Guide
Clifton Springs Squid Fishing: Boat Harbour & Bellarine North
How to fish Clifton Springs for squid — the boat harbour walls, weed beds and foreshore on the northern Bellarine, the wind that keeps it clean, tide, low-light timing and the right squid jigs.
Quick answer
How to fish Clifton Springs for squid — the boat harbour walls, weed beds and foreshore on the northern Bellarine, the wind that keeps it clean, tide, low-light timing and the right squid jigs.
Clifton Springs Squid Fishing: Boat Harbour & Bellarine North
Clifton Springs sits on the northern Bellarine, just west of Portarlington and on the way to Geelong and Corio Bay. Its standout feature is the boat harbour and breakwater — structure, lights and sheltered water that hold squid — backed by foreshore, a boat ramp and weedy ground out front. It is a handy option when an easterly has dirtied the east-facing Bellarine piers, because here the coast faces a different way.
As always, conditions beat the calendar. This guide covers how the Clifton Springs water behaves and what to plan for; for the wider system read Eging Australia, and in the cold months the Winter Squid Fishing Victoria guide.
(Drop your own Clifton Springs harbour and catch photos here.)
Boat harbour walls, weed and foreshore
The most reliable land-based structure is the boat harbour / breakwater walls — they hold bait, create shadow and light lines at night, and give squid an edge to work. Out from the foreshore there are weed beds and sand patches typical of the bay’s calamari ground. Fish the wall edges, the harbour entrance and the weed-to-sand borders rather than open featureless water. More on this in How to Read Water for Squid Fishing.
Best time and tide
Dawn and dusk are the prime windows, extending into the night around the harbour lights. A making or higher tide generally helps over the shallower weed and brings squid closer to the walls. In winter the low-light windows arrive early and conveniently. See Best Time to Catch Squid.
Best wind direction for Clifton Springs
This shore faces north, so the wind logic flips from the east-facing piers: southerly and south-westerly winds come off the land behind and keep the water clean and controllable, while strong northerly / north-westerly winds blow onshore and stir it up. That is exactly why Clifton Springs is a good backup when an easterly has blown out Portarlington, St Leonards or Indented Head. Check the Squid Fishing Weather Guide and the Eging Tactical Radar before you drive.
Squid jig size for Clifton Springs
- 3.0 — the all-round starting size around the harbour and weed.
- 2.5 — for shallow, calm, clear water and cautious squid.
- 3.5 — when wind picks up or you fish the deeper harbour entrance.
See the Squid Jig Size Guide.
Sinking rate and line setup
Standard to slow-sink jigs work best over the weed; slow the fall to keep the jig in the zone and avoid fouling. Run light PE 0.6–0.8 braid with a fluorocarbon leader for control and abrasion resistance around the rock walls. See the Squid Jig Sinking Rate Guide and Best Line for Squid Fishing.
Working the walls and weed
Cast along the wall or to a weed edge, let the jig sink on light tension, work it back with controlled lifts and long pauses, and watch the line on the drop. At night, fish the edge of the harbour lights and the shadow line, not just the brightest patch. Strike only when you feel real weight — full method in How to Work a Squid Jig and When to Strike.
Colours for Clifton Springs
Natural prawn, olive and brown in clear daylight; pink, orange and UV as the light drops; glow and dark-backed glow around the harbour lights and after a northerly stirs the water. Full logic in Squid Jig Colours Australia.
Access and etiquette
There is foreshore parking, a boat ramp and walkable harbour walls. Give launching boats room around the ramp and harbour entrance, mind your footing on the rock walls (especially wet or at night with a head-torch), and take your ink and rubbish home. Check current rules in the Squid Fishing Regulations guide.
Recommended gear and where to buy
A light eging rod, 2500 reel, PE 0.6–0.8 braid, fluorocarbon leader, a spread of 2.5/3.0 jigs (natural, pink, glow) and a landing net or telescopic gaff for the walls. Browse the full RUI squid jig range.
Nearby spots
- Portarlington Pier — just east, the Bellarine workhorse pier.
- Indented Head and St Leonards Pier — the east-facing Bellarine shore (great when the wind is northerly here).
- Geelong Squid Fishing — to the west around Corio Bay.
- Wider planning via the Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne Squid Fishing hubs.
FAQ
Is Clifton Springs good for squid fishing?
Yes — the boat harbour walls, lights and surrounding weed beds make it a productive, sheltered land-based option on the northern Bellarine, especially when an easterly has dirtied the east-facing piers.
What is the best wind for Clifton Springs?
Because the shore faces north, southerly and south-westerly winds blow offshore and keep it clean; strong northerlies blow onshore and stir it up.
What size jig at Clifton Springs?
A 3.0 around the harbour and weed, a 2.5 for shallow clear water and shy squid, and a 3.5 for wind or the deeper harbour entrance.
Can you fish Clifton Springs at night?
Yes — the harbour lights are a genuine advantage. Work the edge of the light and the shadow lines with glow or dark-backed glow jigs.