Fishing Port Campbell
Submerged canyons and massive underwater limestone pinnacles create rich environments for predatory marine species. Heavy ocean swells continuously aerate coastal waters to trigger active feeding in shallow wash zones. Nutrient-rich upwellings fuel dense baitfish populations across adjacent offshore reefs.
Shore fishing options are highly restricted due to steep cliffs and severe wave exposure. The concrete pier inside the bay provides safe access for targeting calamari and trevally. Surf anglers fish protected sand pockets to target gummy sharks during calm night conditions.
Boating operations rely on specialized jetty crane launch facilities to access open water. Offshore anglers target deep ocean drop-offs for trophy reef fish and seasonal pelagics. Navigating out of the bay requires high marine expertise and constant monitoring of ocean swells.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- PORT CAMPBELL PIER: Fish the deep water off the pier end using weighted paternoster terminal rigs. Suspend fresh fish strips mid-water to target large silver trevally entering the bay. Cast size 3.0 squid jigs beneath the deck lights at night to harvest calamari.
- PORT CAMPBELL BEACH: Wait for rare calm ocean conditions to cast surf gear straight into the bay entrance. Use heavy star sinkers to hold fresh squid baits in the surging water current. This approach regularly yields gummy sharks moving into the bay after sunset.
- SHERBROOKE RIVER BEACH: Hike down to this exposed surf beach fully prepared for heavy casting. Pitch metal slugs into deep beach troughs to intercept schools of Australian salmon. Never turn your back on the ocean here because powerful waves roll in unexpectedly.
- STANLEY STREET HEADLAND: Position yourself along the grassy cliff-top reserve overlooking the main bay entrance during calm weather. Cast long-distance paternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips into the deep ocean wash. Maintain a safe distance from cliff edges and keep a firm footing on established tracks.
- GELLIBRAND RIVER MOUTH: Drive west to this estuarine system to fish sheltered inland waters away from ocean swells. Cast small soft plastics along muddy bank drop-offs to target resident black bream. Drift live bass yabbies through deep river bends to catch elusive estuary perch.
Offshore
- THE CANYONS: Navigate offshore to the 60-meter depth contour to locate steep underwater limestone trenches. Drop heavy paternoster rigs baited with squid directly onto structural ledges. This deep habitat holds excellent numbers of snapper and large gummy sharks.
- LONDON BRIDGE BOMMIES: Troll deep-diving lures around massive underwater structures seaward of the arch. Watch your depth sounder for bait schools being forced up toward the surface. Drop heavy metal jigs into active feeding marks to hook powerful kingfish.
- THE 100-METER SHELF: Run wide on exceptional weather days to reach deep continental shelf drop-offs. Use electric reel setups to present baits along deep-sea coral reef formations. This deep-water tactic yields blue-eye trevalla and massive harpuku.
- PORT CAMPBELL BAY ENTRANCE: Drift inside the bay mouth where kelp beds meet clean sand channels. Bounce heavily weighted soft plastics along the seafloor to target sand flathead. Keep the vessel engine idling to maneuver safely if large swells roll in.
- TWO MILE REEF: Anchor precisely over low-profile limestone reef using a trip-release anchor setup. Deploy a heavy berley container to draw fish out from dense kelp cover. Present fresh fish strips on fluorocarbon leaders to catch heavy sweep and snapper.
Hot Spots
- PIER END: The safest land-based platform in the area for catching squid and silver trevally.
- BAY ENTRANCE DRIFT: A highly productive inshore line for bouncing lures to catch flathead.
- THE CANYONS DROP: A famous offshore GPS coordinate that consistently holds quality snapper.
- GELLIBRAND BRIDGE: The primary estuarine structure for pulling big bream on live baits.
- SHERBROOKE GUTTERS: A powerful surf fishing venue ideal for casting heavy lures at salmon.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Cast size 3.0 squid jigs from Port Campbell Pier on an incoming tide. Work the jig close to the sea floor with subtle lift twitches followed by full sinks. Store harvested squid unwashed on ice to preserve high-grade bait texture.
- ROCK CRABS: Search intertidal rock pools inside the sheltered bay during dead low tide. Extract small crabs from rock crevices using heavy protective gloves and bait pliers. Crack the top shell slightly before rigging to release scent for sweep bait.
- BASS YABBIES: Travel to the Gellibrand River mudflats and locate active burrow networks at low tide. Pump mud cores quickly and sift sand to collect yabbies. Store collected yabbies in a cool container covered with damp estuary weed.
Boat Ramps
- Port Campbell Jetty Crane Launch:
The Port of Port Campbell launching facility is located at 2-10 Lord Street in Port Campbell, nestled within Port Campbell Bay and surrounded by unstable limestone cliffs. There is no standard public trailered boat ramp available, as trailered vehicle access to the water is physically impossible. Launching and retrieval are conducted exclusively via a jetty-mounted crane operated from the upper deck of the 50-metre-long concrete pier structure, which requires boaters to submit a formal permit application to the port manager. Staging is provided on the pier itself, which features an accessible viewing platform. Navigational hazards are severe due to volatile Southern Ocean wave energy, high wind exposure, and the lack of a protective beach shoreline. Amenities at the foreshore include a large flat gravel carpark with designated accessible spaces, a steep pedestrian ramp and stairs for beach access, and accessible public toilets located near the Surf Life Saving Club.
Bait and Tackle
- RICHARDSON MARINE (THE TACKLE SHACK): 1056-1058 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool VIC 3280 | Phone: (03) 5562 6373
- APOLLO BAY FISHING & OUTDOORS: 155 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay VIC 3233 | Phone: (03) 5237 6434
Basecamp & Accom
- Port Campbell Holiday Park: 30 Morris St, Port Campbell VIC - Ph: (03) 5598 6492
- NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park: 30 Morris St, Port Campbell VIC - Ph: (03) 5598 6492
- Southern Ocean Motor Inn: 2 Lord St, Port Campbell VIC - Ph: (03) 5598 6231
Emergency & Safety
- Port Campbell Marine Rescue: Port Campbell Harbour, Port Campbell VIC - Ph: (03) 5598 6000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
