Fishing Busselton & Dunsborough
Fisheries management across Geographe Bay strictly enforces DPIRD regulations, including the active West Coast Demersal Scalefish boat-based closure spanning from Augusta to Kalbarri through September 2027. Shore-based fishers remain exempt from this boat closure and can legally target demersal species like Pink Snapper from land-based platforms like Busselton Jetty. Adhering to bag limits for King George Whiting and Southern Calamari ensures this sheltered marine habitat remains productive.
Land-based anglers enjoy unparalleled access along the Busselton Jetty and the granite rock platforms of Meelup Beach and Canal Rocks. Walking or taking the jetty train out to the deep end of Busselton Jetty puts fishers into prime water for Pink Snapper, Samson Fish, and giant Calamari. Casting fine monofilament rigs off Abbey Beach or Quindalup foreshore consistently yields bucketfuls of sweet King George Whiting and Herring.
Boating fishers launching from Port Geographe Marina, Abbey Boat Ramp, or Quindalup gain effortless access to Geographe Bay’s extensive seagrass beds and artificial reefs. Drifting shallow weed patches in 5 to 15 metres depth accounts for heavy catches of Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Positioned out in 27 metres of water, the Busselton Artificial Reef yields pelagic sportfish like Samson Fish and Yellowtail Kingfish for surface-trolling craft.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- BUSSELTON JETTY END PLATFORM: Iconic 1.8km timber jetty offering world-class land-based access to deep water. Cast heavy patternoster rigs baited with whole squid or pilchards at night to target Pink Snapper, Samson Fish, and giant Southern Calamari. Bring a long-handled drop net to land heavy catches from elevated jetty planks.
- CANAL ROCKS GRANITE PLATFORMS: Rugged rock channel near Yallingup offering high-energy casting into ocean washes for Australian Salmon and Yellowtail Kingfish. Cast 50g metal casting spoons or heavy floating poppers into white-water foam on a rising tide. High ocean swells wash over low granite rocks, requiring extreme caution and proper footwear.
- QUINDALUP FORESHORE & JETTY: Shallow sandy beach and timber jetty near Dunsborough providing calm light-tackle fishing for King George Whiting and Herring. Fish light running sinker rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp or coral prawns along sandbar edges. Early morning calm weather offers ideal conditions before afternoon sea breezes chop up the bay.
- MEELUP BEACH GRANITE POINT: Picturesque granite headland bordering crystal-clear waters in Geographe Bay, ideal for targeting Silver Trevally and Whiting. Cast small soft plastic grubs or baited float rigs around submerged granite boulders on a turning tide. Clear water requires ultra-light 6lb fluorocarbon leaders to coax wary fish.
- ABBEY BEACH GUTTERS: Long sandy beach stretch lined with shallow seagrass patches, providing steady action on Whiting, Flathead, and Tarwhine. Walk the beach at dawn and fan-cast small baited rigs or surface micro-poppers into sandy clearings between weed beds. High-vis polarized sunglasses help locate active feeding fish in shallow water.
Offshore
- BUSSELTON ARTIFICIAL REEF: Purpose-built concrete reef modules located 3 nautical miles off Busselton in 27 metres depth. Outstanding habitat for vertical jigging metal lures or drift-baiting for Samson Fish, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Silver Trevally. Strictly observe current demersal rules while fishing over reef structures.
- GEOGRAPHE BAY SEAGRASS FLATS: Vast shallow seagrass ecosystem running through 4 to 12 metres depth between Busselton and Dunsborough. Prime territory for drifting size 3.0 squid jigs and light tackle baited rigs for trophy Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Use a drift chute to control vessel speed during breezy conditions.
- FOUR MILE REEF (DUNSBOROUGH): Inshore limestone reef structure sitting in 12 to 18 metres depth directly off Quindalup. Excellent bottom fishing ground for drifting light tackle rigs for King George Whiting, Tarwhine, and Southern Rock Lobster potting. Morning calm periods yield optimal conditions before afternoon sea breezes set in.
- CAPE NATURALISTE OFFSHORE BOMMIES: High-energy ocean pinnacles situated off the tip of Cape Naturaliste where Geographe Bay meets the Indian Ocean. Trolling high-speed minnow lures or surface poppers along current lines triggers chaotic strikes from Yellowtail Kingfish and Samson Fish. Ocean swells break heavily over shallow outer reefs, requiring constant vigilance.
- PORT GEOGRAPHE ENTRANCE CHANNELS: Dredged navigation channel leading into Port Geographe Marina, holding schools of Silver Trevally and Flathead. Slow-trolling small deep-diving hardbody lures or drifting live yabbies along steep channel drop-offs produces consistent action. High vessel traffic requires strict adherence to channel navigation rules.
Hot Spots
- BUSSELTON JETTY: World-famous 1.8km timber pier delivering trophy Pink Snapper, Samson Fish, and Southern Calamari.
- CANAL ROCKS: High-action ocean granite platform holding Australian Salmon, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Samson Fish.
