Fishing Exmouth
Fisheries management across Exmouth enforces DPIRD Gascoyne bioregional regulations and Ningaloo Marine Park sanctuary zoning. Line fishing is strictly prohibited within designated sanctuary zones (such as Mandu, Mangrove Bay, and Bundegi Sanctuary), though extensive recreation zones permit world-class fishing. Adhering to bag limits for Sailfish, Marlin, Red Emperor, Spangled Emperor, and Coral Trout ensures long-term fishery sustainability.
Land-based anglers enjoy legendary sportfishing along the Exmouth Marina breakwall, Bundegi Beach, Learmonth Jetty, and Cape Range rock platforms. Casting 40g to 60g metal lures off Bundegi Beach during early morning tides produces fast action on Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Tailor. The shallow flats of Exmouth Gulf provide world-class sight-casting for Bonefish, Permit, and Golden Trevally on fly and light tackle.
Boating fishers launching from Exmouth Marina, Tantabiddi, or Bundegi access diverse marine ecosystems within minutes. Launching at Tantabiddi on the west coast puts anglers onto Ningaloo Reef lagoons for Spangled Emperor and Coral Trout, with the 100m continental shelf drop-off sitting just 4 nautical miles offshore for Sailfish and Marlin. The sheltered waters of Exmouth Gulf yield trophy Mud Crabs, Mangrove Jack, and Goldspotted Cod.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- EXMOUTH MARINA BREAKWALL: High-capacity granite seawall protecting Exmouth Boat Harbour, offering deep-water casting for Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Coral Trout. Cast 40g to 60g metal casting spoons or topwater poppers into deep ocean channels on an incoming tide. Night fishing yields steady strikes from Squid and Mangrove Jack around harbour lights.
- BUNDEGI BEACH FORESHORE: Picturesque sandy beach located near the tip of North West Cape outside Bundegi Sanctuary, offering top-tier casting for Queenfish, Tailor, and Trevally. Work topwater stickbaits or 30g metal lures along sandbar drop-offs during early morning flood tides. Polarized sunglasses are essential for spotting cruising pelagics in clear water.
- LEARMONTH JETTY REMAINS: Historic timber jetty precinct located 30km south of Exmouth in Exmouth Gulf, providing exceptional land-based casting for Queenfish, Golden Trevally, and Squid. Cast baited float rigs or small metal spoons around pylon structures on a rising tide. Bring a long-handled drop net to land heavy catches from the elevated deck.
- ANABURDOO FLATS (EXMOUTH GULF): Vast shallow sand-and-mud flats inside Exmouth Gulf, world-famous for fly and light-tackle sight-casting for Bonefish, Permit, and Golden Trevally. Wade the shallow flats at low tide and cast micro-jigs or crab-pattern flies to visible tailing fish. Wading boots are mandatory to protect against stingrays and sea urchins.
- MANGROVE BAY BOARDWALK GUTTERS: Shallow mangrove creek system in Cape Range National Park offering excellent wading outside sanctuary limits for Mangrove Jack, Flathead, and Whiting. Fan-cast small soft plastic minnows or baited patternoster rigs along mangrove roots on a high tide. Always respect marine park boundary signage.
Offshore
- TANTABIDDI OFFSHORE TRENCH (NINGALOO DROP-OFF): Continental shelf drop-off sitting just 4 nautical miles off Tantabiddi boat ramp dropping rapidly from 50 to 500 metres depth. World-famous billfish trolling ground for Sailfish, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, and Striped Marlin from spring through summer. Trolling skirted lures or rigged garfish accounts for bucket-list game catches.
- EXMOUTH GULF CENTRAL BASIN: Vast sheltered gulf waterway averaging 12 to 22 metres depth, holding abundant Red Emperor, Rankine Cod, and Mud Crabs. Drift whole squid baits or vertical jig 150g metal lures over deep mud basin floors for Red Emperor. Set arrays of crab traps in mangrove creeks along the eastern gulf shorelines.
- MUIRON ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO: Pristine twin island nature reserve located 10 nautical miles north of North West Cape in 15 to 40 metres depth. Premier bottom bouncing and trolling territory for trophy Coral Trout, Spangled Emperor, Red Emperor, and Spanish Mackerel. Strong tidal currents surge between islands, requiring heavy tackle.
- BUNDEGI INSHORE REEF LEDGES: Shallow coral reef ledges sitting 1 to 3 nautical miles off Bundegi boat ramp in 8 to 18 metres depth outside sanctuary limits. Prolific territory for drifting light tackle rigs for Spangled Emperor, Coral Trout, and Goldspotted Cod. Calmer morning windows yield optimal conditions before afternoon sea breezes.
