Some examples include Gunnamatta Bay in Port Hacking, Gladesville Wharf on the Parramatta River, Manly Dam in Manly Vale, Brighton-Le-Sands on Cooks River, Beulah Street Wharf in Sydney Harbour, and Clifton Gardens in Mosman. It's a great general spot and one of the most reliable tailor trolls in the harbour. Once they get to about eight years old they average about 90cm so just imagine how old a 1.5m flattie would be. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. If you like mixing big city life with awesome angling, Sydney is the place for you. There are numerous areas in and around Sydney where one can fish. Gordons Bay is lovely, but its a little small. The fees are: You must carry the receipt of your payment with you at all times when fishing in Sydney, so you can present it if asked. The cost for a 3-day NSW fishing licence is as little as $7, while an annual licence will run you $35. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category . Granted, theyre generally no larger than dinner plates here but youll certainly know about it if you step on one. In relation to tides, it is best on the runout of a high tide as the fish are more active. Between the nearby Pacific Ocean and our various rivers and bays, Sydney is home to a seemingly endless variety of choice fish and choice fishing spots alike. Fight the fish: Flathead are strong and powerful fighters, so be prepared for a good battle. Clifton Gardens 10. Expect to find: Bream, Parrot Fish, Red Rock Cod, Trevally To help you get more out dusky flathead I am going to list 10 of my favourite flathead hot spots in NSW and some techniques to try to catch them. Type of fishing: Freshwater You might find him crate-digging at the nearest record store or sampling whisky at the nearest bar. All this is so far from the truth its comical. It can get pretty crowded in the mornings, however, so you may want to set your alarm a little earlier to guarantee yourself a spot. He had had no experience at Game Fishing December off Sydney but was. Although do be careful if you hook one of the plentiful blue gropers in the area. Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking The top pick in the Sutherland Shire is the giant jetty at Gunnamatta Bay. Gordons Bay is where youll want to be if you like a good spot of rock fishing. First and foremost, always use fresh bait. There are also picnic areas, public toilets, and some beautiful views from the dam wall. One of the best spots for amateurs is by the mouth of the river, casting into Botany Bay (its also a perfect spot for plane spotting, being right next to the airport). . I'm sure other Raiders can give you the general location of some flathead grounds off Sydney. You can fish the incoming tide, but youll need to be able to cast a long way to reach the fish. Know any good fishing spots in Sydney? I also like my Wilson Live Fibre 106 low-mount Trophy Estuary rod with a 500 Alvey sidecast spooled with 6kg mono. Dusky flathead (Platycephalus fuscus): All NSW estuaries. Release the fish: If you're not planning to keep the fish for eating, gently remove the hook and release the flathead back into the water. google_ad_client: "ca-pub-9323040735217768", Yes, but youll need to make sure you have that recreational licence locked in before you cast your line. Day or night doesnt seem to matter. It's a great rock fishing spot for kings, tailor and drummer. Thats about all there is to say about the bridge, other than the obvious: the fishing here is really good. Anglers fishing the shoreline along the Grand Parade between Kyeemagh and Dolls Point found flathead in the 45-55cm class. He daydreams of travelling around the world, but for now, the world will have to come to him by way of lifestyle products, gear, gadgetry, and entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Idyg8X0T_Y, The top of body ranges from dark greenish-brown to mid-brown, Looking down through the water the surface of head is pale pink, The pectoral fins have multiple brown spots, The tail has a an identifying large dark mark. The Top End ( Darwin and the northernmost part of the Northern Territory) also offers some spectacular blue-water sport fishing with longtail tuna, queen fish and Spanish mackerel among the most popular species. Located 13km south of Sydney's CBD, Botany Bay is probably best known as the landing place of Captain James Cook back in 1770. Gordons Bay seems custom-built for good old-fashioned rock fishing. This is a great flathead spinning spot and is accessible for boat fishers and waders. Its more about the experience here. Dead baitfish: Dead baitfish, such as mullet, herring, or pilchards, can also be effective for catching flathead. Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment or for professional financial advice. Select the right bait: Flathead feed on a variety of prey, including fish, crabs, and prawns. The tide needs to be running here and if the wind is up, its best to be coming from the north. A 3-year NSW fishing licence currently costs $85. Type of fishing: Bank or jetty The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Shingle Splitters Point Known as one of the best places in Lake Mac to experience shore fishing, this spot is a local favourite. Duskies are found in estuaries and coastal bays from Cairns to the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. The beaches around the Harbour City can offer some seriously good fishing. Keep the rod tip up and reel in the line steadily and quickly. Regardless, you can either line fish here or bring your spear gun and start looking for those prizes. New South Wales has a set pricing structure for a fishing license that covers you for fishing in Sydney. Lastly, there are lots of weeds around the edge of the dam, so sinking lures are likely to get caught up. Hawkesbury River 8. My favourite fishing spots in Sydney Sure, these lots of fish in Sydney Harbour and there are also lots of fishing spots but where are the best places in Sydney Harbour to go fishing with kids? Dont let the droves of fishing boats turn you off, its very likely youll see some great success with the bays abundance. They can be rigged on the hook and fished near the bottom. The good thing about catching flathead is that you don't need a particularly expensive or complicated outfit. They can weigh up to 10 kilograms and provide good eating. You can jump in a boat and head out to sea, or cast a line from the Southern rock. Your Instagram feed awaits. Andrew Wheeler with a dusky flathead caught on a soft plastic in St Georges Basin. Always make sure youre across best practices and youll be racking up those prized sea creatures in no time. 1. 2. All rights reserved. 4-12 hour fishing trips for family and friends. The front of the system, between the lake and the entrance, is a great spot for big whiting. From Gladesville to Bald Island, Gymea Bay to Barrenjoey Head, the amount of fishing spots Sydney has access to is almost unfair. Popular estuarine fishing locations include the bridges (Captain Cook Bridge, Tom Uglys Bridge, Como Bridge, Milperra A34 Bridge), Dolls Point, Kogarah Bay, Wooloware Bay, Gwawley Bay, Bald Face Point, Woronora River, Oatley Bay, the Moon Bays around Lugarno, mouth of Salt Pan Creek, Georges River National Park, Mill Creek, Lambeth Reserve and Identify the right location: Flathead are found in a variety of freshwater and saltwater environments, including estuaries, rivers, lakes, and bays. Its mostly backflip abalone and rock lobster here, so expect to deal with some pretty strict regulations regarding catch size and the number of prize catches you can actually take home with you. You can cast to it from the shore or drift in a boat along the edge of the drop-off. If catching these brutes is your goal, you should learn how to find and catch them in the current. Type of fishing: Diving or pot fishing The dam is stocked with lots of Australian Bass, and you can also find Carp, Silver Perch, and Redfin. All contents copyright 2014 Fishing Monthly. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Expect to find: Flathead, Whiting, Bream This has to be the best soft-plastic flathead spot in Botany bay. Regardless, find yourself a fishing spot, cast a line and you should be able to catch some Australian bass, silver perch, carp (theres said to be huge numbers in the waters) and redfin. From pier fishing to shore fishing to secret fishing locales, Sydneys best fishing spots wont leave your line in the lurch. Theres a cycleway running along the beach which is worth a visit in its own right. but keep in mind, it is recommended not to eat ANY fish you catch in the Parramatta River west of the Harbour Bridge due to high dioxin levels. Best Time to go: Late evening So give some thought to releasing the next big dusky you catch. All in all, its a hassle-free spot that feels a thousand miles from Sydneys CBD, without actually leaving the city. