Where to go fishing in Australia

Yeppoon, QLD: Tropical climate, beautiful beaches, islands at its doorstep, and plenty of large mouth nannygai - they fight hard and are one of the best-eating fish you’re likely to encounter. Fresh baits like squid, cuttlefish and cut flesh baits all work well.

Hervey Bay, QLD: The inside run of small black marlin along the west-facing side of K’gari (Fraser Island) is truly amazing. Between spring and early summer, small skirted lures or baits trolled along the edge are a great way to get hooked up.

Town of 1770, QLD: Launch your trailerboat at The Town of 1770 to access the Southern Great Barrier Reef, which is home to an amazing number of fish species, including coral trout and goldspotted cod. Catching one is generally a sign that you’re fishing an area that hasn’t seen too many hooks as they’re often the first fish caught.

Lake Macquarie, NSW: Lake Macquarie, on the NSW Central Coast, is Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake and has a huge variety of fish. Flick the shallow sand flats for whiting, chase mulloway under the bait schools, and look for kingfish around the drop-offs. 

Bellinger River, NSW: On the NSW Mid North Coast, Bellinger River is a hidden gem for estuary fishos. Flowing from the Great Dividing Range and winding past Bellingen township to meet the Pacific, it’s a mix of brackish water, mangroves, and deep holes – prime territory for estuary species.

Exmouth, WA: I fished Exmouth, in WA’s northwest, a few years back and it still ranks as one of my wildest, most memorable trips. The offshore fishing is world-class and pristine inshore flats are within a stone’s throw of each other.

Paramatta River, Sydney: Sydney Harbour is fed primarily by the Parramatta River, which is a surprisingly good fishery right on our doorstep. We catch anything from flatties to kings year-round. A light 2 to 6kg Shimano spin outfit works well for just about everything. 

Lane Cove River, Sydney: Lane Cove River is surrounded by national park and somewhat spared from the runoff pollution that hampers most cities. It’s quite peaceful in the lower reaches from Burns Bay Bridge where, fishing lures, you’ll catch big bream, some of the biggest flathead in the harbour, and estuary perch.

Nepean River, NSW: Dividing Sydney from the Blue Mountains, the Nepean River feeds into the Hawkesbury System. We love its upper freshwater reaches, best accessed by canoe. The main target species is Aussie bass, which migrate upstream in spring after spawning in the estuarine reaches.

Montebello Islands, WA: At the remote Montebello Islands, nature is doing a great job of fighting back after the English tested atomic bombs there some 70 years ago. In and around the islands, target trevally and trout, or crayfish in the shallows. Offshore, the waters boast Australia’s best sail fishery. 

Port Albert, VIC: East of Wilsons Promontory, Port Albert is a maze of channels and islands with great fishing for King George whiting. Offshore, we mainly target gummy sharks (one of the best eating fish) and in summer, the islands stack up with kingfish. Bluefin tuna have recently been appearing too.

Mallacoota, VIC: Dividing Victoria from Tasmania, Bass Canyon is home to monster-sized swordfish and even marlin, which was unheard of a few years ago. The fishing is not for the fainthearted, and heavy-tackle Shimano Talicas are mandatory.