Sorrento Pier Fishing — Unforgiven Fishing Intel

Sorrento Pier is far more than a squid spot. Weed beds, sand patches, shallow ground, pier structure and deeper channel water create several different fishing zones within casting distance. This Local Intel combines my own years of fishing Sorrento with local reports and ongoing testing, covering calamari, cuttlefish, King George whiting, gummies, salmon, Tommy rough and more — including tides, gear, techniques, access, productive ground and the lessons I’ve learned from actually fishing the pier.

• Timing

  Southern Calamari - 1.5–3 hours around tide changes as a starting window - flowing versus slack water - run-in/run-out observations King George Whiting - November personal result - November–April broader period - afternoon/mid-tide observation Night Fishing - summer/autumn Tommy/whitebait activity Gummy Sharks - primarily night reports - year-round possibility - full moon recollection clearly marked as unverified So we don't need a separate Timing for Squid, Timing for Gummies, etc.

• Gear

  Squid: For Sorrento squid fishing I prefer a land-based egi rod around 8' to 9', matched to a 2500–3000 size spinning reel. If you prefer a dedicated egi reel, that is a great option as well. The main thing is having a light, balanced setup that works comfortably with the jig sizes you are using and lets you feel what the jig is doing in the water. Braid is my preferred main line, with a fluorocarbon or mono leader suited to the water clarity, structure and amount of current. When the tide is flowing, I almost always use a size 3.5 squid jig. The extra size and sink rate help me keep the jig working properly in the current. Closer to slack water or the tide change, I may drop to a 2.0 or 2.5 jig, particularly if the larger squid aren't around or the fishing is very slow. For colours, I would start with a basic range rather than carrying every pattern available: - white - black - red - blue - green - pink - purple If the squid become fussy, I will often move toward more natural-looking patterns. Whiting and General Bait Fishing For whiting and smaller bait species, I prefer a light 7' rod with a sensitive tip or quiver tip, matched with a 2500–4000 size reel. The sensitive tip helps show the lighter bites you can get from whiting and other smaller species around the pier. Light mono or braid with a suitable leader works well. For smaller fish I commonly use hooks around size 6, with bait-holder hooks being one of my preferred options because they help keep softer baits in place. Useful baits include: - pipis - prawns - salted bluebait - pilchards - squid strips Small pilchard fillets and thin strips of squid are useful when downsizing the bait. On my first productive Sorrento whiting session I was using a basic Jarvis Walker whiting rig bought from Kmart, fitted with size 6 hooks and a 28 g sinker. It was nothing specialised, but it produced several King George whiting around the 40 cm mark. Tommy Rough and Smaller Fish The same light 7' sensitive-tip or quiver-tip outfit used for whiting is suitable. A worked sabiki rig has been particularly effective for Tommy rough around the pier lights. Small bait-holder hooks with small pieces of pilchard, squid or similar bait also work. Salmon For salmon moving through the pier, a light spinning outfit gives you plenty of options. I have caught them at Sorrento using: - bait - small soft plastics - lures Gummy Sharks Gummies require a much heavier land-based setup than the general pier fishing above. At this stage, I would recommend using a strong land-based outfit capable of casting large baits and controlling a powerful shark safely from a pier. Baits I would use include: - fresh Australian salmon - squid - trevally - other fresh oily fish baits I am deliberately not listing my exact gummy rod, reel, main line, leader and terminal setup yet. Bob and I plan to specifically target gummies from Sorrento, and once we have tested the fishery ourselves I will add the exact setup I am confident recommending.

