Guide
Geelong Squid Fishing
Squid fishing around Geelong and Corio Bay: Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach, St Helens and Rippleside — wind, water clarity, tide and jig tips.
Geelong sits on Corio Bay, the sheltered western arm of Port Phillip Bay. It is more enclosed and more urban than the open Bellarine shore, which means two things for squid anglers: there is usually a fishable corner if you pick the wind correctly, but the water can carry more colour than the cleaner Bellarine edge. Visibility and colour choice matter.
As always, conditions beat the calendar. For the method behind the spot choice, read Eging Australia. In the cold months, pair this page with Winter Squid Fishing Victoria.
Where to fish around Corio Bay
A few reliable land-based options:
- Cunningham Pier - the classic Geelong waterfront pier, with deeper water and lights for night sessions.
- Eastern Beach - easy foreshore casting over sand, weed and broken edges.
- St Helens and Rippleside - foreshore, jetties and weed beds on the northern waterfront.
- Inner-bay weed flats and channel edges - fish the edges and darker patches rather than empty open water.
If you need the structure-reading system first, use How to Read Water for Squid Fishing.
How Corio Bay water behaves
Corio Bay is sheltered, but it can hold colour from wind stir, boat traffic and the port end. Treat clarity as the deciding factor: when it is clean, fish natural; when it is stained, step up to visible colours. The upside of an enclosed bay is that there is often a bank, pier or corner with the wind off your back.
Best time and tide
Dawn, dusk and the first part of the night around pier lights are the best windows. A making or higher tide generally helps bring squid onto weed and closer to structure. See Best Time to Catch Squid for the broader timing logic.
Best wind direction for Geelong
The advantage of Corio Bay is choice. The waterfront wraps around enough that you can usually find a bank or pier that gives you some shelter and better line control. Pick the spot to suit the day rather than forcing one location.
Check the Squid Fishing Weather Guide and the live squid radar before you go.
Squid jig size and sink rate
A 3.0 covers most Corio sessions. Drop to 2.5 for shallow, calm, clear water, and step up to 3.5 for wind, deeper pier edges or stronger presence. Use standard to slow-sink jigs over weed and run light PE 0.6-0.8 braid with a fluorocarbon leader.
See what size squid jig to use and the Squid Jig Sinking Rate Guide.
Colours for Corio Bay
Because Corio can be stained, lean a little more toward visibility than you would on the open Bellarine:
- Clean water - natural prawn, olive, brown or silver.
- Stained or low light - pink, orange, gold foil or UV.
- Night under pier lights - glow, white glow or a dark-backed glow.
For the full decision system, read Squid Jig Colours Australia.
Access and etiquette
Geelong’s waterfront is urban and busy. Expect walkers, parking limits and shared piers. Give other anglers room, keep the pier clean, take ink and rubbish away with you, and watch footing at night. On higher edges, use a landing net or squid gaffs Australia instead of lifting good squid by line.
Check current rules in the Squid Fishing Regulations guide before keeping a feed.
Recommended gear and where to buy
A light Egi Rods Australia setup, 2500 reel, PE 0.6-0.8 braid, fluorocarbon leader, and a small spread of 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 jigs covering natural, visible and glow colours will cover most sessions.
Browse squid jigs Australia, and use the Squid Jig Size Calculator if you are unsure on size.
Nearby spots
- Clifton Springs - east toward the Bellarine, with boat-harbour structure and shallow weed.
- Portarlington Pier - the Bellarine workhorse pier.
- Port Phillip Bay Squid Fishing - wider bay planning.
- Melbourne Squid Fishing - metro and bay-wide location logic.
FAQ
Is Geelong good for squid fishing?
Yes. Corio Bay is sheltered and has accessible land-based ground around Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach, St Helens and Rippleside. Because it is enclosed, the water can be more stained than open Bellarine water, so lean on visible colours when clarity drops.
Where can you catch squid in Geelong from land?
Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach, and the St Helens and Rippleside foreshore are practical land-based starting points, plus weed edges and channel margins around the inner bay.
What colour squid jig works in Corio Bay?
Use natural colours in clean water, pink, orange, gold foil or UV when the water is stained, and glow or white glow around pier lights at night.
What is the best tide for Geelong squid?
A making or higher tide, fished around dawn, dusk or the pier lights, is the usual prime window.