When it comes to considering WA’s ultimate fishing destination, it is hard to go past Exmouth and its surrounds.

There is a good reason why many people consider Exmouth WA’s best fishing spot – there are so many options and an array of highly desirable species on offer.

From kids and families through to offshore bluewater gurus, it seems Exmouth has something to lure every angler, especially those with access to even the smallest of boats.

From the marina to the deep water of the Continental Shelf off Ningaloo, there are few more fishy places on the planet, let alone in WA.

If you make a list of the most iconic fishing species in WA, almost all of them are caught around Exmouth.

However, there is no doubt the bluewater action is what Exmouth is most famous for and it hosts one of Australia’s biggest gamefishing tournaments each year – Gamex.

There are few places where billfish action is available so close to shore as off Tantabiddi, along the west coast and around 30 minutes by car from town.

Here you can be 100 metres of water just minutes from the boat ramp and be among the sailfish and marlin.

While sailfish and small black marlin are most prevalent, there are also good numbers of big blues around and it’s only a matter of time until the elusive ‘grander’ is caught in these waters.

Marlin are far from the only bluewater target though and other likely catches include wahoo, dolphinfish and yellowfin tuna.

Bottom fishers also try their luck in the depths for the likes of ruby snapper, grey-banded cod, red emperor and gold-band.

In closer to the back of the reef there are Spanish mackerel and coral trout to be had, while those seeking the excitement of big giant trevally and red bass will cast lures right up against the reef edge and hang on.

Even the inside of the reef can be very productive, particularly for golden trevally, spangled emperor, queenfish, giant herring and even bonefish in some locations.

There are also countless squid inside the reef at times.

Billfish aren’t only caught off Tantabiddi though and at certain times of the year sailfish will enter the shallow waters of the gulf while following bait, offering some exciting fishing action.

The gulf itself is a magic sportfishing location, offering a wide range of species and usually in shallow water, making it very popular with visiting fly anglers.

Big queenfish patrol the flats and are sometimes joined by big GTs and monster giant herring, as well as permit and blue bastards, while thumping golden trevally will turn up on the shoals.

The shoals are also likely to produce mackerel, tuna and coral trout, with working schools of longtails are a common sight in the gulf.

Learmonth Jetty is a popular spot for shore anglers looking to access some of the flats action.

The small creeks which feed the gulf hide a few barramundi, but are very good for mangrove jack, small queenfish and trevally, bream, cod and there are also some good hauls of mud crabs on offer.

The shallows of the gulf, including around Exmouth, are also worth trying for small fare such as whiting and flathead, and squid can again be caught.

The islands off Exmouth are a favourite with boat anglers too, offering fantastic fishing in some stunning locations.

The Muirons and Peak are favoured fishing spots, offering many of the popular local species including spaniards, tuna, cobia, GTs, trevally, sailfish and more.

Trolling is a favoured method in these areas, but anchoring and berleying can be extremely effective, as it can also be on the shoals in the gulf.

There are launch ramps at Tantabiddi, Bundegi and the marina, and limited beach launching at other locations.

The marina is also a great spot for young anglers, offering plenty of fun with small queenfish, trevally, jacks, cod, flathead and bream.

Fishing from the rock walls anywhere around the marina is worth a try and you just never know what might show up next – a sailfish was even hooked in there a few years back!

Which sums up fishing Exmouth – anything can happen and often does!

The south coast of Western Australia offers an amazing array of opportunities for kayak fishers.

More and more people are turning to kayaks to broaden their fishing horizons and the south coast offers a great mix of fishing opportunities and safety.

With numerous rivers and estuaries, as well as plenty of protected bays, it’s a stretch of the coast which almost appears made for this type of fishing.

From Augusta to Esperance, there are countless great fishing spots perfect for exploring by kayak.

One of the staples of south coast fishing are black bream and there wouldn’t be anywhere else in the country which offers the diversity of bream fishing locations as this area.

Major rivers like the Blackwood, Frankland, Donnelly, Denmark, Kalgan and Bremer have long been famed for their bream fishing, but they really are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fishing the south coast.

