St Kilda

St Kilda Fishing

St Kilda Pier Fishing on a warm summer’s night was how I started targeting flathead and pinkies as a teenager. It has had major modifications in the decades since then. It’s remains a major icon on Port Phillip Bay and is rich in history. Going back to 1853!

The addition of a rock wall and the harbour adjoining it significantly altered the longshore drift. That’s to say, the currents that deposit sand influence fish feeding opportunities. It has been positive, particularly for land-based fishing for flathead.

Rock Wall Addition – Like The Old St Kilda Pier, Only Better

However, fishing the rock wall offers all the advantages of the old pier. Access to the open and relatively deeper waters.

I would sum up St Kilda Pier fishing in a single fish species: flathead. I’ve caught numerous off the old pier over the years.

While it’s been many years since I’ve fished it, other fishos seem to be experiencing the same thing. Flathead!

Of course, there’s plenty of bream and pinky snapper caught by folks, too. As well as squid ak calamari.

While not as famous for fishing as, say, The Warmies, it’s certainly played a major role in recreational fishing throughout the last century and a half.

Fishing St Kilda Pier Bait Choices

When fishing St Kilda Pier, frozen whitebait (fish) fished whole on a running sinker or a paternoster works well. However, I’ve also used prawns effectively too.

Just make sure you use the bait or lure that matches the preferences of the target species you’re aiming for. With frozen bait, make sure you buy the freshest you can. There’s a local service station near the St Kilda boat ramp that usually sells excellent quality frozen bait due to its high turnover. Stale bait doesn’t work at St Kilda. Give yourself an edge and put in the effort to obtain premium bait here.

There’s an exception to the “stale bait” issue with fishing St Kilda Pier – or any other. That’s specially prepared bait. I often prepare, salt and preserve my own bait, flavours and scents added. Then refrigerate.

Done right, I can keep any bait in A1 condition in the fridge for a full season.

St Kilda Pier Fishing Best Bait

While you wont see it in to many Fishing Reports at St Kilda Pier I’ve used chicken breast very effetively here.

I’ve also had success here fishing bloody chicken liver, or hearts, on a paternoster rig for pinkies. You’ll need to use some elastic thread to keep the liver on, as it’s so soft.

For flathead, I’ve generally gone with a running sinker. Try a pilchard or bluebait is cut to suit the hook size. The running sinker will help set the hook while keeping the bait down on the bottom.

Soft plastics always work great. That’s judging by reports in the fishing forums and YouTube videos. In my experience, it’s hard to go past a soft plastic in a motor oil colour if targeting flathead almost anywhere in Port Phillip Bay.

Zman and Gulp are notable brands. Zman is more durable.

Rods, Reels & Best Time To Go St Kilda Pier Fishing

The best times to fish at St Kilda Pier are dawn and dusk.

I’ve found flathead bite better when the tide is starting to go out. Pinkies and Snapper are better fished when there is some wave and current action. Having said that, I’ve caught flathead in the mid to late afternoon in late spring and early summer. Just be prepared for slower bites.

The wind coming in from the West is good.

As already noted. This is a busy pier. You might get away with a 10-foot or larger rod off the rock wall. But I’d stick to something in the Estuary spinning rod size range. Say no longer than 9 feet or less.

I always fish light here. So I keep the sinker down to just enough to keep the bait positioned.

Berley Brings Baitfish At St Kilda Pier

Because St Kilda is so close to the city, it is heavily fished. I recommend you use attractants on your baits. This can help give you a competitive edge.

If you’re not using a proven pre-scented lure like Berkley Gulp, try using some Squidgy S Factor. If you’re using natural baits, S-Factor works extremely well, too.

Don’t forget to burley well. Regular burley, like breadcrumbs and tuna oil, will bring the fish closer to your location.

It’s these things that always make a difference – no matter where you are fishing!

Ignore anybody telling you to stop using berley. There are a few odd older fishos out there that I’ve met, first thing in the morning, before dawn. A couple of these guys have demanded, both here at St Kilda Pier and at Mordialloc Pier, that I not use berley.

As far as I can tell, they’ve already added berley to their area of the pier and don’t want any competition.

So – smile nicely. Then bloody well ignore them.

While you rarely seem to see soft plastic fishos using berley, I’ve found the very fact that it brings in baitfish the best reason to use berley, even with this style of fishing.

Kayak Fishing St Kilda Pier

In recent times, it’s become common to see fishing kayaks within the rock wall area. The area is well protected, and a kayak helps reach spots land-based fishos can’t reach.

Accessing the water for your kayak can be hard when the beach is busy. But it isn’t too bad on quieter days, such as weekdays outside of the holiday season.

Of course, you could launch around the St Kilda boat ramp area, if the beach isn’t possible. Just be cautious, the boat traffic can be heavy throughout the summer season.

Blocking a boat ramp with a kayak is a sure-fire way to upset boaties, too. “Ramp rage” is a real thing, sadly, some ramps more so than others.

St Kilda Pier Fishing Tips

• Fish light. No point fishing heavy here. 6 to 10lb main line. 6 to a 9-foot rod.
• Focus fish species: Flathead, Bream, Pinky Snapper, Adult Snapper, Garfish and Mullet.
• The rock wall facing the ocean for snapper & flathead. Inside harbour for bream & flathead.
• Fish the incoming and outgoing tide, two hours on either side will see you right.
• Fishing St Kilda Pier itself is good for flathead, mullet, bream, garfish and pinky snapper – well lit at night.
• Night fishing is popular, though my preference early morning before & after dawn.

St Kilda Pier Fishing Review Summary

The Fishing St Kilda pier has improved since the addition of the rock wall. This is great as it was always a top spot. Certainly worth a trip down targeting flathead and pinkie snapper!

My biggest gripe about this spot is the public toilets. We’ve all got to go – but going to St Kilda can be an ordeal. Look. I’ve seen toilets overflowing with faeces right out the door! If you’re young enough to hold on, then you’ll probably do fine. But as you get older, it can get close to impossible after hours on a pier.

Pros

• Close to the city and suburbs
• Family-friendly – children under strict supervision
• Good range of fish habitats and fish species
• Great Flathead fishing location
• In the right conditions, you can target big Snapper
• In clear, calm conditions Squid fishing can be productive. Kiosk

Cons

• Parking is good, but can work out expensive during the day.
• Toilets are frequently in a disgusting state
• Can be a gathering point for youth gangs in recent years. Which is a great shame
• Parking can be hard in the Summer peak season