Fishing Portland
Submerged ocean canyons and steep bathymetric drop-offs funnel nutrient-rich current streams close to shore. Massive baitfish aggregations accumulate in these ocean upwellings to draw apex pelagic predators. Inside the sheltered bay, extensive ribbon weed beds and sand flats support healthy resident species.
Shore-based fishers concentrate heavily on the iconic Lee Breakwater which extends directly into deep ocean water. Casting heavy metal spinners off the breakwater rocks allows land-based anglers to capture pelagic gamefish. Surf anglers fish surrounding ocean beaches to target large gummy sharks after dark.
Boating anglers utilize multi-lane harbour ramps to launch specialized offshore game boats safely. Trolling spreads of skirted lures and deep-diving hardbodies is the primary technique for bluefin tuna. Deep dropping with electric reels along the shelf edge produces incredible catches of deep-sea table species.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- LEE BREAKWATER: Walk to the deep water end of this massive stone structure equipped with heavy spin gear. Cast weighted metal slugs into open water to intercept surface-feeding southern bluefin tuna and salmon. Drop squid jigs down the concrete armour blocks at night to harvest jumbo calamari.
- PORTLAND HARBOUR PIERS: Fish inner harbour piers during high tide periods using light tackle running sinker setups. Suspend fresh fish strips mid-water around commercial pylons to target large silver trevally. Set drag systems firmly to prevent hooked fish from wrapping around pylon encrustations.
- BRIDGEWATER BAY BEACH: Drive west to this expansive ocean beach to set up heavy surf rods in sand spikes. Cast whole pilchards on wire leaders into deep gutters to target jumbo gummy sharks after sunset. Always fish in pairs because heavy ocean swells sweep along this remote beach.
- NORTH SHORE BREAKWALL: Target shallow rocky margins along this wall using lightly weighted natural baits. Cast small soft plastics parallel to the rock edges to trigger strikes from flathead and trevally. Float small pieces of pipi over weed patches to catch King George whiting.
- CAPE NELSON LIGHTHOUSE LEDGES: Hike down to these exposed ocean platforms strictly during flat calm weather conditions. Spin heavy metal lures into deep white water wash zones to target large Australian salmon. Never attempt to fish these platforms if ocean swells exceed two meters.
Offshore
- THE HORSESHOE (TUNA GROUNDS): Navigate wide to this famous underwater ocean canyon that concentrates deep current streams. Troll a spread of skirted lures and diving hardbodies to raise surface-feeding bluefin tuna. Watch your depth sounder for massive bait balls pushed up from deep canyon floors.
- LAWRENCE ROCK PINNACLES: Run past Lawrence Rock to troll deep-diving lures along steep underwater ledges. This specialized trolling pattern consistently produces heavy yellowtail kingfish during summer months. Drop heavy metal jigs onto deep pinnacles when concentrated fish marks appear on sonar.
- CONTINENTAL SHELF DROP-OFF: Deploy heavy-duty electric reel setups to present deep-sea rigs along shelf edge drop-offs. This extreme deep-drop tactic yields blue-eye trevalla, harpuku, and gemfish in deep water. Ensure vessel batteries and terminal tackle are fully prepared before dropping away.
- NORTH SHORE SANDFLATS: Drift shallow 5-meter depth contours inside the bay over extensive ribbon weed beds. Cast squid jigs ahead of the drifting boat and let them sink slowly over weed patches. Bounce small natural baits on long fluorocarbon leaders to catch King George whiting.
- PORTLAND ARTIFICIAL REEF: Locate purpose-built concrete module clusters outside the harbour using GPS coordinates. Anchor upwind and establish a steady berley trail to attract feeding snapper to the vessel. Hop lightly weighted soft plastics across the sand edges to catch sand flathead.
Hot Spots
- LEE BREAKWATER END: The greatest land-based casting platform in Victoria for catching pelagic gamefish.
- THE HORSESHOE CANYON: The undisputed epicenter for trolling spreads of lures to target bluefin tuna.
- LAWRENCE ROCK LEDGES: An elite offshore trolling and jigging mark for targeting powerful yellowtail kingfish.
- NORTH SHORE WEED BEDS: A reliable inshore drift line for securing limits of King George whiting.
- BRIDGEWATER GUTTERS: A powerful surf venue for landing trophy gummy sharks on nighttime tides.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Cast size 3.0 or 3.5 squid jigs along the Lee Breakwater rocks under deck lights at night. Work jigs with sharp upward twitches followed by long sinks to trigger strikes from jumbo squid. Store harvested squid unwashed on ice to preserve premium offshore bait quality.
- PIPIS: Walk the wet sand wash zone at Bridgewater Bay during a low spring tide. Twist your heels into saturated sand to feel hard shells buried beneath the surface. Collect pipis by hand and keep cool in a bucket of clean seawater away from direct sun.
- PILCHARDS (SLIME MACKEREL JIGGING): Drop small sabiki bait rigs around inner harbour commercial pylons during high tide. Work the rod tip with short sharp twitches to hook schooling baitfish like mackerel and pilchards. Transfer baitfish immediately into an aerated live well for offshore use.
Boat Ramps
- Portland Boat Ramp North:
The Portland Boat Ramp North is located in the Local Port of Portland Bay, a deep-water harbor on Portland Bay. The state-of-the-art facility features a four-lane concrete ramp. Staging is supported by the adjacent 104-berth Portland Bay Marina, which provides secure floating berths fully serviced with power and water. Navigational hazards include navigating deep-water ocean swells and traveling around Lawrence Rock, though the harbor is completely sheltered from localized sand-silting issues. On-site amenities are extensive and include eight stainless-steel fish cleaning tables, a fish weigh station with permitted operators, fish waste disposal bins, a public toilet block, and a dedicated boat-and-trailer washdown area. Purpose-built parking accommodates 70 vehicles and trailers, supplemented by an adjacent overflow carpark holding an additional 100 vehicles and trailers during the peak bluefin tuna season.
- Portland Boat Ramp South:
The Portland Boat Ramp South is situated directly in front of the Portland Yacht Club in the Local Port of Portland Bay. The infrastructure consists of a four-lane concrete ramp. Boarding and staging are supported by nearby marina facilities and direct launching access adjacent to the yacht club. Navigational hazards require navigating around Lawrence Rock and exposure to deep-water ocean swells, but the site remains free of localized silting and wave-surge issues. On-site facilities include a public toilet block and designated trailer parking for approximately 26 vehicles and trailers.
Bait and Tackle
- COMPLEAT ANGLER PORTLAND: 61 Bentinck Street, Portland VIC 3305 | Phone: (03) 5521 1844
Basecamp & Accom
- Portland Holiday Village: 37 Percy St, Portland VIC - Ph: (03) 5521 7567
- NRMA Portland Bay Holiday Park: 2 Bentinck St, Portland VIC - Ph: (03) 5523 2377
- Henty Bay Beachfront Holiday Park: 342 Dutton Way, Portland VIC - Ph: (03) 5524 2422
Emergency & Safety
- Coast Guard Portland (VF17): Lee Breakwater Rd, Portland VIC - Ph: (03) 5523 1000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
