07-04-2005, 01:59 PM
Gday hotsauce,
I haven't been spearfishing in the bay for quite a few years, since they opened the Ricketts Point marine park (that was one of my favorite spots). I do majority of my spearfishing along the great ocean road around Lorne (see thread from earlier this week) - this is pretty far from Melbourne (2.5 hours from the city), but the reason I make the effort is because spearfishing inside the bay does not compare to spearing along the ocean beaches. You see MANY more fish, the fish are bigger, there is a better variety of species, and the habitat and underwater scenery is more pristine. Also the underwater visibility tends to be better. Finally, you can find crayfish and big abalone along this coast, which you will VERY rarely find inside the bay. The only downside is that during rough conditions spearfishing is impossible, so you really do need to pick your day and play it safe.
Since you are 14 it might be hard for you to access spots which are far from Melbourne, so I'm guessing you are restricted to spots inside PPB. I have speared leatherjackets mullet and flounder between Parkdale and Mentone around the inshore reefs (but be careful of fishing boats), and if you don't mind swimming over sand (I find it boring!), you can find flounder and flathead along most of the eastern side of the bay if you are persistent. Mornington is very popular for snokeling and spearing, I stay away from it for this reason, but I'm sure you could find leatherjackets and the usual reef species there. There was a guy who was a regular on this site a while ago who said that he speared pike and snapper close inshore off Brighton, but I've never dived this area. Close to Rye is Portea, there is some quite good reef close to shore here, I have seen some good fish , most notably goatfish, whiting, flathead and squid taken here by spearos, but be careful you don't stray too close to the pier. Also be careful you don't upset any scuba diving classes. I haven't speared along the western side of Port Philip much, but I know some guys that like the Clifton Springs area (I think some/all of it is a marine park, so check the regulations before you go).
Best of luck, let me know if any more questions
Jaz <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />
I haven't been spearfishing in the bay for quite a few years, since they opened the Ricketts Point marine park (that was one of my favorite spots). I do majority of my spearfishing along the great ocean road around Lorne (see thread from earlier this week) - this is pretty far from Melbourne (2.5 hours from the city), but the reason I make the effort is because spearfishing inside the bay does not compare to spearing along the ocean beaches. You see MANY more fish, the fish are bigger, there is a better variety of species, and the habitat and underwater scenery is more pristine. Also the underwater visibility tends to be better. Finally, you can find crayfish and big abalone along this coast, which you will VERY rarely find inside the bay. The only downside is that during rough conditions spearfishing is impossible, so you really do need to pick your day and play it safe.
Since you are 14 it might be hard for you to access spots which are far from Melbourne, so I'm guessing you are restricted to spots inside PPB. I have speared leatherjackets mullet and flounder between Parkdale and Mentone around the inshore reefs (but be careful of fishing boats), and if you don't mind swimming over sand (I find it boring!), you can find flounder and flathead along most of the eastern side of the bay if you are persistent. Mornington is very popular for snokeling and spearing, I stay away from it for this reason, but I'm sure you could find leatherjackets and the usual reef species there. There was a guy who was a regular on this site a while ago who said that he speared pike and snapper close inshore off Brighton, but I've never dived this area. Close to Rye is Portea, there is some quite good reef close to shore here, I have seen some good fish , most notably goatfish, whiting, flathead and squid taken here by spearos, but be careful you don't stray too close to the pier. Also be careful you don't upset any scuba diving classes. I haven't speared along the western side of Port Philip much, but I know some guys that like the Clifton Springs area (I think some/all of it is a marine park, so check the regulations before you go).
Best of luck, let me know if any more questions
Jaz <img src='http://www.squidfish.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />