Sydney’s waterways can be busy with boats and ferries, but there is a reason we call this home: the Harbour alone is said to hold over 550 different species of fish. Finding the good marks across the region, from the CBD out to the Northern Beaches, down to Cronulla and up towards Tweed Heads, takes a bit of local knowledge. Here are ten of our favourite fishing spots in Sydney.
1. Long Reef
About 20km north in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Long Reef is the region’s oldest aquatic reserve, an 80-hectare stretch between two beaches. Its rocky headland is a great place to chase kingfish and snapper.
2. 12 Mile Reef
Sitting 18km offshore near Kurnell, this lesser-known reef suits more experienced anglers. Common catches include yellowtail kingfish, albacore tuna, snapper, marlin and Atlantic salmon.
3. The Peak
The Peak is one of the most popular Sydney fishing locations. Found 15km off Maroubra, this reefy ground holds marlin, snapper and kingfish.
4. Browns Mountain
Forty kilometres offshore from Cronulla, this extinct underwater volcano is a deep-drop hotspot for tuna, marlin, blue-eyed cod, gemfish, bass, groper, billfish and bottom fish. You will want specialist deep-drop gear and good GPS to fish it well.
5. Bait Station Reef
Twenty-four kilometres from Sydney Heads on the continental shelf, this spot is loaded with baitfish at 150 metres and beyond, which draws in blue-eye trevalla, groper, gemfish and hapuka, along with marlin and tuna.
6. 9 Mile Reef
Up at Tweed Heads on the NSW northern border, 9 Mile Reef fishes down to around 30 metres and turns up pink snapper, Spanish mackerel, marlin, tuna, snapper and kingfish.
The Harbour alone is said to hold over 550 different species of fish.
7. Sydney Harbour
For all the tourist traffic, the harbour right in the heart of the city holds jewfish and kingfish, bream, flathead and whiting, particularly around spots like North Harbour and Rose Bay.
8. North Head
This 260-hectare headland mixes reeds, rocky shores, sandy seabed and beaches. Fishing small baits here can produce kingfish, salmon, bream, blackfish, pigfish and tailor.
9. Mugs Reef
Off Manly Beach, this popular local spot is known for rat kingfish that often make an appearance, and they can be well over one metre in size, plus trevally and snapper on small jigs.
10. Huntleys Point Wharf
West of the Gladesville Bridge on the Parramatta River, this jetty comes alive after 8pm with bream, flathead, jewfish, leatherjackets and yellowtail. It runs as catch and release only, given concerns about river pollution.
Want to fish some of these spots and more, with someone who knows them? Send us an enquiry or book a Sydney fishing charter today.
