Fremantle, WA

Fishing Fremantle

Top 10 Species

Landbased

• NORTH MOLE BREAKWALL: Massive granite breakwater extending into the Indian Ocean, recognized as WA's premier land-based Pink Snapper platform. Cast heavy patternoster rigs baited with whole squid or pilchards into deep ocean waters during winter northerly storms. Heavy 12-foot to 14-foot surf rods and sturdy footwear are essential for negotiating large granite boulders.
• SOUTH MOLE BREAKWALL: Historic ocean rock wall protecting the Swan River mouth, offering excellent casting for Australian Salmon, Tailor, and Calamari. Work 30g to 50g metal casting spoons into the river entrance channel on an incoming tide. Night fishing under lights produces consistent runs of Southern Calamari on size 3.0 squid jigs.
• EAST FREMANTLE FORESHORE JETTIES: Sheltered timber jetties along the lower Swan River, providing comfortable fishing for Black Bream and Flathead. Cast fine monofilament lines baited with fresh ghost shrimp or peeled prawn tail around pylon bases on a rising tide. Early morning hours offer quietest water conditions before river craft activity increases.
• WOODMAN POINT AMMUNITION JETTY: High-elevation public jetty located south of Fremantle, famous for heavy Pink Snapper and Silver Trevally. Cast long-distance bait rigs into deep water drop-offs on overcast days. Bring a long-handled drop net or cliff-net to safely land heavy catches from elevated jetty planks.
• ROUS HEAD BREAKWALL: Granite rock wall bordering the northern container terminal, offering deep-water access for Tailor, Herring, and Tarwhine. Fan-cast small metal spoons or baited float rigs along the rocky edge during early morning hours. Observe port security signage and park strictly within designated parking bays.

Offshore

• GAGE ROADS SHIPPING CHANNEL: Deep ocean passage sitting between Fremantle and Rottnest Island in 15 to 25 metres depth. Outstanding territory for drifting size 3.0 squid jigs and light tackle baited rigs for giant Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. High commercial ship traffic requires constant radar and visual lookout.
• SWAN RIVER LOWER REACHES: Navigable river channel extending from the harbour mouth upstream to Mosman Bay, holding trophy Black Bream and Flathead. Trolling micro-crankbaits or slow-pitching soft plastic minnows along steep limestone drop-offs produces consistent quality bream. Keep electric motor trolling silent around timber moorings.
• FIVE FATHOM BANK REEF SYSTEM: Extensive limestone reef ridge running parallel to the coast 5 nautical miles offshore in 18 to 30 metres depth. Prolific ground for setting crayfish pots for Southern Rock Lobster and vertical jigging metal lures for Samson Fish. Observe active demersal closure rules while fishing over reef structures.
• STRAGGLER ROCKS & PASSAGE: Shallow coral and limestone reef complex situated south of Rottnest Island holding heavy schools of pelagic fish. Trolling high-speed minnow lures or surface poppers along white-water reef edges triggers explosive strikes from Yellowtail Kingfish and Samson Fish. Ocean swells break heavily on outer ledges.
• ROTTNEST TRENCH DROP-OFF: Deep continental shelf drop-off located 18 nautical miles west of Fremantle dropping from 100 to 1000 metres depth. Heavy-tackle game fishing zone for trolling skirted lures for Striped Marlin, Southern Bluefin Tuna, and Mahi Mahi during summer. Requires a large sea-going vessel and comprehensive safety equipment.

Hot Spots

• NORTH MOLE: World-famous granite ocean breakwall producing trophy land-based Pink Snapper, Salmon, and Samson Fish.
• SOUTH MOLE: Iconic river-mouth rock wall offering top-tier Australian Salmon, Tailor, and Southern Calamari.
• GAGE ROADS: Expansive ocean passage delivering premier drift fishing for King George Whiting and giant Squid.
• SWAN RIVER LOWER REACHES: Iconic urban estuary famous for trophy Black Bream, Flathead, and Tarwhine.
• WOODMAN POINT JETTY: Prolific high-elevation pier providing deep-water access for Pink Snapper and Trevally.