There are countless more small river and estuary systems, and even land-locked lakes, that offer great bream fishing, with the lure of the trophy 40cm fish for which the south coast is renowned.

A quick scan of the coast on Google Earth will show just how many potential bream fishing spots there are.

While the serious bream anglers have a few secret spots they won’t divulge to anyone, the truth is bream can be found in most of the waterways along the coast and often in good numbers.

Almost all of the systems on the south coast have good access, meaning launching a kayak is simple and safe, opening up some fishing opportunities unavailable to shore and even, at times, small boat anglers.

Exploring some of these beautiful waterways silently in the kayak, taking in the fantastic scenery, is a delightful way to spend a few hours, especially from February to May when the local weather is generally most suitable for getting on the water.

Both lures and baits work, but the former are perfectly suited to the mobility offered by a fishing kayak, enabling the angler to explore a lot of territory to find the fish.

There is a range of environments in these south coast waterways and successful approaches can vary from long casts across flats, to fishing deep in holes, or working tight in against snags and structure, so it pays to be prepared for a few different scenarios, with a range of lures in the tackle box.

Bycatch of species like juvenile salmon, herring and mullet can be expected, and maybe even the occasional king george whiting.

Sometimes quite large salmon can become trapped in estuaries, while Albany’s Kalgan River offers a unique kayak fishing option with its resident mulloway.

This sub-species which grows faster than its west coast brethren can offer great fun from a kayak, with fish to over a metre caught in the Kalgan.

Smaller fish around 50-70cm can be very common in the Kalgan and are great fun on light tackle.

The Donnelly River is also unique in that offers the rare WA chance at sea-run trout, with the freshwater species caught all the way to the mouth.

The nearby Warren River is a noted freshwater fishing spot which produces trout, but also high numbers of big, fat redfin perch.

Kayaking the Warren can be a challenge, with many fallen logs to be navigated, but the redfin fishing can make the effort worthwhile and few fish taste better on the plate.

Some of the bigger estuaries, such as Oyster and Princess Royal harbours, Nornalup and the Wilson, also offer some excellent kayak fishing opportunities for a wider range of species.

Catches in these areas could include bream, KGs, flathead, pink snapper, herring, skippy, small salmon maybe even the elusive giant herring.

Kayakers can even use drop nets for blue swimmer crabs.

Local tackle shops are a great way to get the latest information on what’s biting along the south coast and in particular which systems are firing, as this can vary from year to year and even month to month.

For those who want to get offshore, there are numerous sheltered launching locations which offer access to some great inshore fishing.

It’s not unprecedented to tangle with serious fish like samson fish from kayaks, but generally the south coast fare will be more of the bread and butter variety.

Two of the more popular targets for inshore kayak fishers will be squid and king george whiting.

Often found in the same areas, both are great fun to catch and taste tremendous.

Find good banks of ribbon weed, which are often only a few metres from shore, and there should be some squid not far away.

Drifting around over these shallows weed beds with a couple of jigs out should result in a nice feed of cephalopods.

Look for broken ground and sand patches in the same sort of areas and you should be able to find a KG or two, if not some herring and skippy as well.

Kayakers trolling minnow lures just out from rocky headlands may also catch a few bonito and perhaps a southern bluefin tuna.

During the annual salmon run, from February to May, there is also the chance to use a kayak to chase big schools of these great sportfish as they cruise close to shore.

Timing is everything with salmon schools and you need to be in the right place at the right time to get amongst the action.

Cheynes Beach, just east of Albany, is not the only location where this is possible but it has been one spot where kayak fishers have reliably been able to do very well, as the schools often hold not far from the launching location.

Trolling the nearby rocks is a good way to find the fish when they are running, as is watching for schools over the sand close to the shore as they will often pass right by the boat ramp.

If you are worried about sharks, then a Shark Shield is a good investment for added peace of mind.

With so many sheltered locations offering safe fishing water for kayakers and some great southern species on offer, the south coast is a fantastic playground for keen kayak anglers.

