Get hooked!
We reel in all of Sydney’s best fishing spots
Around Barrenjoey Head Aquatic Reserve
Best for: Diving for lobsters.
What to bring: Goggles, a snorkel and a measurer, or a pot if you prefer to catch then collect.
Now, we’re not going to give away the precise location that’s heralded as the best spot for scoring Sydney rock lobsters. Why? Because the secrets of seeking out crustaceans in Sydney are highly guarded by a dedicated community of divers wanting to reduce over-fishing of these sought-after sea prizes. What can we tell you? If it’s salty rock shellfish you seek, steer towards the headlands where the Hawkesbury River meets the sea and dive underneath for a lobster bounty.
A few rules: As always, you’ll need your fishing licence ($35 for one year, $85 for three) to catch these salty nippers, and if you’re luring them with a lobster pot, there’s a one-pot-per-person rule. Females carrying eggs are to be returned to the ocean’s depths, and you may only catch and keep two rockin’ lobsters in a 24-hour period.
Brighton-Le-Sands Beach
Best for: Beach fishing.
What to bring: At least a ten-foot rod and a tripod for hands-free pauses, plus bait and a bucket for your catch.
If your love for fishing matches your admiration for aviation, the calm waters of Brighton-LeSands Beach will be your dream fishing spot. Watch 747s depart from the airport across the rippling water while you whistle Paul Kelly songs and hold your line out for flathead, trevally and snapper. The best bites will happen in the early evening, with a healthy contingent of schools swimming near the mouth of the Cooks River on the northern end of the sand.
A few rules: All the standard bag and size limits apply, so bring your measurer. Also remember: this is a popular South Sydney swimming spot, so take care when people are walking or paddling nearby.
Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, Kurnell
Best for: Spearfishing.
What to bring: A pole spear or speargun, depending on your persuasion, plus a stringer or net bag to secure your catch, a float and line (if you like spear security in case she drops), and a snorkel and flippers.
Spearfishers guard their favourite spots like the proud merpeople they secretly are, but they’ve benevolently shared this spot as a primo location for shore diving. Whether you’re a traditionalist with a human-powered pole spear or a mechanical speargun, you’ll have some luck snaring whiting, bream and flathead just beyond the Boat Harbour. This is now a private spot, so you’ll need to fork out $30 for a daily
pass or $160 for a six-month season of wading into the water via the 4WD entry.
A few rules: You must stay at least 50 metres away from others when you’re on the spear-led hunt, and must not carry a loaded speargun while in crowded areas.
From Gordons Bay to Clovelly Beach
Best for: Seaside foraging.
What to bring: Keen eyes and a bucket.
In the urban metropolis of Sydney, it’s hard to imagine that the suited city dweller can get back to humanity’s hunter-gatherer roots. But we are girt by sea, and that salty soup is a top spot to source some free produce. Along this Eastern Suburbs coastal strip you’ll find everything from tangy rock samphire to rockpool-fresh sea lettuce and blacklip abalone (edible sea snails). The best time to seek out these sea treats is often at low tide, as many grow or hide between the high and low tide marks.
A few rules: Harvesting some protected creatures like sea urchins, cockles, crabs and mussels is prohibited, and you should be aware of what shoreline plants are not for human consumption. And as always, consider sustainability in your practice – only take what you will consume and always leave enough for plants to regenerate.
Manly Dam
Best for: Novice fisherpeople.
What to bring: A rod, fly and lures, and a tinnie if you want to get out on the lake.
This expansive body of water about a 15-minute drive from the centre of Manly is a great spot to learn the ropes (or reels) of fishing. The lake is regularly stocked with Australian bass, so you’re more than likely to bag a few beauties even if you’re not practiced at fly-fishing (which is the choice method for catching this species).
Some other fishy friends hiding in the lake include silver perch, carp and redfin.
A few rules: Manly Dam is a hotspot for kayaking, swimming, water skiing and bushwalking, so be mindful of keeping all hooks, lines and lures safely contained. The area also has strict opening hours (daily from 7am-5.30pm and until 8.30pm during daylight saving), so only fish within those hours.
Huntleys Point Wharf, Parramatta River
Best for: Freshwater fishing just for fun. What to bring: Lures, hefty lines and something like a 12-foot rod: there are some big beasties in these waters.
Head to this humble wharf (also known as Gladesville Wharf) when you want to fish for fun, not for dinner. The government urges Sydney anglers to catch and release whenever fishing in harbour waters west of the bridge, as elevated levels of dioxins have been found in the underwater populations of this area. But it’s still worth a trip to these waters, as there are some mega catches to face off against. Cast your line away from the bank with a strong grip and you’ll reel in some mighty bream, yellowtail, leather jackets, flathead and the often elusive jewfish.
A few rules: Let these babies go after a quick measure and pic. ■