Fishing Beachport
The marine ecosystem is driven by cold ocean upwellings that flush through Rivoli Bay, nourishing extensive kelp reefs and deep sand channels. Summer and autumn deliver non-stop action for King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, Sand Flathead, and Garfish inside the bay. The ocean surf beaches of Salmon Hole and Canunda National Park produce giant Australian Salmon and coastal Gummy Sharks.
Land-based fishers can work the historic 772-meter Beachport Jetty, Salmon Hole rock platforms, and Rivoli Bay foreshore. Casting size 3.0 or 3.5 squid jigs off the outer T-head of Beachport Jetty at high tide yields giant Southern Calamari. Soaking fresh cockles or ghost shrimp from the foreshore sandbars pulls top-quality King George Whiting.
Boaters launching from Beachport Boat Ramp enjoy safe vessel launching protected by a heavy breakwater groyne. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures around Penguin Island targets Australian Salmon, Snook, and King George Whiting. Heading out to the 15 to 35-meter deep marks off Cape Martin produces outstanding Sand Flathead, School Sharks, and Southern Bluefin Tuna.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- BEACHPORT JETTY: Historic 772-meter timber jetty extending into deep water in central Rivoli Bay. Cast size 3.0 or 3.5 squid jigs along dark weed margins under night lights for giant Southern Calamari. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns beside pylons pulls Silver Trevally, Tommy Ruff, and King George Whiting.
- SALMON HOLE SURF WASH: Famous ocean lagoon and reef system inside Canunda National Park featuring deep turquoise gutters. Cast 40g to 60g heavy metal lures or whole pilchards on ganged hooks into wave troughs for massive Australian Salmon. Exercise caution on the beach wash and monitor incoming swell sets.
- RIVOLI BAY FORESHORE: Wide sandy beach reserve flanked by pine trees featuring clear sand gaps close to shore. Wader fishers cast fresh ghost shrimp or cockles on light running sinker rigs into sandy gutters for King George Whiting. Early morning high tides deliver peaceful, active fishing.
- CAPE MARTIN LEDGES: Rugged limestone rock platforms offering elevated casting into deep oceanic water. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners or white soft plastics far out into wave wash for schooling Australian Salmon and Snook. Wear non-slip rubber boots and monitor swell sets carefully.
- BOWMAN BEACH FORESHORE: Quiet sandy surf beach north of town featuring deep water gutters and ribbon weed. Set up surf rod stands and cast double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips beyond the shore break for Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for beach anglers.
Offshore
- PENGUIN ISLAND REEFS: Submerged limestone and kelp reef system sitting in 8 to 18 meters depth off Penguin Island. Drift across clear sand gaps casting soft plastics or bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips for limits of Sand Flathead and King George Whiting. Using a sea anchor slows your drift speed through the swell.
- RIVOLI BAY WEED FLATS: Wide shallow bay basin sitting in 3 to 8 meters depth packed with ribbon weed beds. Drift across clear sand gaps casting light whiting rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp for limits of King George Whiting. Deploying a sea anchor slows your drift speed.
- CAPE MARTIN DROP-OFF: Deep underwater limestone cliff plunging into 20 to 35 meters depth off the headland. Troll 90mm shallow-diving hardbody lures at 3km/h along reef edges for Australian Salmon and Snook. Anchor up-current and berley for Gummy Sharks and School Sharks.
- BEACHPORT OFFSHORE TUNA MARGINS: Open ocean shelf drop-off located in 40 to 80 meters depth south-west of Beachport. Troll 120mm to 160mm diving hardbodies or skirted lures at 8km/h during late summer and autumn for Southern Bluefin Tuna. Watch for diving seabirds to locate feeding tuna schools.
- CANUNDA SURF APPROACH SAND RIDGES: Open ocean sand flats located in 15 to 30 meters depth off the national park coast. Set heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets, salmon slabs, or squid heads for cruising Gummy Sharks and School Sharks. Heavy 80lb monofilament leader is essential for abrasive shark skin.
Hot Spots
- Beachport Jetty: Historic 772m timber jetty offering world-class land-based casting for giant Calamari and Whiting.
- Salmon Hole: World-famous ocean lagoon and reef system producing South Australia's finest Australian Salmon.
- Penguin Island Reefs: Deep limestone reef line holding limits of Sand Flathead, Pinkie Snapper, and Gummy Sharks.
- Rivoli Bay Flats: Vast shallow weed meadow producing limit bags of King George Whiting and Garfish.
- Cape Martin Drop-off: Deep underwater granite wall holding heavy Australian Salmon, Snook, and pelagics.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Beachport Jetty or over Rivoli Bay weed beds using size 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole live squid for offshore Southern Bluefin Tuna.
- COCKLES (PIPIS): Hand-gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on Bowman Beach at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole cockles onto long-shank hooks for King George Whiting and Sand Flathead.
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats inside Rivoli Bay. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface jetty pylons around Beachport Jetty below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Silver Trevally and Tommy Ruff.
Boat Ramps
- Beachport Boat Ramp:
Beachport Boat Ramp is located off Beach Road on the Beachport foreshore in Rivoli Bay, managed by Wattle Range Council. The coastal facility features a 3-lane concrete launching ramp equipped with floating boarding pontoons protected by a heavy breakwater groyne, offering safe vessel launching into Rivoli Bay and ocean reef channels. Note that there are no fish cleaning tables or boat wash stations on site; amenities include a large paved trailer carpark, public restrooms, and lighting.
Bait and Tackle
- Beachport General Store & Tackle: 2 Railway Tce, Beachport SA 5280 - Ph: (08) 8735 8010
- BCF Mount Gambier: 1/192 Jubilee Hwy East, Mount Gambier SA 5290 - Ph: (08) 8725 4200
- Shell Millicent (24/7): 50 Mount Gambier Rd, Millicent SA 5280 - Ph: (08) 8733 2100
Basecamp & Accom
- Beachport Caravan Park: 23 Beach Rd, Beachport SA 5280 - Ph: (08) 8735 8128
- Beachport Riviera Holiday Units: 12 Somerton Tce, Beachport SA 5280 - Ph: (08) 8735 8050
- Bompas of Beachport: 3 Railway Tce, Beachport SA 5280 - Ph: (08) 8735 8003
Emergency & Safety
- AVCG Coast Guard Robe (Beachport Sector) / SAPOL: Millicent Rd, Beachport SA 5280 - Ph: (08) 8768 2274 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 80
