Fishing Edithburgh
The regional marine system is driven by strong oceanic currents flushing through Investigator Strait, feeding vast kelp forests and granite rock bars. Summer and autumn deliver explosive action for Yellowtail Kingfish, Snapper, Southern Calamari, and Sand Flathead. Edithburgh Jetty and Troubridge Island produce heavy year-round yields of King George Whiting, Silver Trevally, and large Gummy Sharks.
Land-based fishers can work the famous Edithburgh Jetty, tidal pool rock ledges, and Sultana Point sandspit. Casting size 3.0 or 3.5 squid jigs off the main jetty pylons at night under lights yields giant Southern Calamari. Soaking fresh cockles or ghost shrimp from Sultana Point sandbars pulls limit bags of King George Whiting.
Boaters launching from Edithburgh Boat Ramp enjoy a high-capacity facility equipped with boarding pontoons. Trolling large skirted lures or slow-boating live baits around Troubridge Shoal targets Yellowtail Kingfish and Australian Salmon. Heading out to the 15 to 35-meter deep marks off Tapley Shoal produces outstanding Snapper, Samson Fish, and Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- EDITHBURGH JETTY: Historic timber jetty extending into deep water near Troubridge Shoal. Cast size 3.0 or 3.5 squid jigs along dark weed margins under night lights for giant Southern Calamari. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns beside pylons pulls Silver Trevally, Leatherjackets, and King George Whiting.
- SULTANA POINT SANDSPIT: Shallow sandbar reserve extending south of town featuring clear sand gaps and ribbon weed. Wader fishers cast fresh sand worms or pipis on light 4lb leader setups into sandy gutters for King George Whiting. Late afternoon high tides deliver active feeding rises.
- TIDAL POOL ROCK LEDGES: Basalt rock ledges surrounding the sea pool offering deep land-based casting. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners or white soft plastics far out into wave wash for schooling Australian Salmon and Snook. Sturdy non-slip footwear and caution are required near ocean swell waves.
- STANSBURY ROAD FORESHORE: Grassy reserve and clay banks north of town offering comfortable bank casting. Set up rod stands and fish ledger rigs loaded with earthworms or sweetcorn for Tommy Ruff and Sand Flathead. High water levels bring feeding fish right up against the rock shelf.
- COOOBOWIE ESTUARY MOUTH: Tidal estuarine inlet north of town featuring shallow mudflats and mangrove channels. Cast 2-inch soft plastics or small hardbody minnows along channel drop-offs on a run-out tide for Sand Flathead and Black Bream. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
Offshore
- TROUBRIDGE SHOAL REEFS: Massive sand and coral shoal system sitting in 4 to 15 meters depth 8km offshore. Troll large 120mm deep-diving hardbodies or down-rig live squid around shoal edges for trophy Yellowtail Kingfish. Bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips yields limits of King George Whiting and Sand Flathead.
- TAPLEY SHOAL DEEP DROP-OFF: Deep underwater reef plunging into 20 to 35 meters depth in Investigator Strait. Anchor up-current of marked rock ledges, deploy a continuous pilchard berley trail, and drop heavy rigs for Snapper, Samson Fish, and Gummy Sharks. Heavy 80lb leader is required for sharp rocks.
- SULTANA WEED MEADOWS: Wide shallow basin holding dense submerged ribbon weed in 3 to 8 meters depth. Drift across clear weed pockets 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 sight-casting conditions.
- INVESTIGATOR STRAIT CURRENT SEAMS: Deep ocean passage separating Yorke Peninsula from Kangaroo Island where strong tidal currents rip past. Troll 90mm shallow-diving hardbody lures at slow idle speed along channel edges for Australian Salmon and Snook. Watch tidal current seams closely as fish gather to feed.
- MARRYATT SHOAL SAND RIDGES: Open ocean sand flats located in 15 to 25 meters depth south of town. Drift across open sand using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or bluebait for limits of Sand Flathead. Setting heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets targets cruising Gummy Sharks.
Hot Spots
- Edithburgh Jetty: World-famous land-based platform offering premier casting for giant Calamari, Trevally, and Kingfish.
- Troubridge Shoal: Iconic offshore island reef system holding dense schools of Yellowtail Kingfish and Whiting.
- Tapley Shoal: Deep ocean drop-off famous for producing trophy Snapper, Samson Fish, and Gummy Sharks.
- Sultana Point: Shallow sandbar reserve providing world-class wader fishing for King George Whiting.
- Edithburgh Boat Ramp: Regional high-capacity launch facility accessing deep Investigator Strait grounds.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Edithburgh Jetty or over Sultana weed beds using size 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole live squid for offshore Kingfish.
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats near Coobowie. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface wharf pylons around Edithburgh Jetty below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Silver Trevally and Tommy Ruff.
- COCKLES (PIPIS): Gathered along sandy intertidal wash zones 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 Sand Flathead.
Boat Ramps
- Edithburgh Boat Ramp:
Edithburgh Boat Ramp is located off O’Halloran Terrace on the Edithburgh foreshore, managed by Yorke Peninsula Council. The regional facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a central floating boarding pontoon, protected by a large rock breakwater wall, providing deep-water access to Investigator Strait and Troubridge Shoal. Amenities include a large paved trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, lighting, and wash-down area.
Bait and Tackle
- Edithburgh Motors & Tackle: 16 Blanche St, Edithburgh SA 5583 - Ph: (08) 8852 6000
- BCF Kadina: 1/62 Graves St, Kadina SA 5554 - Ph: (08) 8821 2100
- BP Yorketown (24/7): 12 Stansbury Rd, Yorketown SA 5576 - Ph: (08) 8852 1100
Basecamp & Accom
- Edithburgh Caravan Park: 1 O'Halloran Tce, Edithburgh SA 5583 - Ph: (08) 8852 6056
- Troubridge Hotel Motel Edithburgh: 10 Blanche St, Edithburgh SA 5583 - Ph: (08) 8852 6013
- Edithburgh Beachfront Apartments: 12 O'Halloran Tce, Edithburgh SA 5583 - Ph: (08) 8852 6100
Emergency & Safety
- Sea Rescue SA Edithburgh: O'Halloran Tce, Edithburgh SA 5583 - Ph: (08) 8852 6200 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 80
