Western Port fishing calendar
Fish the season. Service before it.
What's running in Western Port each month, and when to get the motor looked at so it's ready. Peak seasons are from the Victorian Fisheries Authority's Western Port guide.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
Snapper October – May
The big one. Fish start turning up in late winter as the water warms, and the bay gets busy from October. Best a few hours either side of high tide, early or late in the day.
The motor: long runs to the grounds and back, often flat out. A motor that's sat since autumn is the one that lets go on the first trip. Get it serviced in August or September.
King George whiting November – April
Shallow banks and channel edges, around high tide. Plenty of short moves while you look for the fish.
The motor: lots of stopping and starting in skinny water. Starting, cooling and the leg all get a workout.
Gummy shark March – October
A night fish. Best on a rising tide around the full and new moon.
The motor: you're running home in the dark. Battery, charging and nav lights need to be right before you go, not after.
Squid (calamari) April – October
Day or night under lights, best on the run-in tide. Spring brings the big ones.
The motor: short hops and a lot of idling. That's hard on plugs and fuel systems over a season.
Bag limits, size limits and closures change. Check the current Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide at vfa.vic.gov.au before you go.
The winter service
Book it while the bay's quiet.
Winter is when most boats sit. It's also the easiest time to get the service done, because nobody's ringing in a panic. Book it between June and September and the motor is ready the day the snapper turn up.
Book a winter serviceMid-season trouble
Already out there and it's playing up?
Hard to start, rough idle, losing revs, overheating alarm. Ring Andy, tell him the make, the model and what it's doing, and where the boat is.
0487 702 723