Fishing Rockingham & Cockburn Sound
Fisheries management across Cockburn and Warnbro Sounds is subject to strict conservation controls, including the annual Pink Snapper spawning closure from 1 August to 31 January, during which targeting Pink Snapper is strictly prohibited. Boat-based fishers must also adhere to the West Coast Demersal Scalefish closure running through September 2027, though land-based anglers remain exempt from the demersal boat closure outside of the Cockburn Sound spawning closure. Protecting seagrass meadows across Shoalwater Marine Park safeguards vital nurseries.
Land-based anglers enjoy exceptional access along Point Peron rock platforms, Palm Beach Jetty, and the Kwinana Grain Terminal jetty area. Casting fine monofilament lines or small squid jigs off Palm Beach Jetty produces consistent catches of Southern Calamari, Herring, and Silver Trevally. Ocean rock anglers fishing Point Peron washes land hard-fighting Australian Salmon and Tailor during autumn and winter surges.
Boating fishers launching from Point Peron, Palm Beach, or Carlisle Street gain rapid access to deep sheltered channels and offshore island reefs. Drifting the shallow seagrass banks between Penguin Island and Garden Island yields trophy Southern Calamari and King George Whiting on light tackle. Deep holes in Cockburn Sound reaching 20 metres depth produce heavy catches of Blue Swimmer Crabs using drop nets during permitted summer months.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- POINT PERON GRANITE & LIMESTONE LEDGES: Exposed ocean headland offering high-energy casting platforms into deep water washes. Cast 40g to 60g metal casting lures into white-water foam for Australian Salmon, Tailor, and Yellowtail Kingfish during autumn swells. Extreme caution is mandatory as ocean waves sweep across low limestone ledges without warning.
- PALM BEACH JETTY: Sheltered timber pier located on Rockingham foreshore, providing calm land-based access for Southern Calamari and Trevally. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 cloth-wrapped squid jigs across sand-and-weed boundaries under jetty lights at night. Light running sinker rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp produce steady Whiting action.
- WOODMAN POINT AMMUNITION JETTY (NORTH): Iconic land-based platform bordering northern Cockburn Sound, famous for Pink Snapper and giant Calamari. Cast long-distance patternoster rigs baited with whole squid into deep ocean channels during overcast winter storms. Bring a long-handled drop net to land heavy fish from the high jetty deck.
- SHOALWATER BAY FORESHORE: Peaceful shallow beach opposite Penguin Island, ideal for wading anglers targeting King George Whiting and Flathead. Fan-cast small soft plastic grubs or baited patternoster rigs into sandy clearings between seagrass patches at dawn. Polarized sunglasses are essential for spotting feeding fish in clear shallow water.
- KWINANA GRAIN TERMINAL BEACH: Deep beach stretch flanked by industrial jetties, renowned for big surf Tailor and Gummy Sharks at dusk. Rig 12-foot surf rods with wire traces and fresh pilchard baits cast beyond the shore-break. Check local access restrictions and parking signs along the foreshore road.
Offshore
- COCKBURN SOUND CENTRAL BASIN: Deep sheltered basin averaging 15 to 22 metres depth, holding dense populations of Blue Swimmer Crabs and Squid. Set arrays of crab drop nets baited with fresh fish frames across muddy basin floors during summer. Drifting size 3.0 squid jigs over deep weed lines accounts for giant Southern Calamari.
- GARDEN ISLAND CAUSEWAY LEADS: Shallow reef and rock channel running along the Garden Island causeway, holding schools of Silver Trevally and King George Whiting. Drift light monofilament rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp or coral prawns on a rising tide. Observe military exclusion zones marked along Garden Island shorelines.
- WARNBRO SOUND SEAGRASS BEDS: Expansive sheltered bay sitting south of Point Peron, featuring pristine seagrass beds in 5 to 12 metres depth. Outstanding territory for drifting light tackle rigs for King George Whiting and setting crayfish pots for Southern Rock Lobster. Early morning calm weather offers optimal clarity.
- COVENTRY REEF BOMMIES: Exposed outer reef structure located 4 nautical miles west of Point Peron in 15 to 25 metres depth. Trolling high-speed minnow lures or surface poppers along current lines triggers chaotic strikes from Samson Fish and Yellowtail Kingfish. Ocean swells break heavily over shallow reef ledges, requiring constant helm control.
