Fishing Frankston
The marine habitat features steep sand edges, patchy kelp beds, and deep water dropping quickly off Oliver's Hill. October and November deliver heavy spring Snapper action straight out off the 11-meter drop-off. Summer and autumn provide non-stop fishing for Southern Calamari, Sand Flathead, King George Whiting, and Garfish.
Land-based fishers pack Frankston Pier and the surrounding sandy beaches all year round. Pier anglers cast heavy surf setups far out into deep water after northerly or south-westerly blows for Snapper and Gummy Sharks. Float-fishing with maggots under the pier lights or casting soft plastics around Oliver's Hill rocks pulls reliable feeds.
Boaters launching from Kananook Creek or Oliver's Hill enjoy immediate access to deep open bay waters. Drifting the shallow kelp and sand margins off Oliver's Hill yields limit bags of Calamari and Whiting. Setting anchor along the 11 to 14-meter marks with a continuous berley trail produces big Snapper and cruising Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- FRANKSTON PIER: An iconic long timber pier extending into deep water that is famous for land-based Snapper. Cast heavy surf rods loaded with whole pilchards or squid heads far beyond the outer pylons during or straight after a strong blow. On calm days, float-fish maggots or silverfish on size 10 hooks for dense schools of Garfish.
- OLIVER'S HILL ROCKS: Rugged granite and sandstone boulders at the base of the headland offering deep casting access. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs over the dark kelp patches on a rising tide for Southern Calamari. Casting 28g metal slugs into the white wash also hooks aggressive Australian Salmon.
- KANANOOK CREEK MOUTH: Estuarine exit where freshwater flushes out into the bay, holding high numbers of Bream and Flathead. Cast 2-inch motoroil soft plastics or live yabbies close to the rock walls on a run-out tide. The mixing water attracts baitfish and triggers active feeding sessions.
- SEAFORD BEACH FORESHORE: Long sandy beach just north of Frankston where surf fishers set up beach stands. Cast double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips beyond the shore break for Sand Flathead. Late afternoon sessions during summer deliver consistent catches of Flathead.
- LONG ISLAND REEF ROCKS: Shallow sandstone rock ledges sitting close to shore that hold resident Black Bream and Pinkies. Float unweighted peeled prawns or chicken breast close to the rock face during high tide. Early morning sessions before beachgoers arrive yield the quietest bite.
Offshore
- FRANKSTON 11M MARKS: A prominent underwater sand and mud drop-off running parallel to the beach that acts as a major Snapper highway in spring. Set anchor up-current of marked fish, establish a continuous pilchard berley trail, and soak snelled 5/0 hook setups baited with whole pilchards. The best bites occur during tide changes at dawn and dusk.
- OLIVER'S HILL REEF FLATS: Extensive shallow kelp and sandstone reef in 3 to 6 meters of water. Drift over the weed margins casting size 2.5 squid jigs or light whiting rigs baited with fresh pipis. The clear water over the reef top makes this a premier visual squid fishery.
- SEAFORD DEEP DROP-OFF: Wide sand ridges located in 10 to 14 meters depth off Seaford beach. Drift across the open sand using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or bluebait for limits of Sand Flathead. Deploying a sea anchor slows your boat speed and keeps your baits fishing effectively.
- FRANKSTON GUMMY SHARK MARKS: Deep mud and sand bottom located in 14 to 18 meters depth straight out from the pier. Set heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets, salmon slabs, or squid heads for cruising Gummy Sharks. Use heavy 80lb monofilament leader to handle abrasive shark skin.
- KANANOOK OUTFLOW BAR: The shallow sandbar drop-off straight outside the creek mouth dropping into 4 meters depth. Drift along the edge casting soft plastics or trolling shallow minnows for Sand Flathead and Australian Salmon. Watch for breaking swell waves over the shallow bar when exiting the creek.
Hot Spots
- Frankston Pier: Iconic land-based platform famous for producing big Snapper during rough onshore weather.
- Oliver's Hill Reef: Prominent sandstone headland holding immense numbers of Southern Calamari and Whiting.
- Kananook Creek Mouth: Fertile estuarine exit point yielding consistent catches of Black Bream and Flathead.
- Frankston 11m Line: Primary offshore Snapper holding ground running parallel to the foreshore in spring.
- Seaford Drop-off: Wide sand ridges offering limit bags of summer Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
Local Bait Tips
- BASS YABBIES (GHOST SHRIMP): Harvested from low-tide sandflats near Kananook Creek mouth using a stainless yabbie pump. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box for Whiting, Flathead, and Bream.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Oliver's Hill reef using size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs cast over kelp patches. Slice tubes into fluttering strips for Flathead bait or keep whole for Snapper.
- SAND WORMS: Digged from moist sand patches along Seaford and Frankston foreshore beaches at low tide using a garden fork. Wrap in damp newspaper to keep lively for King George Whiting.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from sub-surface pier pylons and rock ledges off Oliver's Hill breakwall below the low-tide mark. Thread soft meat onto fine wire hooks for Black Bream and Pinky Snapper.
Boat Ramps
- Kananook Creek Boat Ramp:
Kananook Creek Boat Ramp is located off Pier Promenade at the mouth of Kananook Creek in Frankston. The sheltered estuarine facility features eight concrete launching lanes and boarding finger jetties. The creek mouth is highly prone to severe siltation and sand accumulation, requiring a continuous maintenance dredging program utilizing an on-site pontoon sub-dredge to maintain a minimum navigable depth of 1.0 meter below chart datum. Landside amenities include a large paved car-trailer parking area, a high-quality fish cleaning table, public restrooms, and lighting, with free parking and launching for trailer-attached vehicles.
Bait and Tackle
- GONE FISHIN: 29 Lathams Road, Carrum Downs VIC 3201 | Phone: (03) 9770 8142
- COMPLEAT ANGLER DANDENONG: 241-243 Princes Highway, Dandenong VIC 3175 | Phone: (03) 9794 9397
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park: 2 Robinsons Rd, Frankston South VIC 3199 - Ph: (03) 5971 2333
- Frankston Motel: 120 Bloomfield Rd, Frankston VIC 3199 - Ph: (03) 9783 7077
- Quest Frankston: 377 Nepean Hwy, Frankston VIC 3199 - Ph: (03) 8796 1000
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Frankston (CG08): Pier Promenade, Frankston VIC 3199 - Ph: (03) 9783 2341 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
