Fishing Exmouth, Western Australia
Fishing in Exmouth is influenced by seasonal changes, tides, and wind patterns. The peak fishing season generally aligns with the warmer months, from March to October. Tides play a crucial role, with incoming tides often triggering increased fish activity. Wind direction can also impact fishing locations, with Exmouth Gulf offering protection from strong westerly winds.
The land around Exmouth features a diverse terrain, ranging from sandy beaches and mangrove-lined creeks on the gulf side to rugged coastline and rocky reefs along the western side of the cape. Cape Range National Park provides a stunning backdrop and offers various land-based fishing opportunities.
Boating access in Exmouth is excellent, with several well-maintained boat ramps providing access to both Exmouth Gulf and the Ningaloo Reef. The proximity of the continental shelf allows even smaller vessels to target offshore species. Charter boats are readily available for those seeking guided fishing experiences.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Learmonth Jetty: This jetty extends approximately 200 meters off the beach and is accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. It is known for a variety of species, including bream, whiting, trevally, and queenfish. During warmer months, tuna schools come into casting range.
- Exmouth Marina: This location offers easy access to fishing within the town. Anglers can target mangrove jack, trevally, and bream from the jetties and shore. The north wall is known to produce bluebone, snapper, coral trout, queenfish and trevally.
- Bundegi Beach: Located north of Exmouth, Bundegi Beach offers shore-based fishing in the sheltered waters of Exmouth Gulf. Anglers can target trevally, queenfish, bream, and flathead. The proximity to the Bundegi Sanctuary Zone means the waters are teeming with fish.
- Five Mile Beach Access: This location provides access to the western side of the cape, where anglers can target pelagic species like queenfish and golden trevally. Reef species such as spangled emperor, bluebone, cod, and coral trout are also present around the top of the tide.
- Mildura Wreck: Located on the tip of the cape, the remnants of a shipwreck offer fishing for spangled emperor, bluebone, queenfish, and trevally. The area between the wreck and the boat ramp is shallow, allowing wading anglers to target fish.
Offshore
- Ningaloo Reef: This world-renowned reef system offers a variety of offshore fishing opportunities. Anglers can target coral trout, emperor species, and a range of pelagic fish. Be mindful of sanctuary zones.
- Muiron Islands: Located a short boat trip from Exmouth, the Muiron Islands are known for excellent fishing. Anglers can target a variety of reef and pelagic species, including red emperor, rankin cod, and pearl perch.
- Tantabiddi Drop-offs: The drop-offs near Tantabiddi provide prime areas for targeting marlin, sailfish, cobia, wahoo, Spanish mackerel, and tuna. These areas are known for their concentration of baitfish.
- Exmouth Gulf Bombies: Areas with bombies (reefy coral structures) within Exmouth Gulf are popular fishing spots. Anglers can anchor or drift over these areas to target a variety of fish species.
- Continental Shelf: The proximity of the continental shelf allows anglers to target large pelagic species such as marlin, sailfish, and tuna. Trolling is a popular method in these areas.
Hot Spots
- Learmonth Jetty: Popular for tuna, bream, whiting, queenfish and trevally. Easily accessible and good for families.
- Exmouth Marina: Popular for mangrove jack, trevally and bream. Convenient location with jetties and shore access.
- Bundegi Beach: Popular for trevally, queenfish, bream, and flathead. Sheltered waters make it ideal for shore fishing.
- Five Mile Beach: Popular for queenfish and golden trevally. Access to the west side of the cape for pelagic species.
- Tantabiddi Drop-offs: Popular for marlin, sailfish, cobia, wahoo and tuna. Prime offshore location with baitfish concentration.
Local Bait Tips
- Yabbies (Pumped): Yabbies can be pumped from intertidal sandflats in Exmouth Gulf during low tide.
- Worms (Dug): Beach worms can be dug from sandy beaches along the coast, often found in areas with seaweed or tidal debris.
- Squid (Jigged): Squid can be jigged around jetties and nearshore reefs, particularly at night with the aid of a light.
- Mullet (Cast net): Mullet can be caught using a cast net in the shallow waters of Exmouth Gulf, especially near creeks and estuaries.
Bait and Tackle
- Tackle World Exmouth: 3 Maley Street, Exmouth
08 9949 1315 - Exmouth Tackle & Camping: Town Centre, Exmouth
No Phone Number Listed - Potentially Available at a Local Service Station: Check Local Stations
No Phone Number Listed
Emergency & Safety
- Exmouth Volunteer Marine Rescue: Madaffari Dr, Exmouth WA 6707
+61 8 9949 2426
VHF Channels 16, 21, 22 - Emergency: Dial 000
