Fishing Tathra
General fishing in Tathra centers on the highly productive seasonal movements of Australian salmon, tailor, and flathead in the estuaries and surf beaches. Bar conditions at the Bega River entrance at Mogareeka fluctuate dynamically, heavily influencing the tidal currents inside the estuary. Optimal water temperatures during the late summer months bring active pelagic species right up onto the coastal fringe.
Land-based anglers hold Tathra in extremely high regard due to the deep-water access provided by the famous, historic Tathra Wharf. Surf fishers and estuarine waders can also target vast stretches of clean sand along Tathra Beach and the winding channels of the river mouth. Carefully mastering the local tide changes is the ultimate key to success when fishing from these land-based structures.
Offshore and boat fishing out of Kianinny Bay is a major local highlight, offering unparalleled access to rich, unpressured reef systems. Boaters can utilize the steep launch facility at the Kianinny Bay Boat Ramp to target large snapper, morwong, and flathead on the nearshore gravel beds. During the warmer seasons, the short run to the continental shelf and the Tathra Canyons allows game boats to chase marlin and tuna.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- Tathra Wharf: The historic Tathra Wharf is incredibly high off the water, meaning a 4-metre cliff gaff is absolutely essential to land larger fish safely. It fishes exceptionally well for Australian salmon and tailor during the early morning when pilchards are naturally drifted out into the current. Anglers can also actively jig for yakkas and squid around the structural pylons at night beneath the artificial lights.
- Mogareeka Inlet: This dynamic river mouth at the Bega River entrance provides superb flathead and bream fishing as the outgoing tide aggressively channels baitfish over the sandbars. Wading the shallows and casting soft plastics into the drop-offs is best executed with a light 2-4kg spin rod. Afternoon nor-easterly sea breezes can make casting difficult, so the protected corners of the inlet are strictly preferred during windy days.
- Tathra Beach: Stretching north from the wharf, this expansive beach is a highly reliable location for targeting sand whiting and yellowfin bream. Locate the deeper gutters during the low tide and return to fish them with fresh beach worms on the subsequent run-up tide. A flexible 10-foot surf rod and a light running sinker rig will ensure your bait moves naturally in the shoreline wash.
- Bournda Beach: Located south of Tathra, this wild stretch of coastline is a hotspot for surf anglers chasing large schools of Australian salmon. You will need a heavy 12-foot surf rod to aggressively punch heavy metal slices or pilchard rigs into the distant outer gutters. An offshore westerly wind is ideal here as it flattens the breakers and makes bite detection significantly easier for the angler.
- Wallagoot Lake: This coastal lake is heavily sheltered and provides fantastic year-round fishing for dusky flathead, bream, and elusive estuary perch. Focus your efforts around the shallow weed beds and rocky outcrops using small diving hardbody lures or completely unweighted plastics. Early morning is the absolute prime time to fish here, utilizing a stealthy approach on a 1-3kg outfit to avoid spooking the fish.
Offshore
- Tathra Canyons: Just 19 kilometres from the boat ramp, the continental shelf off Tathra is a major playground for yellowfin tuna and marlin. Trolling a spread of skirted lures and deep-diving minnows is highly effective during the summer months when warm ocean currents prevail. Heavy 24kg stand-up tackle is mandatory here to successfully endure prolonged battles with the massive pelagic predators that patrol the drop-offs.
- Turingal Head Reefs: Sitting in 35 to 45 metres of water, these extensive reef systems are highly productive for catching quality snapper and morwong. Drifting over the broken ground with a paternoster rig baited with fresh squid or pilchards is the most reliable technique. A medium-heavy 5-8kg boat rod will provide the necessary leverage to keep hooked snapper permanently out of the jagged reef structure.
- Tathra Headland: The immediate outskirts of Tathra Bay provide easily accessible drift fishing for massive numbers of sand and tiger flathead. Anglers should set up a slow drift lining up with the coastal pine trees, utilizing heavy jig-heads or bait rigs in 20 to 30 metres of water. A calm day with a slow ocean current is ideal, allowing your baits to remain perfectly in the strike zone on the bottom.