- QUINDALUP FORESHORE: Tranquil Dunsborough beach producing King George Whiting, Herring, and Flathead.
- BUSSELTON ARTIFICIAL REEF: Deep-water concrete reef module holding pelagic Samson Fish and Kingfish.
- MEELUP BAY: Crystal-clear coastal cove offering top-tier land-based casting for Silver Trevally and Whiting.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a stainless-steel yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats near the Vasse-Wonnerup estuary mouth and Quindalup shallows. Target visible feeding holes in damp sand, pump rapidly, and empty sediment into a sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper moistened with sea spray to maintain high liveliness.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged wooden jetty pylons along Busselton Jetty and Quindalup Jetty at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a heavy scraper tool and collect into a bucket lined with damp kelp. Fresh mussels crushed lightly before rigging are irresistible to King George Whiting and Silver Trevally.
- SEA WORMS: Uncovered by hand-forking through damp sand and mud around the Vasse Estuary wetlands at spring low tide. Turn over moist sediment near weed margins using a garden fork and gather worms into containers of damp sand. Keep shaded from direct heat to preserve natural wriggling action on the hook.
- LIVE OCTOPUS & SQUID: Targeted over shallow seagrass beds in Geographe Bay using size 2.5 to 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 land-based Pink Snapper off Busselton Jetty.
Boat Ramps
- Port Geographe Marina Boat Ramp:
Located inside the Port Geographe Marina precinct at Spinnaker Boulevard, Geographe WA 6280. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA and City of Busselton. Features a spacious 6-lane concrete boat launch ramp with dual central floating universal access pontoon jetties. Completely protected from Geographe Bay swells by outer marina breakwalls, providing effortless launching across all weather conditions. Facilities feature an extensive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, modern public toilet amenities, stainless-steel fish cleaning tables with fresh water, vessel wash-down bays, marine fuel wharf, and 24-hour lighting. Free public access.
- Busselton Central Foreshore Boat Ramp:
Located on Geographe Bay Road near King Street on the central Busselton foreshore, Busselton WA 6280. Managed by the City of Busselton. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp with an adjacent timber finger jetty. Provides direct launch access into Geographe Bay adjacent to Busselton Jetty for light to mid-sized powerboats. Exposed to northerly wind chop, requiring care during strong onshore breezes. Amenities include sealed carparking with trailer spaces, public toilets, shade sails, and beach walking trails. Free public launch access.
- Abbey Boat Ramp (Busselton):
Located off Monaghan Way at Abbey Beach, Busselton WA 6280. Managed by the City of Busselton. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp with a central floating boarding pontoon jetty. Positioned on the calm foreshore of Geographe Bay, ideal for launching mid-sized powerboats targeting inshore seagrass beds for Calamari and Whiting. Exposed to moderate northerly winds which can push sea-chop onto the ramp incline. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking, public toilets, fish cleaning table, and beach parkland. Free public access.
- Quindalup Boat Ramp (Dunsborough):
Situated off Geographe Bay Road near the Quindalup Jetty, Quindalup WA 6281. Managed by the City of Busselton. Features a dual-lane concrete ramp with a central floating finger pontoon. Provides sheltered launching into Geographe Bay behind Cape Naturaliste. Shallow weed-and-sand flats surround the ramp entrance, requiring low-draft outboards during spring low tides. Facilities include a large bitumen carpark with trailer bays, public restrooms, fish cleaning table, and nearby marine rescue headquarters. Free public access.
- Canal Rocks Boat Launch (Yallingup):
Located at Canal Rocks Road on the exposed western ocean coast near Yallingup WA 6282. Managed by the City of Busselton and DBCA. Features a narrow concrete launch ramp tucked behind massive natural granite rock formations. Allows experienced ocean anglers to launch small craft directly into the Indian Ocean for rock lobster potting and pelagic fishing. Highly hazardous during heavy ocean swells which surge through the granite narrow channel. Facilities include sealed vehicle parking, boardwalk lookouts, public toilets, and emergency lifebuoy stations. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Busselton Tackle & Outdoor: 6 Short St, Busselton WA 6280 - Ph: (08) 9754 1001
- Dunsborough Outdoor Sportz: Shop 4, Dunsborough Centrepoint, Dunsborough WA 6281 - Ph: (08) 9755 3300
- BCF Busselton: 21 Kent St, Busselton WA 6280 - Ph: (08) 9754 8400
- 7-Eleven Busselton (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 112 Bussell Hwy, Busselton WA 6280 - Ph: (08) 9752 4100
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Beachcomber Holiday Park: 1 Albert St, Busselton WA 6280 - Ph: (08) 9752 1111
- Mandala Beach Resort Dunsborough: 84 Bayview Dr, Quindalup WA 6281 - Ph: (08) 9755 3555
- Busselton Jetty Chalets: 1 Central Ave, Busselton WA 6280 - Ph: (08) 9752 1788
Emergency & Safety
- Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 612): Geographe Bay Rd, Quindalup WA 6281 - Ph: (08) 9755 3399 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
