Fishing The Entrance
General fishing in The Entrance relies on the regular tidal flushing that makes the surrounding flats an absolute haven for light tackle sports fishing. The dynamic currents dictate the movement of massive bait schools moving in and out of the lake system. Utilizing polarized sunglasses helps anglers spot cruising fish over the pristine clear sand flats.
Land-based anglers dominate this area with miles of accessible boardwalks, bridge pylons, and sandy channels freely available. Stealthy approaches are absolutely mandatory when targeting highly pressured fish along the shallow lake margins. Fishing during the first few hours of the incoming tide brings clean ocean water and aggressive feeding behavior to the structured edges.
Offshore and boat fishing is highly rewarding but requires vessels to launch from nearby protected havens or ramps outside the lake. The immediate offshore grounds feature a brilliant mix of broken reef and artificial structures that hold great fish populations. Skippers can easily target both bottom-dwelling reef species and fast-moving pelagics within a few miles of the coast.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- The Entrance Bridge Pylons: The massive concrete supports of the main bridge create significant eddies that shelter large schools of fish. Anglers should fish the slack water periods using medium spin tackle to prevent break-offs on the rough structure. Casting soft plastics directly against the pylons is a highly effective way to extract predatory species.
- North Entrance Beach: This expansive stretch of ocean beach produces fantastic surf fishing conditions with deep, well-formed gutters. Fishing the dawn high tide with a long surf rod guarantees the best chance of intercepting feeding fish. Baited paternoster rigs utilizing fresh pilchards or worms will quickly locate passing schools of tailor.
- Picnic Point Shoreline: The gently sloping grassy banks and shallow drop-offs provide a safe and highly productive family fishing environment. A high tide during the early evening paired with light estuary tackle produces consistent action. Drifting unweighted baits like fresh prawns over the weed patches will constantly attract bream and whiting.
- Terilbah Island Flats: This shallow sandy island situated inside the lake is a premier location for wading and sight casting. Fishing the first push of the incoming tide using ultra-light gear maximizes the stealth required for success. Working small surface poppers rapidly across the sand induces explosive surface strikes from aggressive whiting.
- Pelican Pelican Point: The narrow channel opening creates a natural bottleneck where tidal flow forces baitfish into tight zones. Anglers target this area during the run-out tide using medium tackle to handle unexpected large catches. Hopping soft plastic lures down the sandy slope mimics wounded prey and triggers aggressive predatory strikes.
Offshore
- Entrance Reef Complex: This shallow nearshore reef system holds reliable aggregations of baitfish and bottom-dwelling predators throughout the year. Skippers should plan to drift the structure during the early morning using medium jigging gear. Dropping soft plastics or fresh squid strips over the broken ground produces excellent quality table fish.
- The Pines Drops: The deeper ledges running parallel to the coastline offer fantastic opportunities for targeting large solitary fish. Drifting over the reef edges during a slow tidal movement utilizing heavy braided line is essential. Deploying large live baits on a paternoster rig will attract the attention of massive resident predators.
- Tuggerah Artificial Reef: This intentionally placed structure creates a thriving marine ecosystem over what was previously barren sand. Fishing an hour either side of the high tide with medium offshore tackle is the best tactic. Using fresh cut baits or metal jigs near the bottom contours ensures a solid strike rate.
- Birdie Beach Deep: The sudden depth changes directly off the northern beaches create perfect ambush zones for pelagics. Trolling diving lures or skirted setups early in the morning intercepts fish hunting along the coast. Heavy overhead tackle is required to effectively fight large gamefish in these deep coastal waters.
- Pelican Point Drop: This subtle bottom feature provides a break from the surrounding sand and holds excellent numbers of schooling fish. Anchoring up during a slow tidal run and fishing with medium tackle is a very relaxing and productive method. Using fresh cut baits on small circle hooks is an efficient way to secure a solid feed.
Hot Spots
- The Entrance Channel Rips: Concentrate baitfish and predators into a chaotic feeding frenzy during the outgoing tide.
- Toukley Bridge Pylons: Provide deep structural cover where massive estuarine predators wait in ambush.
- Mackenzie Reserve Weedbeds: Offer sheltered estuarine fishing where large bream hide among the submerged timber.
- Canton Beach Flats: The expansive shallow sandbanks warm rapidly in the morning sun to attract massive schools of feeding whiting.
- Chittaway Point Snags: Submerged timber at the mouth of the creek offers excellent sheltered habitat for large estuarine bream.
Local Bait Tips
- Sand Nippers: The extensive sand flats around The Entrance expose countless nipper holes during the lowest tidal phases. Anglers are strictly required to use a legal hand-suction pump as digging with shovels is prohibited.
- Green Weed: The rocky foreshores and ocean baths develop thick carpets of stringy green weed during the cooler months. Harvesting by hand is the only permitted method to collect this essential bait for targeting luderick.
- Poddy Mullet: The shallow backwaters around the lake margins teem with these small baitfish during the peak summer months. Using a specialized ultra-light bait rod with small hooks and bread is the only legal method to catch them.
Bait and Tackle
- The Entrance Bait & Tackle: The Entrance Rd, The Entrance | Phone: Local
- BCF Tuggerah: Wyong Rd, Tuggerah | Phone: Local
- Ampol Long Jetty: Central Coast Hwy, Long Jetty | Phone: Local
Basecamp & Accom
- Freemans Campground: Munmorah State Conservation Area | Phone: Local
- Two Shores Holiday Village: 100 Wilfred Barrett Dr, The Entrance North | Phone: Local
- The Entrance Hotel: 87 The Entrance Rd, The Entrance | Phone: Local
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency: 000 | Marine Rescue Central Coast, VHF Channel 16 or 02 4325 7929
