Fishing French Island
Fishing around French Island relies on understanding remote land-based logistics and dramatic tidal movements. Rich mangrove ecosystems support massive bait populations that draw large predators into the shallow inlets on every high tide. Anglers must pack all tackle and supplies beforehand as no tackle shops operate on the island.
Land-based fishos fish primarily around Tankerton Jetty, coastal gravel spits, and remote mangrove creeks. Casting light spin gear baited with fresh squid or prawns from Tankerton Jetty yields King George whiting, calamari squid, and flathead. Walking remote clay banks on high tide gives casters solitary shots at quality black bream and salmon.
Boat anglers departing mainland ramps target the undisturbed channels and shallow banks surrounding the island national park. Anchoring along the deep channel edges off Tortoise Head produces trophy snapper, heavy gummy sharks, and autumn elephant fish. Boaters must watch tidal heights closely as expansive mudflats surround the island at low water.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- TANKERTON JETTY: The primary land-based platform on the island where the passenger ferry docks in deep water. Drop size 3.0 squid jigs or paternoster rigs baited with fresh squid ribbons beside the timber pylons. Incoming tides yield calamari squid, King George whiting, silver trevally, and flathead.
- TORTOISE HEAD BANK: Walking south along the remote beach to the gravel spit at Tortoise Head provides deepwater access. Cast long surf rods with heavy star sinkers and pilchard fillets into the deep channel flow. Evening high tides produce gummy sharks, snapper, and heavy Australian salmon.
- DECRAY CREEK MOUTH: A remote tidal creek draining out through mangroves into the island's southern bay. Cast unweighted live nippers or small soft plastic paddle tails into deep holes on a rising tide. Quality black bream, estuary perch, and dusky flathead hunt along the mangrove roots.
- FAIRHAVEN CAMPSITE BEACH: Sandy foreshore on the western shore offering quiet shore casting over shallow sand channels. Set medium surf rods baited with fresh pipis or worms on an incoming flood tide. King George whiting, yellow-eye mullet, and flathead feed close to the water line.
- PEARSE DRAIN MARSH: Tidal channel cutting through saltmarshes along the northern shore accessible by bicycle or foot. Cast small hardbody minnows or soft plastics along the mud drop-offs during falling tides. Resident black bream and flathead lie in ambush along the narrow channel bends.
Offshore
- TORTOISE HEAD CHANNEL: Deep water passage sweeping around the southwestern tip of French Island into the Western Arm. Anchor along the steep ten-meter channel drop-off on a tide change and deploy a heavy pilchard burley trail. Soaking fresh squid or salmon frames yields big snapper and gummy sharks.
- FRENCH ISLAND EAST BANK: Expansive shallow sandbanks and weed beds extending off the island's eastern shoreline. Position boats in two to four meters water and set light whiting rigs baited with squid ribbons or pipis. Quality King George whiting and calamari squid feed here consistently.
- ELIZABETH BLUFF CHANNEL: Deep channel cutting along the southern coast of French Island facing Coronet Bay holding strong tidal current. Anchor near the rock drop-off during autumn flood tides and set heavy running sinker setups. Large elephant fish, school snapper, and gummy sharks migrate along this channel.
- MIDDLE SPIT CHANNEL MARGIN: The deep gutter separating Middle Spit from French Island holds abundant baitfish schools. Drift soft plastic paddle tails or live baits along the mud channel drop-off for flathead. Early morning tides offer prime drift fishing conditions before wind picks up.
- BARGE LANDING GUTTER: Deep mud channel leading into the barge landing area at Tankerton holding sheltered water. Drift light spin gear loaded with small soft plastic grubs or live nippers along the channel edge. Black bream, silver trevally, and dusky flathead feed actively along the mud slope.
Hot Spots
- TANKERTON JETTY: Premier island platform producing calamari squid, whiting, and trevally.
- TORTOISE HEAD SPIT: Remote gravel point offering deepwater shore access for gummy sharks and snapper.
- EAST BANK FLATS: Expansive weed beds delivering quality King George whiting and calamari for boaties.
- ELIZABETH BLUFF DEEP: Channel drop-off holding autumn elephant fish, snapper, and gummy sharks.
- DECRAY CREEK OUTFLOW: Mangrove inlet producing black bream and dusky flathead on flood tides.
Local Bait Tips
- SALTWATER NIPPERS: Pumped from intertidal mudbanks near Tankerton using a hand-operated suction pump. Victorian regulations restrict harvest to a strict legal limit of 100 nippers per person daily.
- BEACH WORMS: Harvested along low tide sandlines using scent bags to draw worms to the sand surface. Victorian regulations enforce a maximum legal daily limit of 0.5 litres of worms per person.
- PIPIS: Collected along sandy intertidal zones by hand-twisting in the wash. Victorian regulations enforce a maximum daily limit of 5 litres of whole pipis per person, strictly collected without tools or spades.
Boat Ramps
- French Island Boat Ramp:
No standard public trailered boat ramp available; restricted or barge access only.
Bait and Tackle
- WESTERNPORT MARINA TACKLE & CHANDLERY: Mullet St, Hastings VIC 3915 | Phone: (03) 5979 7477
- THE CHANDLERY TACKLE & BAIT: 1 Lumeah Rd (Yaringa Harbour), Somerville VIC 3912 | Phone: (03) 5977 4154
Basecamp & Accom
- French Island Eco Inn: Coast Rd, French Island VIC 3921 - Ph: (03) 5983 3300
- Galah Channel Campground: French Island National Park, French Island VIC 3921 - Ph: 13 19 63
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency Services: Dial 000
- Marine Rescue: Coast Guard Western Port (VF4), Western Port Marina, Hastings VIC 3915 - Ph: (03) 5979 3322
- Radio & Safety: VHF Ch 16/67. Remote location with limited mobile service.