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Fishing December 2022 12/6/2022 6:35:32 PM . While it is legal to fish in Sydney Harbour, you'll need a recreational licence. Type: Bank fishing Catch: Jewfish, Flathead, Yellowtail Best time: Night Tom Ugly's Bridge Georges River Off The Rocks. Rules: Youre prohibited from taking any worms, nippers, or shellfish from the area. The peak seasons run from April to May and September to October. Well, your search ends here with our list of Sydneys best fishing spots. Best Time to go: Early morning Live baitfish, such as mullet or herring, as well as soft plastic lures, can be effective. We have 3 purpose built fishing vessels that have all the facilities and amenities you require. The main areas for Shore Fishing Spots on the Lake are: Killarney Vale, Long Jetty, The Entrance, Berkeley Vale, Chittaway Bay, Tuggerah, Along the Wyong River, Rocky Point (Wyong), Karraganbah Point (Wyong), Wyongah Boat Ramp, Pipeclay Point (Wyongah/Kanwal), Wallarah Point (Toukley), Magenta Shores and The North Entrance. Keep one eye on the sea at all times, never fish on your own or in bad weather, and ask locals where its safe to fish if youre new. A word of caution: fishing the rocks is great fun, but it can be tricky or even dangerous if youre not careful. You can also find Flounder, Tailor and even Salmon down at the mouth of the bay, around the appropriately-named Salmon Haul Reserve. Gordons Bay is a hidden gem nestled into the cliffs of Sydneys ocean coast. These baits are fished near the bottom, imitating injured or dead prey. Bonus the BBQ facilities means you can practically dine out right there and then if you feel so inclined. Evidence of the Altamaha's trophy potential is obvious from a glance . Try trolling or casting buoyant hard lures along the edges of the weed beds. Get out there and let us know! Beulah Street Wharf 7. Theres also plenty of parking nearby if youre arriving by car. }); Many anglers regard flathead as a pain in the butt, especially when these fishos are targeting other species. The local fishing legends will tell you there's always a hearty pack of fish flowing wherever there's a calm tidal range. Further north and you're in the Central Coast. If there is no one else fishing the wall you can cast up-current and allow the bait to hit the bottom. You can find them sandbanks, near rocks and weeds where there is a dropoff. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Its an ideal place to unwind. Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile. Parsley Bay 6. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Gunnamatta Bay is one of the most popular fishing locations in Sydney. Instead, heres a sample of what you can expect to reel in or scoop up when hitting some of Sydneys best fishing spots: Before you hit up that good fishing spot, Sydney officials (and NSW at large) require you to obtain a recreational fishing licence. The area holds good catches of Bream, Mulloway, Dusky Flathead, Tailor and Whiting. I think it was Ron Swanson who said it best when he described fishing as yoga for blokes. The Altamaha River earns more acclaim for its catfishing than any other river or lake in Georgia for good reason. Hop over to Blues Point Reserve, just the other side of the Harbour Bridge. Even though the channel is fairly narrow it will hold very good concentration of flathead from the end of November to the end of April. I've been using prawns and worms and the biggest fish i've caught is a 40cm flathead. At the end of our fishing trip, you get to keep what you catch. Fishing is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world. It serves purposes such as measuring interactions with the ads on our domain and preventing the same ads from being shown to you too many times. In these parts, you just never know what will bite your bait. Coastline waves and currents send massive quantities of fish in your direction. Flathead are native to Australia and are one of the most popular fish for anglers. YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages. All Rights Reserved. The pattern element in the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to. The change in tides will mean youll need to change the point from where you cast for the best possible chances of catching something. They complain that flatties chew your line to pieces, that they spike you, fight like a wet rag and are very dry to eat. THANK YOU There are drop-offs from 90cm to 3.5m to 6m. Beulah Street Wharf Beulah Street Wharf is located at Kirribilli, which is on the northern side of the Sydney harbor. Enjoy a variety of styles, including freshwater, river, lake, rock, beach and even open ocean game fishing. It is where Port Hacking meets the Pacific Ocean. When all else fails, hit up the local seafood