Guide
Geelong Squid Fishing: Corio Bay Piers, Beaches & Flats
Where and how to fish for squid around Geelong and Corio Bay — Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach, St Helens and Rippleside, with wind, water clarity, tide and jig tips for this sheltered western arm of the bay.
Quick answer
Where and how to fish for squid around Geelong and Corio Bay — Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach, St Helens and Rippleside, with wind, water clarity, tide and jig tips for this sheltered western arm of the bay.
Geelong Squid Fishing: Corio Bay Piers, Beaches & Flats
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 has two effects for squid anglers: there is shelter from almost any wind if you pick the right spot, but the water can run a touch more stained, so visibility and colour choice matter more. There is plenty of accessible land-based ground — waterfront piers, beaches and weedy flats — all close to town.
As always, conditions beat the calendar. For the wider method read Eging Australia; in the cold months pair it with the Winter Squid Fishing Victoria guide.
(Drop your own Corio Bay catch and waterfront photos here.)
Where to fish around Corio Bay
A few reliable, accessible land-based options:
- Cunningham Pier — the classic Geelong waterfront pier; deeper water and lights for night sessions.
- Eastern Beach — the foreshore and enclosure area; easy, family-friendly land-based casting over weed and sand.
- St Helens & Rippleside — foreshore, jetties and weed beds on the northern waterfront.
- Weed flats and channel edges around the inner bay hold calamari; fish the edges, not the open middle.
Read structure-finding in How to Read Water for Squid Fishing.
How the Corio Bay water behaves
Because it is enclosed, Corio is sheltered but can carry 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 almost always a fishable, sheltered corner somewhere.
Best time and tide
Dawn, dusk and into the night around the pier lights are the prime windows. A making or higher tide generally helps bring squid onto the weed and closer to structure. See Best Time to Catch Squid.
Best wind direction for Geelong
The advantage of Corio Bay is options: with the waterfront wrapping around, you can usually find a bank or pier with the wind off your back. Pick the spot to suit the day rather than forcing one location. Check the Squid Fishing Weather Guide and the Eging Tactical 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 or the deeper pier edges. Use standard to slow-sink jigs over the weed and run light PE 0.6–0.8 braid with a fluorocarbon leader. See the Squid Jig Size Guide and Sinking Rate Guide.
Colours for Corio Bay
Because Corio can be stained, lean a little more on visibility than on the open Bellarine:
- Clean water — natural prawn, olive, brown, silver.
- Stained or low light — pink, orange, gold foil, UV.
- Night under pier lights — glow, white glow, dark-backed glow.
Full logic in 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 your ink and rubbish), watch footing at night, and use a landing net or telescopic gaff off the higher piers. 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, and a spread of 2.5/3.0/3.5 jigs covering natural, visible and glow. Browse the full RUI squid jig range, and use the Squid Jig Size Calculator if you are unsure on size.
Nearby spots
- Clifton Springs — east toward the Bellarine, boat harbour and weed.
- Portarlington Pier — the Bellarine workhorse pier.
- Wider planning via the Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne Squid Fishing hubs.
FAQ
Is Geelong good for squid fishing?
Yes — Corio Bay is sheltered and has plenty of accessible land-based ground (Cunningham Pier, Eastern Beach, St Helens/Rippleside). Because it is enclosed, the water can be more stained than the open Bellarine, 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/Rippleside foreshore and jetties are reliable land-based starting points, plus the weed edges and channel margins of the inner bay.
What colour squid jig for Corio Bay?
Natural in clean water; pink, orange, gold foil or UV when it is stained; glow under the 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.