Fishing in Esperance / South Coast

Bream and whiting are staple estuary species found in tidal waterways, estuaries and bays throughout coastal Australia, targeted with small baits such as prawns, worms and nippers on light gear. Bream in particular offer a surprisingly strong fight for their size and can be highly selective, making them a challenging and rewarding target.

Dusky flathead are one of Australia's most popular estuary targets, ambushing prey from sandy and muddy substrates in estuaries, bays and tidal flats from Queensland to South Australia. Soft plastic lures worked slowly along the bottom with a lift-and-drop retrieve are devastatingly effective and provide excellent sport on light tackle.

King George whiting are South Australia's most prized table fish and are found in the shallow seagrass beds and sandy bays of Gulf St Vincent, Spencer Gulf and the Yorke and Eyre peninsulas. Fishing fresh peeled prawn, pippi or bluebait on small hooks with running sinker rigs over clean sandy ground produces consistent catches of these delicately flavoured fish.

Casting baits and metal lures through the surf zone for tailor, Australian salmon and mulloway is a classic Australian beach fishing experience accessible from sandy beaches and headlands along the east and south coasts. Dawn and dusk sessions during tailor and salmon runs produce fast and furious action in the white water.

Gummy sharks are Victoria and SA's most popular inshore target, sought at night in tidal bays, channels and coastal surf beaches using large fresh baits of squid, pilchard and tuna on wire or heavy mono traces. Port Phillip Bay, Westernport Bay and the Yorke Peninsula are consistent producers, particularly on the tide change during the warmer months.

Rock fishing for black drummer and Australian salmon from exposed headlands and rock platforms is a traditional Australian fishing experience, particularly popular in NSW and VIC. Black drummer (luderick) are targeted with green weed on light float rigs in surging gutters while Australian salmon and tailor smash metal lures cast into the white water from the same platforms.