PLEASE NOTE: This planner is intended as a guide only. Trends indicated in this calendar are subject to seasonal variations and changeable climate patterns. For more up-to-date and specific information, always talk to the staff at local tackle shops in the regions you visit. ALSO, be sure to stay across all current rules, regulations and seasonal closures* in the areas where you intend to go fishing.
It’s very important to note that new and sometimes temporary or fixed-term closures, restrictions and bans apply to certain recreational fisheries around the country, and that these can and do change over time, often with little advance warning. Examples include (but are certainly not confined to) restrictions on the snapper fishery in SA, the Spanish mackerel fishery in QLD, and the demersal (bottom or reef) fishery in WA.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMPLETELY AWARE OF THESE CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS!
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Talk to the staff in local tackle shops and visit the on-line sites of relevant fisheries management authorities for updates.
Bluefin tuna are running well
Southern bluefin tuna are running well now, especially between Warrnambool and Port MacDonnell. These are mostly “school fish”, but there’s always the possibility of a few jumbos. Larger winter King George are biting well, especially in the SA gulfs.
Larger winter King George whiting are on the bite
It is the perfect time to catch squid
Snapper are plentiful on inshore reefs, along with Samson fish, skippy (silver trevally) and good squid, especially over inshore weed beds. Look for snapper from the shore after storms. Salmon may still be present as far north as Perth and mulloway are available on many beaches, although tailor are now relatively scarce. Mackerel season in full swing in northern waters, and there’s very good giant trevally fishing further north.
There is great GT fishing further North
Some big Murray cod can still be caught by keen anglers
Waters cool fast now and fishing action slows, although some big Murray cod continue to be taken by keen anglers, especially in the dams. Trout are off limits in many streams due to closed seasons, but some good lake fishing is still on offer.
Trout is still on offer in lakes
It's a great time to target reef fish such as Coral Trout
Waters are now at their coolest and barra can become very lethargic and hard to tempt, especially with lures. Live and dead baits may be a better option. Offshore, pelagics such as mackerel, trevally, queenfish and small billfish are increasingly abundant, although south easterly trade winds can limit opportunities at times. Reef fishing is good.
Queenfish are increasingly abundant
It's a great time to chase blackfish in estuaries
Water temperatures continue to drop, but many warm water pelagics linger, especially further north. Some nice mackerel may still be encountered in far northern NSW and SE QLD, with yellowfin tuna and albacore further south. Broadbill swordfish are still a good prospect in the depths. Estuary action slows a little now, with the emphasis moving from flathead and whiting to bream and blackfish (luderick), although mulloway are still biting well in places, including river mouths, beaches and along rocky headlands.
Mulloway are still biting well
Shimano Australia Fishing (SAF) and Steve Starling (River & Sea Pty Ltd) accept no liability whatsoever for injuries, loss, expenses, legal prosecutions or any other damages or inconvenience caused or contributed to by adherence to the general advice offered in this calendar, whether due to negligence or otherwise arising from the use of, or reliance on, that information. Before acting on any general information of this type, carefully consider the appropriateness of the information provided, and any specific circumstances applying at the time. In particular, it is incumbent upon the individual using this general advice to be fully aware of all current rules and regulations, as well as all other existing conditions or potential issues.