• Technique

  Walking the Pier One of the biggest differences in how I fish Sorrento is that I don't stand in one place all session. I walk the pier and keep covering fresh ground. The weed, sand, depth and current change as you move along the structure, so I would rather search for active squid than repeatedly cast into one patch and wait. Slow Water and Tide Changes When the tide is slow or close to slack water, I fan my casts more widely. This allows me to work across: - weed - weed edges - broken sand and weed - shallow ground - deeper water During these slower periods I may also downsize from a 3.5 jig to a 2.0 or 2.5 if the fishing is slow or larger squid aren't around. Run-In Tide On the run-in, I generally start around the boat-ramp end of the pier. I work the corner from the deeper side around toward the shallower side. The incoming flow helps push the jig back toward me, which allows me to work with the current and let the jig sink more naturally rather than constantly fighting against the water. If there is enough room and the pier isn't crowded, I gradually work my way along the deeper edge toward the ferry end. Run-Out Tide On the run-out, I effectively reverse that process. I work from the ferry end back toward the boat-ramp end, again using the current to help present the jig naturally. The exact casting angles and productive areas will be shown more clearly on the annotated tide maps. Large Squid in Shallow Water Some of my better squid have come from surprisingly shallow water around either end of the pier. I have caught squid over 1 kg, with mantle lengths around 35 cm, from the shallows on both tide directions. Because of that, I never assume that the deepest water is automatically where the biggest squid will be. Cuttlefish The ferry-end corner is an area we refer to as Cuttle Corner. This is where I have caught many of my cuttlefish. A technique that has worked well is allowing the jig to sink right down and then sit on or very close to the bottom for an extended period. This is much slower than the way I would normally work a squid jig, but it can be very effective when cuttlefish are around. Ferry Wake Once the ferry has safely cleared the area, I will sometimes deliberately cast a squid jig toward the disturbed water created by the wake. The underwater movement can stir things up around the weed and structure and occasionally trigger extra activity. It doesn't work every time, but I see ferry wake as something worth trying rather than something that automatically ruins the fishing.

• Access

  Sorrento Pier sits beside an active ferry terminal and is a busy working waterfront. You may be sharing the area with: - ferry operations - recreational boats - charter boats - dive boats - commercial vessels - other anglers - families - tourists During peak holiday periods the pier can become extremely busy. Fishing Around the Ferry Ferry movements are not a major fishing problem in my experience as long as anglers stay aware of what is happening. When the ferry or another vessel is approaching or coming alongside, keep your lines well clear and bring them in where necessary. Do not cast into the area being actively used while vehicles and passengers are being loaded or unloaded. Once vessel movements are finished and the area is clear, fishing can continue normally. Getting to Sorrento The ferry service between Sorrento and Queenscliff can also provide another travel option for anglers coming from the western side of Port Phillip Bay. Because fares, booking conditions and vehicle charges can change, I recommend checking the current information directly with the ferry operator before travelling rather than relying on old prices. Changes to the Pier Long-time anglers will notice that Sorrento has changed considerably. One area we particularly enjoyed fishing was the old lower landing and small pool area, which is no longer available in the same way following redevelopment of the ferry precinct. Changes like this matter because access, structure and water movement around fishing locations can change over time.

• Local knowledge

  Sorrento Pier is not one fishing spot. That is probably the most important piece of local knowledge I can give somebody fishing it for the first time. As you move along the pier you have shallow sand, weed and seagrass, broken weed and sand, pier structure, deeper water and the edge of the ferry channel all within a relatively small area. Different species use those areas differently, and the productive water can change with the tide. Move and Observe I rarely believe in simply choosing one corner and staying there all day because other anglers are standing there. Walk the pier when space allows. Look into the water. Watch where the weed finishes and the sand begins. Pay attention to the direction and strength of the current. Notice where baitfish are holding and whether anything is moving beneath them. Sorrento often gives you visual clues if you take the time to look. Don't Automatically Fish the Deepest Water Some of my better catches have come from surprisingly shallow water. I have caught large squid over 1 kg from the shallows, and my first good Sorrento whiting session produced several fish around 40 cm from a shallow patch. Deep water certainly has its place, particularly for some larger species, but don't assume deeper automatically means better. Watch the Tide For squid, I generally start by fishing around the tide changes and then adjust depending on how strongly the water is moving. The direction of the current changes how I move along the pier, where I cast and how naturally I can present a jig. For general bait fishing I wouldn't become too obsessed with finding a perfect tide. Take a good selection of bait, fish the available ground and learn what happens during your own sessions. Watch the Water Around You At night I have seen whitebait gather around the illuminated shallows, Tommy rough come out from beneath the pier to feed, salmon move through and seals arrive when bait activity becomes heavy. Those things tell you something is happening. Don't spend the entire session staring at your rod tip or phone. The Ferry Is Part of Sorrento The ferry generally isn't a major problem if anglers respect its operating area and keep their lines clear when vessels are approaching or departing. Once the ferry has moved through, I will sometimes deliberately work a squid jig around the disturbed water created by its wake because the underwater movement can occasionally stir up activity. Keep Learning the Pier Sorrento has changed over the years and will continue to change. Structures have been altered, productive access areas have been lost and fishing patterns can change. The information in this Local Intel is based on what I have personally caught, seen, learned from other anglers and continue to test. Use it as a starting point — then build your own understanding of the pier.

