Fishing Onslow
Fisheries management across Onslow operates under DPIRD North Coast bioregional rules, enforcing possession limits and minimum sizes for Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Barramundi, and Mud Crabs. Boating anglers must exercise high caution regarding 5-metre spring tidal swings that generate powerful currents through Beadon Creek and expose shallow sandbars. Protecting local coral reef habitats ensures trophy pelagic and demersal fish stocks remain sustainable.
Land-based anglers enjoy excellent fishing along Beadon Creek jetty, Onslow town foreshore, and the banks of the Ashburton River. Casting 30g to 50g metal lures off Beadon Creek breakwall during early morning flood tides produces high-action runs of Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Barramundi. The tidal mangroves along the Ashburton River mouth yield trophy Mud Crabs, Mangrove Jack, and Black Bream on baited traps and soft plastic lures.
Boating fishers launching from the modern Beadon Creek Maritime Facility ramp access the Mackerel Islands archipelago within 45 minutes. Drifting the shallow coral reefs in 10 to 25 metres depth yields bucket-list catches of Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Spangled Emperor, and Rankin Cod. Offshore game vessels trolling outer island passages trigger explosive strikes from Spanish Mackerel, Sailfish, and Yellowfin Tuna.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- BEADON CREEK BREAKWALL: High-capacity granite seawall protecting Beadon Creek Harbour, offering deep-water casting for Queenfish, Giant Trevally, and Barramundi. Cast 40g to 60g metal casting spoons or topwater stickbaits into rushing tidal currents on an incoming tide. Sturdy footwear with rubber soles is mandatory when negotiating large granite boulders.
- ONSLOW TOWN JETTY: Public timber jetty located on the town foreshore, offering comfortable land-based access for Golden Trevally, Silver Trevally, and Squid. Cast fine monofilament lines with running sinker rigs baited with live herring or prawn tails near pylon bases at flood tide. Late afternoon periods produce steady squid strikes on size 3.0 cloth jigs.
- ASHBURTON RIVER MOUTH FORESHORE: Scenic river mouth located 20km south of Onslow, offering fantastic light-tackle fishing for Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Flathead. Fan-cast small soft plastic minnows or live mullet along muddy channel drop-offs during early morning low-wind windows. Wear wading boots to protect against stingrays and mud snags.
- SUNSET BEACH GUTTERS: Sheltered sandy beach west of the town center, ideal for wading anglers targeting Yellowfin Whiting, Tailor, and Golden Trevally. Work topwater micro-poppers or baited patternoster rigs along sandbar edges on a rising tide. Polarized sunglasses are essential for spotting cruising fish in clear shallow water.
- OLD ONSLOW RIVER REACHES: Historic river settlement reach upstream on the Ashburton River, providing premier Barramundi and Cherabin territory. Cast floating hardbody minnows or live prawns under overhanging mangrove roots and submerged timber. Always maintain vigilance regarding saltwater crocodiles in tidal river sections.
Offshore
- THE MACKEREL ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO: Pristine coral island chain sitting 22 nautical miles off Onslow in 10 to 35 metres depth. Premier bottom bouncing and trolling territory for trophy Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Spangled Emperor, and Spanish Mackerel. Requires a sea-going vessel, detailed tide calculations, and comprehensive safety equipment.
- BEADON CREEK NAVIGATION LEADS: Deep dredged ocean channel leading into Beadon Creek, holding schools of Queenfish, Golden Trevally, and Barramundi. Slow-trolling deep-diving minnow lures or drifting live mullet along channel drop-offs produces consistent action. High commercial vessel traffic requires strict adherence to navigation rules.
- ASHBURTON REEF BOMMIES: Inshore limestone and coral reef system sitting 5 nautical miles west of Onslow in 12 to 22 metres depth. Prolific territory for drifting whole squid baits for Spangled Emperor, Goldspotted Cod, and Rankin Cod. Early morning calm weather offers optimal conditions before sea breezes chop up the ocean.
