Fishing Mallacoota
General fishing in Mallacoota provides an unparalleled regional fishery across a massive inlet system and offshore reefs. The dynamic nature of the interconnected top and bottom lakes creates ideal conditions for classic estuarine species. Peak water temperatures during summer trigger intense feeding activity across the shallow margins and deep channels.
Land-based anglers can target extensive sand flats, rocky points, and dedicated wharves throughout the inlet system. Bream and flathead constantly cruise the shallow margins near Karbeethong Jetty where casting soft plastics yields exceptional results. Bastion Point breakwalls provide additional shore-based opportunities for migrating tailor and salmon on spinning tackle.
Offshore and boat fishing requires careful navigation when transitioning between the intricate channels of the top and bottom lakes. Boaters crossing the notoriously challenging bar at Bastion Point gain access to the fertile waters of eastern Bass Strait. The nearshore reefs hold massive gummy sharks, tiger flathead, and seasonal yellowtail kingfish over the broken ground.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Bastion Point Breakwater: Bastion Point Breakwater offers excellent access for land-based anglers chasing salmon and tailor during incoming tides. A medium surf outfit paired with metal casting slugs works best when the wind is blowing lightly from the south. Using a paternoster rig with bluebait is another highly effective method for targeting gummy sharks from the rocks here.
- Karbeethong Jetty: Karbeethong Jetty is a fantastic platform for land-based fishers wanting to target quality black bream and luderick. You should fish this structure during a run-up tide with a light easterly breeze using ultralight finesse gear. A light spinning outfit rigged with a lightly weighted running sinker and a size four hook is perfect when bait fishing with local prawns.
- Betka River Mouth: The Betka River Mouth is an easily accessible shore-based spot offering clear shallow sand flats for sight-casting to flathead. Anglers will find the most success here during a run-out tide when the water drains off the banks. Throwing three-inch paddle tail soft plastics on a light fluorocarbon leader is the ultimate technique for this area.
- Quarry Beach: Quarry Beach provides a spectacular land-based challenge for anglers chasing large schools of salmon in the gutters. Fishing the high tide change on a calm morning yields the best results to avoid heavy surf conditions. Long surf rods casting heavy star sinkers and pilchard baits on ganged hooks will secure the biggest fish.
- Gipsy Point: Gipsy Point offers shore-based access to the upper reaches of the inlet where estuary perch aggressively ambush baitfish. Fishing during the low light periods of dawn or dusk on a neap tide provides the optimal bite window. Casting small surface poppers or shallow diving hardbodies on light tackle will trigger explosive topwater strikes.
Offshore
- Tamboon Reef: Tamboon Reef is a renowned offshore mark located forty kilometres away where anglers target summer yellowtail kingfish. You need to fish this deep reef structure during periods of warm ocean currents using heavy boat tackle. Jigging large knife jigs or live baiting with slimy mackerel will tempt the largest predatory fish in this zone.
- The Aerials: The Aerials is a highly productive nearshore reef system situated west of the airport offering consistent catches of tiger flathead. Drifting over the fifty metre depth line on a slack tide with minimal wind drift is highly recommended. A standard paternoster rig dropped to the bottom with fresh squid strips will consistently catch quality table fish.
- Gabo Island Reefs: Gabo Island Reefs provide spectacular offshore action for gummy sharks and large snapper over broken ground. Anglers should fish this area on a moving tide while deploying a steady berley trail to attract target species. Heavy boat rods rigged with large circle hooks and fresh fish fillets are required to land these powerful predators.
- The Narrows: The Narrows is a vital boating chokepoint between the top and bottom lakes that funnels predatory fish during tidal movements. Navigating and fishing this channel during the peak tidal flow requires a sturdy boat and careful boat control. Casting deep diving crankbaits along the steep drop-offs will intercept large flathead waiting to ambush passing bait.
- New Zealand Star Banks: New Zealand Star Banks represent a massive offshore reef system out wide of Ram Head for serious game fishing. Trolling heavy skirted lures during the warm summer months is the best tactic to encounter marlin and yellowfin tuna here. A heavy game fishing setup capable of holding vast amounts of line is absolutely essential for this deep water location.
Hot Spots
- Goodwin Sands: Goodwin Sands is an expansive shallow flat perfectly suited for drifting in a kayak while casting soft plastics for flathead.
