Hoping to hook into a trophy Marlin this year? Look no further than Port Stephens, New South Wales. There’s a reason why the NSW Game Fishing Tournament is held here each year. Over the past decade, more than 20 world record Billfish captures were recorded in the Port Stephens and Newcastle area. So when we say this is the place to catch Marlin, it’s a fact. The techniques anglers use here make the fishing that much more impressive–from conventional tackle to saltwater fly fishing and spearfishing. Port Stephens fishing charters aren’t just your ticket to the best Marlin fishing in Australia, they’re a chance to discover everything these waters have to offer!
Known For
Big Game Fishing
More than anything, Port Stephens is known for its epic big game fishing, which has everything to do with location. The nearby East Australian Current carries schools of baitfish toward the coast in summer months. Bigger fish like Tuna, Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Spearfish follow the baitfish, appearing in large numbers off the coast of Australia between December and May. As a result, anglers in Port Stephens get to enjoy the country’s finest deep sea fishing during these months.
The continental shelf roughly 20 miles from shore is yet another reason why this town enjoys such stellar game fishing. With relatively quick access to the deep sea beyond the shelf, anglers in Port Stephens can hook into Marlin, Tuna, monster Sharks, and other prizes without traveling for hours on end. Even before reaching the drop off, you can expect excellent fishing for some of these species. Fishing near Broughton Island can lead to plenty of Marlin hookups, and you’ll be able to fish the reefs in this area for a variety of other species, too.
Coastal Reef Fishing
The reefs surrounding Broughton Island host Snapper, Kingfish (Yellowtail Amberjack), Jewfish, Pearl Perch, Flathead, and more. The Snapper around here are known to reach 9kg and will readily bite soft lures as well as baits. In April, Longtail Tuna pass by the island’s small headland known as Little Gibber. You can fill your cooler with table fare from these waters in a little as 5 hours!
Estuary Fishing
Port Stephens boasts one of the largest and most beautiful estuary systems in the state. These waters are riddled with weed beds, sandbars, mudflats, rock walls, wrecks, and deep holes, which makes for a dynamic fishery. Here you can catch seasonal game fish such as Bream, Flathead, Tailor, Whiting, Mulloway, Kingfish, Australian Salmon,and even the odd Longtail Tuna. On days when the bay is too choppy for comfort, charter boats retreat up the Myall, Karuah, and Tilligery Rivers to continue fishing in protected waters.
Need to Know
Regulations
Many Port Stephens fishing charters provide licenses, tackle, and bait for their customers. It’s always best to confirm that the charter operator provides a fishing license for you ahead of time, since you’ll need to buy one yourself if they do not.
If you plan to fish anywhere in New South Wales without a licensed guide (both in freshwater and saltwater), you must pay the NSW recreational fishing fee and carry your receipt as proof.
Post Stephens Fishing Techniques
Most fishing in the estuary involves casting soft plastics, hard bodied lures, and bait. Reef fishing typically involves bottom fishing and jigging.
While fishing offshore, you’ll have a wide variety of methods to choose from, whether it’s classic trolling or one of the more action-packed techniques that local anglers are known for, such as spearfishing and saltwater fly fishing. Both of these methods are used to catch Marlin off the coast of Port Stephens, and can be a great way for more experienced fishermen to give themselves a new challenge!
Budget
Fishing trips in Port Stephens vary in price depending on how far from shore you travel. Estuary fishing trips range from AUD $400-800, depending on the length of your trip. A half day trip to the coastal reefs (usually 5 hours) costs AUD $800-950, or about AUD $150 per person if you join a shared charter. Full day trips (7 hours) cost around AUD $1,000, or AUD $180 per person.
Offshore big game fishing trips typically last around 10 hours and cost AUD $1,800-2,000. Overnight charters and mothership packages are also available, and prices are usually discussed with skippers on an individual basis.
Getting There
Port Stephens is a 2½ hour drive from Sydney via the M1 Motorway. If you don’t have access to a car, you can catch one of the daily coaches which runs between Sydney and Port Stephens. TrainLink provides transportation all over the state and can bring you to the nearby city of Newcastle by train.
If you’re flying in, you can catch a plane to Newcastle from other cities such as Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, and Gold Coast.
Make your way to Port Stephens next summer and experience the Marlin fishing Australia is famous for!