The endless waterways and beaches throughout Sydney mean there’s no shortage of places to throw in a line and pull out a fish.
‘Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.’
Location: La Perouse Type of fish: Bream, Trevally, Snapper, Tailor, Salmon
Location: Gymea Bay Type of fish: Bream, Whiting, Flathead, Flounder, Salmon, Bonito, Kingfish
Port Hacking River is one of the cleanest waterways in Sydney.
To get there, drive down a steep hill and park at the end of Ellesmere Road to access the walkway that leads to Gymea Baths.
Location: Grays Point Type of fish: Whiting, Bream, Flathead Best time to go: Incoming tide (low tide for sourcing yabbies)
The best time to hunt is on the rising tide, but there are opportunities to pump fresh yabbies for live bait at low tide.
Location: Brighton-Le-Sands Type of fish: Bream, Tarwhine, Snapper, Trevally, Flathead, Salmon, Whiting Best time to go: Early evening
As this is where freshwater and saltwater meet, there’s a wide variety of fish you could wrangle here.
Location: Vaucluse
A sheltered cove that houses a cable footbridge, secluded beach, and swimming pool, with the perfect fishing spot located just further up the bay.
Location: Kirribilli Type of fish: Flounder, Snapper, Flathead, Trevally, Bream and Squid! Best time to go: Early morning or late evening
Definitely a spot you want to hit up first thing in the morning, or last in the evening to avoid an excess of currents from ferries and boats.
Location: Manly Vale Type of fish: Australian Bass, Redfin, Silver Perch, Carp
The wetlands just by the dam wall are said to be the best fishing spot for reeling in some dinner.
Location: Clifton Gardens Type of fish: Bream, Yellowtail, Kingfish, Garfish
Everyone wants a piece of this beauty, so get in early to avoid a huge crowd.
Location: Henley Type of fish: Flathead, Bream, Mulloway, Jewfish, Leather Jacket Best time to go: Late afternoon once the ferries stop running
Yep! But don’t stress, it’s not like getting a driver’s licence – you don’t have to prove you’re a capable fisher to obtain one, phew!
– Flathead – Whiting – Leatherjacket – Bream – Snapper – Silver Perch – Trevally – Salmon And if you're lucky, you might even get something exciting on your line (or net) like; – Squid – Abalone – Prawn – Lobster
– Fresh bait is best – Fish as light as possible (jighead/sinker and line) – heavier gear doesn’t always mean heavier fish – Use a rod, reel and line that are compatible with each other – Fish during turning tides – check the tides before you head out with the Tides Near Me app or the NSW tide tables – Bring a net to help secure your fish when reeling it in