Whyalla, SA

Fishing Whyalla

Top 10 Species

Landbased

• WHYALLA CIRCULAR JETTY: Iconic state-of-the-art circular timber jetty extending over deep water in central Whyalla. Cast size 3.0 or 3.5 squid jigs along dark weed margins under night lights for giant Southern Calamari. Dropping light patternoster rigs baited with peeled prawns beside pylons pulls Tommy Ruff, Garfish, and King George Whiting.
• POINT LOWLY ROCK LEDGES: Rugged granite rock ledges beneath Point Lowly lighthouse offering deep casting into upper Spencer Gulf currents. Cast 28g to 40g metal spinners or white soft plastics far out into wave wash for schooling Australian Salmon. Wear non-slip rubber boots and monitor swell sets carefully.
• WHYALLA MARINA BREAKWALL: Heavy rock breakwater protecting the marina basin facing open gulf water. Cast 3-inch soft plastics or metal spinners into current seams for Australian Salmon and Snook. Soaking pilchard slabs or fresh squid on heavy bottom setups pulls Sand Flathead and Gummy Sharks.
• FITZGERALD BAY FORESHORE: Sheltered gravel and rock beach north of town 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.
• FALSE BAY SANDFLATS: Expansive shallow sandbar reserve west of Point Lowly featuring warm tidal waters. Drop crab net hoops baited with fish frames in clear sand channels for Blue Swimmer Crabs during summer. High tide brings feeding fish right up into flooded shore channels.

Offshore

• POINT LOWLY CUTTLEFISH REEFS: World-famous rocky reef system in 5 to 15 meters depth where Giant Cuttlefish aggregate in winter. Drift over broken rock edges casting soft plastics or trolling shallow minnows for Australian Salmon and Snapper. Observe all local marine sanctuary boundaries surrounding the cuttlefish protection zone.
• SANTOS JETTY OFFSHORE MARGINS: Deep industrial jetty structure and surrounding steel pylons in 12 to 22 meters depth. Troll 120mm deep-diving hardbodies or down-rig live squid around pylon bases for large Yellowtail Kingfish. Bottom-bouncing fresh squid strips yields limits of King George Whiting and Pinkie Snapper.
• FITZGERALD BAY CAGE MARGINS: Deep water bay sitting in 10 to 18 meters depth featuring broken reef bars. Drift across clear sand gaps casting double-hook patternoster rigs baited with squid strips for Sand Flathead and King George Whiting. Deploying a sea anchor slows your drift speed through the tide.
• WHYALLA DREDGED CHANNEL: Deep shipping channel reaching 12 to 20 meters depth leading into the commercial port. Set heavy anchors on the channel slope at night with fresh fish fillets or whole squid heads for large Gummy Sharks. Heavy running sinker rigs are required to keep baits stationary against strong gulf currents.
• MIDDLE BANK SAND FLATS: Wide open gulf sand flats located in 8 to 15 meters depth east of Whyalla. Drop crab net hoops baited with fish frames in clear sand channels for Blue Swimmer Crabs during summer months. The clear water over sand gaps also yields consistent Sand Flathead.

Hot Spots

• Whyalla Circular Jetty: State-of-the-art land-based platform offering premier casting for Southern Calamari and Garfish.
• Point Lowly Ledges: World-famous granite headland offering explosive land-based spinning for Australian Salmon.
• Santos Jetty Margins: Deep industrial pylon structure holding trophy Yellowtail Kingfish and Snapper.
• Fitzgerald Bay: Sheltered upper gulf bay renowned for King George Whiting drifting and soft plastic casting.
• False Bay Flats: Vast shallow sandbar basin famous across upper Spencer Gulf for Blue Swimmer Crabs.

Local Bait Tips

• SOUTHERN CALAMARI: Caught off Whyalla Circular Jetty or over Point Lowly kelp beds using size 3.0 squid jigs. Slice fresh tubes into thin fluttering strips for Flathead bait or use whole heads for offshore Gummy Sharks.
• BLUE SWIMMER CRABS: Harvested using legal open-top crab drop nets baited with fish frames in False Bay sand channels during summer months.
• GHOST SHRIMP (PINK NIPPERS): Pumped using a stainless steel yabbie pump on exposed low-tide sandflats inside Fitzgerald Bay. Keep alive on damp sea-sponge in a cool shade box as top bait for King George Whiting.
• BLUE MUSSELS: Hand-scraped from sub-surface wharf pylons around Whyalla harbour below the low-tide mark. Thread soft mussel meat onto fine wire hooks for Tommy Ruff and Silver Trevally.

Boat Ramps

• Whyalla Marina Boat Ramp:

  Whyalla Marina Boat Ramp is located off Broadbent Terrace inside the Whyalla Marina, managed by the City of Whyalla. The regional high-capacity facility features multi-lane concrete launching ramps equipped with floating boarding pontoons inside a fully protected breakwater basin, offering deep-water access to Spencer Gulf. Amenities include a large paved trailer carpark, public restrooms, fish cleaning station, lighting, and wash-down area.

• Point Lowly Boat Ramp:

  Point Lowly Boat Ramp is located off Point Lowly Road near the lighthouse at Point Lowly, managed by the City of Whyalla. The coastal facility features a dual-lane concrete launching ramp equipped with a central boarding pontoon, providing direct vessel access to upper Spencer Gulf cuttlefish reefs and deep channels. Amenities include paved trailer parking, public restrooms, and camping reserves.

Bait and Tackle

• Whyalla Tackle World: 37 Darling Tce, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8645 8820
• BCF Whyalla: 1/8 McDouall Stuart Ave, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8645 4400
• OTR Whyalla (24/7): 1 Playford Ave, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8645 1100

Basecamp & Accom

• Discovery Parks - Whyalla: 1 Playford Ave, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8645 7474
• Whyalla Foreshore Caravan Park: Broadbent Tce, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8645 9357
• The New West Hotel Motel Whyalla: 123 McDouall Stuart Ave, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8645 8888

Emergency & Safety

• Whyalla Sea Rescue Squadron (VMR300): Broadbent Tce, Whyalla SA 5600 - Ph: (08) 8644 0400 / Emergency 000 - VHF Ch 16 / 73 / 82