- NW CAPE PELAGIC LEADS: Exposed ocean passage where Exmouth Gulf meets the Indian Ocean off North West Cape light, holding heavy schools of Giant Trevally and Spanish Mackerel. Trolling high-speed minnow lures or casting 100g surface poppers along white-water reef edges triggers explosive surface strikes.
Hot Spots
- TANTABIDDI BOAT RAMP: Gateway to Ningaloo Reef delivering world-famous Sailfish, Marlin, and Spangled Emperor.
- EXMOUTH BOAT HARBOUR: Premier modern marina offering deep-water land-based casting for GTs, Queenfish, and Squid.
- MUIRON ISLANDS: Remote island sanctuary holding bucket-list Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and Spanish Mackerel.
- BUNDEGI BEACH: Scenic Gulf foreshore offering top-tier topwater casting for Queenfish, Tailor, and Trevally.
- EXMOUTH GULF FLATS: World-renowned shallow flats providing bucket-list sight-casting for Bonefish and Permit.
Local Bait Tips
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged wooden jetty pylons and rock walls at Exmouth Boat Harbour and Learmonth Jetty at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a heavy putty knife and collect into a bucket lined with damp kelp. Fresh crushed mussels represent lethal bait for Spangled Emperor and Silver Trevally.
- SHORE CRABS (SALLY CRABS): Collected by hand from limestone crevices and granite boulders along Exmouth Marina breakwall and Cape Range rocks at low tide. Target small shore crabs, place them in a damp bucket with wet seaweed, and keep shaded. Rigged through the outer carapace, they represent unbeatable live bait for Mangrove Jack and GTs.
- LIVE HERRING & GARFISH: Caught off Exmouth Marina breakwall and Bundegi Jetty using light float rigs baited with bread dough and stored in an aerated livewell. Transfer hooked specimens immediately into an aerated livewell for use as live bait. Rigged on snelled wire hooks, live garfish trigger explosive strikes from Sailfish and Spanish Mackerel.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI & TIGER SQUID: Targeted over shallow weed-and-coral patches inside Ningaloo Reef lagoons using size 2.5 to 3.0 cloth squid jigs. Cast jigs across sand-and-coral junctions on light fluorocarbon trace and retrieve with steady lifts. Live squid rigged whole on twin snelled hooks are unmatched for targeting large Red Emperor.
Boat Ramps
- Exmouth Boat Harbour Ramp:
Located inside Exmouth Boat Harbour off Madaffari Drive, Exmouth WA 6707. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a 2-lane concrete dual boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating universal access pontoon jetty. Fully sheltered inside commercial harbour breakwaters, providing safe deep-water launching into Exmouth Gulf and ocean waters across all weather conditions. Facilities feature an expansive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public toilet/shower amenities, stainless-steel fish cleaning tables with running water, wash-down bays, marine fuel wharf, service slipway, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public access.
- Tantabiddi Boat Ramp (Exmouth):
Located off Yardie Creek Road at the mouth of Tantabiddi Creek, 40km west of Exmouth town, Exmouth WA 6707. Managed by the Shire of Exmouth and DoT WA. Features a 2-lane concrete boat launch ramp with a central floating finger pontoon jetty. Positioned on the western side of North West Cape, providing direct access to Ningaloo Reef lagoon and deep offshore billfish grounds. Note: State Government redevelopment is underway for a major new 4-lane facility 300m south (funded in the 2025–26 budget). Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning bench, kayak launch, and day-use shade shelters. Free public access.
- Bundegi Boat Ramp (Exmouth):
Located off Murat Road at Bundegi Beach, 10km north of Exmouth town near North West Cape, Exmouth WA 6707. Managed by the Shire of Exmouth and DoT WA. Features a single-lane concrete boat launch ramp with an adjacent floating boarding pontoon jetty. Positioned in sheltered waters outside Bundegi Sanctuary Zone, providing effortless launching into Exmouth Gulf and northern Muiron Islands. Facilities include sealed car-and-trailer parking, public restrooms, boat wash-down taps, beach parkland, and a public fish cleaning table located up the beach behind the jetty. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Tackle World Exmouth: 3 Maley St, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 1315
- Exmouth Camping & Toyworld: 21 Maidstone Cres, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 1133
- EGFC Clubhouse & Tackle: Murat Rd, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 2400
- Shell Exmouth (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 1 Murat Rd, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 1011
Basecamp & Accom
- RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park: 3 Truscott Cres, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 1421
- Mantra Frangipani Exmouth: 1 Madaffari Dr, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 4000
- Yardie Homestead Caravan Park: Yardie Creek Rd, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 1389
Emergency & Safety
- Exmouth Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 604): Harbour Dr, Exmouth WA 6707 - Ph: (08) 9949 2000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
