Fishing St Helens & Binalong Bay
The marine ecosystem is driven by warm East Australian Current flushes that push tropical baitfish and pelagics close to the coast during summer and autumn. Warmer months deliver explosive action on Yellowtail Kingfish, Striped Marlin, Southern Calamari, and Sand Flathead across the offshore reefs. Inside Georges Bay, year-round fishing produces heavy yields of Silver Trevally, King George Whiting, and trophy Black Bream.
Land-based fishers can work public wharves at St Helens waterfront, granite rock ledges around Binalong Bay, and sand spits along Stieglitz. Casting size 3.0 squid jigs in natural cloth colors off the main town jetty produces top-quality Southern Calamari on a rising tide. Soaking fresh pipis or peeled prawns on light running sinker rigs from the Stieglitz sandbar yields limit bags of King George Whiting and Silver Trevally.
Boaters launching from St Helens Point or Binalong Bay enjoy fast access to protected bay grounds and open ocean reefs. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures along the granite kelp margins of the Bay of Fires targets Yellowtail Kingfish and Australian Salmon. Heading out to the 30 to 60-meter depth lines off Merricks Reef allows boaters to bottom-bounce for Striped Trumpeter and large Gummy Sharks.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- ST HELENS TOWN WHARF: Public timber wharf sitting over deep estuarine tidal channels in central St Helens. Cast size 3.0 squid jigs along dark kelp margins under night lights for jumbo Southern Calamari. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns beside pylons pulls Silver Trevally, Leatherjackets, and Black Bream.
- BINALONG BAY GRANITE LEDGES: Elevated red granite rock platforms overlooking clear oceanic water. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners or white soft plastics far out into wave troughs for schooling Australian Salmon and Snook. Wear non-slip rubber boots and monitor ocean swell sets carefully as rogue waves can wash lower ledges.
- STIEGLITZ SANDSPIT FORESHORE: Shallow sandbar reserve extending into the southern arm of Georges Bay. Wader fishers cast fresh sand worms or pipis on fine 4lb fluorocarbon leaders into sandy gutters for King George Whiting. Early morning high tides before boat traffic increases deliver the quietest bite.
- MAUROUARD BEACH SURF WASH: Wide ocean surf beach south of the bay entrance featuring deep water gutters. Set up surf rod stands and cast double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips beyond the shore break for Sand Flathead. Overcast days with light offshore breezes produce active feeding runs.
- STIEGLITZ JETTY & FORESHORE: Public timber jetty and sandy channel edge extending into the southern arm of Georges Bay. Drop live freshwater shrimp or small shore crabs straight down beside timber pylons on a run-out tide for Black Bream. High water flow brings fish tight against the structure to ambush moving bait.
Offshore
- BAY OF FIRES KELP REEFS: Extensive granite and kelp reef system sitting in 10 to 25 meters depth off Binalong Bay. Troll large 120mm shallow-diving hardbodies or down-rig live squid around reef pinnacles during late summer for Yellowtail Kingfish. Maintaining a trolling speed of 4km/h triggers aggressive strikes.
- ST HELENS BAR CHANNEL: The narrow tidal bar channel connecting Georges Bay to open Bass Strait water. Drift along the channel edges casting 3-inch soft plastics or trolling shallow minnows on an incoming tide for sea-run Brown Trout and Australian Salmon. Watch for breaking swell waves over the shallow bar when crossing.
- MERRICKS REEF DROP-OFF: Deep offshore rock structure sitting in 40 to 60 meters depth east of St Helens Point. Anchor up-current of marked rock ledges and drop heavy rigs baited with fresh fish fillets or squid heads for Striped Trumpeter and Gummy Sharks. Heavy 80lb leader is required to withstand abrasive bottom rocks.
- GEORGES BAY WEED FLATS: Wide shallow seagrass meadows sitting in 2 to 5 meters of clear water inside the bay. Drift across clear sand gaps casting size 2.5 squid jigs or light whiting rigs for Southern Calamari and Sand Flathead. Clear water days with light winds deliver ideal visual sight-casting.
- SKELETON BAY INSHORE MARGINS: Sheltered granite cove featuring clear water and ribbon weed patches in 4 to 8 meters depth. Drift slowly using an electric motor casting soft plastics or metal blades for Silver Trevally and Flathead. Dropping a weighted berley pot near the seafloor keeps schools feeding under the boat.
Hot Spots
- St Helens Town Wharf: Accessible central platform offering premier land-based casting for Southern Calamari and Trevally.
- Bay of Fires Reefs: World-famous granite reef line holding dense schools of summer Yellowtail Kingfish.
- Stieglitz Sandspit: Shallow estuarine sandbar providing world-class wader fishing for King George Whiting.
- Merricks Reef: Deep offshore rock drop-off famous for producing trophy Striped Trumpeter and Gummy Sharks.
- Georges Bay Channel: Fertile tidal waterway yielding consistent catches of Black Bream, Flathead, and Squid.
Local Bait Tips
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off St Helens Town Wharf or over Skeleton Bay 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 Yellowtail Kingfish.
- BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface wharf pylons and rock walls around St Helens waterfront below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Black Bream and Silver Trevally.
- PIPIS: Gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on Maurouard Beach at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole pipis onto long-shank hooks for Sand Flathead and King George Whiting.
- SAND WORMS: Digged using a small hand-fork from moist sand flats inside Georges Bay at low tide. Wrap in damp newspaper to keep lively for light-tackle King George Whiting and Black Bream fishing.
Boat Ramps
- St Helens Point Boat Ramp:
St Helens Point Boat Ramp is located off St Helens Point Road at Burns Bay (Stieglitz) in St Helens, managed by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and Break O’Day Council. The high-capacity regional facility features dual concrete launching lanes equipped with a floating boarding pontoon, providing deep-water all-tide vessel launching into Georges Bay and Bass Strait. Amenities include a large paved car-trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning table, lighting, and wash-down area.
- Binalong Bay Boat Ramp:
Binalong Bay Boat Ramp is located off Main Road at Binalong Bay, managed by MAST and Break O’Day Council. The coastal facility features a concrete launching ramp protected by a breakwater groyne, offering vessel access to the Bay of Fires and offshore reefs. Subject to ocean swell conditions; amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, and parkland facilities.
Bait and Tackle
- St Helens Bait and Tackle: 36 Cecilia St, St Helens TAS 7216 - Ph: (03) 6376 1755
- BCF Launceston: 2/120 Hobart Rd, Kings Meadows TAS 7250 - Ph: (03) 6344 1100
- Shell St Helens (24/7): 64 Cecilia St, St Helens TAS 7216 - Ph: (03) 6376 1144
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park: 2 Chimney Heights Rd, St Helens TAS 7216 - Ph: (03) 6376 1290
- St Helens Village Cabins: 1 Wallesh Ave, St Helens TAS 7216 - Ph: (03) 6376 1200
- Binalong Bay Holiday Park: 66 Main Rd, Binalong Bay TAS 7216 - Ph: (03) 6376 1300
Emergency & Safety
- St Helens Marine Rescue: The Esplanade, St Helens TAS 7216 - Ph: (03) 6376 2443 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 67
