Fishing Mordialloc & Sandringham
The waters here feature rich sandstone reef complexes and wide sand channels that draw fish in big numbers. October triggers the famous spring Snapper rush where hundreds of boats line the 16-meter depth mark. Summer and autumn deliver non-stop action for Southern Calamari, Sand Flathead, King George Whiting, and Garfish.
Land-based fishers pack iconic structures like Mordialloc Pier and Sandringham Breakwater all year round. Pier fishers cast surf rods into deep water after southerly gales for Snapper and Gummy Sharks. Working squid jigs under the pier lights at night or float-fishing for Garfish provides consistent feeds.
Boaters launching from Mordialloc Creek get direct access to deep open bay waters in minutes. Anchoring along the 16 to 18-meter marks with a heavy pilchard berley trail is the gold standard for Snapper. Drifting the shallow sandstone reefs off Black Rock and Sandringham yields limit bags of Squid and Whiting.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- MORDIALLOC PIER: A 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 T-head during or straight after a strong south-westerly blow. On calm days, float-fish maggots or silverfish on size 10 hooks for dense schools of Garfish.
- SANDRINGHAM BREAKWATER: A massive granite rock wall sheltering the local harbour that gives great access to deep water reef. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs in natural colors over the dark kelp patches for Southern Calamari. Soaking pilchard tails or chicken breast near the outer boulders pulls Pinkie Snapper and Trevally.
- HALF MOON BAY JETTY: A scenic jetty tucked under the sandstone cliffs of Black Rock near the Cerberus shipwreck. Cast soft plastics or whitebait on gang hooks around the kelp edges for Sand Flathead and Australian Salmon. High tide during early morning provides the quietest fishing before beachgoers arrive.
- MORDIALLOC CREEK MOUTH: The concrete walls where the river meets the bay, holding great numbers of estuary species. Cast small 50mm hardbody lures or 2.5-inch soft plastics close to the wall edges for Black Bream. The outgoing tide flushes small baitfish and crabs out of the creek, triggering active feeding.
- RED BLUFF ROCK-WALL: Rugged sandstone headland offering elevated casting positions into deep water. Cast 28g metal slugs into white wash for Australian Salmon chasing bait schools close to shore. Watch the ocean swell carefully and wear sturdy footwear when navigating the sandstone ledges.
Offshore
- MORDIALLOC 16M TO 18M MARKS: Deep mud bottom straight out from Mordialloc that acts as the primary Snapper highway in spring. Anchor up-current of marked fish arches, establish a continuous pilchard berley trail, and set snelled 5/0 hook setups baited with whole pilchards or squid. The best bites occur during dawn, dusk, and tide changes.
- HALF MOON BAY REEFS: Extensive sandstone reef systems outside the marine sanctuary boundaries in 4 to 8 meters depth. Drift over the kelp and sand patches casting size 2.5 squid jigs or light whiting rigs baited with fresh pipis. Keep a close eye on your GPS map to ensure you remain outside the restricted marine park zones.
- BLACK ROCK SHIPWRECK (CERBERUS): The historic sunken hull creates a massive artificial reef holding abundant marine life. Anchor legally 50 meters off the wreck, deploy berley, and drop light rigs for Pinkie Snapper, Bream, and Trevally. The surrounding weed patches also yield top-quality Southern Calamari.
- SANDRINGHAM REEF FLATS: Shallow rocky reef extending off Green Point in 3 to 6 meters of water. Drift across the clear sand gaps using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips for Sand Flathead and Snook. Trolling shallow diving minnows over the reef top also hooks aggressive Snook and Salmon.
- BEAUMARIS BAY DROP-OFF: A deep sand and mud contour dropping from 8 meters into 14 meters of water. Set anchor on the slope at night with fresh fish fillets or squid heads for Gummy Sharks and Snapper. Heavy running sinker rigs are required to keep your baits presented firmly on the seabed.
Hot Spots
- Mordialloc Pier: Iconic land-based platform famous for producing big Snapper during rough south-westerly weather.
- Sandringham Breakwater: A heavy granite breakwater offering world-class land-based Squid and Trevally fishing.
- Half Moon Bay: Scenic bay featuring sandstone reefs, a historic shipwreck, and prime Whiting and Flathead grounds.
- Mordialloc 16m Line: The primary offshore Snapper holding ground straight out from the creek mouth in spring.
- Black Rock Reefs: Extensive shallow sandstone reef system producing limit bags of Southern Calamari and Pinkies.
Local Bait Tips
- BASS YABBIES (GHOST SHRIMP): Pumped from exposed intertidal sand and mud banks near the mouth of Mordialloc Creek at low tide using a stainless steel yabbie pump. Eject slurry onto a hand sieve and store live on damp sea-sponge or cool wet newspaper for Bream, Flathead, and Whiting.
- MUD WORMS: Harvested from the soft clay and mud beds along the lower tidal edges of Mordialloc Creek and Beaumaris Bay at low tide. Dig carefully using a small garden hand-fork near mangrove roots. Keep moist in damp newspaper or wet sea-moss to maintain lively action.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Gathered off sub-surface timber pylons and granite rocks around Sandringham Breakwater and Mordialloc Pier below the low-tide mark. Hand-scrape carefully (observing Victorian bag limits) and crush shells slightly before threading onto fine wire hooks for Bream and Trevally.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Targeted over shallow sandstone reef patches off Black Rock and Sandringham Breakwater. Cast size 2.5 squid jigs in natural green or cloth patterns along dark kelp edges on a rising tide or under pier lights at night.
Boat Ramps
- Governor Road Boat Ramp:
Governor Road Boat Ramp (Mordialloc Boat Ramp) is located on Mordialloc Creek off Governor Road in Mordialloc, managed by the City of Kingston. The sheltered estuarine facility features a multi-lane concrete launching ramp equipped with new concrete floating pontoons at the ramp, complemented by a DDA-compliant accessible floating pontoon established nearby at Pier Road for temporary pick-up and drop-off. Navigational hazards include heavy creek siltation that requires regular maintenance dredging to ensure tidal clearance, with outbound vessels navigating under the Nepean Highway Bridge (Pompei’s Bridge) assisted by two tide boards indicating creek depth. The reconfigured asphalt carpark includes nine formalized car-and-trailer spaces, a dedicated trailer queuing lane to eliminate congestion, improved drainage, lighting, and landscaping, with free launching and parking.
Bait and Tackle
- ANCHOR MARINE: 77 Beach Road, Sandringham VIC 3191 | Phone: (03) 9598 8077
- SOUTHERN BAYSIDE CUSTOM RODS: 2 Tintern Grove, Cheltenham VIC 3192 | Phone: 0412 138 144
- COMPLEAT ANGLER BENTLEIGH: 915 Nepean Highway, Bentleigh VIC 3204 | Phone: (03) 9557 8011
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park: 2 Robinsons Rd, Frankston South VIC 3199 - Ph: (03) 5971 2333
- Sandringham Hotel Accommodation: 118 Beach Rd, Sandringham VIC 3191 - Ph: (03) 9598 7222
- Mordialloc Motor Inn: 2 Mernda Ave, Bonbeach VIC 3196 - Ph: (03) 9772 2488
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Sandringham (CG02): Jetty Rd, Sandringham VIC 3191 - Ph: (03) 9598 7003 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
