Fish smarter with moon phases, seasonal species guides, and the best times to wet a line across every state and territory.
Shop Fishing Gear →Australia's fishing is as diverse as its geography. From the monsoon-driven barramundi season in the Top End to the world-class trout streams of Tasmania, from the extraordinary snapper fisheries of Port Phillip Bay to yellowfin tuna 100km offshore in NSW — there is no single "Australian fishing experience." There are dozens.
What makes Australian fishing distinctive is the relationship between season, moon phase, and species behaviour. Fish don't keep office hours. They feed when conditions are right — when tides are moving, when bait is schooling, when water temperatures hit their ideal range. The almanac approach to fishing — understanding these cycles and planning around them — consistently produces better results than simply turning up and hoping.
This guide gives you the seasonal framework for the major Australian fishing species, the moon phase approach that experienced anglers use, and the practical gear information to get started or upgrade your kit.
| Species | Best Months | Top States | Preferred Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapper | Mar–May (Autumn) | VIC, SA, WA | Bottom rigs, soft plastics over reef |
| Barramundi | Oct–Feb (build-up/wet) | NT, QLD (north) | Lures and livebait near structure |
| Flathead | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov | NSW, VIC, QLD | Soft plastics, hardbodies |
| Bream | Jun–Sep (winter) | All states | Small lures, bait near structure |
| Yellowtail Kingfish | Oct–Mar | NSW, SA, WA | Popper, jig, livebait at structure |
| Southern Bluefin Tuna | Nov–Feb | VIC, SA, WA | Trolling, chunking |
| Trout | Jun–Aug (in-season) | TAS, VIC, NSW (Alps) | Fly, lures, bait |
| Australian Salmon | Apr–Sep | VIC, SA, WA, TAS | Metal slices from beach |
| Whiting | Dec–Feb (summer) | SA, VIC, WA, QLD | Bait (pippies, beach worms) in sand |
| Jewfish / Mulloway | Jul–Oct | NSW, SA | Large live bait, metal jigs |
Snapper — Peak season in Port Phillip Bay, Spencer Gulf, and Cockburn Sound. As water temperatures drop into the 14–18°C snapper sweet spot, fish move into shallower reef areas to feed aggressively. Target 10–20m reefs on the run-in tide. Fresh squid and yakka livebait are deadly; soft plastics worked slowly over reef edges also produce excellent results.
Australian Salmon — Massive schools run along Victorian and SA coastlines from March through June. Spectacular fishing from beaches and rock platforms using metal slices and surface lures. No table quality but extraordinary sport on light tackle — perfect for beginners and kids.
Flathead — As waters cool, flathead concentrate in estuaries. Soft plastics on 1/4oz jig heads fished slowly along sandy bottom channels are the go-to technique. The dusky flathead is found across NSW and QLD; the tiger flathead dominates Victorian and SA waters.
Shop Fishing Rods →Bream — Winter bream fishing in estuaries is world-class across southern Australia. Cold water slows the fish's metabolism, making them more lethargic but also more concentrated around structure — jetty pylons, rock bars, oyster leases. Small hard-body lures and SP grubs on 1/12oz jig heads, worked slowly past structure with frequent pauses, are the technique.
Calamari / Squid — Squid jig season peaks in winter. Hit the weed beds at dusk and dawn with 2.5–3.5 size egi jigs worked with the classic 'one sharp jerk and drop' retrieve. Jetties, boat ramps, and shallow reef areas with weed growth are prime spots across southern Australia.
Trout — Lake and river trout fishing is in open season across Tasmania and the Victorian Alps. Fly fishing the highland lakes in winter (on warmer calm days) is a genuine highlight — wild brown and rainbow trout in stunning mountain settings. Lure fishing rivers in early morning and evening also produces well.
Fly Fishing Gear →Barramundi — The iconic Top End species and Australia's most sought-after recreational fish. The build-up season (October–December) and wet season bring barra into creeks, river systems, and floodplain billabongs. Large sub-surface lures, poppers, and live bait near root systems, fallen timber, and rock bars all produce fish. NT and far north QLD offer the best year-round barra fishing in the world.
Kingfish — Yellowtail kingfish stack up around offshore structure, headlands, and FADs from Sydney to Adelaide as water temperatures rise above 18°C. Popper fishing for surface-feeding kings is among the most thrilling freshwater or saltwater experiences available in Australia. Spin jigs also work well on deep structure.
Tuna — Southern bluefin off Portland, VIC from November to February. Yellowfin off the NSW continental shelf from January through April. Epic game fishing requiring a capable offshore boat and heavier tackle, but producing memories that last a lifetime.
Game Fishing Lures →Experienced anglers have long used moon phases to plan fishing trips, and there's solid scientific reasoning behind it. The Moon's gravitational pull drives tidal movement, and tidal movement is the primary driver of fish feeding behaviour. When tides run strong — as they do around new and full moons — baitfish schools are displaced, which triggers feeding frenzies in predatory species.
The best overall fishing period. Strong spring tides create maximum water movement, displacing baitfish and triggering feeding in predators. Night fishing for squid and bream is particularly productive in the dark conditions around the new moon — no moonlight means fish rely on other senses, making them bolder and less wary. Snapper and jewfish fishing the night of the new moon is a reliable producer.
Equal tidal strength to the new moon, but daytime fishing can be harder as bright nights mean fish have fed through the night. The full moon is legendary for jewfish (mulloway) — large fish follow baitfish into surf gutters and river mouths on big tides. Fish the last two hours of the outgoing tide and first two hours of the incoming tide either side of full moon for the best results.
Smaller tidal range during quarter moons means gentler current and less water movement. Estuary fishing improves in these conditions — bream, flathead, and whiting aren't pushed around by strong currents and are easier to locate in predictable spots. Focus on technique refinement: slower retrieves, lighter leaders, and finesse presentations produce in these calmer conditions.
A 7-foot medium-action spinning combo covers 80% of Australian fishing situations. Pair a 2500–3000 size reel with quality 10–15lb braid and a 10–15lb fluorocarbon leader. Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia all make excellent mid-range combos that outperform cheap department store gear dramatically. The reel drag system is critical — cheap drags cause lost fish at the worst moments.
Shop Combos →Four categories of tackle cover most Australian fishing: circle hooks for bait fishing (reduce gut-hooking and improve catch-and-release outcomes), soft plastic paddle tails for estuary and reef species, metal slices for beach fishing and pelagics, and squid jigs for calamari. A quality tackle box to organise these will serve you better than a box of cheap mixed tackle.
Shop Tackle Boxes →A quality fillet knife, fish grip, dehooker, and tape measure are essential for responsible fishing. Catch-and-release requires a dehooker and wet hands — never touch a fish's gills or squeeze its body. If you're keeping fish, a sharp fillet knife and a bleed-and-ice system produces superior table fish versus live-well fish that die slowly.
Shop Knives →For beginners, a complete tackle kit with hooks, sinkers, swivels, soft plastics, and a tackle box is the most practical way to start. Avoid buying individual components until you understand what you need for your local fishing.
Shop on Amazon AU →Fishing licence requirements vary significantly across Australia. Always check current rules with your state's fisheries authority — regulations change regularly, and fines for unlicensed fishing are substantial.