Fishing Coffin Bay
The marine ecosystem features shallow ribbon weed meadows, tidal sand spits, and deep ocean channels that attract rich marine life. Spring and summer deliver non-stop action for King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, Garfish, and Blue Swimmer Crabs inside Mount Dutton and Kellidie bays. Ocean beaches like Gunyah and Avoid Bay produce giant Australian Salmon and trophy Mulloway in heavy surf gutters.
Land-based fishers can work Coffin Bay foreshore walkway, town jetty, and national park rock ledges. Casting size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs off the town jetty at high tide yields top-quality Southern Calamari. Wading the shallow sandbars at low tide with fresh ghost shrimp or cockles pulls limit bags of King George Whiting.
Boaters launching from Coffin Bay Boat Ramp enjoy safe access to protected bay waters and offshore ocean passages. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures around Point Longnose targets Australian Salmon, Snook, and King George Whiting. Heading out through the entrance into offshore waters allows experienced boaters to target Samson Fish, Nannygai, and large Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- COFFIN BAY TOWN JETTY: Public timber jetty extending over clear water and ribbon weed patches in central Coffin Bay. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs along dark weed margins during a rising tide for Southern Calamari. Suspending maggots or cockles under a pencil float during calm morning conditions attracts dense schools of Garfish.
- KELLIDIE BAY FORESHORE: Shallow estuarine bay featuring extensive sandflats and oyster lease margins. 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 deliver active feeding rises.
- GUNYAH BEACH SURF WASH: Wild ocean surf beach inside Coffin Bay National Park featuring deep water gutters. Set up heavy surf rod stands and cast patternoster rigs loaded with whole pilchards beyond the shore break for trophy Mulloway and Australian Salmon. Sturdy footwear and caution are required near fast currents.
- POINT AVOID LEDGES: High granite headland facing open Southern Ocean swell offering deep casting access. 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 ocean swell sets carefully.
- MOUNT DUTTON BAY BRIDGE: Bridge structure spanning the narrow entrance where tidal current accelerates. Drop live freshwater shrimp or small shore crabs straight down beside concrete pylons on a run-out tide for Black Bream and Flathead. High water flow brings fish tight against the structure to ambush moving bait.
Offshore
- POINT LONGNOSE SANDFLATS: Extensive sand and weed flats sitting in 2 to 6 meters of clear water inside the main bay. 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 and keeps baits fishing effectively.
- KELLIDIE BAY OYSTER LEASES: Commercial aquaculture ropes in 2 to 4 meters depth holding rich bait schools. Anchor legally 50 meters outside yellow boundary buoys and cast soft plastics or live shrimp for large King George Whiting and Silver Trevally. The rich food environment holds fish year-round.
- AVOID BAY OFFSHORE REEFS: Deep granite and kelp reef system sitting in 20 to 40 meters depth off Point Avoid. Anchor up-current of marked rock ledges and drop heavy rigs baited with fresh fish fillets or squid heads for Samson Fish, Nannygai, and Gummy Sharks. Heavy 80lb leader is required for sharp rocks.
- GREENLY ISLAND APPROACH: Open ocean channel heading west toward offshore islands that attracts pelagic gamefish. Troll large diving minnows or slow-boat live baits around deep reef pinnacles during late summer for Yellowtail Kingfish and Samson Fish. Always maintain a dedicated helm lookout for sudden swell changes.
- MOUNT DUTTON BAY CHANNEL: Deep tidal channel connecting Mount Dutton Bay to the main basin in 4 to 8 meters depth. Slow-troll small 50mm shallow-diving minnows or pitch micro soft-vibes along outer clay bends for Sand Flathead and Bream. Keep your lure swimming close to bottom clay ledges.
Hot Spots
- Coffin Bay Town Jetty: Accessible central platform offering premier land-based casting for Southern Calamari and Garfish.
- Point Longnose Flats: Vast shallow weed meadow producing limit bags of King George Whiting.
- Gunyah Beach: World-famous national park surf beach renowned for producing trophy Mulloway and Australian Salmon.
- Kellidie Bay Oyster Leases: Shallow estuarine leases holding high concentrations of large King George Whiting.
- Point Avoid Reefs: Deep offshore granite drop-off holding heavy Samson Fish, Nannygai, and Gummy Sharks.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats inside Kellidie Bay. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Coffin Bay Town Jetty or over Point Longnose weed beds using size 2.5 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole live squid for offshore gamefish.
- COCKLES (PIPIS): Hand-gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on Gunyah Beach at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole cockles onto long-shank hooks for Whiting and Flathead.
- BLUE SWIMMER CRABS: Harvested using legal open-top crab drop nets baited with fish frames in Mount Dutton Bay sand channels during summer months.
Boat Ramps
- Coffin Bay Boat Ramp:
Coffin Bay Boat Ramp is located off Esplanade at Coffin Bay foreshore, managed by the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula. The high-use facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon inside a fully sheltered bay, offering direct access to Mount Dutton Bay, Kellidie Bay, and offshore waters. Amenities include a large paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, and lighting.
Bait and Tackle
- Coffin Bay General Store & Tackle: 61 Esplanade, Coffin Bay SA 5607 - Ph: (08) 8685 4005
- BCF Port Lincoln: 18-20 Liverpool St, Port Lincoln SA 5606 - Ph: (08) 8683 4800
- OTR Port Lincoln (24/7): 20 Hallett Pl, Port Lincoln SA 5606 - Ph: (08) 8682 1200
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Coffin Bay: 91 Esplanade, Coffin Bay SA 5607 - Ph: (08) 8647 5770
- Coffin Bay Holiday Rentals: 61 Esplanade, Coffin Bay SA 5607 - Ph: (08) 8685 4005
- Long Beach Holiday Units Coffin Bay: 112 Esplanade, Coffin Bay SA 5607 - Ph: (08) 8685 4088
Emergency & Safety
- VMR Port Lincoln (Coffin Bay Sector) / SAPOL: Marine Tce, Port Lincoln SA 5606 - Ph: (08) 8682 3200 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 81
