Hooked on Bellarine
Recreational fishers and lovers of seafood can celebrate Gone Fishing Day on Sunday 13 October 2024 by joining the festivities at Portarlington’s ‘Hooked on Bellarine’ extravaganza.
This family-friendly event showcases the Bellarine Peninsula as a seafood and fishing mecca on the doorstep of Geelong and an easy day trip from Melbourne.
A Victorian recreational fishing licence will not be required anywhere in the state on National Gone Fishing Day, Sunday 13 October 2024, to encourage more people to give fishing a try.
Details
When: Sunday 13 October, 2024
Where: Portarlington Safe Harbour foreshore
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: Free!
Activities
- Free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for kids - BOOK HERE
- Free 'come and try' fishing clinics for adults - BOOK HERE
- Better Boating Victoria’s free skills clinics including boat handling and trailer reversing at Point Richards - BOOK HERE
- Fishing and Outdoor Swap Meet where you can donate, trade or pick up fishing and outdoor equipment
- Market stall selling freshly cooked seafood and locally made produce, including blue mussels
- The VFA team talking about snapper, whiting and calamari research
- Improve your seafood cooking skills with demonstrations and recipes that everyone can try at home
- Fish filleting demonstrations and anatomy displays
- Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) Network leaders sharing how to tie knots and share tips to improve anglers’ catch rates for Bellarine species like King George whiting, calamari, snapper and gummy shark
- Kids activities from the VFA Education Team, fly fishing demonstrations, casting clinics, giveaways, virtual reality fishing, animal experiences with reptiles and native species, and selfies with VFA’s ‘Pinky the Snapper’ fish mascot
- Fishing simulator with Knox Boat Fishing Club and Kelly Sports activities for children
- Food and music hub to relax and enjoy the waterfront views.