Fishing Tips

One of the best things about having your own boat is access to the best fishing spots! Warmer months are ideal for targeting species such as kingfish, mahi-mahi, tuna, and marlin offshore, while inshore species like bream, flathead, and whiting are more active in our rivers and estuaries.

Whether you’re fishing in our beautiful river systems or heading offshore, our top fishing tips will improve your chances this Spring and Summer.

Best fishing spots
Botany Bay is consistently listed as a top fishing spot for bream, flathead, whiting, trevally, mulloway, tailor. The basin with its clear, calm water is a great spot for beginners, and the Hawkesbury river has a wide range of fishing environments, from estuarine areas to deeper river channels.

Fish in the Parramatta river, Sydney Harbour and Port Hacking river are all more active in the warmer months, and the Shoalhaven river has a variety of species and environments for anglers of all skill levels.

Further South, Twelve Mile Reef (off Ulladulla), around Montague Island and around Narooma are great fishing spots with a healthy population of snapper, kingfish, tuna, marlin, making them popular for sportfishing. If you’re heading offshore, targeting areas around reefs, deep drop-offs, and using live bait or trolling lures will

Keep in mind that parts of Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay are marine national parks so always check to make sure you’re fishing in the right spot to avoid costly fines and help protect our future fish population.

Offshore Fishing
The warmer water means more baitfish – and the larger fish that feed on them! If you’re heading offshore, you’ll find Yellowfin Tuna in the deeper waters off Sydney; Kingfish are abundant, especially around reefs and wrecks and you’ll have a good chance of snagging silver trevally, snapper and striped Marlin as we move into Summer.

If you’re heading out early or fishing at dusk you may still see some schools of Tailor off our beaches and headlands and they’re more active in estuaries as well.

River Fishing
We’re lucky to have access to so many great river systems up and down the coast with the Hawkesbury, Georges, and Parramatta rivers around Sydney offering excellent opportunities for anglers during spring and summer.

A variety of fish species become more active as water temperatures rise, including bream which are commonly found near mangroves, rock walls, and bridge pylons; flathead which are abundant as they move into shallower waters to feed; mulloway are prized catches in Sydney’s rivers and are more active in warmer months, especially around dusk or night; whiting in sandy areas of rivers and estuaries. We also see more Luderick, mangrove jacks and Australian bass.

Fishing gear
Fish Finders and Depth or Echo Sounders as well as bathiscopes and downriggers don’t just make life easier, they can significantly increase your chance of a great catch! Read more in our simple guide here, or head in store so we can talk you through the best options for you, your boat and crew.

Always check the conditions before you head out. The boating tools & information hub on our website has links to Sydney tide times, boating weather, fish sizes and limits and fishing licence information, all in one spot!

Hunts Marine has a great range of fishing boats from tinnies to Offshore boating weapons! To find out more about our range or for an obligation free quote go to HuntsMarine.com.au, head in store in Sydney, Wollongong, Batemans Bay or give us a call on (02) 9546-1324. Happy Fishing!