Marine fishing equipment
Marine waters are the Gippsland Lakes, the Lower Lake of Mallacoota Inlet, Lake Tyers and Wingan Inlet and Victorian waters that are not inland waters such as (but not limited to) Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.
Summary of legal equipment for marine waters
The following equipment can only be used to catch or attempt to catch fish (including invertebrates species) in Victoria’s marine waters. Before you use this equipment you must be aware of the rules that govern its use.
Click here for more information on using equipment in marine waters.
| Equipment Type | Maximum number permitted in marine waters |
|---|---|
| Lines per person | 4 |
| Hooks per line | 2, or 1 bait jig |
| Baited lines with no hook | 10 |
| Bait pump (hand-operated suction) | 1 |
| Bait traps - labelled | 2 |
| Dip/landing net | 1 |
| Hand cranking electric reels | Can be used. Click here for more information. |
| Bait net (hauling net) | Can be used in certain waters only. Click here for more information. |
| Hoop nets - labelled | Can be used in certain waters only. Click here for more information. |
| Handheld spear (barbed and multi-prong) | Can be used in certain waters only. Click here for more information. |
| Spear gun | Can be used in certain waters only. Click here for more information. |
Note:
- Gaffs can only be used to assist in landing your fish (see page 37).
- Open top lift nets cannot be used in marine waters.
- An abalone tool can be used to collect abalone (see page 31).
- Abalone tools are blunted instruments that are not knives or screwdrivers.
Labelling
Hoop nets and bait traps must be attached to a tag that remains above the water’s surface with the recreational fisher’s full name and telephone number OR full name and recreational fishing licence number clearly and legibly written.