Fishing Stony Point & Crib Point
Fishing this deep channel network revolves around managing extreme current flows that rush past the headlands. Massive gummy sharks, school snapper, and calamari move close to shore as water surges through the channel. Fishing with heavy leads during slack water periods yields optimal presentation and strike rates.
Land-based fishos gather along the sprawling Stony Point Pier and the rocky foreshore ledges of Crib Point. Dropping weighted squid jigs alongside the timber pylons accounts for huge calamari squid through all seasons. Anglers casting long surf rods into the deep channel take quality snapper and gummy sharks at night.
Boat anglers launching from the modern four-lane Stony Point boat ramp gain immediate access to the deepest water in the bay. Positioning boats along the channel drop-offs facing French Island delivers exceptional catches of King George whiting and snapper. Skippers must give wide berth to passenger ferries and naval vessels operating around the pier.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- STONY POINT PIER: One of Victoria's iconic land-based fishing platforms extending into twenty meters of water. Lower heavy squid jigs or live yakka baits directly beside the deep timber pylons. Night tides produce trophy calamari squid, silver trevally, snapper, and heavy gummy sharks.
- CRIB POINT FORESHORE ROCKS: Submerged rock ledges near the naval base provide rugged shore casting into the channel edge. Cast long-cast surf setups baited with fresh squid frames or salmon chunks into the current stream. High flood tides yield Australian salmon, flathead, and seasonal gummy sharks.
- STONY POINT JETTY ARM: The lower passenger ferry arm offers sheltered casting out of the main channel current. Drop light spin tackle baited with fresh peeled prawns or nippers around the pylon bases. Silver trevally, leatherjackets, and yellow-eye mullet feed steadily here.
- WOOLLEYS BEACH FORESHORE: A quiet gravel beach located between Crib Point and Stony Point offering easy bank access. Set medium surf rods carrying star sinkers and pilchard fillets into the shallow channel gutter. Incoming evening tides draw flathead, salmon, and gummy sharks within casting distance.
- STONY POINT BREAKWATER: Stone rock wall protecting the boat ramp basin holding thick weed beds. Cast size 2.5 squid jigs or small soft plastics along the outer rock edge on high tide. Calamari squid, flathead, and grass whiting hunt through the kelp.
Offshore
- STONY POINT DEEP CHANNEL: The main channel directly off the pier drops into depths over twenty-four meters with roaring currents. Anchor precisely along the drop-off edge during the turn of the tide and set heavy rigs. Whole squid and fresh fish fillets yield monster gummy sharks and snapper.
- CRIB POINT REEF: Submerged rocky ledges and kelp beds extending off Crib Point hold rich shellfish habitat. Drift light whiting setups baited with pipis or squid ribbons in four to eight meters water. King George whiting, grass whiting, and calamari squid feed heavily around the reef.
- FRENCH ISLAND FERRY ROUTE: Deep water channel running between Stony Point and Tankerton Jetty on French Island. Position boats on the channel shoulder on an incoming tide and set a pilchard burley slicks. Snapper, gummy sharks, and school sharks frequent this deep transit lane.
- HASLAM SPIT EDGE: The southern boundary of Haslam Bight drops into deep water north of Crib Point. Anchor in six to ten meters depth and cast light paternoster rigs into the current. King George whiting, garfish, and flathead feed aggressively along the mud-to-sand transition.
- TANKERTION FLATS GUTTER: Deep mud gutters running off the southwestern tip of French Island opposite Stony Point. Drift soft plastic paddle tails or live baits along the channel margins for large flathead. Early morning tides provide calm drifting before wind picks up.
Hot Spots
- STONY POINT PIER HEAD: Legendary deepwater pier producing big calamari squid, snapper, and sharks.
- CRIB POINT REEF: Rocky kelp ledge delivering King George whiting, calamari, and flathead.
- STONY POINT CHANNEL DROP: Deep channel edge holding trophy gummy sharks and snapper.
- WOOLLEYS BEACH GUTTER: Gravel shore gutter producing flathead, salmon, and land-based gummies.
- TANKERTON CHANNEL MARGIN: Deep transit lane between mainland and island holding heavy snapper.
Local Bait Tips
- SALTWATER NIPPERS: Extracted from soft intertidal mudbanks along Crib Point using a hand-operated suction pump. Victorian regulations restrict harvest to a strict limit of 100 nippers per person daily.
- BEACH WORMS: Harvested manually 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 surf washes by foot-twisting at low tide. Victorian regulations enforce a maximum daily limit of 5 litres of whole pipis per person, strictly collected without tools or shovels.
Boat Ramps
- Stony Point Boat Ramp:
Located at the terminus of Cook Road within the Stony Point Foreshore Reserve in Crib Point, this high-use facility is a critical western shoreline hub for Western Port. The ramp infrastructure features a robust three-lane concrete ramp flanked by floating pontoons and an adjacent fixed jetty structure. The facility is subject to severe hazards, including exceptionally strong tidal currents running through the main shipping channel, low-water shoaling, and dangerous bow-waves from commercial passenger ferries operating at the adjacent Stony Point Jetty.
- Hastings:
Located on Marine Parade along the western shore of Western Port, this premier regional facility features a high-capacity four-lane grooved concrete launch ramp serviced by dual central floating pontoons and an adjacent fixed jetty. The extensive foreshore reserve provides ample paved car-and-trailer parking, illuminated fish cleaning tables, boat washdown bays, and public amenities. Positioned beside the Hastings Marina, the ramp offers reliable 24/7 all-tide deepwater access into the main western channel, making it a favored departure point for targeting snapper, gummy sharks, and King George whiting. Skippers should account for moderate cross-tides when backing down along the pontoon edges during strong tidal shifts.
- Cowes:
Located at Anderson Road in Cowes on Phillip Island’s northern coast, this upgraded facility features a modern four-lane grooved concrete ramp serviced by a central floating pontoon. The site includes extensive paved car-and-trailer parking, public restrooms, and boat washdown facilities. The ramp offers all-tide launching into the sheltered northern bay waters, though skippers should exercise caution during strong northerly winds which can push chop onto the ramp toe, as well as shifting sand margins along the eastern edge.
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
- Stony Point Caravan Park: 1B Stony Point Rd, Crib Point VIC 3919 - Ph: (03) 5983 9242
- Bittern Hotel Motel: 2 Stewart St, Bittern VIC 3918 - Ph: (03) 5983 9208
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. Heavy ferry, naval, and commercial vessel traffic.
