Fishing Bemm River
General fishing in Bemm River focuses around the interconnected Sydenham Inlet and river mouths which form a highly productive environment. When the inlet entrance breaks open to the sea, massive tidal flows create dynamic feeding zones for large predators. The relatively stable estuarine conditions support a fantastic light tackle sportfishing fishery year-round.
Land-based anglers are exceptionally well catered for thanks to strategically placed fishing platforms and extensive sandy shorelines. You can walk the estuary margins casting lures into drop-offs or soak baits near the upper river bank structures. The local surf beaches also offer fantastic shore-based gutters where massive schools of pelagic fish actively hunt during the high tide.
Offshore and boat fishing thrives inside this sheltered estuary system where small craft navigate the shallow weed beds and channels. Exploring the dense snags and drop-offs requires stealthy boat control to properly extract large estuary perch from cover. Venturing true offshore requires launching at neighbouring coastal towns as the local entrance is frequently shallow and closed.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Entrance Beach: Entrance Beach is a prime shore-based location where the inlet meets the ocean for targeting aggressive Australian salmon. Anglers should fish the deeper surf gutters during a rising tide with a moderate southerly wind. A long surf rod casting metal slugs or a paternoster rig loaded with bluebait is highly recommended here.
- Bemm River Fishing Platforms: Bemm River Fishing Platforms provide comfortable and highly effective land-based access for chasing quality black bream. Fishing these structures at dawn or dusk on a run-in tide yields the best results for cautious fish. Using a light spinning outfit with a running sinker rig and locally sourced sandworm will ensure consistent hookups.
- Pearl Point: Pearl Point offers a remote rocky shoreline for shore-based anglers wanting to target gummy sharks and tailor. Fishing the high tide change during the evening presents the optimal conditions for these species. Heavy land-based tackle rigged with wire traces for tailor or heavy fluorocarbon for sharks is necessary to prevent bite-offs.
- Sydenham Inlet Foreshore: Sydenham Inlet Foreshore provides extensive sandy banks where anglers can easily wade and cast for dusky flathead. A low tide allows you to access the drop-offs where flathead wait in ambush for passing baitfish. Wading with a light spin rod and casting three-inch soft plastics on a light jighead is the deadliest approach.
- The Upper River Banks: The Upper River Banks provide a quiet land-based corner where anglers can target elusive estuary perch holding near snags. Fishing during the low light periods of dusk with a very light breeze is essential to avoid spooking the fish. Casting small shallow diving hardbodies on ultralight tackle is the most effective method for this specific location.
Offshore
- Channel Drop-Offs: Channel Drop-Offs inside the inlet act like an offshore environment when the entrance is open and tidal currents roar. Boat anglers should position themselves on the edge of these drop-offs during the peak tidal flow. Drifting live baits or heavily weighted soft plastics will target the massive flathead sitting at the bottom of the ledge.
- Sydenham Inlet Weed Beds: Sydenham Inlet Weed Beds are expansive submerged structures where boaters can target large black bream feeding in the shallows. Drifting silently over these beds on a high tide with minimal wind disturbance is the best strategy. Casting unweighted soft plastics or suspending hardbodies over the weed will entice aggressive strikes from schooling bream.
- The Snags: The Snags along the Bemm River require a small boat or kayak to navigate the dense timber structures. You should fish this heavy cover during a neap tide when the water clarity is at its best. Pitching weedless rigged soft plastics tight into the timber on medium tackle is necessary to extract large estuary perch.
- Sydenham Inlet Deep Holes: Sydenham Inlet Deep Holes provide refuge for large mulloway and silver trevally during the colder winter months. Anchoring slightly up-current of these holes on a slack tide allows you to present baits naturally. Dropping live mullet on a snell rig with heavy leader is the preferred method for hooking a trophy mulloway.
- Offshore Cape Conran: Offshore Cape Conran is the nearest true offshore boat destination accessed via a short coastal drive from Bemm River. Anglers fish these coastal reefs during calm weather windows to target gummy sharks and large tiger flathead. A standard boat rod paired with a paternoster rig and fresh squid strips is highly effective in thirty metres of water.
Hot Spots
- The Sand Spit: The Sand Spit near the inlet entrance is a phenomenal micro-spot for sight-casting to cruising sand whiting on a shallow sandbank.
- Mahogany Snags: Mahogany Snags features a dense cluster of fallen timber that consistently holds oversized estuary perch waiting to ambush surface lures.
- The Main Channel drop-off: The Main Channel drop-off creates an intense tidal eddy where large tailor congregate to smash baitfish during the run-out tide.
- Sydenham Inlet Margins: Sydenham Inlet Margins provide fantastic shallow weed patches where anglers can successfully pitch unweighted plastics for bream.
- Bobs Bay Weedbeds: Bobs Bay Weedbeds feature heavily concentrated weed structures that consistently produce large luderick on float rigs.
Local Bait Tips
- Sandworms: Sandworms are a staple bait that can be pulled from the local surf beaches using a piece of pipi as an attractor. You must collect these worms by hand to comply with Victorian regulations which strictly forbid the use of cast nets anywhere in the state.
- Estuary Shrimp: Shrimp are incredibly effective for bream and can be collected around the estuary weed beds using approved manual bait traps. Gathering shrimp must be done within VFA legal limits and you are strictly prohibited from using cast nets to harvest them.
- Bass Yabbies: Bass yabbies can be hand-pumped from the exposed mudflats inside Sydenham Inlet during a low tide using a standard bait pump. This manual harvesting method perfectly aligns with Victorian rules that ban cast nets and strictly limit daily yabby catch numbers.
Boat Ramps
- Bemm River Park Boat Ramp (Luderick Point):
Bemm River Park Boat Ramp (Luderick Point): Located at Luderick Point on Sydenham Parade in Bemm River, this facility launches into Sydenham Inlet. It is a dual-lane concrete ramp upgraded with pre-cast concrete panels. Staging is supported by a southern floating pontoon system and an upgraded northern pontoon and abutment, featuring a davit crane to provide disabled access. The ramp is highly susceptible to flooding and road inundation when the Sydenham Inlet ocean entrance is closed, and navigating is extremely hazardous due to an unlit entrance channel, extensive shallow sand and mud flats, and tidal currents.
- Pearl Point Road Boat Ramp:
Pearl Point Road Boat Ramp: Located along Pearl Point Road in Bemm River, this facility launches into Sydenham Inlet. The concrete ramp’s lane configuration is not specified. Staging is supported by an adjacent boarding jetty. Boaters face hazards from prolonged inundation during storm events and extended inlet closures.
- Bemm River Bridge Boat Ramp:
Bemm River Bridge Boat Ramp: Located on the south side of the Bemm River bridge, this facility provides access to the upper reaches of the Bemm River. Its construction and lane configuration are not specified. There is no staging jetty or pontoon listed. Navigating this section of the river is highly restricted by submerged logs and river snags.
Bait and Tackle
- BEMM RIVER BAIT & TACKLE: 20-26 Sydenham Inlet Road, Bemm River VIC 3889 | Phone: (03) 5158 4254
Basecamp & Accom
- Bemm River Caravan Park | Sydenham Inlet Road, Bemm River VIC 3889 | 03 5158 4216
- Bemm River Holiday Accommodation | 1-3 Sydenham Inlet Road, Bemm River VIC 3889 | 03 5158 4233
- Cosy Nook Flats | 15 Sydenham Inlet Road, Bemm River VIC 3889 | 03 5158 4231
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Marlo Coast Guard, Marlo VIC 3888, VHF Channel 16
