Joe Farr Fishing Charters targets what’s biting in Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait so that you’re sure to get the most out of your fishing trip! Some regular players are Gummy Shark, Snapper, King George Whiting, Squid, Stripy Tuna, Silver Trevally, Garfish, Australian Salmon, Flathead, Yellowtail Kingfish and Reef Fish.
Our charters are:
• Small group fishing trips of no more than 8 people
• Exclusive corporate fishing charters and scenic tours
• Family fishing trips – teach the kids to fish and show them Port Phillip Bay’s amazing wildlife!
• Fishing trips with plenty of fishing space, and everyone gets to fish!
• Individuals or small groups of up to 8 people in the bay or 6 in the ocean
• Private boat bookings
• Joe has extensive local knowledge and is happy to share – anyone is welcome, from beginners to experienced anglers looking to refine some skills.
• Quality gear (rods, reels), bait and tackle provided
• Clean toilet on board
• Catch cleaned or filleted for you
• Beginners to experienced fishermen
• A perfect family activity for the school holidays – teach the kids to fish!
• Great gift idea – gift vouchers available
• 5 hour trips, longer trips available
• Unparalleled corporate rewards experience
• Unique kids birthday party idea
• Personal charters including dignified ashes scatterings, unique weddings, photography sightseeing and Port Phillip Bay wildlife tours
• Can also accommodate large groups – contact us to enquire
Trips are exclusive, with an 8 person maximum in Port Phillip Bay or a 8 person maximum for Bass Strait plus crew. We operate our fishing trips aboard ‘Seamphony’ our Steber28 modern, professional fishing charter boat. ‘Seamphony’ is also available to be booked outright, with Joe as your exclusive fishing guide and no other clients on board. Your half day fishing trip goes for 5-6 hours. Longer trips can be arranged.
We are arguably one of the best fishing charters in southern Port Phillip Bay for holiday makers and locals alike on the Mornington Peninsula. On our fishing trips with Joe Farr Fishing Charters Joe targets what’s biting best so that you are likely to take home a feed. Our fishing charters are still small enough to take small group fishing charters for regular fishermen who don’t want to battle with bigger groups for fishing space. It’s also perfect for couples fishing trips or small groups of friends who want to either learn to fish or just enjoy their fishing out on the waters of Port Phillip Bay!
We operate our fishing trips from Blairgowrie Marina, 2900 Point Nepean Rd, Blairgowrie, Victoria, Australia, 3942 and weather permitting can drop off clients to pre-discussed locations including Sorrento Pier fishing trips boat drop off, Rye Pier fishing trips boat drop off, Queenscliff Harbour fishing trips boat drop off or pick ups, Rosebud Pier fishing trips boat drop offs and Portsea Pier fishing trips boat drop offs (swell permitting! Portsea Pier is now often too dangerous to access by boat for your fishing charter trip unless the weather and swell gods align). See Booking Information for a map of the area.
Sure do! We do ocean fishing trips in Bass Strait if the wind conditions in the Bay aren’t going to be comfortable or if we’re wanting to target different kinds of seasonal fish that don’t come into the Bay. People often mistakenly assume that ocean fishing means that we are going to catch more fish than we would in Port Phillip Bay, or bigger fish of the same species found inside the Bay. We prefer a good Bay fishing trip to an ocean fishing trip in this region any day but have the option to fish Bass Strait with up to 6 people if it is going to be more protected from wind than the Bay. ‘Seamphony’ has full 2C survey endorsement to safely take 6 passengers through the Rip out of Port Phillip Heads and into Bass Strait.
COVERED SHOES
One of the most important things to do when coming fishing aboard a charter boat is to wear COVERED SHOES. Most fish have hidden spikes and sometimes when fish are first caught they can flop about in the bottom of the boat, so this one is pretty important.
https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-licence
Every charter passenger must have a Victorian fishing license to fish in Victoria unless they are younger than 18 years or over 70 years of age. Short and long term fishing licenses can be purchased online via the Department of Primary Industries here. If you do not have a fishing license then it is illegal to keep your bag limit of fish and our charter will get fined big money, so in short we can’t keep your bag limit without one. You will need to be able to produce your fishing license, which can either be as a paper printout or via your phone if purchased online.
SMALL COOLER/ESKY
A small portable cooler is a good to bring along for keeping your catch fresh after your charter. Joe fillets your catch for you which greatly reduces the space it takes up. Make sure your esky can hold a couple of cold drinks, some nibbles and your filleted catch but not too much more unless you want your esky to take your fishing spot!
SNACKS
Trips leave early in the morning and come back before lunchtime so bring anything you’d like to snack on during your charter and anything you’d like to drink as well. Tea and coffee is supplied on the boat.
SUN PROTECTION – WIDE HAT, SUNSCREEN, SUNGLASSES
Whatever the time of year, the sun is three times as strong out on the water. A hat on its own isn’t enough because the sun hits from above, reflects from below and from the sides. Melbourne’s weather is so variable that we recommend you pack a hat, sunscreen and some sunglasses no matter what the time of year. The overcast days are often the worst for getting burnt even if it isn’t hot. The Aussie sun is intense no matter what the weather.
A word to the wise if you will wear sunglasses or eye glasses aboard your fishing trip:
Make sure you have something to hold the sunglasses or glasses on to your head! Many a nice pair of glasses have gone to the fish gods when looking down during the excitement of pulling in a fish, easily prevented by a $2.50 glasses strap from your local chemist.
WARM CLOTHING
No matter the time of year we are usually on the water before the sun comes up and it can be cold, especially with a bit of wind coming across the water. Pack some warmer clothes too.
Alcohol is permitted aboard Joe Farr Fishing Charters but in moderation only; we’re there to fish, first and foremost. Joe Farr Fishing Charters is a small group charter and if anyone drinks too much aboard our charter they become a danger to themselves and others. The skipper reserves the right to drop anybody he/she deems too drunk or unruly on shore with no refund. In the interest of passenger safety the skipper’s word is final.
Blairgowrie Marina, 2900 Point Nepean Rd, Blairgowrie, Victoria, Australia, 3942