Fishing Broome
Fisheries management across Broome operates under DPIRD North Coast bioregional rules, enforcing strict possession limits and minimum sizes for Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and Mud Crabs. Boating fishers must calculate Broome’s extreme 9-metre spring tidal range, which generates high-velocity currents through Roebuck Bay and drains foreshore boat ramps at low water. Crocodile safety is paramount across all tidal mangrove creeks.
Land-based anglers enjoy iconic sportfishing along Entrance Point rocks, Town Beach jetty, Gantheaume Point, and Willie Creek. Casting topwater stickbaits or 40g metal lures off Entrance Point on a flood tide produces high-octane strikes from Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Spanish Mackerel. The tidal mangrove banks of Dampier Creek and Willie Creek yield trophy Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crabs on soft plastics and baited traps.
Boating fishers launching from Entrance Point or Gantheaume Beach access rich inshore reefs and offshore game grounds. Drifting shallow coral reefs in 10 to 25 metres depth accounts for heavy catches of Coral Trout, Spangled Emperor, and Golden Snapper. Offshore game craft trolling outer current lines trigger chaotic strikes from Sailfish, Black Marlin, Spanish Mackerel, and Longtail Tuna.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- ENTRANCE POINT ROCK LEDGES: Red pindan rock headland guarding Roebuck Bay entrance, offering deep-water casting for Queenfish, GTs, and Barramundi. Cast 50g metal casting spoons or floating stickbaits into rushing tidal currents on an incoming tide. Always stand clear of the water line and maintain crocodile awareness.
- TOWN BEACH JETTY (ROEBUCK BAY): Public jetty precinct located on the town foreshore, offering comfortable land-based access for Golden Snapper, Silver Trevally, and Squid. Fish fine monofilament lines with running sinker rigs baited with live herring or prawn tails near pylon bases at flood tide. Late afternoon periods produce steady squid strikes.
- WILLIE CREEK MANGROVE BANKS: Tidal mangrove estuary located 30km north of Broome, famous for Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crabs. Fan-cast soft plastic minnows or live mullet along muddy channel drop-offs during turning tides. Do not wade in the water due to high estuarine crocodile density.
- GANTHEAUME POINT ROCK PLATFORMS: Elevated red sandstone cliffs bordering Cable Beach, providing productive casting for Spanish Mackerel, Tailor, and Trevally. Cast 40g to 60g metal lures or baited float rigs into white-water foam on a rising tide. Extreme caution is required as large ocean swells surge across low rock ledges.
- DAMPIER CREEK MOUTH FLATS: Tidal creek network entering Roebuck Bay, ideal for wading upper sandbar edges for Threadfin Salmon, Tripletail, and Whiting. Work small topwater micro-poppers or baited patternoster rigs along sandbar drop-offs on an incoming tide. Always wear sturdy footwear and keep clear of deep mangrove channels.
Offshore
- ROEBUCK BAY DEEP CHANNELS: Expansive tidal bay featuring deep mud channels in 12 to 25 metres depth, holding abundant Threadfin Salmon, Barramundi, and Golden Snapper. Trolling deep-diving hardbody lures or drifting live mullet along channel drop-offs yields heavy strikes. Strong 9m tides generate intense current rips.
- ROEBUCK DEEP CORAL REEFS: Submerged coral reef structure sitting 12 nautical miles off Broome in 18 to 35 metres depth. Prolific bottom bouncing territory for drifting whole squid baits for Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Spangled Emperor, and Golden Snapper. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions.
- WILLIE CREEK OFFSHORE BOMMIES: High-energy rock pinnacles situated off Willie Creek mouth in 10 to 20 metres depth. Vertical jigging 120g metal knife jigs or trolling minnow lures triggers aggressive strikes from Samson Fish, Spanish Mackerel, and Cobia. Anchor upwind and establish a continuous berley trail.
- CABLE BEACH DEEP TRENCH: Deep ocean drop-off sitting 8 nautical miles off Cable Beach in 25 to 45 metres depth. World-class sailfish trolling ground for pulling skirted lures or rigged garfish from spring through summer. Requires a sea-going vessel and dual GPS navigation systems.
- ECO BEACH MANGROVE CREEKS: Navigable tidal creek network south of Broome, offering premier Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crab habitat. Set crab traps baited with fresh fish frames along mangrove roots on a high tide. Slow-roll soft plastic minnows around submerged timber snags.
Hot Spots
- ROEBUCK BAY: World-famous tropical bay delivering bucket-list Threadfin Salmon, Barramundi, and Golden Snapper.
