Fishing tips
A First-Timer's Guide to Port Phillip Bay Fishing Charters
Your first charter should feel exciting, not confusing. Here is what beginners need to know before fishing Port Phillip Bay with Able Charters.
You do not need to own a boat or arrive as an experienced angler to enjoy a Melbourne fishing charter. A well-planned charter removes much of the equipment, navigation and local decision-making that can make fishing unfamiliar water difficult.
The most useful preparation happens before departure: choosing a trip that suits the group, understanding what is supplied and dressing for several hours on the Bay.
Start here
Choose a charter that matches your group.
Able offers shared and exclusive fishing charters aboard the Bacardi from Williamstown, plus small-group fishing trips aboard Bacardi 151 from Werribee South. A shared charter can suit one or two people who are happy to fish alongside other passengers. An exclusive booking reserves the boat for your own group.
Before choosing, consider the ages and experience levels of everyone attending. Tell us if anyone has never fished, if children are joining or if a guest has mobility or health considerations that may affect boarding and time on the water. That information helps determine whether a particular trip is suitable.
Compare Williamstown fishing charters with the dedicated Werribee South fishing option.
Equipment and support
What is included on an Able fishing charter?
The published Bacardi trips include fishing rods, reels, bait and tackle, an experienced crew and private toilet facilities. Catering may be available by prior arrangement. This allows beginners to arrive without purchasing a complete set of fishing equipment for one day.
The crew can explain how the supplied equipment is used and what the group is trying to catch. Listen carefully during the safety and fishing briefing, ask questions when something is unclear and follow the skipper's directions throughout the trip.
Werribee South trips use a different boat and format. Equipment, capacity, duration and other inclusions are confirmed when that booking is arranged, so do not assume every detail is identical to a Bacardi charter.
Pack for the Bay
What should a first-time angler bring?
Conditions on the water can feel cooler and windier than they do on land. Dress in practical layers and bring a waterproof outer layer even when the morning appears settled. Soft-soled, enclosed and non-slip footwear is more suitable than loose sandals.
- Warm layered clothing and a waterproof jacket
- Sun protection, including a secure hat and sunscreen
- Any personal medication you may need
- Water and any food or drinks arranged for your booking
- A small bag that can be secured and kept out of the way
- Your fishing licence or evidence that an exemption applies
If you are concerned about seasickness, speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before the day. Medication generally needs to be considered before boarding rather than after symptoms begin.
Victorian requirements
Check whether you need a fishing licence.
Most people fishing recreationally in Victoria need a current Recreational Fishing Licence unless they qualify for an exemption. Licence categories, fees and exemptions can change, so each passenger should check the current Victorian Fisheries Authority information before departure.
Able does not sell licences onboard. Organise the correct licence ahead of time and keep its details accessible during the trip. Visit the Victorian Fisheries Authority fishing licence page for the current rules.
Safety first
Weather can change the plan.
Wind, waves and visibility matter more to a charter than whether the sky looks sunny from home. The skipper makes the final decision about safe operating conditions. A trip can be altered, postponed or cancelled if the conditions are unsuitable.
Arrive at the confirmed meeting point early enough to board without rushing. Keep walkways clear, use handholds, follow instructions around hooks and fish, and never move into a restricted part of the vessel without permission.
Alcohol and unsafe behaviour can affect everyone onboard. The skipper may refuse boarding or end a charter when passenger behaviour creates a risk. Review the booking conditions with the group before the day.
Young anglers
Can children and families join?
Families and young anglers can enjoy a charter when the selected boat, trip length and expected conditions suit them. Give the children's ages when enquiring rather than simply including them in the total passenger number.
Adults remain responsible for supervising children and helping them follow the crew's directions. A child's first fishing trip is often more enjoyable when expectations are realistic: learning how to hold a rod, feeling the first bite and spending time together can matter as much as bringing home a particular fish.
Seasonal fishing
What could you catch in Port Phillip Bay?
Snapper, King George whiting, flathead, squid, garfish and gummy shark are among the species found around Port Phillip Bay. What is practical to target depends on the season, water conditions, recent activity and the safe range of the trip.
Fishing remains fishing: no skipper can promise a particular species, size or number. The crew uses local experience and the information available on the day to select a plan, but patience is still part of the experience.
See genuine Able catches and charter groups in the Melbourne fishing charter gallery. When you are ready, review the published prices or ask about available dates.