joint for lunch. Even though I like a feed of flathead I have been releasing all my fish 55cm and over, mainly because they are females. Here are my top picks: Narrabeen Lake Roseville Bridge Clifton Gardens Choose the right bait You are also limited to the number of each fish species you are allowed to have in your possession at any one time. Keep in mind however that particular spots might work . Spinning or sidecast outfits of varying lengths are suitable for baitfishing. Once you do, youll be rewarded with some great catches. Probably not a bad place for beginners to learn the basics. I like my Pflueger Trion Artificial Bait Series 2.13m 2kg to 4kg rod with a Pflueger President 30 spinning reel spooled with 3kg braid. Bar Point, Hawkesbury River . Once at the end of the breakwall, repeat the process. So make no mistake, rocky ledges are your friend if youre seeking the delicious marine crustacean. Choose the right equipment: Flathead are medium-sized fish that can put up a good fight, so it's important to use appropriate fishing gear. Park on the northern side and cast your line just a few yards from your car. Species Found: rock lobster, backflip abalone. With this is mind, make sure you get there as early as you can so you can secure yourself a spot. Splash in the water or get out onto it on a kayak or jet ski. They often produce a fresh feed of fish and are also great to catch bait fish. The 12 Best Fishing Spots To Cast Your Line In Sydney: Manly Dam, Manly Vale Gladesville Wharf, Parramatta River Clarkes Point Reserve, Parramatta & Lane Cove Rivers Tom Uglys Bridge, Georges River Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking Blues Point Reserve, Sydney Harbour Beulah Street Wharf, Sydney Harbour Cliffton Gardens, Mosman Which ones best? Expect to find: Australian Bass, Silver Perch, Carp, Redfin You can buy a license online or over the phone and have a digital version saved within the My Service NSW smartphone app. And theres plenty of those to go around, with this being Kurnells most abundant spot. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They are often found near structures such as bridges, drop-offs, and weed beds. Its all about finding the right spot, so choose wisely with this Sydney fishing spot. Flathead are ambush feeders and lay in wait near drop offs and the edge of channels for food. If youre fishing in saltwater, youre allowed to fish with more lines 4 but are restricted when it comes to using traps or nets. This is a popular place to teach the kids the ropes or to learn your way around a rod. Drop us a message in the comments below, wed love to hear from you! Expect to find: Leatherjackets, Bream, Snapper Instead, here's a sample of what you can expect to reel in or scoop up when hitting some of Sydney's best fishing spots: Flathead Trevally Salmon Snapper Bream Parrot Fish Red Rock Cod Australian Bass Silver Perch Carp Redfin Whiting Leatherjacket Yellowtail Squid Lobster Prawn Abalone Fishing Licences in NSW If you fancy a slight change of scenery, feel free to make your way down the beach towards Ramsgate and cast into the ocean. Best Fishing Spots in the greater Drummoyne area Wharf's or Jetties are good places to wet a line and meet other fishermen. There are many theories as to the best time to catch flathead. On the following list, youll find land-based fishing, shore fishing, pier fishing, and a handful of Sydneys secret fishing spots. Type of fishing: Rock Species Found: mulloway, trevally, kingfish (lower chance), salmon (far lower chances but a chance nonetheless). I use a Shakespeare Synergy 2.1m long-butt 2kg to 4kg rod with a Pflueger Medalist 30 spinning reel with 3kg braid. Just trying to find some good land based fishing spots around the northern beaches. Again, there are some great beach fishing options and couple of famous rock fishing spots. Flathead, Mulloway, Bream and Bass all congregate in the deep holes and with a little bit of work can be fished for very successfully. As the tide times alter every day we can provide either morning fishing or later afternoon fishing trips in the estuaries of Port Hacking or off the coast of Cronulla, Sydney. 