- PARKER POINT REEF LEDGES (GARDEN ISLAND): Submerged limestone ledges sitting off the southern tip of Garden Island in 10 to 18 metres depth. Prolific ground for drifting whole squid baits for Silver Trevally and Tarwhine during open fishing windows. Anchor upwind and establish a continuous berley trail to raise fish into the strike zone.
Hot Spots
- POINT PERON HEADLAND: Iconic limestone outcrop offering high-octane rock casting for Australian Salmon, Tailor, and Pelagics.
- PALM BEACH JETTY: Sheltered urban pier famous for Southern Calamari, Herring, and King George Whiting.
- COCKBURN SOUND BASIN: Premier marine basin world-renowned for Pink Snapper spawning and Blue Swimmer Crabs.
- WARNBRO SOUND: Tranquil southern bay offering pristine seagrass drift fishing for Whiting and Squid.
- SHOALWATER MARINE PARK: Crystal-clear island sanctuary holding Southern Rock Lobster, Trevally, and Calamari.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Harvested using a yabbie pump on low-tide sandflats inside Shoalwater Bay and Safety Bay shallows. Target small air holes in damp sand, pump rapidly, and discharge into a floating mesh sieve. Store live in cool damp newspaper moistened with sea spray to maintain high vitality.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Scraped off submerged wooden jetty pylons and rock walls around Palm Beach Jetty and Point Peron boat ramp at low tide. Dislodge clusters using a heavy putty knife and collect into a bucket lined with damp kelp. Fresh crushed mussels form irresistible bait for King George Whiting and Silver Trevally.
- SEA WORMS: Uncovered by hand-forking through damp intertidal sand and mud along Safety Bay foreshore at spring low tide. Turn over moist sediment near weed margins using a garden fork and gather worms into containers of damp sand. Keep shaded from direct sunlight to preserve natural wriggling action.
- LIVE OCTOPUS & SQUID: Targeted over shallow seagrass beds in Warnbro Sound 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 targeting large pelagics.
Boat Ramps
- Point Peron Boat Ramp (Rockingham):
Located off Point Peron Road on the southern shore of Shoalwater Bay, Rockingham WA 6168. Managed by the City of Rockingham and Department of Transport (DoT) WA. Features a major launching facility with 6 concrete ramps and 3 holding jetties. Protected by low limestone breakwalls, providing rapid access to Warnbro Sound, Shoalwater Marine Park, Cockburn Sound, and Garden Island. Facilities include a large bitumen car-and-trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning tables, wash-down taps, and 24-hour lighting. Free public access.
- Palm Beach Boat Ramp East (Rockingham):
Located off Rockingham Beach Road at Palm Beach foreshore, Rockingham WA 6168. Managed by the City of Rockingham. Officially designated as Palm Beach Boat Ramp East, featuring two concrete ramp lanes and one central holding jetty. Positioned in calm waters protected by the Garden Island causeway, making it a primary launch site for craft targeting Cockburn Sound Squid, Whiting, and Crabs. Facilities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, shaded parkland, and jetty access. Free public access.
- Palm Beach Boat Ramp West (Rockingham):
Located off Esplanade at Palm Beach foreshore near the Yacht Club, Rockingham WA 6168. Managed by the City of Rockingham. Officially designated as Palm Beach Boat Ramp West, featuring one concrete ramp lane and one holding jetty. Offers sheltered shallow-water launching for tinnies, jet skis, and light powerboats targeting inner Cockburn Sound. Amenities include sealed car-trailer parking, public restrooms, grassed parkland, and nearby dining. Free public access.
Bait and Tackle
- Rockingham Tackle & Outdoor: 15 Kent St, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9527 1144
- Compleat Angler Rockingham: 8/ Peel Tce, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9528 1222
- BCF Rockingham: 1 Layout Rd, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9592 6300
- Ampol Rockingham (24-Hour Bait & Ice): 112 Rockingham Rd, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9527 1822
Basecamp & Accom
- Rockingham Beach Holiday Park: 22 Governor Rd, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9527 1218
- Clowers Apartments Rockingham: 1 Rockingham Beach Rd, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9592 2200
- Safety Bay Caravan Park: 180 Safety Bay Rd, Safety Bay WA 6169 - Ph: (08) 9527 1180
Emergency & Safety
- Rockingham Volunteer Sea Rescue Group (VMR 610): Point Peron Rd, Rockingham WA 6168 - Ph: (08) 9528 1000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 80 / 88 (27MHz)
