Fishing Port MacDonnell
The marine environment is driven by cold, nutrient-rich Bonney Upwelling ocean currents that push schools of pilchards and krill right up against the coast. Summer through autumn brings explosive action for Southern Bluefin Tuna, Striped Trumpeter, Yellowtail Kingfish, and giant Mako Sharks. The deep breakwater harbour and inshore kelp reefs produce heavy year-round yields of King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, and Sand Flathead.
Land-based fishers can work the massive Port MacDonnell breakwall, jetty pylons, and rocky headlands. Casting 28g to 40g metal spinners off the breakwall end into current seams produces schooling Australian Salmon and Snook. Soaking pilchard slabs or fresh squid from the breakwall end at night targets large Gummy Sharks and School Sharks.
Boaters launching from Port MacDonnell Breakwater Boat Ramp enjoy a high-capacity facility protected by massive rock breakwaters. Trolling 120mm to 160mm diving hardbodies or skirted lures at 8km/h around the 40 to 100-meter continental shelf drop-offs targets trophy Southern Bluefin Tuna. Bottom-bouncing heavy rigs in 50 to 120 meters depth produces limit bags of Striped Trumpeter and Bight Redfish.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- PORT MACDONNELL BREAKWALL: Massive granite rock breakwater protecting the harbour basin facing open Southern Ocean water. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners or white soft plastics into current seams for Australian Salmon and Snook. Soaking whole pilchards or fresh squid on heavy bottom setups pulls quality Sand Flathead, Gummy Sharks, and School Sharks.
- PORT MACDONNELL JETTY: Public timber jetty structure sitting inside the sheltered harbour basin. Drop light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns beside pylons for Silver Trevally, Tommy Ruff, and King George Whiting. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs along dark weed margins at dusk for Southern Calamari.
- CAPE NORTHUMBERLAND ROCKS: Rugged limestone sea cliffs beneath the lighthouse offering deep ocean casting. Cast heavy metal jigs far out into wave wash for schooling Australian Salmon and Snook. Wear non-slip rubber boots and monitor ocean swell sets carefully as rogue waves wash lower ledges.
- SHELLEY BEACH FORESHORE: Wide sandy ocean beach east of town featuring deep surf gutters and ribbon weed. Set up surf rod stands and cast double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips beyond the shore break for Sand Flathead. Late afternoon tides during summer deliver consistent catches.
- EIGHT MILE CREEK MOUTH: Tidal estuarine exit where fresh spring water empties into open ocean wash. Cast small 3-inch soft plastics or minnow lures along current seams on a run-out tide for sea-run Brown Trout and Flathead. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
Offshore
- BONNEY UPWELLING TUNA SHELF: Deep continental shelf drop-off sitting in 40 to 100+ meters depth south of Port MacDonnell. Troll large 120mm to 160mm diving hardbodies or skirted lures at 8km/h during late summer and autumn for trophy Southern Bluefin Tuna. Watch for diving gannets and surface bait boils to pinpoint active feeding schools.
- TRUMPETER DEEP REEFS: Deep ocean limestone reef system sitting in 60 to 120 meters depth off Cape Northumberland. Anchor up-current of marked rock ledges or drift using electric reels, dropping heavy rigs baited with fresh fish fillets or squid heads for Striped Trumpeter and Bight Redfish. Heavy 100lb leader is required for sharp deep-sea rocks.
- PORT MACDONNELL HARBOUR WEED FLATS: Shallow bay basin sitting in 3 to 8 meters depth inside the breakwater. Drift across clear sand gaps casting size 3.0 squid jigs or light whiting rigs for Southern Calamari and King George Whiting. Deploying a sea anchor slows your drift speed.
- MACDONNELL REEF MARGINS: Submerged limestone and kelp reef system sitting in 10 to 20 meters depth off the coast. Bottom-bounce fresh squid strips or fish fillets on heavy rigs for limits of Sand Flathead and Pinkie Snapper. Deploying a sea anchor slows your drift speed through the swell.
- MIDDLE BANK SAND RIDGES: Open ocean sand flats located in 20 to 35 meters depth outside the breakwater entrance. Set heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets, salmon slabs, or squid heads for cruising Gummy Sharks and School Sharks. Heavy 80lb monofilament leader is essential for abrasive shark skin.
Hot Spots
- Port MacDonnell Breakwall: Iconic land-based rock wall famous across SA for producing Australian Salmon, Flathead, and Sharks.
- Bonney Upwelling Shelf: World-famous continental shelf drop-off holding Australia's finest Southern Bluefin Tuna fishery.
- Cape Northumberland Ledges: Deep limestone sea cliffs providing explosive land-based spinning for Australian Salmon.
- Port MacDonnell Breakwater Ramp: Premier high-capacity launch facility accessing deep Southern Ocean gamefishing grounds.
- Trumpeter Deep Reefs: Deep ocean rock drop-off famous for producing limit bags of Striped Trumpeter and Bight Redfish.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Port MacDonnell Jetty or over harbour weed beds using size 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole live squid for offshore Southern Bluefin Tuna.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface rocks and breakwater pylons around Port MacDonnell harbour below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Silver Trevally and Tommy Ruff.
- COCKLES (PIPIS): Gathered along sandy intertidal wash zones on ocean beaches at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole cockles onto long-shank hooks for King George Whiting and Sand Flathead.
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats near Eight Mile Creek. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
Boat Ramps
- Port MacDonnell Breakwater Boat Ramp:
Port MacDonnell Breakwater Boat Ramp is located off Sea Parade inside the Port MacDonnell harbour, managed by the District Council of Grant. The premier regional facility features 4 concrete launching lanes equipped with floating boarding pontoons protected by massive granite breakwaters, providing all-weather deep-water launching into the Southern Ocean and continental shelf gamefishing grounds. Note that there is no fish cleaning station directly at the ramp slab; amenities include a massive paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, and lighting.
Bait and Tackle
- Port MacDonnell Marine & Tackle: 1 Sea Pde, Port MacDonnell SA 5291 - Ph: (08) 8738 2100
- BCF Mount Gambier: 1/192 Jubilee Hwy East, Mount Gambier SA 5290 - Ph: (08) 8725 4200
- OTR Mount Gambier South (24/7): 120 Commercial St West, Mount Gambier SA 5290 - Ph: (08) 8723 1100
Basecamp & Accom
- Port MacDonnell Foreshore Tourist Park: 12 Eight Mile Creek Rd, Port MacDonnell SA 5291 - Ph: (08) 8738 2124
- The Customs House Port MacDonnell: 12 Meylin St, Port MacDonnell SA 5291 - Ph: (08) 8738 2005
- Victoria Hotel Port MacDonnell: 1 Meylin St, Port MacDonnell SA 5291 - Ph: (08) 8738 2211
Emergency & Safety
- Port MacDonnell Angling Club (AVCG) / Sea Rescue SA: Sea Pde, Port MacDonnell SA 5291 - Ph: (08) 8738 2000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 22