- Kianinny Bay Outskirts: The waters just outside the Kianinny Bay boat ramp are home to excellent numbers of silver trevally, snapper, and gummy sharks. Anchoring in the 30-metre depth contour and establishing a strong berley trail is a proven method for drawing fish straight to the boat. Light boat gear in the 4-6kg range is sufficient, provided you use a strong fluorocarbon leader to handle the abrasive teeth of the reef fish.
- Tura Head Reefs: This mid-depth zone off Tura Head acts as a highway for migrating pelagics and holds highly concentrated schools of baitfish on the sandy bottom. Dropping metal jigs or heavy soft plastics down to the reef will often yield large kingfish and the occasional nannygai. Keep a close eye on your fish finder to locate the isolated pinnacles that continuously concentrate the feeding fish during tide changes.
Hot Spots
- Tura Beach Gutters: This surf fishing location is excellent for catching large Australian salmon and tailor on fast-retrieved metal slices.
- Bega River Bridge: This is a highly reliable spot for catching black bream after dark using lightly weighted natural baits.
- Nelson Lagoon: This pristine, shallow estuary is perfect for quietly wading and flicking small surface lures for whiting and flathead.
- Kianinny Point: A rocky headland that provides wash fishing opportunities for drummer and luderick during a moderate swell.
- Bournda Island: The sheltered waters behind the island are great for spinning up tailor and salmon from the sand.
Local Bait Tips
- Estuary Nippers: You can pump live nippers on the shallow sand flats of the Bega River estuary during low tide. Keep in mind that while cast nets are completely prohibited in NSW, and enclosed traps are subject to strict regulations (though specifically approved gear like poddy mullet traps are legal), you will need to rely on hand-pumping or standard scoop nets for your bait collection.
- Poddy Mullet: Catching poddy mullet in the Bega River can be successfully done by using a legal, clear plastic poddy mullet trap baited with bread. These traps must be monitored constantly and must not be left unattended in the water.
- Yellowtail: Jigging for live yellowtail is incredibly easy around the deep-water pylons of the Tathra Wharf. A standard Sabiki jig with small hooks tipped with bread or squid is all that is required to gather your bait.
Boat Ramps
- Kianinny Bay Boat Ramp:
Kianinny Bay Boat Ramp: Located in Kianinny Bay, Tathra, this major ocean-facing launching facility is managed by Bega Valley Shire Council. It is suitable for larger boats, providing direct ocean access for vessels of all sizes, and is principally utilized for in-shore and off-shore recreational game fishing.
- Mogareeka Boat Ramp (Tathra):
Mogareeka Boat Ramp (Tathra): Located on Riverside Drive, Tathra, this major facility is managed by Bega Valley Shire Council and provides direct launching access to the Bega River estuary. It is principally used for recreational boating, water-skiing, and estuarine fishing. Note: the primary geographic location of the Mogareeka Bega River estuary ramp is Tathra.
- Blackfellows Lake Boat Ramp:
Blackfellows Lake Boat Ramp: Positioned on Blackfellows Lake and managed by Bega Valley Shire Council, this facility provides access to Blackfellows Lake and the Bega River. It is designed principally for recreational boating, kayaking, and recreational fishing.
Bait and Tackle
- Tathra Wharf Co-op: Wharf Rd, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6494 1822
- Tathra Newsagency: 61 Andy Poole Dr, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6494 1133
- Tathra Beach Service Station (After-Hours): 2 Ocean Dr, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6494 1122
Basecamp & Accom
- BIG4 Tathra Beach Holiday Park: 2 Ocean Dr, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6494 1301
- Tathra Beach House Apartments: 57 Andy Poole Dr, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6499 9900
- Tathra Hotel: 8 Bega St, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6494 1101
- Kianinny Bush Cottages: 246 Tathra-Bermagui Rd, Tathra NSW 2550 | Phone: (02) 6494 1990
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Marine Rescue Merimbula, Merimbula NSW 2548 | Phone: (02) 6495 1502 | VHF: Channel 16