Local Bait Tips

• GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats inside the Swan River at Pelham Reserve and Mosman Bay shallows. Position the pump over visible air holes in damp sand, pull the plunger rapidly, and empty sediment into a sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper with estuary water to maintain high vitality.
• BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped from submerged granite boulders and wooden jetty pylons around Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and South Mole 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 Black Bream and King George Whiting.
• SEA WORMS: Extracted from damp estuarine sandflats along the lower Swan River foreshore at spring low tide using a flat garden fork. Carefully turn over muddy sand near weed margins and gather live worms into shallow sand buckets. Store away from heat to maintain natural wriggling action.
• LIVE OCTOPUS & SQUID: Targeted over shallow seagrass beds off Woodman Point using size 2.5 to 3.0 cloth-wrapped squid jigs. Cast jigs across sand-and-weed junctions on light fluorocarbon trace and retrieve with steady lifts. Live squid rigged whole on twin snelled hooks are unmatched for land-based Pink Snapper off North Mole.

Boat Ramps

• Woodman Point Boat Ramp (Munster):

  Located inside Woodman Point Regional Park off Cockburn Road, Munster WA 6166. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA and City of Cockburn. Features a premier high-capacity 8-lane concrete boat launch ramp with four floating universal access pontoon jetties. Fully sheltered by massive granite breakwaters, providing safe deep-water launching into Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage across all weather conditions. Facilities feature an expansive bitumen car-and-trailer carpark with overflow bays, modern public toilet blocks, stainless-steel fish cleaning tables with fresh water, wash-down bays, marine fuel wharf, and 24-hour security lighting. Free public launch access.

• Leeuwin Boat Ramp (East Fremantle):

  Located off Riverside Drive at Preston Point on the lower Swan River foreshore, East Fremantle WA 6158. Managed by the Town of East Fremantle and DoT WA. Rebuilt as a modern 3-lane concrete boat launch ramp with a central floating finger pontoon jetty. Provides calm estuarine launching into the lower Swan River for all vessel sizes targeting Bream, Flathead, and ocean access through Fremantle Harbour. Amenities feature a large bitumen carpark with dedicated trailer bays, public toilets, fish cleaning bench, wash-down taps, and night lighting. Free public access.

• Challenger Harbour Boat Ramp (Fremantle):

  Located inside Challenger Harbour off Marine Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a dual-lane concrete boat ramp equipped with a central floating pontoon jetty. Positioned inside protected commercial harbour breakwalls, providing total shelter from ocean swells for vessels launching into Gage Roads and Cockburn Sound. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, service wharf, boat wash-down facilities, and immediate access to Fremantle marina services. Free public access.

Bait and Tackle

• Fremantle Tackle & Bait: 12 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160 - Ph: (08) 9335 4444
• Compleat Angler Fremantle: 2/62 Hampton Rd, Fremantle WA 6160 - Ph: (08) 9335 1100
• BCF Myaree: 47 McCoombe St, Myaree WA 6154 - Ph: (08) 9330 8200
• Shell Fremantle (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 1 Layout Rd, Fremantle WA 6160 - Ph: (08) 9335 2100

Basecamp & Accom

• Beaches of Fremantle Hostel: 250 South Tce, Fremantle WA 6160 - Ph: (08) 9335 3478
• Discovery Parks - Woodman Point: 1 Cockburn Rd, Munster WA 6166 - Ph: (08) 9418 3555
• Esplanade Hotel Fremantle: 46 Marine Tce, Fremantle WA 6160 - Ph: (08) 9432 4000

Emergency & Safety

• Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group (VMR 617): Marine Tce, Challenger Harbour, Fremantle WA 6160 - Ph: (08) 9335 1332 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)