Fishing the Sapphire Coast

Sapphire coast fishing adventure

The Sapphire Coast is known as one of the most significant recreational fishing regions in the southern hemisphere and our coastline encompasses enormous variety and fishing opportunities. Our fishing folk are a social bunch and there’s no shortage of friendly locals happy to lend a hand or pass on some insider tips. If you’re heading out on the boat or planning on going rock fishing, make sure to check the BOM for weather and surf conditions before you go. And if you catch the big one, don’t forget to tag us too!

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Bermagui

Bermagui in the north is a fishing mecca within Australia. Only 11 nautical miles (that’s about 20 km's) off the continental shelf it’s home to a huge number of fish species including all the big predators. Great fishing spots around the town include the Bermagui Harbour and Bermagui Point which will yield tailor, mullet and luderick. Or head further up the Bermagui River to get on the hunt for bream, whiting and catfish.

Dog friendly Beares Beach will get you on the run for tailor and salmon, and the mouth of the Cuttagee River is great for bream, whiting and salmon when the tide is on the way in. Wallaga Lake is located just 7 kilometres north of Bermagui, and is home to dusky flathead (especially in the warmer months) along with bream, trevally, tailor, salmon and garfish.

FishBermi and Headhunter Charters both operate out of Bermagui Harbour and can get you out amongst the action in no time. Or if you’ve brought your own boat and just need some gear or some advice, head to Bermi Bait and Tackle. This band of local experts will have you sorted in no time.

Take some time to visit the Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf at the Harbour and grab a bite to eat before or after your big day on the water. Bermagui Fishermen’s Co-op which is housed here, was formed in 1946 to process and market fish and seafood caught from the port of Bermagui. Over the years since, it has become one of the major suppliers of the Sydney Fish Market. Melbourne also receives Bermagui seafood, as do many businesses in the Bermagui area. Fishing and aquaculture is the fifth most valuable Australian rural industry after wool, beef, wheat and dairy and has an annual worth of over $2 billion.

The Fishermen’s Wharf is home to a variety of eateries, wine bar, art gallery, retail and community businesses, all of which enjoy spectacular views of Bermagui’s beautiful harbour. Freshly caught fish and seafood from the Bermagui Fishermen’s Co-Operative is available from Blue Wave Seafood on the ground floor.

Tathra

Tathra is a great family fishing destination with a mixed bag of fishing and saltwater anglers can choose from estuary, surf, rock and blue-water, while freshwater offerings include estuaries and streams.

Historic Tathra Wharf is not only one of the most significant structures on the Sapphire Coast, it’s renowned as one of the best fishing wharves in all of Australia. Plenty of fish abound with flathead, snapper, leatherjacket, salmon and red rock being the most popular.

Kianinny Bay is another popular spot and home to the Tathra Amateur Fishing Club. It features a concrete boat ramp for boats up to 7m, fishing cleaning station and BBQ facilities plus a small playground. Kianinny is also a great spot to snorkel if you’re lucky you’ll encounter (from a distance) the gang of resident stingrays.

Mogareeka Inlet at the north end of Tathra Beach offers access to flat waters and tidal sand spits of the Bega River Mouth, as well as beach and rock fishing. There is a one lane boat ramp available for launching.

Merimbula

Merimbula offers a great variety of angling options for the keen fisher folk. Merimbula Lake is a great spot for flathead, whiting and trevally and there are plenty of places to fish from shore if you don’t have your own boat. The flat, clear waters of Merimbula Lake are bordered by beaches, walks and boardwalks and home to famous oysters and vibrant sea life. Here you can hire a tinny from Top Lake Boat Hire, plus rods and bait. Easy!

The newly created Merimbula offshore artificial reef has been in place since September 2018 and is already proving an excellent habitat for a wide range of fish species common to the region. (The DPI notes that artificial reefs generally increase the number of fish stock as they support a safe habit for marine life to thrive). The reef is located 2.5km southeast of the Merimbula estuary entrance in approximately 32 metres of water and is already proving a hit with local clubs.

If you love beach fishing, try Middle Beach for salmon, bream and more or head over to Short Point for flathead. Locals tell us they get lots of luck with salmon off Pambula Beach and the river mouth too.

Littlies will love prawning in the lake along Spencer Park. Check the moon and tides to ensure you get the best chance of catching these tasty morsels. Prawning experts tell us that any month with a 'R' in it is a good one to catch prawns so that means the winter months are out. Who knew?!

Fishing charters are extremely popular here and our operators offer something for everyone. Sapphire Coastal Adventures and Rathlin II will take you out for a half day or full day on the water (dependent on Merimbula Bar crossing) and offer private and group game fishing & deep sea fishing charters, plus whale watching.

Head to Tackle World or the Compleat Angler in Merimbula town for gear and advice, and in the summer Merimbula Big Game & Lake Fishing Club is open every Friday night from 6pm for drinks and nibbles from their jetty at Spencer Park.

EDEN

Eden has just had a shout out as one of Australia’s top 5 boating holiday spots by one of our most prestigious boating magazines. And no wonder. Eden is a well-known fishing port, with direct ocean access and shelter from prevailing winds – perfect for all kinds of fishing. With a massive boat ramp, floating jetty and breakwall at Quarantine Bay, you can be out to sea and amongst all the reef action in no time at all. Or try fishing one of the many lakes or river systems – Wonboyn, Curalo, Broadwater and Yowaka just to name a few.

Beach and or rock fishing off one of the many beaches or rocky outcrops in Twofold Bay or to the north or south will see you catching species such as Australian Salmon and Tailor and even some game fish off the rocks.

For those that don’t have their own boat but want to immerse themselves in the deep sea experience, Freedom Charters has something for everyone. Reef, game and king fishing plus whale watching charters during whale season.

Grab gear and local knowledge at Pickles Fishing and Outdoors in Imlay Street or for boat repairs and advice, drop into one of the local experts such as Fraser Marine.

If you want to pick up fresh local fish, head to Southland Fish Supplies. And if you feel like watching the fishing boats come in, head to scenic Snug Cove Wharf. For more views and relaxation with a marine theme, board a twilight cruise around spectacular Twofold Bay with Cat Balou. Take in the evening skies with drinks and nibbles in hand as you watch the coastline glide by.

INLAND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES

If you’re in the area, the Bega River is worth a visit for bream, flathead, luderick, whiting and estuary perch. For freshwater anglers, Brogo Dam near Bega is stocked with Australian bass, while the Bemboka River near Brown Mountain and Tantawangalo Creek near Candelo are worth a visit for brown trout.

TOURNAMENTS

If you’re a more experienced fisherman and seeking a bit of a challenge, we’ve got a long list of competitions every year, up and down our coast that will test your mettle.

Bermagui Big Game Angling Club host the famous Bermagui Blue Water Classic every January as well as a number of major events throughout the year.

Eden Amateur Fishing Club Annual Tournament is held every March.

Eden Sport and Game Fishing Club also have a range of tournaments for those that want to catch the big ones whilst they’re biting.

Merimbula BGLAC hosts six major fishing events throughout the year including The Merimbula Billfish Tournament in late March and the Merimbula Open Fishing Tournament in June.

Tathra hosts their own amateur fishing competition every Easter which is a great drawcard for families that holiday in the area and of course the keen local anglers.