Fishing Port Macquarie & Crescent Head
General fishing in Port Macquarie & Crescent Head has benefited immensely from the cessation of commercial netting in the Hastings River. This shift has allowed estuary fish populations, particularly dusky flathead and yellowfin bream, to rebound dramatically. Anglers should plan their trips during the autumn months when water temperatures stabilize and bait migrations peak.
Land-based anglers are highly active along the town's famous Southern Breakwall where mulloway and tailor congregate. Casting lightly weighted prawns along the shallow sand flats of Lake Cathie is highly productive for family groups. Surrounding beaches like Crescent Head offer miles of deep gutters tailored perfectly for long-wand surf casting.
Offshore and boat fishing out of Port Macquarie is exceptional, supported by a deep-water artificial reef sitting in forty-six metres. Crossing the Hastings River bar requires careful observation as tidal run-outs against large ocean swells can create hazardous conditions. Once in open water, boaters can easily target pelagic sportfish like mahi mahi and marlin around the seasonal FADs.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- The Port Macquarie Southern Breakwall: The Port Macquarie Southern Breakwall is arguably the most famous spot in town for targeting tailor and mulloway. The first two hours of the run-in tide provide the perfect water depth and current to push baitfish against the rocks. Anglers should use long surf rods and heavy braided lines to cast large metal slugs safely over the jagged boulders.
- Lake Cathie Bridge: Lake Cathie Bridge offers a fantastic vantage point for catching large flathead and bream during the changing tides. Dropping softly weighted baits into the channel just as the tide slows down allows for the most natural presentation. A light spin combo is all that is required, making this an ideal and highly productive spot for family fishing.
- Limeburners Creek Mouth: Limeburners Creek Mouth is littered with commercial oyster farms that provide the ultimate structure for large yellowfin bream. Wading the sandy flats on an incoming tide while casting surface poppers is a thrilling way to fish this area. Use a fast-action rod and strong fluorocarbon leader to quickly extract angry fish before they wrap around the wooden racks.
- Crescent Head Beach: Crescent Head Beach features deep, well-defined gutters that are perfect for targeting large mulloway in the surf. Fishing under the cover of darkness during a rising tide with fresh tailor fillets will yield the best results. A heavy beach rod and a star sinker are necessary to anchor your bait securely in the turbulent wave wash.
- Dennis Bridge: Dennis Bridge spans the Hastings River and provides deep water access for anglers chasing school jewfish and flathead. Hopping heavily weighted soft plastics around the concrete pylons on a slack tide is a proven local technique. Braided line provides the required sensitivity to feel the subtle taps of fish feeding deep in the shadows.
Offshore
- Port Macquarie Artificial Reef: The Port Macquarie Artificial Reef sits in forty-six metres of water and is a magnet for large winter snapper. Drifting directly over the concrete modules on a run-out tide with lightly weighted squid strips is highly effective. A baitrunner reel allows the snapper to confidently swim away with the bait before you engage the heavy drag.
- The Port Macquarie FAD: The FADs off Port Macquarie are the ultimate destination for summer anglers chasing lightning-fast mahi mahi. Trolling small skirted lures at sunrise is the best way to locate the active schools before the boat traffic arrives. Once hooked up, keep the first fish in the water to hold the rest of the school near your vessel.
- Plomer Reef: Plomer Reef offers excellent shallow water reef fishing for tailor, snapper, and the occasional kingfish. Anchoring up and deploying a heavy berley trail during a southerly breeze will quickly bring the fish to your boat. Casting unweighted pilchards into the berley slick on medium spin gear provides incredibly exciting visual strikes.
- The Continental Shelf Drop-off: The Continental Shelf drop-off requires a significant run but offers world-class sportfishing for striped and black marlin. Trolling a spread of large diving hardbodies and resin-head lures is the preferred method when the warm currents arrive. Game fishing gear with a minimum of twenty-four kilogram line class is essential for subduing these powerful ocean predators.
- Point Plomer Headland: Point Plomer Headland offers boaters the chance to cast right into the whitewash for massive drummer and tailor. Manoeuvring a small tinny just outside the breaker line requires a calm day and a highly attentive skipper. Throwing lightly weighted baits or soft plastics directly into the foam will result in brutal strikes from resident reef fish.