- FORTESCUE OUTSHORE TRENCH: Deep water drop-off sitting 30 nautical miles north of Onslow in 50 to 120 metres depth. Heavy-tackle game fishing zone for trolling skirted lures for Sailfish, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Spanish Mackerel. Requires dual bilge pumps, satellite tracking, and fuel contingency planning.
- DIRECTION ISLAND CORAL LEDGES: Shallow coral reef fringing Direction Island in 8 to 18 metres depth, offering exceptional sight-casting for Coral Trout and Giant Trevally. Cast surface poppers or slow-pitch metal jigs along white-water reef edges during flood tides. Observe local island sanctuary zone boundaries.
Hot Spots
- MACKEREL ISLANDS: World-famous coral archipelago delivering bucket-list Red Emperor, Coral Trout, and Spanish Mackerel.
- BEADON CREEK HARBOUR: Premier modern marina offering deep-water land-based casting for GTs, Queenfish, and Barra.
- ASHBURTON RIVER MOUTH: Iconic river delta famous for trophy Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, and Mud Crabs.
- SUNSET BEACH FORESHORE: Sheltered town beach offering top-tier light-tackle family fishing for Whiting and Trevally.
- DIRECTION ISLAND REEFS: Prolific inshore coral island network holding Giant Trevally, Coral Trout, and Spangled Emperor.
Local Bait Tips
- CAST-NETTED MULLET & HERRING: Harvested using a heavy 10-foot cast net thrown over visible bait schools in Beadon Creek and Ashburton River mouth. Collect live mullet and herring into an aerated livewell. Rigged on snelled wire hooks, live mullet trigger explosive strikes from Barramundi, Spanish Mackerel, and Queenfish.
- SHORE CRABS (SALLY CRABS): Collected by hand from rock crevices and granite boulders along Beadon Creek breakwall 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 lethal live bait for Mangrove Jack and Golden Snapper.
- LIVE SQUID & CUTTLEFISH: Targeted over shallow weed-and-coral patches around Beadon Creek entrance using size 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 targeting large Red Emperor.
- FRESHWATER CHERABINS (PRAWNS): Caught in opera-house traps or cast nets baited with meat frames in upper Ashburton River pools. Store live in aerated freshwater containers. Unbeatable live bait for targeting trophy Barramundi around submerged river snags.
Boat Ramps
- Beadon Creek Harbour Ramp (Onslow):
Located inside the Beadon Creek Maritime Facility off Beadon Creek Road, Onslow WA 6710. Managed by the Department of Transport (DoT) Western Australia. Features a modern dual-lane concrete boat launch ramp equipped with a central floating universal access pontoon jetty. Positioned inside protected harbour breakwaters, providing safe deep-water launching into Beadon Creek and the Mackerel Islands across all tidal conditions. Facilities include a bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, stainless-steel fish cleaning station, vessel wash-down bay, service wharf with marine fuel, 24-hour lighting, and nearby sea rescue headquarters. Free public access.
- Old Onslow Boat Ramp (Ashburton River):
Located off Old Onslow Road on the Ashburton River foreshore, Onslow WA 6710. Managed by the Shire of Ashburton. Features an unpaved natural riverbank and gravel boat launching ramp providing direct access to the lower Ashburton River. Ideal for launching tinnies, kayaks, and crabbing craft targeting Barramundi and Mud Crabs. Low tide conditions create shallow mudflat dependencies, requiring trimmed outboard legs. Amenities include unsealed vehicle parking and riverfront camping areas. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Onslow General Store & Tackle: 12 Second Ave, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6002
- Onslow Hardware & Marine: 5 Beadon Ck Rd, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6111
- Onslow BP (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 1 Beadon Ck Rd, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6100
Basecamp & Accom
- Onslow Ocean Towers & Caravan Park: 1 Second Ave, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6007
- Onslow Beach Resort: 25 Third Ave, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6588
- Ashburton River Rest Area & Park: Old Onslow Rd, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6111
Emergency & Safety
- Onslow Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR 671): Beadon Ck Rd, Onslow WA 6710 - Ph: (08) 9184 6111 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
