Fishing Devonport & Mersey River
The local fishery is driven by the tidal flush of the Mersey River, which pushes rich nutrients and baitfish into Mersey Bluff and Pardoe Reef. Spring and summer deliver fast-paced fishing for Southern Calamari, Sand Flathead, King George Whiting, and Gummy Sharks. Autumn and winter see schools of Australian Salmon and sea-run Brown Trout moving into the lower river reaches.
Land-based anglers enjoy extensive access along Mersey Bluff rocks, Victoria Parade foreshore, and East Devonport breakwalls. Casting 28g metal spinners off the Bluff ledges into the tide wash produces aggressive Australian Salmon and Snook. Dropping light bait rigs around river jetties yields consistent feeds of Black Bream, Silver Trevally, and Garfish.
Boaters launching from Horsehead Creek Boat Ramp or Victoria Parade Boat Ramp on the Mersey River enjoy safe all-weather access to open ocean waters. Trolling shallow-diving hardbodies along broken kelp lines targets Australian Salmon and sea-run trout. Heading out to the 15 to 30-meter depth lines off Pardoe Point produces limit bags of Sand Flathead and quality Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- MERSEY BLUFF ROCKS: Prominent granite headland offering deep casting access straight into Bass Strait wash. Cast 28g to 40g metal slugs or white soft plastics far out into the tide race for Australian Salmon and Snook. Sturdy non-slip footwear and caution are mandatory as swell waves wash over lower ledges.
- VICTORIA PARADE JETTY: Timber jetty structure on the western bank of the Mersey River sitting over deep tidal current. Drop light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns or fresh worms beside pylons for Black Bream and Silver Trevally. Cast size 2.5 squid jigs along dark weed edges on a rising tide for Southern Calamari.
- PARDOE BEACH FORESHORE: Wide sandy beach east of the river mouth featuring deep water gutters close to shore. Set up surf rod stands and cast double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips for Sand Flathead. Early morning sessions before wind chop develops yield active feeding bites.
- EAST DEVONPORT BREAKWALL: Rock breakwater protecting the harbour entrance that attracts pelagic predators. Cast 3-inch paddletail soft plastics or metal spinners into current seams for Australian Salmon and sea-run Brown Trout. The sheltered inner wall also holds resident Black Bream.
- DON RIVER MOUTH: Sheltered estuary west of town featuring shallow sandbars and clear water channels. Wader fishers cast small hardbody minnows or soft plastics along channel drop-offs on a run-out tide for sea-run Brown Trout. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for visual sight-casting.
Offshore
- PARDOE REEF MARGINS: Extensive broken limestone and kelp reef sitting in 10 to 20 meters depth east of Devonport. Drift across clear sand gaps casting soft plastics or bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips for limits of Sand Flathead. Deploying a sea anchor slows your drift speed and ensures natural lure action.
- MERSEY RIVER OUTFLOW CHANNEL: Deep dredged river entrance channel reaching 8 to 12 meters depth holding heavy bait schools. Troll 90mm shallow-diving hardbody lures at slow idle speed along channel edges for sea-run Brown Trout and Australian Salmon. Keep a close watch for commercial ferry traffic when fishing near the channel markers.
- BLUFF OFFSHORE LEDGES: Deep underwater rock ledges plunging into 25 meters depth straight off Mersey Bluff. Anchor up-current of marked rock pinnacles, run a pilchard berley trail, and soak fresh squid heads for Gummy Sharks and Pinkie Snapper. The strong current concentrates fish along the ledge mark.
- WRIGHTS ISLAND REEF: Isolated rocky island and surrounding kelp beds sitting in 5 to 12 meters depth off the coast. Drift over clear weed gaps casting size 3.0 squid jigs or light whiting rigs for Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Clear water days with light winds deliver ideal conditions.
- DON BENDS SAND RIDGES: Wide sand flats located in 12 to 18 meters depth off the Don River exit. Drift across open sand using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or bluebait for Sand Flathead. Setting heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets targets cruising Gummy Sharks.
Hot Spots
- Mersey Bluff: Iconic granite headland offering premier land-based spinning for Australian Salmon and Snook.
- Victoria Parade Foreshore: Accessible riverfront platform providing consistent land-based Bream, Trevally, and Squid.
- Pardoe Reef: Extensive offshore broken reef system yielding limits of Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
- Mersey River Channel: Deep estuarine outflow channel renowned for producing big sea-run Brown Trout.
- Don River Estuary: Sheltered western estuary offering prime wading and soft plastic casting for trout.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Victoria Parade jetty or over Wrights Island 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.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface rocks and jetty pylons along the Mersey River foreshore below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Black Bream and Silver Trevally.
- PIPIS: Gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on Pardoe Beach at low tide by foot-twisting in 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 Don River estuary at low tide. Wrap in damp newspaper to keep lively for light-tackle Black Bream and Whiting fishing.
Boat Ramps
- Horsehead Creek Boat Ramp, Devonport:
Horsehead Creek Boat Ramp is located off Devonport Road along the Mersey River foreshore at Horsehead Creek, Devonport, managed by MAST and Devonport City Council. The facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a central floating pontoon jetty, servicing the Mersey estuary and Bass Strait. Subject to low-tide depth limitations for larger vessels; amenities include paved car-trailer parking, public restrooms, and parkland facilities.
- Victoria Parade Boat Ramp, Devonport:
Victoria Parade Boat Ramp is located off Victoria Parade on the western bank of the Mersey River in Devonport, managed by MAST. The facility features concrete launching lanes equipped with a floating boarding pontoon, offering all-tide vessel launching into the Mersey River channel and Bass Strait. Amenities include car-trailer parking, lighting, and nearby waterfront services.
Bait and Tackle
- Devonport Tackle & Marine: 10 Stewart St, Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6424 4567
- BCF Devonport: 48-54 Don Rd, Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6424 9900
- BP Truckstop East Devonport (24/7): 1 Tarleton St, East Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6427 0800
Basecamp & Accom
- Discovery Parks - Devonport: 1 Tarleton St, East Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6427 8418
- Mersey Bluff Caravan Park: 1 Bluff Rd, Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6424 6336
- Edgewater Hotel Devonport: 4 Victoria Pde, Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6427 4250
Emergency & Safety
- Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Devonport: Formby Rd, Devonport TAS 7310 - Ph: (03) 6424 5533 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
