There’s one thing anyone who’s had a go at fishing Sydney’s waterways will agree on: these waters have something for everyone. Just as the city of Sydney has an attraction for every type of tourist, its fishing spots have something for every angler. With everything from scenic boat cruises past the Opera House to deep sea Marlin fishing adventures, the fishing charters Sydney offers have it all. If any city can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed, this is the one.
Known For
It doesn’t get much more iconic than Sydney Harbour. And there’s no better way of taking it all in than by boat. As far as holiday hacks go, taking a fishing trip in Sydney is a pretty big one. Not only do you get to enjoy choice views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, you will be able to catch a very diverse selection of fish. If you’re lucky, you could even come up close and personal to breaching Humpback Whales, too.
Sydney Harbour is the most sheltered harbour in all of Australia. Everything from Bonito to Kingfish, Salmon, and Tailor drops in on this huge expanse of water during the year, and we don’t blame them. With calm waters most of the year round, this watery playground is pretty pleasant for people, too.
But the Harbour is only part of what you will experience when you go fishing in Sydney. Head south, and you can explore the rich aquatic life around the reefs of Botany Bay. Even if you’re fishing from a small boat, you will be able to access the artificial reefs and beaches that make this area one of the most popular fishing hotspots in Sydney. Travel slightly further out, and you can try reef fishing over Sydney favourites such as the 12 Mile and The Peak. Kingfish, Snapper, Trevally, and even the odd Mahi Mahi will keep you entertained here for hours. All this, within a 20 minute boat ride from the Heads.
Now, that’s all great for families, people fishing for food, or avid anglers who don’t want to go too far offshore. But when it comes to sport fishing, Sydney really comes into its own. With Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin all making an appearance in the summer and Southern Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Albacore Tuna in the winter, there’s hardly a time when you can’t put your big game fishing expertise to the test. And for those in the deep dropping fraternity, Blue Eye Trevalla and Gemfish can be found in favourite haunts such as the Browns Mountain seamount. Believe us when we tell you that when you’ve tried fishing in Sydney once, you’ll be hooked.
Rules & Regulations
Fishing licenses are required in New South Wales for anglers over 18, although some Sydney fishing charters hold a Recreational Fishing Fee Exemption Certificate - check to see if the boat you are booking has this, as it will allow you to fish license free. Bag and size limits apply to numerous fish species: your skipper will be able to inform you which of the fish you catch are legal to keep.
Types of Fishing
Anything from good old fashioned bait fishing to high speed jigging or even big game fly fishing has its time and place in Sydney. Bream and Flathead are the local inshore superstars and great fun on super light tackle. Kingfish, Bonito, Salmon, and Tailor can be explosive on light tackle with soft plastics. Or, anchor up and have a go at reef fishing for some big Snapper. And if you’re after a Kingfish to brag about, live bait can be a good option. Head offshore for some incredible spearfishing opportunities too.
But it’s when you head further offshore that things get really fun. Deep sea charters will take you trolling for Marlin in the Summer or Tuna in the winter. In these parts, it’s common to use a mixture of divers and skirts in your trolling spread, and then ‘cubing’ for Tuna. These monsters of the sea find the local delicacy of small cubes of pilchards hard to resist!