Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
Beginning boater in Westernport and I'm getting frustrated. Only launched from Hastings so far but with the regular southerly winds the North Arm seems to get a bit choppy, especially when the tide goes out and you've got wind against tide.
My old Swiftcraft Seagul boat doesn't have a lot of freeboard at the rear and I'm mainly out with may kids so looking to find calm waters even when there's a breezy southerly and the tide is going out (wind against tide).
I was thinking of doing a bit extra travel and launching at Corinella which has protection from southerlies. Has anyone had any experience fishing that area up to Grantville. Looking at a map that entire stretch appears to be well sheltered from Southerlies.
Looking at the Navionics chart viewer it appears you've got to really use your sounder/chartplotter to prevent running aground. I can see a lot of negative depth values which I'm assuming means the water level BELOW the mud at low tide LOL, i.e. exposed mud flats.
I'm happy to catch anything edible, and am set up with rods for Squid, Whiting, Snapper, Gummies, etc.
If anyone thinks it much more worthwhile to travel to Phillip Island and launch/fish on the Northern side then please feel free to suggest that too.
My old Swiftcraft Seagul boat doesn't have a lot of freeboard at the rear and I'm mainly out with may kids so looking to find calm waters even when there's a breezy southerly and the tide is going out (wind against tide).
I was thinking of doing a bit extra travel and launching at Corinella which has protection from southerlies. Has anyone had any experience fishing that area up to Grantville. Looking at a map that entire stretch appears to be well sheltered from Southerlies.
Looking at the Navionics chart viewer it appears you've got to really use your sounder/chartplotter to prevent running aground. I can see a lot of negative depth values which I'm assuming means the water level BELOW the mud at low tide LOL, i.e. exposed mud flats.
I'm happy to catch anything edible, and am set up with rods for Squid, Whiting, Snapper, Gummies, etc.
If anyone thinks it much more worthwhile to travel to Phillip Island and launch/fish on the Northern side then please feel free to suggest that too.
- ducky
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
You can also use the tide to your advantage in wpb. Hide out in channels at low tide if the wind is rubbish.
Gardiners channel is a good one. Can poke in there and be protected from every direction. Gummys, snapper and elephants are the main fare in there.
Launch newhaven and fish Cleeland bite for squid and ting. Especially if it's more SW. No doubt there's a good chance at every other species in the bay there too as they move in and out.
Gardiners channel is a good one. Can poke in there and be protected from every direction. Gummys, snapper and elephants are the main fare in there.
Launch newhaven and fish Cleeland bite for squid and ting. Especially if it's more SW. No doubt there's a good chance at every other species in the bay there too as they move in and out.
Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
Thanks Ducky,
regarding Gardiner's Channel (and others for that matter). Do they only become sheltered at low tide, i.e. when the banks are exposed and thus cut off any build-up of wave action.
Or in general, is the water depth over the banks so shallow, even at high tide, that the channel would still be sheltered ?
regarding Gardiner's Channel (and others for that matter). Do they only become sheltered at low tide, i.e. when the banks are exposed and thus cut off any build-up of wave action.
Or in general, is the water depth over the banks so shallow, even at high tide, that the channel would still be sheltered ?
- 4liters
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
You can try cleeland bight (newhaven ramp) or Tenby point (Corinella). Both of those areas are sheltered in a southerly wind.
I think the shallow water on the flats stops the waves from getting too high. You can also find channels that have the tide going in the same direction as the wind which helps flatten the waves out a bit.
I think the shallow water on the flats stops the waves from getting too high. You can also find channels that have the tide going in the same direction as the wind which helps flatten the waves out a bit.
2015/16 Fisting Victoria Species comp total: 289cm
Brown Trout: 37cm
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Brown Trout: 37cm
Flathead: 51cm; Squid: 36cm; Australian Salmon: 51cm; Snapper 46cm; Silver Trevally 23cm; KGW: 45cm
Major Sponsor: Rim Master Tackle
- ducky
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
Yeah you're bang on mate. If you don't mind the drive there's almost always somewhere to go.beefy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:11 amThanks Ducky,
regarding Gardiner's Channel (and others for that matter). Do they only become sheltered at low tide, i.e. when the banks are exposed and thus cut off any build-up of wave action.
Or in general, is the water depth over the banks so shallow, even at high tide, that the channel would still be sheltered ?
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
There's also ample whiting and others like salmon and trevally in Gardiner's to keep the kids occupied. It does get a little choppy on a southerly at high tide, but it's still not as bad as the north arm given its proximity to Phillip Island.beefy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:11 amThanks Ducky,
regarding Gardiner's Channel (and others for that matter). Do they only become sheltered at low tide, i.e. when the banks are exposed and thus cut off any build-up of wave action.
Or in general, is the water depth over the banks so shallow, even at high tide, that the channel would still be sheltered ?
Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
Fantastic lads, thanks very much.
I'm going to Gardener's a try next time out. Haven't caught any Whiting yet but looking to aim for them so it sounds perfect.
I'm going to Gardener's a try next time out. Haven't caught any Whiting yet but looking to aim for them so it sounds perfect.
- yepi'mon
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
If you are launching from Hastings it could be a bit of a rough trek to Gardiner’s if the weather is wrong and you are concerned. Fine on a calm day.
Plenty of good fishing north and south of Hastings along the banks/drop offs.
Plenty of good fishing north and south of Hastings along the banks/drop offs.
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
My recommendation is pic a calm day and low tide for the first trip. You will see all the banks etc and get an understanding why you need to be able to follow the channels etc.
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Re: Westernport - suggestions for calm waters in southerly winds
Yepi'mon,
I had a look at the Navionics viewer and remember when I was in a bit of chop and how long it took me to travel to The Cut in the middle spit to get to the French Island side. Yeah the distance to Gardiner's seems to be about two and a half times that, and when chugging along like my boat is a displacement hull, it takes a while LOL. Always something to throw a spanner in the works. I might try sometime seeing if I can hug the French Island coast after going through The Cut and see if that will be much calmer, but will have to look for the shallow bits on the way.
Rb85,
that's on my todo list. Had a top Westernport fisherman tell me to do just that and record the tracks in my GPS. It was April last year when we took a hire boat out from Yaringa, that made me decide to get a boat. It was low tide then and wow, Westernport is like a completely different world at low tide.
Thanks very much lads.
I had a look at the Navionics viewer and remember when I was in a bit of chop and how long it took me to travel to The Cut in the middle spit to get to the French Island side. Yeah the distance to Gardiner's seems to be about two and a half times that, and when chugging along like my boat is a displacement hull, it takes a while LOL. Always something to throw a spanner in the works. I might try sometime seeing if I can hug the French Island coast after going through The Cut and see if that will be much calmer, but will have to look for the shallow bits on the way.
Rb85,
that's on my todo list. Had a top Westernport fisherman tell me to do just that and record the tracks in my GPS. It was April last year when we took a hire boat out from Yaringa, that made me decide to get a boat. It was low tide then and wow, Westernport is like a completely different world at low tide.
Thanks very much lads.