- ENTRANCE POINT: Iconic red rock headland providing top-tier land-based casting for GTs, Queenfish, and Mackerel.
- WILLIE CREEK: Scenic mangrove estuary famous for Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Mud Crabs.
- GANTHEAUME POINT: Spectacular red cliff platform holding Spanish Mackerel, Tailor, and Trevally.
- CABLE BEACH TRENCH: Prolific offshore game fishing zone world-renowned for Sailfish, Marlin, and Mackerel.
Local Bait Tips
- CAST-NETTED MULLET & HERRING: Harvested using a heavy 10-foot cast net thrown over visible bait schools in Roebuck Bay and Dampier Creek mouth. Collect live mullet and herring into an aerated livewell. Rigged on snelled wire hooks, live mullet trigger explosive strikes from Barramundi, Threadfin Salmon, and Spanish Mackerel.
- SHORE CRABS (SALLY CRABS): Collected by hand from rock crevices and red sandstone boulders along Entrance Point and Gantheaume Point at low tide. Target small shore crabs, place them in a damp bucket with wet seaweed, and keep shaded. Rigged through the outer carapace, they represent lethal live bait for Golden Snapper.
- LIVE SQUID & CUTTLEFISH: Targeted over shallow weed-and-coral patches off Gantheaume Point using size 3.0 cloth-wrapped squid jigs. Cast jigs across sand-and-weed junctions on light fluorocarbon trace and retrieve with steady lifts. Live squid rigged whole on twin snelled hooks are unmatched for targeting large Red Emperor.
- MUD CRABS: Caught in heavy wire crab traps baited with fresh fish frames set along mangrove roots in Willie Creek and Dampier Creek. Store live in cool damp burlap bags. Fresh crab claws represent unbeatable bait for large Golden Snapper and Mangrove Jack.
Boat Ramps
- Entrance Point Boat Ramp (Broome):
Located at Entrance Point off Port Drive, Broome WA 6725. Managed by the Kimberley Ports Authority (KPA) and Shire of Broome. Features an operational dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp. Positioned on an exposed coastal point subject to swell and wind action, providing deep-water ocean launching into Roebuck Bay and outer grounds across all tidal phases. Facilities include a large bitumen carpark with dedicated car-and-trailer bays, public restrooms, stainless-steel fish cleaning station, vessel wash-down bay, 24-hour lighting, and nearby sea rescue headquarters. Free public access.
- Gantheaume Point Beach Launch (Broome):
Located off Gantheaume Point Road on the Cable Beach foreshore, Broome WA 6725. Managed by the Shire of Broome. Features an unsealed natural sand over-beach launching area allowing 4WD vehicles to launch tinnies and sportsboats directly into the Indian Ocean. High tidal dependency exists: launching and retrieval are restricted to high tide phases due to extreme 9-metre tidal movements exposing shallow reef shelves at low water. Amenities include unsealed vehicle parking, public restrooms, and scenic lookouts. Free public access.
- Roebuck Bay Boat Launch (Broome Foreshore):
Located on the Roebuck Bay foreshore off Hamersley Street near Town Beach, Broome WA 6725. Managed by the Shire of Broome and DoT WA. Features a concrete slab ramp extending across shallow mudflats into Roebuck Bay. Ideal for launching light tinnies and crabbing craft. High tidal dependency exists: usable strictly during mid-to-high tide as low tide exposes kilometres of muddy flats. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, water park, and parkland. Free public access.
- One Arm Point Boat Ramp (Cape Leveque):
Located at One Arm Point (Ardyaloon) community on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, Cape Leveque WA 6725. Managed by the Shire of Broome and Ardyaloon Council. Features a Level 2 coastal launching ramp giving boaters critical access to the spectacular waters of the Dampier Peninsula and Buccaneer Archipelago. Suitable for mid-sized powerboats and tinnies, with caution required during extreme tidal surges through the passage. Facilities include unsealed parking and community store access. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Tackle World Broome: 30 Carnarvon St, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 2000
- Broome Camping & Outdoors: 3 Hunter St, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 2800
- Shell Broome (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 1 Guy St, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 1011
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Broome: 22 Walcott St, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 1366
- Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa: Cable Beach Rd, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 0400
- Roebuck Bay Caravan Park: 91 Walcott St, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 1366
Emergency & Safety
- Broome Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 616): Port Dr, Entrance Point, Broome WA 6725 - Ph: (08) 9192 1851 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
