Fishing Bridport & North East
The marine ecosystem features clear sand channels, ribbon weed meadows, and granite reef bars that hold abundant table fish. Summer and autumn deliver exceptional fishing for Sand Flathead, Southern Calamari, King George Whiting, and seasonal Yellowtail Kingfish. Winter and spring bring heavy schools of Australian Salmon into Anderson Bay and sea-run Brown Trout into the Brid and Great Forester rivers.
Land-based anglers can work Old Pier rocks, Croquet Lawn foreshore, and sandy beaches flanking the river mouths. Casting size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs off the granite rock ledges at high tide yields top-quality Southern Calamari. Soaking fresh pipis or sand worms on running sinker rigs from the beach pulls limits of Sand Flathead and King George Whiting.
Boaters launching from Bridport Main Boat Ramp enjoy fast access to Anderson Bay and offshore islands. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures along broken weed margins in 3 to 8 meters depth targets Australian Salmon, Snook, and sea-run trout. Heading out to the 15 to 30-meter marks off Waterhouse Island produces outstanding Sand Flathead and Gummy Shark fishing.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- BRIDPORT OLD PIER ROCKS: Granite rock ledges surrounding the historic pier site offering deep casting access into clear water. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs over dark kelp patches during a rising tide for Southern Calamari. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns beside the rocks pulls Silver Trevally and Leatherjackets.
- BRID RIVER MOUTH FORESHORE: Estuarine entrance where freshwater flushes out into Anderson Bay, creating a rich feeding zone. Cast 3-inch paddletail soft plastics or small hardbody minnows along channel edges on a run-out tide for sea-run Brown Trout. Early morning sessions deliver peaceful conditions before wind chop develops.
- CROQUET LAWN BEACH: Sheltered sandy beach in central Bridport flanked by low granite outcrops and clear water gaps. Wader fishers cast fresh sand worms or pipis on light running sinker rigs into sandy gutters for King George Whiting and Sand Flathead. Late afternoon high tides yield consistent catches.
- GREAT FORESTER RIVER BANK: Tidal river stretch east of town featuring deep clay holes and overhanging tea-tree bushes. Drop live freshwater shrimp or earthworms straight down beside submerged logs for Black Bream and small trout. High tide brings feeding fish right up into the river bends.
- WATERHOUSE BEACH FORESHORE: Wide sandy ocean beach east of Bridport featuring deep surf gutters. Set up surf rod stands and cast double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips beyond the shore break for Sand Flathead. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for beach anglers.
Offshore
- ANDERSON BAY SANDFLATS: Wide shallow bay sitting in 3 to 8 meters depth packed with sand gaps and ribbon weed beds. Drift across clear sand holes casting double-hook patternoster rigs baited with squid strips for limits of Sand Flathead. Using a sea anchor slows your drift speed and keeps baits fishing effectively.
- WATERHOUSE ISLAND REEFS: Deep granite and kelp reef system sitting in 15 to 30 meters depth off Waterhouse Island. Troll large diving minnows or slow-boat live baits around reef pinnacles during late summer for Yellowtail Kingfish. Bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips yields limits of Sand Flathead and Pinkie Snapper.
- NTH EAST PASSAGE DEEP MARGINS: Open water channel heading toward Flinders Island reaching 20 to 40 meters depth. Anchor up-current of marked bottom ledges and drop heavy rigs baited with fresh fish fillets or squid heads for Gummy Sharks and Striped Trumpeter. Use heavy 80lb leader to handle abrasive seabed rocks.
- GRANITE POINT KELP BEDS: Shallow granite reef patches sitting in 2 to 6 meters of clear water off Bridport headland. Kayakers and tinnies drift over weed margins casting size 2.5 squid jigs or light whiting rigs for Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Clear water days with light winds deliver ideal visual sight-casting.
- BRID RIVER OUTFLOW BAR: Shallow sandbar drop-off straight outside the river entrance dropping into 4 meters depth. Drift along the bar edge casting soft plastics or trolling shallow minnows for Sand Flathead and Australian Salmon. Watch for shallow sandbars when navigating the entrance on low tide.
Hot Spots
- Old Pier Rocks: Historic granite platform offering premier land-based casting for Southern Calamari and Trevally.
- Anderson Bay Flats: Vast shallow weed meadow producing limit bags of Sand Flathead and King George Whiting.
- Brid River Mouth: Fertile estuarine exit point renowned for producing sea-run Brown Trout and Australian Salmon.
- Waterhouse Island Reefs: Deep offshore reef structure holding Yellowtail Kingfish, Trumpeter, and Gummy Sharks.
- Croquet Lawn Beach: Accessible central beach providing comfortable land-based wader fishing for Whiting.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Old Pier rocks or over Granite Point kelp beds using size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole heads for offshore Gummy Sharks.
- PIPIS: Gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on Croquet Lawn Beach at low tide by twisting feet into wet sand. Thread two whole pipis onto long-shank hooks for Sand Flathead and King George Whiting.
- SAND WORMS: Digged using a small hand-fork from moist sand flats inside the Brid River estuary at low tide. Wrap in damp newspaper to keep lively for light-tackle King George Whiting and Flathead fishing.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface rocks along the granite foreshore below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for targeting Silver Trevally and Leatherjackets.
Boat Ramps
- Bridport Main Boat Ramp:
Bridport Main Boat Ramp is located off Main Drive along Anderson Bay in Bridport, managed by Dorset Council and MAST. The regional facility features a concrete launching ramp equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon, offering safe launching into Anderson Bay and Waterhouse Island channels. Amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning table, and adjacent parklands.
Bait and Tackle
- Bridport General Store & Tackle: 77 Main Dr, Bridport TAS 7262 - Ph: (03) 6356 1104
- BCF Launceston: 2/120 Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows TAS 7250 - Ph: (03) 6344 1100
- Caltex Scottsdale (24/7): 45 King St, Scottsdale TAS 7260 - Ph: (03) 6352 2300
Basecamp & Accom
- Bridport Seaside Caravan Park: 2-30 Bentley St, Bridport TAS 7262 - Ph: (03) 6356 1227
- Barnbougle Dunes Golf Resort & Cabins: 425 Waterhouse Rd, Bridport TAS 7262 - Ph: (03) 6356 1124
- Bridport Bay Inn: 89 Main Dr, Bridport TAS 7262 - Ph: (03) 6356 1222
Emergency & Safety
- Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Bridport / Tasmania Police: Main Dr, Bridport TAS 7262 - Ph: (03) 6356 1122 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
