Float Your Boat

The Shoalhaven’s pristine coastline, estuaries and rivers are a fisherfolk’s paradise. If you’re keen to throw in a line, our shore based options include beaches, jetties and rock ledges. You can also hire a boat, fishing kayak or head out on a deep sea fishing charter. Don’t forget to be prepared, get your recreational fishing license before arriving and seek out local tackle shops for the best bait, safety gear and local knowledge.

Ulladulla has a rich fishing history, both commercially and recreationally. Harbour and deep sea fishing are popular here, and the pier is a wonderful place to try and hook a tailor, salmon, or kingfish. Ulladulla Fishing Charters provide day long deep sea fishing experiences and a chance to catch morwong, snapper and leather jackets. For something different, hire a fishing kayak from Walking on Water. Burrill Lake Entrance Beach has bream, whiting and flathead aplenty if you’re in sync with the tidal estuary.

Sussex Inlet is located on an estuary, which meanders towards the St Georges Basin waterway in one direction, and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean in the other. This entire waterway provides plenty of amazing land based and boat based fishing opportunities. Sussex Inlet Marine Centre has boat hire, and Sussex Inlet Tackle Shop has bait and friendly local advice on the best fishing spots. Throw in a line along Sussex Inlet’s canals or while away tranquil hours at Basin View or Sanctuary Point’s Boat Ramps. Crookhaven River and Culburra Beach are known for catching mulloway, flathead, blue-nose black bream, tasty mud crabs and blue swimmer crabs. Land based fishing is great along the rock walls at Greenwell Point, Orient Point public wharves and the break wall on Comerong Island. For bait and advice, head to C-B Tackle in Culburra Beach. You can hire a boat from Shoalhaven Boat Hire or let Sussex Inlet Pontoons cruise you through the inlet at your own pace and throw in a line while exploring.

Although Jervis Bay is a marine park, recreational fishing is allowed in designated areas and there are great spots along the shore or from the many beaches and boat wharves. If you want to venture out a bit further, then you can hire a fishing kayak from Jervis Bay Kayaks and Paddle Sports. Just be sure to refer to marine park rules on the DPI website so you are trying your luck in the correct places.

If you’re keen for a day of reef, bay, or game fishing, contact Simos Afloat, who can take you on a quest to catch bluefin tuna or maybe a marlin!

Learn more at shoalhaven.com/fishing

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Top left: fishing on the Shoalhaven River. Left to right: Ulladulla Harbour, Seven Mile Beach,

Ulladulla Fishing Charters, a good day’s catch, Sussex Inlet.