Fishing Elliston & Venus Bay
The regional fishery is shaped by open ocean surf beaches like Anxious Bay and the calm, landlocked waterways of Venus Bay. Summer and autumn deliver exceptional fishing for King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, Sand Flathead, and Silver Trevally inside the inlet. Winter brings heavy schools of Australian Salmon, Tommy Ruff, and coastal Gummy Sharks along the ocean cliffs.
Land-based fishers can work the historic Elliston Jetty, Venus Bay waterfront rocks, and Locks Well surf gutters via its famous 283-step staircase. Casting size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs off Elliston Jetty yields top-quality Southern Calamari and Garfish. Setting up surf rod stands on Anxious Bay or Locks Well beach using patternoster rigs baited with pilchards produces heavy catches of Australian Salmon.
Boaters launching from Elliston Boat Ramp, Anxious Bay Ramp, or Venus Bay Ramp enjoy access to sheltered bay grounds and open ocean reefs. Note that Venus Bay Boat Ramp lacks a boarding pontoon and is subject to shallow water at low tide, requiring tide-dependent launch planning for vessels over 5 meters. Heading out to the 15 to 30-meter depth lines off Waterloo Bay produces limits of Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- ELLISTON JETTY: Historic timber jetty extending over deep water and rock ledges in Waterloo Bay. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs along dark weed margins during a rising tide for Southern Calamari. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns or cockles beside pylons pulls Silver Trevally and Tommy Ruff.
- VENUS BAY WATERFRONT ROCKS: Sheltered rock ledges along the inlet foreshore offering easy casting into deep tidal channels. Cast light running sinker rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp or cockles for King George Whiting. Early morning high tides before boat traffic increases deliver active bites.
- ANXIOUS BAY SURF WASH: Famous ocean surf beach north of Elliston 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 Australian Salmon and Sand Flathead. Late afternoon sessions yield consistent action.
- LOCKS WELL BEACH GUTTERS: Renowned surf salmon beach accessed via a 283-step wooden staircase down the cliff face. Cast 40g to 60g heavy metal lures or whole pilchards on ganged hooks into deep turquoise gutters for massive Australian Salmon. Exercise caution on the beach wash and prepare for a rigorous climb back up the stairs.
- NEEDLES FORESHORE: Sheltered rocky point near the Venus Bay entrance holding clear water gaps. Float small earthworms or maggots under a pencil float during calm morning conditions for Garfish and Tommy Ruff. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
Offshore
- VENUS BAY INLET CHANNELS: Deep tidal channel network sitting in 3 to 8 meters depth inside the sheltered bay. Drift across clear sand gaps casting light whiting rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp for limits of King George Whiting. Using a sea anchor slows your drift speed through the tide.
- WATERLOO BAY REEFS: Submerged limestone and kelp reef system sitting in 10 to 20 meters depth off Elliston. Drift over clear sand holes casting soft plastics or bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips for Sand Flathead and Pinkie Snapper. Deploying a sea anchor ensures natural lure presentation.
- VENUS BAY ENTRANCE NARROWS: High-current channel connecting the inlet to open ocean water. Troll 90mm shallow-diving hardbody lures at slow idle speed along channel rock walls for Australian Salmon, Silver Trevally, and Snook. Watch tidal current seams closely as fish gather to feed on passing bait.
- ANXIOUS BAY OFFSHORE SAND FLATS: Open ocean sand flats located in 12 to 25 meters depth off the surf beach. 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.
- CAPE FINNIS REEF MARGINS: Deep rock ledges plunging into 30 meters of open water off the headland. Anchor up-current of marked rock pinnacles, run a pilchard berley trail, and drop heavy rigs for Gummy Sharks and Samson Fish. Heavy 80lb leader is required for sharp rock edges.
Hot Spots
- Elliston Jetty: Iconic land-based platform offering premier casting for Southern Calamari, Trevally, and Garfish.
- Venus Bay Inlet: Sheltered tidal waterway world-famous for producing limit bags of King George Whiting.
- Locks Well Beach: Legendary surf beach featuring a 283-step cliff stairs producing Victoria and SA's finest Australian Salmon.
- Waterloo Bay Reefs: Productive limestone kelp reef holding limits of Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
- Anxious Bay Surf: High-energy ocean surf beach yielding heavy schools of Australian Salmon and Flathead.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats inside Venus Bay inlet. Store live on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Elliston Jetty or over Venus Bay weed beds using size 2.5 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 Anxious Bay Beach at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole cockles onto long-shank hooks for Whiting and Flathead.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface rocks and jetty pylons around Elliston waterfront below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Silver Trevally and Tommy Ruff.
Boat Ramps
- Elliston Boat Ramp:
Elliston Boat Ramp is located off Beach Terrace along Waterloo Bay in Elliston, managed by the District Council of Elliston. The coastal facility features a concrete launching ramp protected by a rock breakwater groyne, offering sheltered vessel launching into Waterloo Bay. Subject to ocean swell conditions; amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, and picnic areas.
- Anxious Bay Boat Ramp, Elliston:
Anxious Bay Boat Ramp is located off Anxious Bay Road approximately 3km north of Elliston, managed by the District Council of Elliston. The facility features a dual-lane concrete launching ramp with no boarding pontoon, serving as the primary launch point for vessels accessing offshore reefs. Subject to shallow water at low tide; launching vessels over 5 meters is recommended around high tide windows. Amenities include unpaved trailer parking.
- Venus Bay Boat Ramp:
Venus Bay Boat Ramp is located off Mattson Street on the Venus Bay foreshore, managed by the District Council of Elliston. The facility features a dual-lane concrete launching ramp with no boarding pontoon. It is subject to severe shallow water draft at low tide, making launching highly tide-dependent for vessels over 5 meters. Amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, and fish cleaning table.
Bait and Tackle
- Elliston Apartments & Tackle Store: 7 Beach Tce, Elliston SA 5670 - Ph: (08) 8687 9009
- BCF Port Lincoln: 18-20 Liverpool St, Port Lincoln SA 5606 - Ph: (08) 8683 4800
- BP Elliston (24/7): 6 Memorial Dr, Elliston SA 5670 - Ph: (08) 8687 9010
Basecamp & Accom
- Waterloo Bay Tourist Park: 10 Beach Tce, Elliston SA 5670 - Ph: (08) 8687 9070
- Venus Bay Caravan Park: 2 Mattson St, Venus Bay SA 5670 - Ph: (08) 8687 0100
- Elliston Hotel: 12 Memorial Dr, Elliston SA 5670 - Ph: (08) 8687 9005
Emergency & Safety
- Sea Rescue SA Elliston / SAPOL: Memorial Dr, Elliston SA 5670 - Ph: (08) 8687 9006 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 80
