Make the 1,200 km trip north from Perth and you hit the small-yet-stunning resort town of Exmouth, WA. Nestled in the Exmouth Gulf and protected by the North West Cape, this hidden corner of the country is best known for its white sandy beaches and great snorkelling around Ningaloo Reef.
What you may not know is that Exmouth fishing charters can get you on a who's who of the country's top gamefish, with an exclusive claim to some of them! Cast from shore or head to the edge of the continental shelf – whatever you do, you're in for a real fight if you wet a line in these remote waters.
Known For
Exmouth is best known as Australia's only reliable Bonefish fishery. Big words, which are more than deserved and don't come close to describing the area's flats fishing. There's a lot more here than Bonefish, too. Venture out from the sheltered shallows of Exmouth Gulf and you hit the vast reef which won the Coral Coast its name. This is food fish central, with Snapper, Coral Trout, Red Emperor, and more.
After something a little bigger? How about Billfish! Exmouth is visited by both Black and Blue Marlin in huge numbers each year. Throw in easy access to the fishing grounds and you start to see why deep sea fishing Exmouth's bluewaters is so much fun. Just ask the guys who caught Australia's first grander Blue Marlin (and the current national record for Blue Marlin) here in 2014. Tempted yet? There's a lot more still to come...
Types of Fishing
Big Game Fishing
If you're on the hunt for a world record, you've come to the right place. Heavy tackle season is incredible here, with monster Blue and Black Marlin putting line and angler to the test on the outer reaches of Ningaloo Reef. The drop-off starts almost as soon as the reef ends, plummeting 1,000 metres just 20 km from shore in some spots.
All 6 of Australia's Billfish show up here: Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish, and Shortbill Spearfish come together to make for some unforgettable fishing. Factor in a record-breaking Blue Marlin fishery and you begin to wonder why people go anywhere else.
Still not good enough? What if we told you the action never ends. Black and Blue Marlin are excellent in all but the depths of winter, and still occasionally show up even then. Sailfish peak in the winter months and Mahi Mahi and Wahoo are both here year-round. There's never a bad day for Exmouth fishing charters.
Reef Fishing
We've talked a lot about Ningaloo Reef but haven't given it its full credit yet. With almost 300 km of coral to explore and relatively little fishing pressure, the area is home to more tasty bottom fish than you can shake a stick bait at. Coral Trout, Pink Snapper, Red Emperor, Sweetlip Emperor, Queenfish, and even the occasional Dhufish is reeled in here. There's no risk of going hungry after one of these trips, and you can enjoy them every month of the year!
Flats Fishing
Exmouth is widely-agreed to be Western Australia's top fly fishing destination, and it's easy to see why. Vast, sandy flats start just a couple of casts from town, full of the area's signature Bonefish. The flats don't lack for variety, either, with Permit, Golden Trevally, and even GTs - more than enough for any angler.
Exmouth's shallows are productive year-round, but they hit a whole new level at the end of winter when calm waters and dry weather make for days of fun in clear, glassy waters.
Need to Know
Fishing Regulations
You don't need a fishing licence, whether you're on a charter or fishing from shore. If you're taking your own boat out or going after certain species like Rock Lobster or Abalone, you will need to buy a fishing permit. Be aware that many species have size and possession limits. Read up on these before you fish or head out with a charter to catch a boatload of fish without having to worry about which ones you can keep.
Budget
An entry-level full day trip fishing the flats or the reefs costs around $1,000 AUD. You can often pop offshore to try for Sailfish on these trips, too, if you're feeling adventurous. If you're after some serious heavy tackle sportfishing, prices start at around $2,000 AUD for a day trip. Bigger boats even offer extended liveaboard packages, taking you to the best and most remote spots to battle the biggest of the big game. This is how records are broken!
Getting There
You can fly to Exmouth's Learmonth Airport or get an overnight coach from Perth. You can also make a road trip of it, driving up Australia's stunning west coast. You'll want to allow a couple of days for this, though.
However you get here, and whatever you do when you arrive, you won't regret visiting this beautiful corner of the country. The beaches are flawless and the fishing is even better. Whether you're taking the family for a seaside break or planning the ultimate bucket list fishing trip, the waters around Exmouth are calling your name. Are you really going to ignore them?