Estuaries are the lifeblood of fishing on our south coast and yet seem to be underrated in the wider community at times.

Not only are they important nurseries for many of the species which are crucial to recreational fishing along the south coast including mulloway, black bream, king george whiting and pink snapper, they provide the transition between our rivers and the marine environment.

They are of tremendous value to the community because of the safe watersports and outdoors opportunities they provide, including fantastic safe, scenic and family friendly fishing locations.

Whether it be from the shore, or a boat or kayak, the south coast estuaries are a vital part of recreational fishing in WA and therefore it is important their health is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Commercial, and recreational, netting remains a contentious issue in these estuaries, and water quality is an ongoing concern for these sensitive areas, especially if pollution occurs and leads to devastating fish kills, as can often be the case in estuarine environments.

Protecting and caring for our estuaries is crucial and they often don’t get the recognition they deserve in conservation discussions, despite having major social and economic values.

Almost all of the big south coast towns are nestled next to significant estuary systems and it’s not a coincidence, such is the importance of these waterways.

Augusta is nestled at the mouth of the Blackwood River, Walpole is next to the Nornalup Inlet, Denmark is flanked by the Wilson Inlet and Albany has the fantastic Oyster Harbour system.

All four of these systems play a huge part in the fabric of these towns, for both locals and visitors alike.

They are not only important to the day-to-day lives of local residents, but a major attraction for visitors to the south coast.

The south coast might not have the offshore fishing opportunities found farther north, but it can offer some brilliant estuary fishing perfectly suited to families.

The appeal of these south coast estuaries to visiting anglers is not hard to work out, combining some easily accessible pristine south coast systems with the chance to catch some good fish in protected waters which seem to be able to maintain productivity despite increased fishing pressure.

Whether it is black bream, flathead, blue swimmer crabs, mulloway, pink snapper, KGs, mullet or herring, to name but a few of the popular species on offer, there are many estuary fishing options for keen anglers on the south coast.

And it’s not just the major systems close to the popular holiday towns which are worth exploring either.

Indeed, there are many small systems which barely appear on the map but which provide fantastic fishing in their own right.

Have look on Google Earth and you’ll find these systems dotted all along the south coast, and just about anywhere there is a river or estuary close to the coast there is the chance of catching a fish.

Some of these small estuaries are absolute gems and offer surprisingly good fishing for the adventurous angler who wants to try somewhere different.

While locals love their home estuaries, the role they play in regional tourism should not be underestimated.

The majority of visitors to the south coast will have some fishing gear in their car and plan to wet a line during their stay, with the appeal of estuary fishing often playing an important part in their final decision to head south for a holiday.

When you throw in the exponential financial impact of a fishing trip south, with accommodation, fuel, food, etc, it’s not hard to see the significant local economic impact the south coast estuaries have in a region that does not have a lot of industry and relies heavily on tourist dollars.

Tourism is crucial to the south coast and that makes healthy estuaries and associated fisheries vital too.

It’s not always about catching fish though and the experience of just being on or next to a south coast waterway has long been ingrained in our WA lifestyle.

For many people, just enjoying some solitude on the banks of a river or estuary, watching mullet flick the surface while soaking a bait, is enough of a delight and catching anything is really just a bonus.

Quite possibly, for some people the fishing is probably just an excuse to be there!

The southern camping trip is also a WA institution and for many people that also means finding a spot next to an estuary, where they can relax, fish, swim and maybe even launch a boat, canoe or kayak in peace, comfort and safety.

For many WA kids, these trips are their first experience of enjoying the bush, sparking a passion which will stay with them for life.

Treasured memories of catching bream, skippy, flatties and herring on these trips will stay with them forever, and drive them to encourage future generations to enjoy similar experiences.

Estuary fishing is usually simple and effective and offers an ideal way to get inexperienced anglers into our great pastime in a scenic environment, while offering a good chance of actually catching something worthwhile.

It also provides enjoyable interaction with other wildlife such as dolphins, pelicans and cormorants.

