From long 4WD beaches near Newcastle to quiet surf gutters on the Sapphire Coast, NSW has hundreds of beaches to fish from. Here are a few worth knowing, how to stay safe and the kit that makes a session easier.
Start with a rod and reel, then add the bits that make a long day easy.
Rods plus rod-and-reel combos to get started quickly.
Spinning, overhead and baitcast reels to match your rod.
Metal jigs, hard bodies, soft plastics and jig heads.
Mono, braid, fluorocarbon leader and hooks for rigging up.
Pliers and scissors for unhooking fish and cutting line.
Long and short-sleeved UV tops for long sunny sessions.
A spread of spots from the Mid North Coast down to the far south.
A huge stretch of open surf beach near Newcastle, backed by the Stockton dunes and known as a beach fishing destination. Many anglers drive the sand to find a gutter.
Good to knowDriving on the beach needs a beach vehicle permit, and the managers ask drivers to stay off the sand around high tide. The Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park starts at the Birubi end, so check the zoning before you fish there.
NSW Fisheries describes the white sand beaches here as productive for Australian salmon, tailor, mulloway and dart. Whiting work the gutters and sand flats too.
Good to knowIn winter, beach worms fished along gutter edges and foamy surf gutters are a local favourite. This coast sits inside the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, so check the zones first.
NSW Fisheries rates the ocean beaches around Port Macquarie as very productive for whiting, bream, tailor, mulloway and dart. Whiting hang in the beach gutters.
Good to knowFor whiting, the local guide suggests live saltwater nippers or marine worms, or small blades and surface lures cast over the sand. Light spin gear suits them best.
A quiet, popular beach fishing spot just south of Sawtell near Coffs Harbour. You can only reach it on foot, which keeps it uncrowded.
Good to knowIt is a short walk in on marked trails from the end of School Road or Overhead Bridge Road. The beach is unpatrolled with rips and deep currents, so fish from the sand and bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
The beach at the Burrill Lake entrance is a local pick for bream, whiting and flathead. The open ocean beaches north and south of Ulladulla hold salmon, tailor and bream.
Good to knowMulloway turn up on the ocean beaches at times, so a heavier outfit is worth having in the car. Fish the entrance on a moving tide and keep clear of swimmers.
Between Pambula and Eden, Quondola Point is a rocky outcrop above Long Beach that NSW National Parks calls a great spot for salmon, tailor and bream.
Good to knowThe point is exposed to weather and waves, and Long Beach is unpatrolled with dangerous surf. If you fish from the rocks, wear a lifejacket and watch the swell for a while before you set up.
A longer rod helps you cast past the shore break and keeps your line above the waves. Pair it with a spinning reel that holds plenty of line, as surf fish can run.
A running sinker rig with a sharp hook covers most bait fishing on the sand. Mono line copes with sand and surf abrasion better than braid, and a leader adds some insurance.
You may walk a fair way to find a good gutter, so travel light. A shoulder bag or small box for hooks, sinkers and lures keeps everything together and out of the sand.
There is no shade on an open beach. A long-sleeved UV top, a wide hat and polarised glasses protect you and help you spot gutters in the water.
Look for deeper, darker water running along the beach between a sandbank and the shore. Fish feed there, but take care, as rips can look similar.
Many anglers fish the rising tide and the low light of dawn and dusk. Check a tide chart before you head out.
Buy your NSW recreational fishing licence if you need one, and check size limits, bag limits and marine park zones in the FishSmart app.
| Item | Why it matters | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Rod and reel | Casting distance and control in the surf | A combo is an easy way to start |
| Line, leader and hooks | Your connection to the fish | Mono handles sand and surf abrasion well |
| Metal lures | Cast far for tailor and salmon | Retrieve fast when fish are feeding |
| Sinkers and swivels | Hold bait in the gutter | Carry a few weights for changing surf |
| Fishing pliers | Unhook fish quickly and safely | Rinse after use to stop rust |
| UV top and hat | No shade on an open beach | Reapply sunscreen on hands and face |
| Headlamp | Dawn and dusk sessions | Use a red light to save night vision |
In most cases, yes. NSW requires you to pay the recreational fishing fee to fish in both salt and fresh water unless you are exempt, for example if you are under 18 or Aboriginal, or hold certain concession cards. The full exemption list sits with NSW DPIRD Fisheries, and it is worth checking before your trip as details can change.
NSW Fisheries guides name Australian salmon, tailor, bream, whiting, dart and mulloway as regular catches from ocean beaches, with flathead around lake and river entrances. What you catch depends on the region, the tide and the time of year. Size limits, bag limits and closures apply to many species, so check the current rules in the FishSmart app or on the NSW DPIRD Fisheries website.
Beach worms and live nippers are local favourites for whiting and bream, and NSW Fisheries guides highlight them for fishing surf gutters. Pilchards and metal lures are popular for tailor and salmon. Pipi collecting is tightly restricted in NSW, so check the current rules before you dig any for bait.
Look for gutters, the deeper and darker channels between the sandbank and the shore, plus holes and the edges of sand banks. Fish move into these areas to feed, especially as the tide rises. Polarised glasses make them much easier to spot, and a walk at low tide shows you where the banks sit.
It is a relaxed way to fish, but the surf deserves respect. Many beaches are unpatrolled and rips are common, so stay on the sand or in shallow water and never wade out to land a fish. If you fish from rocks, wear a lifejacket, as it is the law in declared areas. Tell someone your plans, and if you drive on the sand, get any permit you need and check the tide.
Pick a beach, check the rules and the tide, and pack for sun and surf. We have the kit to get you set up.
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