Fishing Augusta
Anglers operating in Augusta must strictly comply with DPIRD regulations, including the active West Coast Demersal Scalefish boat-based closure extending north from Augusta to Kalbarri through September 2027. Shore-based anglers remain exempt from this boat closure but must follow standard species bag and size limits for Pink Snapper, Whiting, and Breaksea Cod. Adhering to marine park boundaries and seasonal closures protects this sensitive convergence zone for future generations.
Land-based anglers enjoy diverse options ranging from calm estuary boardwalks to exposed granite headlands around Cape Leeuwin. The Ellis Street Jetty and Hardy Inlet foreshore yield reliable catches of Black Bream, King George Whiting, and Silver Trevally on light tackle. Casting heavy metal spoons from Hamelin Bay or Cosy Corner during autumn puts anglers into high-octane battles with migrating Australian Salmon.
Boating fishers launching from the Augusta Boat Harbour gain direct access to Flinders Bay and the open ocean beyond Cape Leeuwin. Drifting shallow sand channels inside Hardy Inlet accounts for trophy King George Whiting, Flathead, and Southern Calamari. When sea conditions allow, offshore anglers troll outer current lines for Yellowtail Kingfish, Samson Fish, and pelagic tuna species.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- ELLIS STREET JETTY: Positioned in the heart of Augusta on the Hardy Inlet foreshore, offering comfortable fishing for Black Bream and Silver Trevally. Cast light monofilament lines baited with fresh ghost shrimp or peeled prawn tail on a rising tide. Late afternoon periods produce steady action on Southern Calamari using small size 2.5 squid jigs.
- HAMELIN BAY JETTY REMAINS & BEACH: Famous land-based location offering clear water casting over sand and weed patches for King George Whiting and Herring. Walk the sandy beach south of the old jetty pylons and drift small natural baits on light fluorocarbon trace. High swell days bring schools of Australian Salmon into the beach gutters within easy casting range.
- CAPE LEEUWIN GRANITE LEDGES: Exposed ocean headland providing heavy-tackle casting platforms for experienced ocean rock anglers. Cast 50g metal casting lures into deep swell washes to target Yellowtail Kingfish, Samson Fish, and giant Australian Salmon. Extreme caution is required at all times as unpredictable Southern Ocean rogue waves sweep across low granite platforms.
- COLORADO BEACH (HARDY INLET): Sheltered sandy shoreline inside the river mouth providing excellent wading access for King George Whiting and Flathead. Fan-cast light 2-inch soft plastic grubs or live yabbies along the channel drop-offs during early morning low-wind windows. Wear wading boots to protect against submerged rock snags and stingrays in the shallows.
- COSY CORNER OCEAN BEACH: Deep ocean beach gutter flanked by rugged limestone reefs, renowned for heavy autumn Australian Salmon action. Rig heavy 12-foot surf rods with 3-way patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or whole pilchards. Keep a close watch on rising tide levels to avoid getting trapped against the rear reef cliffs.
Offshore
- FLINDERS BAY INSHORE REEFS: Protected bay waters sitting in 10 to 20 metres depth directly out from Augusta Boat Harbour. Excellent territory for drifting light tackle rigs for King George Whiting, Silver Trevally, and large Southern Calamari. Early morning calm weather offers ideal conditions before southerly sea breezes chop up the bay surface.
- HARDY INLET MAIN CHANNEL: Deep tidal channel extending from the Ellis Street foreshore down to the ocean mouth. Trolling micro-crankbaits or drifting live ghost shrimp along channel drop-offs produces consistent quality Black Bream and Flathead. Use an electric motor or anchor on sandbar edges to fish the turning tide effectively.
- HAMELIN ISLAND REEF SYSTEM: Offshore island reef complex lying 1 nautical mile off Hamelin Bay offering productive reef structures. Outstanding area for setting crayfish pots for Southern Rock Lobster and casting surface poppers for Yellowtail Kingfish. Constant vigilance is required as heavy ocean swells break unexpectedly on outer shallow ledges.
- GEE ROCKS OFFSHORE BOMMIES: High-energy ocean pinnacles situated south of Cape Leeuwin holding heavy schools of pelagic fish. Vertical jigging heavy knife jigs or trolling high-speed minnow lures through current lines triggers explosive strikes from Samson Fish and King George Whiting. Ocean currents run hard around the cape, requiring heavy sinkers and sturdy tackle.