When you consider how much joy they offer, it’s not hard to see why healthy and productive south coast estuary systems are so important.

Recfishwest Fishing Clinics.

If you’re looking for free Christmas school holiday activities for kids in Perth, then bring the family along to one of Recfishwest’s free kids’ fishing clinics!

The free Summer School Holiday Fishing Clinics are run in WA metro and regional areas and aim to introduce children and families to fishing, while promoting sustainable and safe fishing practices.

All equipment, bait and sunscreen is provided and the clinics run for about two hours, with a briefing session before and after the hands-on fishing activities.

Designed to engage children of all ages and skill levels, the briefing sessions are also aimed at informing and educating the adults so they may gain the confidence to take their children fishing into the future.

The clinics are facilitated by experienced fishers who are passionate about teaching kids and adults the joy of fishing. So if you’re looking for free school holiday activities in Perth, why not unplug the kids and spend some valuable time together this Christmas at one of the upcoming fishing clinics near you!

Snaking its way through the forests of Manjimup and Pemberton towards its conclusion at the Southern Ocean, the Warren is arguably our best south-west freshwater fishing river.

The Warren rises in the Tone State Forest, south-east of Manjimup, and flows 137 kilometres to the ocean through an idyllic bush setting.

Within that meandering journey are some of WA’s best sweetwater fishing opportunities, both on the main river and in some of the bigger tributaries.

There are several important recreational fishing species for which the Warren is known but only one of them is native to WA.

Our biggest freshwater crayfish, the marron, loves to hide in the deep, dark pools of the Warren and although recent years have been challenging for the species, they can still offer some quality fishing during the annual season (licence required).

Marroning on the Warren is an iconic West Australian experience and the magnificent wild bush setting among the tall trees makes for an unforgettable fishing adventure.

The Warren is also at the heart of our trout fishery in WA.

The historic hatchery which provides the trout stocked into our south-west waterways is located on the edge of the Lefroy Brook, which is a major tributary of the Warren and itself renowned for its fishing.

Although trout are an introduced species they have adapted well to life in the Warren, with mainly rainbows caught, along with a few browns.

There are many spots along the entire length of the Warren which can produce good trout fishing, with some locations more accessible than others.

The mouths of feeder streams such as the Treen, Lefroy, East and Fly brooks are all likely locations to find a trout.

Anywhere there are rapids and shallow runs is worth prospecting and any bridge crossing the river is worth a few casts.

There are also some rocky vehicle crossings on the Warren which are good spots to try for trout.

Trout of under a kilo are common, but bigger fish to four kilos are occasionally caught.

The tributaries are also well worth a try, with the Lefroy, in particular noted for producing good fish.

The Lefroy is well-stocked every year and has some beautiful stretches suitable for lure, bait and fly fishing.

Some of these spots are easily accessible such as the Cascades, Thompson’s Flats and alongside the hatchery, but the serious angler will put in the time to find their own secluded stretch of bubbling brook to fish.

While trout are the jewel in the Warren’s fishing crown, it is also popular with those chasing a feed of redfin perch.

Another introduced species, redfin are voracious feeders which love dining on marron and are therefore regarded as a pest and not to be released back into the water when caught.

Unlike trout, redfin have no problems breeding in local waters and they have taken a strong hold in the Warren.

They don’t fight like trout, but redfin grow to good sizes in the south-west and are fantastic eating.

Reddies are spread right through the Warren and grow to more than two kilos.

They are aggressive lure takers and can be caught on a number of different artificials, with bibbed minnows and soft plastics particularly effective.

With heavy bush making access difficult in many areas, a kayak or canoe can be a great way to explore the Warren, but you need to be prepared to get out every now and then to pass over fallen timber.

There is also good fishing at the mouth of the Warren, where the beach is renowned for good salmon fishing.

There are campsites along the Warren, or there are plenty of accommodation options in Pemberton and Manjimup.

Many fishing locations are accessible by 2WD, particularly if you don’t mind a bit of walk, but the tracks around the Warren are unsealed and a 4WD will open up some more opportunities.