When booking a holiday to Australia, it’s likely you’re going to visit top attractions, including many in New South Wales. This is home to the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and many more iconic landmarks. The fishing in New South Wales is also well worth coming down for. In this south-eastern state you can choose to go offshore fishing or inshore fishing. There’s something for everyone down under! 

What to Expect

You’ll find excellent offshore fishing up and down the coastline. You can be in deep waters on the continental shelf less than 20 miles from shore. This is where you’ll be targeting big game, such as Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin. 

If you’re after a Marlin Grand Slam, take a trip out of Port Stephens from January to May to increase your chances. Further down the coast in Bermagui (Bermi to the locals) are huge Striped Marlins, as well as good populations of Blue and Black Marlin. Due to the strength of these huge pelagics, previous fishing experience is encouraged. Choose a charter with a fighting chair to help you reel them in if you’re not used to hooking monsters!

Experienced anglers can take a full day trip to target Swordfish. The Swordfish out of NSW can reach record-breaking sizes. 

The whole family will enjoy a trip targeting Pink Snapper. These are delicious offshore species that can put up a great fight. You can target them year round and don’t need to head far offshore for them – a four-hour trip is plenty of time to catch your fill.

Or maybe you’d like to check out the Trout fishing inshore? There’s plenty of Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout to target in Monaro and the Snowy Mountains, many of which hold Blue Ribbon status. It’s best to fish with a guide who can inform you of the local regulations, limits, and catch-and-release areas. 

If you don’t mind the cooler waters, try spearfishing in NSW. Make sure you’re up to date on which species are endangered and can’t be targeted. 

How to Prepare

The licence for your group will be provided when fishing with a charter fishing boat. Otherwise, everyone in your group over 18 will need to have a fishing licence. Your licence must be on you at all times when fishing. This licence is also required when spearfishing.

If going spearfishing, wear a thick wetsuit between 3–5 millimeters. You can only go spearfishing or bowfishing in saltwater. 

When fishing with a charter, the rods and reels are included in the price. If bringing your own, a 7’ rod is a good medium for most species. 

Head over to NSW for an epic fishing trip that you and the whole family will enjoy. There’s plenty of fish in the sea and lots of activities on land down in Oz!