Fishing in Lord Howe Island

Barramundi are Australia's iconic tropical sportfish, targeted with hard-bodied lures cast to mangrove edges, snags and tidal structure in the estuaries and coastal rivers of northern Australia from the Kimberley to Queensland. The wet season and immediately after provides some of the most exciting barramundi fishing as fish move into flooded country.

Black jewfish are a large, nocturnal estuary predator found in the tidal rivers and estuaries of northern Australia from the Kimberley through to central Queensland, prized for both their size and exceptional eating quality. Large live mullet and catfish baits fished in tidal holes and deep channel bends produce the best results during low light periods.

Mangrove jack are one of Australia's most aggressive and frustrating estuary species, ambushing lures from beneath mangrove overhangs, submerged timber and bridge pylon shadows in tidal rivers from the Kimberley to northern NSW. These fish hit hard, turn instantly and use every piece of structure to bust off anglers, demanding heavy leader and immediate pressure after the strike.

Yellowtail kingfish are extremely responsive to live baits, particularly slimy mackerel, yakkas and squid drifted over offshore reefs and pinnacles along the NSW and VIC coast. Live baiting is particularly effective when kingfish are finicky and not responding to jigs or lures, and regularly produces the largest fish of a session.

Chasing fast-moving schools of longtail tuna and Spanish mackerel across coastal reefs and headlands with light spinning gear and hard-bodied lures is a thrilling inshore experience available along most of Australia's northern and eastern coastlines. Schools can be located by working headlands and watching for diving birds.

Trolling skirted lures and rigged baits through the warm blue water of the Coral Sea and along Australia's east coast continental shelf edge in pursuit of black and blue marlin. The Great Barrier Reef and Cairns region are world-renowned marlin destinations, particularly during the October to December spawning run.