bay Harbour Boat Ramp:
The Port of Apollo Bay boat ramp is located at 1 Breakwater Road in Apollo Bay, situated inside a sheltered harbor basin protected by two sandstone breakwaters. The ramp infrastructure consists of a dual-lane concrete boat ramp. Boarding and staging are highly facilitated by two heavy-duty floating pontoons (55 metres and 60 metres long) positioned on either side of the ramp, which replaced an old wooden jetty to provide all-abilities access and expanded temporary tie-up space. Additionally, a specialized Hansa C-Crane and all-abilities gangways are installed for mobility-impaired boaters. The primary navigational hazard is rapid sand silting at the harbor entrance, which restricts vessel drafts and requires continuous maintenance dredging by the port’s dedicated dredge vessel, the Apollo. On-site amenities include fish cleaning tables, though wild seals frequently loiter there and pose a public safety hazard. Car-and-trailer parking is available, although the Mothers Beach carpark is subject to staging closures starting April 2026 for the $12.6 million Geelong City Deal harbour redevelopment, which will also add Change Places public restrooms and expand the Fisherman’s Co-Op. Real-time ramp and parking conditions are publicly broadcast via a dedicated Boating Vic app webcam.
Bait and Tackle
- APOLLO BAY FISHING & OUTDOORS: 155 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay VIC 3233 | Phone: (03) 5237 6434
Basecamp & Accom
- Apollo Bay Holiday Park: 27 Cawood St, Apollo Bay VIC - Ph: (03) 5237 6577
- Marengo Holiday Park: Great Ocean Rd, Marengo VIC - Ph: (03) 5237 6162
- Pisces Holiday Park: 311 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay VIC - Ph: (03) 5237 6749
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Apollo Bay (VF2): Apollo Bay Harbour, Breakwater Rd, Apollo Bay VIC - Ph: (03) 5237 6000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