• SOUTHERN CALAMARI & CUTTLEFISH

  Sorrento is best known by many anglers for southern calamari, and it is the species I have spent the most time learning here. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is not to stay in one position all session. I walk the pier and cover different ground as the tide and current change. Jig Sizes When there is good tidal flow I predominantly use a 3.5 jig. Around the tide change, when the current slows considerably, I may drop to a 2.0 or 2.5, particularly if larger squid aren't around or the fishing is slow. During slower water I also fan my casts across the available weed and broken ground rather than continually working one casting line. Work With the Current My approach changes depending on whether the tide is running in or out. Rather than fighting against the water, I try to use the direction of flow to let the jig sink and work naturally. The detailed Technique section and annotated maps show how I move along the pier on each tide. Big Squid Can Be Shallow Some of my larger Sorrento squid have come from the shallow ground around either end of the pier. I have landed squid over 1 kg, with mantle lengths around 35 cm, from these areas on both tide directions. Don't automatically walk straight to the deepest water and assume that is where the better squid will be. Cuttlefish I have also caught plenty of cuttlefish from Sorrento. One particular corner became known amongst us as Cuttle Corner because of how regularly they turned up there. A technique that has worked for me is allowing the jig to sink right down and then sit on or very close to the bottom for extended periods. It is a much slower presentation than my usual squid retrieve, but it can be very effective for cuttlefish. A Productive Area That Disappeared Before the latest redevelopment, we also had access to a lower landing and small pool area that we loved fishing. That area is no longer available in the same way. It is a good reminder that productive fishing ground and access can change over time.

• KING GEORGE WHITING

  Sorrento is much better known for squid than for land-based King George whiting fishing, but I think the whiting potential from the pier is underrated. My first proper Sorrento session was actually what opened my eyes to it. I had gone down with my mate Luke, JC and Shayna. Shayna was fishing for garfish, while I decided to target whiting after hearing that some had been caught. I ended up catching three or four King George whiting around 40 cm, all from the same shallow patch. From memory, it was: - November - afternoon - around mid tide - likely the run-out based on the direction we were fishing The bait was: - pipi - prawn My rig was a basic Jarvis Walker whiting rig from Kmart, using: - size 6 hooks - 28 g sinker That session taught me something I still think is important at Sorrento: Don't assume the deepest water holds the best fish. Quality whiting can move surprisingly shallow when the sand, weed, tide and feeding conditions line up. The exact area that produced those fish can be shown on the accompanying map rather than described broadly here. As Bob and I continue fishing Sorrento, I also want to revisit some of these older whiting areas and see how they perform today.

• SALMON, TOMMY ROUGH & BAIT ACTIVITY

  Australian salmon have been more of an opportunistic catch for me at Sorrento than something I travelled there specifically to target. I have caught them using: - bait - small soft plastics - lures Tommy Rough Tommy rough were far more predictable during the summer and autumn night sessions we used to fish. They commonly held underneath the pier and would move out into the illuminated shallows to feed. A worked sabiki rig was particularly effective. Rather than simply dropping it underneath the pier and leaving it still, working the sabiki through the lit water often brought the Tommies out from beneath the structure. Whitebait Small whitebait would regularly gather and flick through the illuminated shallows and around the pier. When the bait became thick and active, it was worth paying attention. Salmon and other predators could move through, Tommy rough would become more active and sometimes seals would appear. Seals From my experience, seals often turned up when the baitfish and Tommy rough were thick, moving and actively feeding. That doesn't mean seeing a seal guarantees good fishing. It simply tells me there is enough food activity in the area to attract another predator. The main lesson is: Watch what is happening around the pier, not just what is happening on the end of your line.

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