Fishing Ceduna & Murat Bay
The local marine ecosystem is driven by tidal flushes across Murat Bay that support rich populations of King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, and Snapper. Warmer spring and summer months bring fast-paced action for trophy Mulloway in the surf gutters and large Yellowtail Kingfish around Nuyts Archipelago. Winter turns the focus toward schooling Australian Salmon and Tommy Ruff along the coastal headlands.
Land-based anglers can work Ceduna Jetty, Thevenard Breakwater, and sandy foreshore beaches along Decres Bay. Casting size 3.0 squid jigs in natural cloth patterns off the jetty pylons during high tide yields top-quality Southern Calamari. Soaking fresh squid strips or pilchard blocks from Thevenard Breakwater produces legal Sand Flathead, Tommy Ruff, and nocturnal Gummy Sharks.
Boaters launching from Thevenard Boat Ramp at Bosanquet Bay or Decres Bay enjoy fast access to protected bay grounds and offshore island reefs. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures around St Peter Island targets Yellowtail Kingfish and Australian Salmon. Heading out to the 15 to 30-meter depth lines off Nuyts Reef allows boaters to bottom-bounce for Nannygai, Samson Fish, and King George Whiting.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- CEDUNA JETTY: Historic timber jetty extending over clear water and ribbon weed patches in central Murat Bay. Cast size 3.0 squid jigs along dark weed margins during a rising tide for Southern Calamari and Garfish. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns or cockles beside pylons pulls Tommy Ruff and King George Whiting.
- THEVENARD BREAKWALL: Heavy granite rock wall surrounding the commercial port that offers deep casting into tidal currents. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners far out into wave wash for Australian Salmon and Snook. Soaking pilchard slabs or fresh squid on heavy bottom setups pulls quality Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
- PINKY POINT FORESHORE: Elevated headland near the sailing club featuring rocky points dropping into shallow sand holes. Wader fishers cast fresh ghost shrimp or cockles on light running sinker rigs into sandy gutters for King George Whiting. Early morning high tides before sun glare sets in yield active bites.
- POINT SINCLAIR SURF WASH: Famous ocean surf beach west of town featuring deep water gutters and heavy Southern Ocean swell. Set up surf rod stands and cast double-hook patternoster rigs loaded with whole pilchards beyond the shore break for trophy Mulloway and Australian Salmon. Sturdy footwear and caution are required near fast-moving currents.
- DECRES BAY FORESHORE: Sheltered sandy foreshore south of town featuring clear sand gaps and shallow seagrass beds. Cast small 3-inch soft plastics or light whiting rigs parallel to the shoreline on an incoming tide for Sand Flathead. Overcast afternoon sessions provide quiet, productive fishing conditions.
Offshore
- ST PETER ISLAND MARGINS: Large granite island sitting 10km offshore surrounded by broken kelp reefs in 8 to 18 meters depth. Drift across clear sand gaps casting soft plastics or bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips for King George Whiting and Sand Flathead. Using a sea anchor slows your drift speed and keeps baits swimming naturally.
- NUYTS REEF DROP-OFF: Deep ocean reef system sitting in 25 to 45 meters depth southwest of Ceduna. Anchor up-current of marked rock ledges, deploy a continuous pilchard berley trail, and drop heavy rigs for Nannygai, Samson Fish, and Yellowtail Kingfish. Heavy 80lb monofilament leader is required to withstand sharp reef rocks.
- DECRES BAY CHANNEL DROP-OFF: Submerged clay and sand channel dropping sharply from 4 meters into 14 meters depth. Troll 90mm shallow-diving hardbody lures at slow idle speed along channel edges for Australian Salmon and Snook. Monitoring your fishfinder helps track bottom contours and locate bait schools.
- SMOOTH POOL REEF MARGINS: Shallow granite reef patches sitting in 5 to 12 meters of clear water west of town. Kayakers and tinnies drift over weed margins casting size 2.5 squid jigs or light whiting rigs for Southern Calamari and Garfish. Clear water days with light offshore winds deliver ideal visual sight-casting.
- TOP OF THE BIGHT DEEP MARGINS: Open ocean sand flats located in 20 to 35 meters depth outside the bay entrance. Drift across open sand using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or bluebait for Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks. Only navigate wide during calm weather windows.
Hot Spots
- Ceduna Jetty: Iconic land-based timber platform offering premier casting for Southern Calamari, Garfish, and Whiting.
- Thevenard Breakwall: Deep granite rock wall famous for producing Australian Salmon, Flathead, and nocturnal Gummy Sharks.
- St Peter Island: Offshore granite island holding dense schools of King George Whiting and Samson Fish.
- Nuyts Reef: Deep ocean drop-off renowned for trophy Nannygai, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Samson Fish.
- Point Sinclair: World-famous ocean surf beach yielding trophy Mulloway and heavy Australian Salmon.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on the exposed low-tide sandflats inside Murat Bay. Store live on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as the ultimate bait for King George Whiting.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Ceduna Jetty or over Decres Bay weed beds using size 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole heads for offshore Gummy Sharks.
- COCKLES (PIPIS): Hand-gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on ocean beaches at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole cockles onto long-shank hooks for King George Whiting and Flathead.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface wharf pylons around Thevenard port below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for targeting Tommy Ruff and Silver Trevally.
Boat Ramps
- Thevenard Boat Ramp, Ceduna:
Thevenard Boat Ramp (also known as the Bosanquet Bay Ramp) is located off Thevenard Road at Bosanquet Bay in Thevenard, Ceduna, managed by the District Council of Ceduna and Marine and Safety SA. The premier high-capacity regional facility features 4 concrete launching lanes equipped with dual floating boarding pontoons, providing reliable all-tide deep-water vessel access into Murat Bay. Amenities include a large paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning table, lighting, and wash-down area.
- Decres Bay Boat Ramp:
Decres Bay Boat Ramp is located off Decres Bay Road south of Ceduna. The facility features a basic concrete launching ramp slab providing direct vessel access to Decres Bay and inner island channels. Subject to severe low-water tidal depth limitations for larger vessels; amenities include unpaved trailer parking and basic shore access.
Bait and Tackle
- Ceduna Camping & Fishing: 52 Poynton St, Ceduna SA 5690 - Ph: (08) 8625 3560
- BCF Port Lincoln: 18-20 Liverpool St, Port Lincoln SA 5606 - Ph: (08) 8683 4800
- OTR Ceduna (24/7): 1 Eyre Hwy, Ceduna SA 5690 - Ph: (08) 8625 3200
Basecamp & Accom
- Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel: 180 O'Loughlin Rd, Ceduna SA 5690 - Ph: (08) 8625 2008
- Ceduna Airport Caravan Park: 188 Eyre Hwy, Ceduna SA 5690 - Ph: (08) 8625 2416
- Shelly Beach Caravan Park: Decres Bay Rd, Ceduna SA 5690 - Ph: (08) 8625 3070
Emergency & Safety
- Sea Rescue SA Ceduna / SAPOL Water Operations: Thevenard Rd, Ceduna SA 5690 - Ph: (08) 8625 2011 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 82
