Kayak Fishing in Mordialloc, VIC: A Comprehensive Guide
Located on the southeastern shores of Port Phillip Bay, Mordialloc offers exceptional kayak fishing opportunities. To maximize your catch, it’s crucial to understand the best tide times, fishing seasons, and essential gear and safety tips.
Best Tide Times:
For kayak fishing in Mordialloc, focus on the following tide phases:
- Incoming Tide (Rising Tide): 2 hours after low tide to 1 hour before high tide. This phase brings baitfish and prey into the area, attracting larger species like snapper, mulloway, and flathead.
- Peaking High Tide: Target the structure-rich areas like reef, weed beds, and sunken logs, as fish tend to congregate here during high tide. Species like snapper, whiting, and squid are more active during this time.
- Outgoing Tide (Falling Tide): 1 hour after high tide to 2 hours before low tide. This phase can be particularly good for catching species like mulloway, flathead, and estuary perch as they hunt in the shallows.
Fishing Seasons:
- Summer (Dec-Feb): Target snapper, whiting, and squid in the warmer waters.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Excellent time for mulloway, estuary perch, and flathead as they feed more actively during this transition.
- Winter (Jun-Aug): Focus on snapper, whiting, and leatherjacket, which are more schooling during the cooler months.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): A great time for a mixed bag, including snapper, mulloway, flathead, and estuary perch.
Gear Tips:
- Rod/Reel: Medium to light action spin or baitcaster outfits (2-4 kg) suitable for most species.
- Lures/Bait:
- Soft plastics (e.g., curl tail grubs) for flathead and mulloway.
- Small jigs and metal lures for snapper and squid.
- Baits like pilchards, squid, and pipis for a variety of species.
- Kayak Accessories: Ensure your kayak is equipped with a fishing rod holder, storage for gear, and a paddle leash.
Safety First:
- Life Jacket: Always wear a properly fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Weather Check: Monitor forecasts and be prepared to head back to shore if conditions deteriorate.
- Visibility: Use high-visibility clothing or flags to increase your visibility to other watercraft.
- Sun Protection: Melbourne sun can be fierce; don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and protective clothing.
- First Aid Kit: A small, basic kit should always be on board.
- File a Float Plan: Inform someone about your trip, including where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Additional Tips for Mordialloc:
- Be mindful of the Mordialloc Creek entrance, as currents can be strong during tidal changes.
- Respect local fishing regulations and bag limits to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy the rich fishing experiences that Mordialloc’s waters have to offer from your kayak. Tight lines!
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