When are squid biting?
Squid are in the bay all year, but the peak run is autumn (Mar–May) and a second strong window in spring (Sep–Oct). Cold winter months still produce, especially mid-day on sunny days when squid push up onto the warmer shallows.
Best squid spots
| Spot | Depth | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Blairgowrie / Sorrento weed | 3–6 m | Big arrow squid, autumn run |
| Mt Martha shallows | 4–8 m | Reliable year-round |
| Mornington / Mt Eliza | 3–7 m | Short run from ramp |
| Rye Bank edges | 4–6 m | Boat-and-jig, drift over weed |
| Queenscliff / Pope's Eye | 3–8 m | Best southern weed structure |
Jigs and gear
- Jig size: 2.5 for small/shy squid, 3.0 for general use, 3.5 for deeper or chop. Carry all three.
- Colour: pink/orange in low light; natural greens and browns in clear water on sunny days. If one isn't getting hit, swap.
- Rod: Dedicated squid rods are nice but a 7' light spin will do.
- Line: 8–10 lb braid + 12–15 lb fluoro leader.
Technique
Cast over weed in 3–6 m. Two sharp upward jerks (45 cm each), let the jig flutter back on a tight line for 3–5 seconds, repeat. Most takes happen on the drop. If you don't get a hit in 10 casts, move 30 m. Squid are in pods — when you find one, you'll usually get several.
Reading the bay for squid
Squid live where weed lives. The bay's seagrass beds are visible on a bathymetry chart as the slightly shallower, structurally-different patches between sand. Our app shows the weed/sand transitions for both bays so you can plan a drift before you launch — instead of running blind for 20 minutes finding ground.
Bag limit (Victoria)
Combined squid bag limit: 10 per angler per day across all squid species (arrow, calamari, etc). No minimum size. Check current VFA rules.
Stop guessing. Open BayCast.
Free version covers chart, wind, tide, diary and public marks. Pro adds bite forecast, range to spot, fuel cost and measuring tools — $89/year with code EARLY40, or $9.99/month.
GPS marks — drop, save, send to your sounder
Squid live on weed in 3–6 m and they live there year-round. Drop a pin on every weedy patch you find and your Lowrance, Garmin or Humminbird will hold those marks for life.
BayCast holds the kind of marks Port Phillip and Western Port anglers actually share — including:
- squid GPS marks port phillip bay on the eastern shore weed lines
- land based squid fishing victoria piers (Rye, Portsea, Blairgowrie, St Leonards)
- squid fishing report port phillip bay with daily weed-line updates
Sign up and drop a pin → How drop-pin works
Compatible with Lowrance, Garmin and Humminbird — export as GPX, drop on your SD card, done.
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