- BLACKWOOD RIVER UPPER REACHES: Navigable river channel winding upstream toward Molloy Island, offering pristine Black Bream habitat. Cast floating hardbody lures under overhanging tea-tree branches and slow-roll them past submerged timber. The tranquil freshwater environment demands stealth and light 4lb to 6lb fluorocarbon leader.
Hot Spots
- ELLIS STREET JETTY: Prime inner-estuary platform for Black Bream, Silver Trevally, and Southern Calamari.
- HAMELIN BAY FORESHORE: Iconic white-sand beach famous for King George Whiting, Herring, and stingray sightings.
- AUGUSTA BOAT HARBOUR: State-of-the-art ocean launch facility giving direct access to Flinders Bay and offshore reefs.
- CAPE LEEUWIN HEADLAND: High-octane ocean rock platform holding Yellowtail Kingfish, Samson Fish, and Salmon.
- HARDY INLET CHANNELS: Expansive estuarine waterway yielding trophy Black Bream, Flathead, and Whiting.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a stainless-steel yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats inside Hardy Inlet near Colorado Beach. Target visible feeding holes in damp sand, pump rapidly, and discharge into a floating mesh sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper with a splash of estuary water to maintain liveliness.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged wooden jetty pylons and boat ramp posts at Ellis Street and Augusta Harbour at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a flat scraper tool and collect into a bucket lined with damp seaweed. Fresh mussels crushed lightly before rigging are unbeatable for Black Bream and King George Whiting.
- SEA WORMS: Uncovered by hand-forking through damp intertidal mud and sand along lower Hardy Inlet banks at spring low tide. Carefully turn over moist sediment near weed beds using a garden fork and gather worms into containers of damp sand. Keep shaded from direct sunlight to preserve natural wriggling movement on the hook.
- LIVE OCTOPUS & SQUID: Targeted over shallow seagrass beds in Flinders Bay using size 2.5 to 3.0 cloth squid jigs. Cast jigs across sand-and-weed junctions on light fluorocarbon trace and retrieve with steady hops. Live squid rigged whole on snelled hooks are unmatched for targeting large Yellowtail Kingfish.
Boat Ramps
- Augusta Boat Harbour Ramp:
Located at Augusta Boat Harbour off Leeuwin Road, Augusta WA 6290. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) Western Australia. Features a state-of-the-art 4-lane concrete boat ramp equipped with wide central floating universal access pontoon jetties. Sheltered by massive outer granite breakwaters, providing safe deep-water launching into Flinders Bay and open ocean grounds south of Cape Leeuwin. Facilities include a large bitumen carpark with dedicated car-trailer bays, public toilets, fish cleaning tables with running water, wash-down bay, service wharf, and 24-hour security lighting. No municipal launch fee required.
- Ellis Street Boat Ramp (Augusta):
Situated at the end of Ellis Street on the Hardy Inlet foreshore, Augusta WA 6290. Managed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. Features a single-lane concrete boat ramp with an adjacent timber boarding jetty. Positioned in calm, protected estuary waters, this is a primary launch facility for targeting Black Bream, Flathead, and Whiting within the Hardy Inlet and Blackwood River system. Shallow sandbar channels exist near the estuary mouth during low tide, requiring careful navigation for deeper draft vessels. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, shaded parkland, and nearby café amenities. Free public access.
- Turner Park Boat Ramp (Augusta):
Located at Turner Park foreshore off Leeuwin Road near the Blackwood River mouth, Augusta WA 6290. Managed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and DoT WA. Features a single-lane concrete slab ramp with a timber walkway jetty. Offers direct, sheltered launching into the lower Hardy Inlet channel for light tinnies and kayaks. Shallow water conditions across sandflats require trimmed outboard legs at low tide. Amenities include car-trailer parking, public toilets, picnic benches, and caravan park access. Free public launch access.
Bait and Tackle
- Augusta Newsagency & Tackle: 54 Blackwood Ave, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1312
- Augusta Handyman & Hardware: 66 Blackwood Ave, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1162
- Hamelin Bay Store & Tackle: Hamelin Bay Rd, Hamelin Bay WA 6288 - Ph: (08) 9758 5540
- Ampol Augusta (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 82 Blackwood Ave, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1528
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Augusta: 1 Ellis St, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1572
- Augusta Sheoak Chalets: 3 Ocean Heights Dr, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1024
- Turner Caravan Park: 12 Leeuwin Rd, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1593
Emergency & Safety
- Augusta Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 614): Leeuwin Rd, Augusta Boat Harbour, Augusta WA 6290 - Ph: (08) 9758 1000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
