Fishing Tumby Bay
The marine ecosystem features shallow sand gaps, dense seagrass beds, and tidal island channels that foster abundant marine life. Summer and autumn deliver fast-paced fishing for King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, Garfish, and Blue Swimmer Crabs. The offshore island reefs produce heavy yields of Samson Fish, Yellowtail Kingfish, and trophy Snapper.
Land-based fishers can work the historic Tumby Bay Jetty, marina rock walls, and sandy foreshore beaches. Casting size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs off the jetty end at high tide produces limit bags of Southern Calamari. Floating small earthworms or maggots under a pencil float near the jetty pylons attracts dense schools of Garfish and Tommy Ruff.
Boaters launching from Tumby Bay Boat Ramp enjoy fast access to sheltered bay waters and offshore island groups. Note that the 2-lane concrete ramp inside the marina basin lacks boarding pontoons and is subject to local council launch permit fees. Trolling shallow-diving minnow lures around Spilsby Island targets Yellowtail Kingfish and Australian Salmon.
Top 10 Species
Landbased
- TUMBY BAY JETTY: Historic timber jetty extending over clear water and ribbon weed patches in central Tumby Bay. Cast size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs along dark weed margins during a rising tide for Southern Calamari. Suspending maggots or cockles under a pencil float during calm morning conditions attracts dense schools of Garfish.
- TUMBY MARINA ROCK-WALL: Granite rock wall protecting the marina entrance offering deep land-based casting. Cast 28g metal spinners or white soft plastics into current seams for Australian Salmon and Snook. Soaking pilchard slabs or fresh squid on heavy bottom setups pulls Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
- TUMBY FORESHORE BEACH: Wide sandy beach reserve flanked by pine trees featuring clear sand gaps close to shore. Wader fishers cast fresh ghost shrimp or cockles on light running sinker rigs into sandy gutters for King George Whiting. Early morning high tides deliver peaceful, active fishing.
- SECOND CREEK MOUTH: Tidal creek entrance south of town featuring shallow mudflats and mangrove channels. Cast 2-inch soft plastics or small hardbody minnows along channel drop-offs on a run-out tide for Sand Flathead and Black Bream. Overcast days provide ideal conditions for bank fishers.
- RED CLIFFS FORESHORE: Red clay and granite headland north of town offering elevated casting into deep water. Set up rod stands and fish ledger rigs loaded with earthworms or sweetcorn for Tommy Ruff and Flathead. High water levels bring feeding fish right up against the rock shelf.
Offshore
- TUMBY BAY WEED FLATS: Wide shallow bay basin sitting in 2 to 6 meters depth packed with ribbon weed beds. Drift across clear sand gaps casting light whiting rigs baited with fresh ghost shrimp for limits of King George Whiting. Using a sea anchor slows your drift speed through the tide.
- SPILSBY ISLAND REEFS: Large island reef system inside the Sir Joseph Banks Group in 10 to 25 meters depth. Troll large 120mm deep-diving hardbodies or down-rig live squid around reef pinnacles for Yellowtail Kingfish and Samson Fish. Bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips yields limits of King George Whiting.
- SIR JOSEPH BANKS REEF BARS: Submerged granite rock bars sitting in 15 to 30 meters depth off the island group. Anchor up-current of marked rock ledges, deploy a continuous pilchard berley trail, and drop heavy rigs for Nannygai and Gummy Sharks. Heavy 80lb monofilament leader is required for sharp rocks.
- TUMBY ISLAND PASSAGE: Deep ocean channel separating Tumby Island from the mainland in 6 to 12 meters depth. Slow-troll 90mm shallow-diving minnows or cast soft plastics along channel edges for Australian Salmon and Snook. Watch tidal current seams closely as fish gather to feed.
- KELLIDIE APPROACH SAND RIDGES: Open sand flats located in 10 to 18 meters depth south of town. Drift across open sand using double-hook patternoster rigs baited with fresh squid strips or bluebait for limits of Sand Flathead. Setting heavy anchors at night with fresh fish fillets targets cruising Gummy Sharks.
Hot Spots
- Tumby Bay Jetty: Famous land-based platform offering premier casting for Southern Calamari, Garfish, and Whiting.
- Tumby Bay Flats: Shallow weed-rich basin producing limit bags of King George Whiting and Blue Swimmer Crabs.
- Spilsby Island Reefs: World-famous island structure holding trophy Yellowtail Kingfish, Samson Fish, and Whiting.
- Tumby Marina Breakwall: Deep granite rock wall providing consistent land-based Salmon, Flathead, and Gummy Shark fishing.
- Tumby Island Passage: High-current channel offering exceptional boat trolling for Australian Salmon and Snook.
Local Bait Tips
- GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats inside Tumby Bay. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
- SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Tumby Bay Jetty or over Tumby island weed beds using size 2.5 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole heads for offshore Gummy Sharks.
- COCKLES (PIPIS): Hand-gathered along the sandy intertidal wash zone on ocean beaches at low tide by foot-twisting in wet sand. Thread two whole cockles onto long-shank hooks for Whiting and Flathead.
- BLUE SWIMMER CRABS: Harvested using legal open-top crab drop nets baited with fish frames in Tumby Bay sand channels during summer months.
Boat Ramps
- Tumby Bay Boat Ramp:
Tumby Bay Boat Ramp is located off Esplanade inside the marina basin in Tumby Bay, managed by the District Council of Tumby Bay. The facility features a dual-lane concrete launching ramp with no boarding pontoons, situated inside a protected breakwater. Subject to local council launch permit fees; amenities include a paved trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, and lighting.
Bait and Tackle
- Tumby Bay General Store & Tackle: 11 Spencer St, Tumby Bay SA 5605 - Ph: (08) 8688 2011
- BCF Port Lincoln: 18-20 Liverpool St, Port Lincoln SA 5606 - Ph: (08) 8683 4800
- Shell Tumby Bay (24/7): 1 Lincoln Hwy, Tumby Bay SA 5605 - Ph: (08) 8688 2210
Basecamp & Accom
- Tumby Bay Caravan Park: 2 Esplanade, Tumby Bay SA 5605 - Ph: (08) 8688 2208
- Modra's Apartments Tumby Bay: 15 Esplanade, Tumby Bay SA 5605 - Ph: (08) 8688 2087
- Tumby Bay Hotel Motel: 1 Spencer St, Tumby Bay SA 5605 - Ph: (08) 8688 2005
Emergency & Safety
- SES VMR Tumby Bay / SAPOL: Esplanade, Tumby Bay SA 5605 - Ph: (08) 8688 2000 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 81