- Rabbit Island: Rabbit Island channel markers hold schooling black bream that will eagerly strike at small blade lures hopped along the bottom.
- Cape Horn: Cape Horn features deep water drop-offs where boaters can cast lures to target massive aggregations of estuary perch.
- Top Lake Drop-offs: Top Lake Drop-offs feature sharp ledges that consistently hold feeding flathead during a run-out tide.
- Bottom Lake Shallows: Bottom Lake Shallows provide excellent sight-casting opportunities for cruising whiting over the sandy patches.
Local Bait Tips
- Bass Yabbies: Bass yabbies can be hand-pumped from the exposed mudflats during low tide using a standard hand bait pump. You must manually harvest these baits to comply with Victorian regulations which strictly ban the use of cast nets.
- Sand Crabs: Sand crabs are easily gathered by hand amongst the shallow weed beds during a running out tide. Collecting these crabs must be done manually without prohibited cast nets while adhering to all Victorian catch limits.
- Sandworms: Sandworms can be pulled from the intertidal sandy beaches by hand after attracting them to the surface with a fish frame. You must adhere to Victorian regulations that completely forbid cast netting and enforce strict limits on manual collection.
Boat Ramps
- Bastion Point Boat Ramp:
Bastion Point Boat Ramp: Located at 2 Bastion Point Road in Mallacoota, this facility provides direct, unshielded ocean access to Bass Strait. It is a dual-lane concrete/asphalt ramp protected by a breakwater rock wall and equipped with a central staging pontoon and a boarding jetty. Launching and retrieval are highly dangerous and require a high level of boating skill due to exposure to open ocean swells, rapid sand and kelp accumulation on the ramp, and the Mallacoota sandbar. Furthermore, the approach channel is subject to severe shoaling, with recorded depths of less than 0.3m to 0.7m at 0.2m AHD extending approximately 30 metres inwards from the end of the breakwater.
- Karbeethong Boat Ramp:
Karbeethong Boat Ramp: Located along Lakeside Drive in Karbeethong, this facility provides access to the saltwater of Mallacoota Inlet. It is a dual-lane concrete/asphalt ramp with an adjacent floating boarding jetty. Boating operations are highly tide dependent, with official access notes warning that the ramp is shallow at times. Navigating out of the ramp requires caution due to narrow and shallow channels and extensive shallow sand flats within the upper inlet.
- Mallacoota Township Boat Ramp:
Mallacoota Township Boat Ramp: Located on Allan Road (Allan Drive) in the Mallacoota township, this single-lane concrete ramp provides access to Mallacoota Inlet. Staging is supported by an adjacent boarding jetty and nearby Camp Park finger moorings. The navigational path runs past Goat Island to the Wallagaraugh River and ocean, and is heavily restricted by shallow sandbar depths and the shifting nature of the entrance channel.
- Gipsy Point Boat Ramp:
Gipsy Point Boat Ramp: Located on Anglers Drive in Gipsy Point, this single-lane concrete/asphalt ramp launches into the Port of Mallacoota at the confluence of the Genoa and Wallagaraugh Rivers. It is equipped with an adjacent boarding jetty for staging. The ramp is not tide dependent, but boaters face hazards from river snags, submerged logs, and debris carried by the river currents.
- Betka River Inlet Ramp:
Betka River Inlet Ramp: Situated at the Betka River Inlet in the Mallacoota area, this facility provides access to the Betka River. Its concrete construction and lane configuration are not detailed in official sources, and no staging jetty or pontoon is specified. Launching is restricted by a highly shallow estuarine river entrance that is subject to seasonal closures and complete sandbar blockages.
Bait and Tackle
- MALLACOOTA BAIT & TACKLE: Maurice Ave, Mallacoota VIC 3892 | Phone: (03) 5158 0388
Basecamp & Accom
- Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park | Allan Drive, Mallacoota VIC 3892 | 03 5158 0300
- Beachcomber Caravan Park | Betka Road, Mallacoota VIC 3892 | 03 5158 0233
- Karbeethong Lodge | Schnapper Point Drive, Mallacoota VIC 3892 | 03 5158 0411
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Mallacoota Coast Guard, 7 Dorron Avenue, Mallacoota VIC 3892, VHF Channel 16
