March 16th, 2021
World-renowned fishing along thousands of kilometres of golden beaches and fresh estuaries – that’s what Australian fishing is all about! Australia is a mecca for coastal and inland fishing; when you cast a line, you run the chance of reeling in one of over 5,000 species that occupy our waters.
Fishing can be a trial and error hobby – some people are fine with experimenting and casting a line without expecting to catch anything. But, if you want to jump past the wait-times and stack your odds of hooking a fish, we’ve compiled a list of the best fishing destinations from each state.
We’re bounding between states to find the best place to cast a line. Of course, the best fishing spot is subjective, so we’re not saying our picks are the be-all-end-all of fishing spots, but they are beloved and heavily referred to by avid anglers.
Cairns, Queensland
Welcome to the big game capital of the world! Cairns is a mixed-bag of fishing locations, but its signature is trophy fishing for the favourite Black Marlin. Sportfishing is huge in this town, and the offshore areas can produce Marlin bigger than 450kgs.
If reeling in a behemoth of a fish is too ambitious, the waters are ripe with tropical species that will make for a more relaxing experience. Take your boat off the coast and hook Coral Trout, Nannygai and Sweetlip. Chase Fingermark, Salmon and Cod through the shimmering, calm estuaries. Lift Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Queenfish from the rivers. Whatever environment you prefer, Cairns gives you fingertip access to it.
Snowy Mountains, NSW
Nothing is as refreshing as dipping into the chilled waters of the Snowy Mountains. The many crackling lakes of the Snowy Mountains are fertile with plenty of freshwater species. If you’re
looking to land a personal-record trout, chances are this fishing spot may help make it happen. It’s a great location to find native fish like Murray and Golden Perch as well.
The massive bodies of water make it one of Australia’s best fly fishing destinations. The Thredbo River meanders from Thredbo to Lake Jindabyne; somewhere along that path is where you’ll want to situate yourself.
Lake Eucumbene is another well-stocked spot filled with Brown and Rainbow Trout. Also, you may want to try Lake Jindabyne, Khancoban Pondage and Talbingo Dam.
Tyenna River, Tasmania
While it’s quite a small stream comparatively, this freshwater river boasts one of the highest fish concentrations on the island state. Anglers swear by this location to hook Rainbow and Brown Trout, which can reach over 10kgs.
The Tyenna River is excellent for all angling methods, and the varying conditions make it quite a technical spot to fish. After wading through overgrown sections and navigating slippery boulders, hooking that first fish will feel much more rewarding.
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
You’ll be blessed with stunning sceneries and calm beaches at Kangaroo Island, not to mention 360 degrees of fishing access.
On the island’s south coast are the vibrant Hanson Bay, Vivonne, Pennington and D’Estrees Bay where anglers target Australian Salmon, Sharks, Mullet and other typical southern surf species. The north side has less surf and has better odds of containing Flathead and Whiting, namely at Snellings Beach, Emu Bay or the other sheltered beach areas.
Broome, Western Australia
Western Australia is home to some of the most stunning beach fishing locations in the country. Beach fishing in Broome gives you access to plenty of prime locations to cast a line for Queenies, Golden Trevally, Dog Mackerel, Snook and more.
The Broome Jetty is the local hot-spot for fishing and the tackle shop is a great way to get advice on where to cast a line. Offshore, Broome is famous for its Sailfish, and there is something for every fisher. The creeks are home to Trevally, Barramundi and Mangrove Jacks. We recommend hitting up Roebuck Bay and Broome Jetty for land-based locations, and Dampier Creek and Jewie Holes for offshore.
The Top End, Northern Territory
Visit the home of Australia’s premier freshwater sport fish, the Barramundi. The best time to fish The Top End, especially out of Darwin, is from March to April, during the ‘run-off season’ or in the ‘build-up season’, which runs from September to December.
The run-off season sees water levels begin to drop after the wet season. When this happens, the Barra that were up in the plains or in the channels prior, begin to move down. Anglers should concentrate on the exit points of the creek mouths into the main river to hook a great feed of Barra. This season is prime to chase pelagics like Queenfish, Giant and Golden Trevally, as well as reef fish like Golden Snapper and Black Jewfish.
The build-up occurs before monsoon season. As things start to warm up, Barramundi feeding activity peaks. The seas become calmer during this period, which makes offshore fishing massively popular.
No matter where your next fishing destination is, make sure all your gear is properly maintained and looked after. If you’re an avid angler, you’ll likely already know the importance of keeping your rods and reels well lubricated, free from corrosion and clean. Our new INOX Fish Pack will give you all the tools you need when it comes to protecting your fishing equipment. Head to our website to learn more about how to apply the products or contact us today!