Fishing in South West Rocks: A Local Guide

South West Rocks offers plenty of prime fishing locations, each promising a unique and rewarding experience. From sandy beaches and rocky headlands to deep sea fishing, there's an opportunity for every angler.

• Smoky Beach: Known for its abundant species, this location offers anglers the chance to catch bream, whiting and tailor. With a well-stocked fishing tackle box, a bit of patience and a keen eye, anglers of all levels will find success. 

• Back Creek: This is an excellent spot for families and beginners. The calm and shallow waters make it a safe location for children to learn the ropes. With the right bait, you can often find flathead, bream and mullet. 

• Fish Rock and Black Rock: For the adventurous anglers out there, these offshore locations present a unique challenge. Expect to encounter kingfish, snapper and marlin. It's essential to have high-quality fishing tackle ready to handle these powerhouses. 

• The Macleay River: The estuary of this river offers a variety of fish species. Estuary fishing in the Macleay is famous for producing large mulloway, flathead and sometimes kingfish and cobia. The river is also packed with bream, trevally, whiting, cod, dart and mangrove jacks. The lower reaches near South West Rocks are particularly renowned for jewfish. Be sure to tailor your fishing tackle selection to the river's conditions and fish species. 

• Little Bay: Offering tranquillity and seclusion, this is an idyllic spot for land-based fishing. The rocky shoreline is home to bream, tailor and luderick. A good mix of fishing tackle will ensure you are well-prepared for whatever this bay throws at you. 

• Hat Head: This location is ideal for beach fishing, with potential catches including mulloway, tailor and whiting. Having the right tackle for surf casting will improve your chances of a fruitful fishing experience. 

• Gaol Grounds: The near-shore recreational fishing zone directly off South West Rocks, affectionately referred to as the 'Gaol Grounds', is renowned for frequent sightings of black marlin, wahoo, dolphin fish and cobia. When the currents are favourable (after Christmas each year) large oceanic predators can be hooked within hundreds of metres from the rocky shore.

• Reading the Tides: The movement of tides plays a crucial role in fishing. High tide generally brings in more fish as the water covers a larger area, providing more room for fish to feed. 

• Seasonal Catch: Different fish are plentiful at different times of the year. Tailor, for instance, are often caught in abundance in the cooler months, while bream are more plentiful during the summer. 

• Tackle Selection: The type of fishing tackle you use can make a significant difference. Consider the species you're targeting, the location and the weather conditions when selecting your gear.

South West Rocks is a haven for recreational fishing, offering an abundance of locations to explore and species to catch. If you’re looking for fishing tackle that’s suited to the local conditions, pop into Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle. With an extensive range of quality bait, fishing tackle and local knowledge, our team can help you make the most of your South West Rocks fishing adventure.