Hot Spots
- Blackmans Point Shallows: The sweeping sand flats in this area are perfect for throwing small surface lures at feeding whiting.
- Pelican Island Drop-off: Drifting live herring along this steep underwater ledge on an outgoing tide almost guarantees a flathead strike.
- North Wall Wash: Casting large soft plastics directly into the foamy white water at the river entrance often yields surprise mulloway.
- Maria River Junction: The confluence of the two rivers provides excellent brackish water fishing for Australian bass in summer.
- Rawdon Island Estuary: Submerged mangrove roots and deep river channels here hold highly aggressive mangrove jack in the hotter months.
Local Bait Tips
- Live Herring: Live herring can be collected by using multi-hook Sabiki bait-jigs to target live herring around bridge pylons and public jetties in the Hastings River. Ensure you keep them in a well-aerated live bait tank and adhere to all local baitfish bag limits.
- Beach Worms: Beach worms are easily caught along Crescent Head Beach using a piece of aged meat washed in the shoreline. Anglers must hold a valid NSW recreational fishing licence and obey the strict bag limit of twenty worms per person.
- Saltwater Nippers: Saltwater nippers are easily pumped by pumping nippers using a hand-operated suction pump on intertidal flats in Limeburners Creek during the low tide. The legal bag limit is one hundred nippers per person and they are a superb bait for flathead and bream.
Boat Ramps
- Westport Park Boat Ramp (Port Macquarie), Port Macquarie:
Westport Park Boat Ramp (Port Macquarie): Located on Park Street within Westport Park in Port Macquarie, this facility provides direct launching into the Hastings River. It features a robust four-lane concrete ramp configuration in excellent condition, deep enough to accommodate larger vessels. Staging is supported by side staging pontoons and an additional floating pontoon positioned out front on the left side of the ramp. It features an extensive fish-cleaning area with pelicans often waiting for scraps, fresh potable water taps, a playground, amenities with disabled access, and grass parking for cars, trailers, and caravans. Overnight camping is prohibited, but the site is RV-friendly in the evenings. Boaters must remain cautious of the river’s active tidal flow and potential sand drifts. Visitors should note that Friday nights can get noisy as local youths sometimes gather in the area.
- Fernbank Creek Old Ferry Ramp, Fernbank Creek:
Fernbank Creek Old Ferry Ramp: Positioned on Fernbank Creek Road in Fernbank Creek, this facility provides boat access directly to the Hastings River.
- Blackmans Point Old Ferry Ramp, Blackmans Point:
Blackmans Point Old Ferry Ramp: Located on Blackmans Point Road in Blackmans Point, this boat ramp and picnic area sits where the Hastings and Maria rivers meet.
- Rocks Ferry Reserve Boat Ramp and Pontoon, Wauchope:
Rocks Ferry Reserve Boat Ramp and Pontoon: Located on Rocks Ferry Road in Wauchope, this concrete ramp sits on the bank of the Hastings River. The facility is currently closed due to damage caused by earlier floods. When operational, it features an adjacent floating pontoon and fish cleaning table. The reserve is a popular spot for water sports such as swimming, jet skiing, and boating, and includes undercover picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, a playground, and a small pebbly beach. The site serves as a free overnight campground for caravans for a maximum of 24 hours and offers mobile phone coverage.
Bait and Tackle
- Ned Kelly's Bait and Tackle: 91 Hastings River Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | Phone: (02) 6584 1144
- BCF Port Macquarie: 140 Hastings River Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | Phone: (02) 6583 3133
- Anaconda Port Macquarie: 200 Lake Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | Phone: (02) 6516 2700
- BP Wauchope: 1 High St, Wauchope NSW 2446 | Phone: (02) 6585 2244
Basecamp & Accom
- NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park: 1 Munster St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | Phone: (02) 6583 2755
- Crescent Head Holiday Park: Reserve Rd, Crescent Head NSW 2440 | Phone: (02) 6566 0144
- Leisure Tourist Park: 48 Hastings River Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | Phone: (02) 6584 4555
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Marine Rescue Port Macquarie: Buller Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 | Radio: VHF Channel 16 | Phone: (02) 6584 1966