2023 Man of Many Pty Ltd Sydney, Australia ABN 73 163 331 280. Species Found:mulloway, flathead, yellowtail. Fishing Type:Jetty FishingType of Fish: Bream, snapper, flatheadBest Time to Go: Early morning before the ferries start running to Bundeena. Type of fishing: Bank This stretch of water faces can be fished in any wind. Here, youll find deep waters, picturesque surroundings, local barbecues, a popular public pool, and either a bank or jetty from where you can cast your line. If it's flathead you're after, you'll want to head south of the city to Cronulla. Bream - January to May (throughout the harbour) Dusky Flathead - November to April Whiting - October to April Tailor - March to August Australian Salmon - March to June Snapper - May to September Jewfish / Mulloway - October to May Yellowtail Kingfish - November to May Its also a prime BBQ and picnic location (and youre allowed to keep what you catch), so is worth making a full day of it with the family. Dusky Flathead Hot Spots. Best Time to go: Night Now Australian waters are brimming with all kinds of fish, and nowhere is this more apparent than Sydney. Strips of fresh mullet, tuna, mackerel or squid all are worth a try. What we do know is that he gave his name to a pair of road bridges over the Georges River, between the suburbs of Blakehurst and Sylvania. 5. They are a protected species and must be released if hooked. Dont worry, though, its super easy to get here. #fishing #sydneyfishing #lurefishingRecommended plastics:Zman GrubZ Watermelon Red 2.5" (AUS) https://amzn.to/3fwvdZjZman GrubZ Bloodworm 2.5" (AUS) https://. Via Getty Images. However, so long as you do, youll have an enjoyable fishing experience and youre highly likely to catch a wide range of species. The Georges River is popular amongst commercial fishermen and recreational anglers alike. Type of fishing: Bank Fishing Forecast. Gymea Baths Location: Gymea Bay Type of fish: Bream, Whiting, Flathead, Flounder, Salmon, Bonito, Kingfish Port Hacking River is one of the cleanest waterways in Sydney. The good news is, Tuggerah Lake is as still and tranquil as they come, with the serene waters bringing a rainbow of fish including flathead and mullet. Browns Rock 2. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Boat Harbour - Off the headlands. Yes, you can fish in Sydney Harbour. Port Hacking, specifically, is usually well-stocked with flathead, and with several spots to cast off from, you're in with a high chance of catching some. Type of fishing: Freshwater If you prefer to use bait start with live poddy mullet, silver biddies or herring, or whitebait or frogmouth pilchards. Youre going to want to brush up on your licence requirements before casting your rod. As Blues Point is a fairly windy locale, its advisable to stick to the westerly side and seek some shelter. For example, if you were coming out of Botany Bay, I'd suggest heading east or south east and drifting in 35-55m. However, most people head to Tom Uglys Point on the northern end. Itll always net you better results when line fishing. High season is April to May and September to October. Port Hacking in South Sydney is home to some top-notch fishing spots and chief among them is Gunnamatta Bay. Additionally, be aware of fishing regulations and always practice responsible fishing to ensure the health and sustainability of flathead populations. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"6a7daGDKk9ibRpTGPP.ySfvEDwYlQIAcZ4CjkwAIZ1s-1800-0"}; The cookie is set by Wix website building platform on Wix website. They occur over sand, mud, gravel and seagrass and can inhabit estuaries up to the tidal limit. Also, as a friendly reminder, youll want to release anything you do catch, as signs indicate pollution levels in the river, so having something for dinner wont go down too well. Flathead catfish seldom thrive in creeks, ponds and small lakes. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Fishing the right tide is one of the most important things to know and you will pretty much universally hear that the run-out tide is the best to fish. Thats not to mention other forms of sea life, including squid and lobster. Its also a legal requirement to wear a lifejacket while fishing. Berley to attract fish to your weighted baits. Rules: Strict regulations regarding season, catch size, gear, and number of lobsters you can take home. Jells Park Lake. We have the experience and local knowledge to get you out catching fish in no time. Thanks to the many fishing piers Maryland has to offer, you can enjoy all these angling opportunities without even stepping on a boat. Fishing in Port Hacking and along the Cronulla Coast is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike and can produce a variety of tasty catch from flathead to whiting and bream.. Just 25km south of the CBD and only 20 minutes from Sydney Airport, "The Shire" as the area is affectionately known, delivers all the best Sydney has to offer; famous beaches, iconic waterways, rich bushland . 4. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Its recommended you find a spot after the last ferry leaves (around 8pm) as the wash and interference it causes can prove to make catching anything near-on impossible. Good trevally have been taken from the dropover in front of the Novatel at Brighton Le-Sands on live nippers on the top of the tide. Head over the Harbour Bridge to Manly and youll come across one of the better freshwater fishing sites in Sydney for amateurs. Max is DMARGEs resident technology, health, fitness and style expert, which is solidified by a genuine interest in keeping fit and understanding how to D'Marge Pty Ltd 2022. Port Hacking The Australian Tattoo Expo is Looking for the Nation's Suckiest Tattoos, The Complete Guide to Beer Types and Styles. Several moored boats host plentiful food for fish, such as small bream and snapper, so your chances of catching something will be high. . I take off the fillets without scaling the fish because leaving the scales on will help keep in the juices while you are cooking it. Soft plastic lures: Soft plastic lures, such as grubs, worms, or shads, can also be effective for catching flathead. A frequent question I'm asked is 'Where's a good spot to fish in Sydney?' I have caught flathead in Port Hacking which have been very pale and others have been extremely dark. Get a different perspective on what to wear, what to buy and how to live better from experts whose opinions count. So, with that bit of housekeeping out of the way, its time to fill you in on the very best fishing spots Sydney has to offer, encompassing both freshwater and saltwater. Type of fishing: Bank The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Flathead is a popular species of fish that is widely sought after by sport fishers. Located on Cooks River, this blissful hotspot offers ambience, variety, and occasional views of planes as they depart from the airport. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are hundreds of places to wet a line around Sydney, so choosing just six was tough, to say the least. 16 years 2 months 25 days 12 hours 7 minutes. An annual licence will set you back $35, while a 3-year licence is set at $85. Anchor fore and aft to position your boat across the current on top of the sand flats that jut out from Darook Park. Favourited by everyone from curious beginners to seasoned fly-fishers, its packed full of Australian bass and other species. Fishing permits in Sydney are very cheap and easy to get a hold of. Luckily you have plenty of options by which you can actually get one quite fast. Our skipper can cast off from the Cronulla Wharf and be in the ideal fishing spots in minutes. The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The main hauls are Yellowtail and Trevally, with some Squid, Snapper, Flathead and Jewfish thrown in for variety. Tides. Expect to find: Bream, Tarwhine, Flathead, Trevally, Snapper Expect to find: Squid, Yellowtail, Trevally 6. Download Spots. At long last, the Sydney fishing spots youve been waiting for. Should you put down the rod and pick up a bucket, make sure its during low tide, which is when all the clinging critters are at their most visible. You might ask. Gordon's Bay is a hidden gem nestled into the cliffs of Sydney's ocean coast. As the name implies this beach occasionally washes away in a big storm so shore based fishos cant always rely on it to be there. If you're bait fishing, a simple running sinker rig is perfect. Do so, however, and you should be rewarded with plenty of catches. Type of fishing: Jetty These fish have been taking whitebait slowly retrieved on the edge of the weed corridors. East of Melbourne in the Dandenong creek valley lies Jells Park Lake, a family-friendly area with two fishing jetties hosting carp, redfin and eels. It is where Port Hacking meets the Pacific Ocean. However, at times the tailor and Australian salmon will chase the whitebait into the shore, so make sure you have a few metal slices on hand. Deep channels make it the best spot for those wanting a boat fishing experience from land. In New South Wales, youre required to obtain a recreational fishing licence, regardless of whether youre fishing in freshwater or saltwater. While Beulah Street Wharf is indeed considered one of Sydneys best fishing spots for squid, you might very well come up empty-handed, given those rapid currents. Once you have located a few fish, you should drop a marker (a plastic bottle on a rope with a couple of snapper sinkers for weight) so you can drift past the spot time and again.