Fishing Spots in WA
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Fishing Spots in WA

Each state and territory in Australia has its own premier fishing spots and predominant fish species. Some locations may reveal abundant fish stocks of a select species whilst others may offer a more diverse range of species. This article discusses some of the popular fishing spots in Western Australia and provides some helpful tips.
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 21 Aug 2008
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 Shark Bay

Shark Bay
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 Shark Bay covers an area of more than 23,000 square kilometres and is situated on the most western coast of the Australian continent. Shark Bay is actually two bays, formed by peninsulas lying side by side and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1991.

Shark Bay has many protected areas and conservation reserves, including Shark Bay Marine Park, Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, Francois Peron National Park, Zuytdorp Nature Reserve and numerous protected islands.

Fishing Spots

Shark Bay is considered a melting pot of west coast fisheries where tropical and temperate waters meet. Steep Point is no doubt the most famous land-based fishing spot in Australia. This spot attracts a large array of pelagic fish like Spanish mackerel, samson fish, yellowfin tuna and shark. Popular smaller catches at the point include snapper, flathead, mulloway and tailor to name a few. Another popular point is Zuytdorp Point where fish such as snapper, tuna, mackerel and sailfish can be caught from the cliffs. For those that want a calmer fishing environment, dropping a line from the Denham town jetty is a popular activity for catching squid.

Tips

There are three common techniques for fishing the cliffs and they include: baitcasting lightly weighted baits, such as garfish and pilchards; ballooning with big baits; or using lures. Each can be effective on the right occasion, although there is one constant - your gear needs to be powerful enough to handle big fish and you need a system to haul the heavy captures up a cliff face. Like any cliff or point fishing - safety is paramount and local knowledge and weather conditions should be sought prior. Authorities are also calling for anglers to wear inflatable life jackets that can be inflated by pulling a string.

 Rottnest

Rottnest
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 Rottnest Island is only 19kms off the coast of Fremantle and is a very popular tourist destination. The island is approximately 11kms long and 4.5kms at its widest point, and is known for its tranquil and pristine beaches and bays.

Fishing Spots

Rottnest provides a number of locations to fish whether you wish to cast from the rocks, the beach or jetty. Fish species such as: tailor, silver bream, gardies, skippy and herring can be hooked from Natural jetty on the Thompson Bay side. Bathurst Point near the Light House as well as Geordie Bay is a favourite for herring. Little Armstrong Bay yields good catches of king george whiting, while Salmon Bay as its name implies can yield good catches of salmon when it’s in season.

Tips

Fishing on Rottnest Island is best done from the months of March through to the end of September. Light tackle is usually all that’s needed and long rods are not required as most of the top spots are within minimal casting distance.

 Kalbarri

Kalbarri
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 Kalbarri is a coastal town, about 660kms north of Perth and is renowned for its spectacular gorges and coastal scenery created by the mighty Murchison River.

Fishing Spots

There are a number of good spots such as Chinaman’s Rock which is better known for reef fishing where tailor, mulloway, mackerel, cod and general reef fish can be caught. Also near the mouth of the Murchison, nice-sized tailor can be landed at Black Rock and Oyster Reef. Some of these fishing spots can be dangerous under rough weather conditions so check conditions and seek local advice prior to venturing on the rocks.

Higher up the Murchison River reveals big black bream and mangrove jacks and also mud and blue crabs. The extensive Wagoe Reef, just south of Kalbarri, provides a long fishing platform for shore-based anglers. Surf fishing for mackerel, tailor, mullaway and cod is possible at Wittecarra Creek and Red Bluff beach which is located south of the Kalbarri township.

Tips

Mackerel can be sought between January and April using baited garfish or a trolling lure. Ballooning can also work well when an easterly is blowing. Tactics include baitcasting using mulies or garfish and bottom fishing for large skippy, tarwhine, pink snapper, sharks, mulloway, tailor, spanish mackerel and tuna.

 Walpole

Walpole
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 Walpole is famous for its old growth forests and the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk which is in the Walpole-Nornalop National Park. The Walpole River feeds into Walpole Inlet which in turn flows into the larger, Nornalup Inlet before flowing through the mouth and into the Southern Ocean.


Fishing Spots

Species found in the inlets and estuaries include black bream, king george and sand whiting, herring, tarwhine, flathead and flounder. There are excellent fishing spots around the shallow waters of the Walpole Inlet from both the town jetty and Swan Bay jetty. The Deep River which is said to be the most pristine river in Australia, feeds directly into the Nornalup Inlet. Fishing in the deeper waters can yield catches of pink snapper and yellowfin whiting. There are also good beach fishing spots from Nornalup and Mandalay beaches where you may hook skippy, tarwhine, tailor, king george whiting, mulloway and salmon.

Tips

For fishing in the inlets/estuaries, a light rod and reel is all that’s needed. Try using a No. 6 hook with prawns and a dollop of berley. Trolling lures can also be successfully used for tailor in the deeper waters.

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