Fishing Melbourne in October: What to Catch and What Gear to Use
Spring has arrived in Melbourne, the days are getting longer, and the fishing around Port Phillip Bay is starting to heat up.
October is an exciting time for Victorian anglers, with several popular species becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise. Whether you are fishing from the shore, casting from a pier, or heading out on a boat, there are plenty of opportunities to explore.
If you are planning a fishing trip around Melbourne this October, here are some of the species worth targeting, the conditions to look for, and the gear you should have ready.
🎣 Flathead: A Great October Target
Flathead are one of the most accessible species to target around Melbourne, and October is a great time to start focusing on them.
They can be caught from both boats and the shore, making them an excellent option for anglers who want flexibility when choosing their fishing location.
What should you use for flathead?
Soft plastics are a popular choice for targeting flathead. Paddle-tail and flick-style plastics can imitate the baitfish and small prey that flathead feed on.
When selecting your tackle, consider carrying a variety of:
- Soft plastics
- Jig heads
- Fishing hooks
- Leader material
- Light to medium spinning tackle
When fishing with soft plastics, try working the lure close to the bottom around sandbanks, drop-offs, channel edges and weed beds. A simple lift-and-drop retrieve can be effective because it keeps the lure close to the areas where flathead are often found.
Get your flathead tackle ready
Skylark Outdoors stocks a range of fishing gear and tackle suitable for preparing your next session.
🔴 Snapper: Get Ready for Spring
October is an exciting month for Melbourne anglers who enjoy targeting snapper.
As the water begins to warm, snapper become an increasingly popular target around Port Phillip Bay. Both boat and land-based anglers can target them using a range of bait and lure techniques.
What gear should you take?
Before heading out, make sure your tackle box contains suitable hooks, leader material, jig heads, soft plastics and other terminal tackle.
If you prefer bait fishing, traditional options such as squid and pilchards can also be useful additions to your fishing kit.
Lure anglers can experiment with soft plastics and other suitable lures around areas where snapper are feeding.
👉 Explore Fishing Gear at Skylark Outdoors
🦑 Squid: Don't Forget the Calamari
If you are fishing around Port Phillip Bay in October, southern calamari should also be on your list.
October falls towards the end of the Victorian Fisheries Authority's listed peak period for southern calamari, making it a worthwhile time to keep your squid gear ready.
One of the easiest ways to target squid is with a purpose-designed squid jig. Carrying several sizes and colours gives you the flexibility to change your presentation when conditions change.
Try fishing squid jigs around weed beds, rocky structure, piers and other areas where squid are likely to be holding.
🐟 Silver Trevally: Another Spring Target
Silver trevally are another species worth considering as spring progresses.
They can provide plenty of fun on lighter fishing tackle and can be targeted using both bait and lures.
Depending on your location and conditions, you can try small soft plastics, pilchards, whitebait or squid.
When lure fishing, look for areas with structure, current or concentrations of baitfish. These areas can attract predatory fish and provide opportunities to find active trevally.
🎒 Get Your Tackle Box Ready
One of the easiest ways to improve your fishing experience is to make sure your gear is organised before you leave home.
Melbourne's fishing conditions can change throughout the day, and having several options available allows you to adapt your approach when the fish are not responding to your initial technique.
For an October fishing trip, consider packing:
- Soft plastics
- Squid jigs
- Fishing hooks
- Jig heads
- Leader material
- Fishing lures
- Spare terminal tackle
- A tackle box
- A tackle bag
- A suitable fishing rod and reel
Having your equipment organised also means you can spend more time fishing instead of searching through your gear.
🌊 What Fishing Conditions Should You Look For?
You do not need perfect weather to enjoy a successful fishing trip, but understanding the conditions can help you plan your session.
🌬️ Keep an eye on the wind
Strong winds can make fishing uncomfortable and can make boat positioning and lure presentation more difficult.
If you are fishing from a boat, check the forecast before leaving and consider more sheltered areas if the conditions become challenging.
🌊 Pay attention to the tide
Tidal movement can influence fishing activity around Port Phillip Bay.
When planning your trip, consider the tide times and how the movement of water affects the area you intend to fish.
🌅 Consider fishing early or late
Early morning and late afternoon can be worthwhile periods to fish, depending on your target species and location.
If you have the flexibility, try different times of day and keep track of when you get the most activity. Over time, this can help you identify patterns that work well in your favourite fishing locations.
🎣 Shore Fishing or Boat Fishing?
One of the advantages of fishing around Melbourne is the variety of options available.
You do not need a boat to enjoy a productive fishing trip, and there are plenty of land-based opportunities around Port Phillip Bay.
Land-based fishing
Piers, beaches, rock walls and other accessible locations can provide opportunities to target species such as flathead, snapper, squid and trevally.
A compact tackle bag can be particularly useful when fishing from shore because it allows you to carry your essential gear while moving between locations.
Boat fishing
Fishing from a boat gives you access to a much larger area and allows you to explore deeper water, channels, sand flats, drop-offs and underwater structure.
Before launching, organise your tackle so that hooks, lures, leaders and other equipment are easy to access when you need them.
🧰 Keep Your Fishing Gear Organised
A good tackle box or fishing bag can make a significant difference to your fishing setup.
Keeping your gear organised makes it much easier to find the right lure, hook, jig head or squid jig when you need to change techniques.
Skylark Outdoors offers a range of tackle boxes, tackle bags and storage solutions to help keep your fishing equipment organised and ready for your next trip.
👉 Shop Tackle Boxes, Bags & Packs
🎣 Melbourne Fishing Checklist for October
Before heading out, take a few minutes to make sure you have everything you need.
- Check whether you require a Victorian recreational fishing licence.
- Check the current size and bag limits for your target species.
- Check the weather and wind forecast.
- Check the tide times.
- Pack a selection of soft plastics and lures.
- Pack squid jigs if you are targeting calamari.
- Carry spare hooks and jig heads.
- Pack suitable leader material.
- Take a tackle box or tackle bag.
- Bring a landing net where appropriate.
- Pack sunscreen and drinking water.
- Take suitable wet-weather clothing.
- Make sure your phone is fully charged.
🔥 Get Ready for October Fishing
October provides Melbourne anglers with plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the water.
Whether you are targeting flathead with soft plastics, chasing snapper around Port Phillip Bay, searching for squid around structure, or targeting silver trevally, having the right equipment can help you adapt to changing conditions.
Before your next fishing trip, check the weather, tides and current Victorian fishing regulations, organise your tackle and choose your target species.
Then get out there and enjoy the experience.
🎣 Shop Fishing Gear at Skylark Outdoors
From soft plastics and lures to hooks, squid jigs, reels, tackle boxes and fishing accessories, Skylark Outdoors has gear to help you prepare for your next fishing adventure.
👉 SHOP TACKLE BOXES, BAGS & PACKS
Gear Up. Get Outside. Chase the Catch. 🇦🇺
Important Fishing Information
Fishing conditions, species activity and regulations can change. Always check the latest information from the Victorian Fisheries Authority before heading out, including current licence requirements, minimum legal sizes, bag limits, closed seasons and local restrictions.
This article provides general fishing information and does not guarantee that fish will be caught or that particular species will be present in a specific location.