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Your official guide
Your official guide
The Sutherland Shire is blessed with ocean and river waterways, perfect for dropping a line. Botany Bay, Port Hacking, Cronulla Beach and surrounding waterways provide a wide range of fishing opportunities from beach or jetty fishing to the more adventurous rock and boat fishing.
Whilst fishermen can be notoriously secretive of their favourite spots, we've put together a few proven ones to get you started!
Swallow Rock Reserve, Grays Point
Located on the Hacking River, you can fish off the river's edge safely with kids or from the rocks to the left of the boat ramp where there is a deep channel. Picnic areas and BBQs are on hand for the successful fishermen!
Located on Nicholson Parade just off Port Hacking, you can fish off the top of the swimming baths (outside the nets). It’s a popular spot for a family fishing outing with taylor, whiting, flathead and bream on offer, along with swimming and picnic facilities.
On the northern side of the walkway to the pontoon, the water drops away to four to five metres. This is an easy fishing spot and good for catching bream, silver trevally, flathead, leather jackets, sand whiting, yellowtail, mullet, slimy mackerel and squid.
Albert Delardes Reserve, Illawong
This is a popular site for fisherman on the edge of Georges River. Bream, whiting, flathead, mullet and mulloway frequent this spot as there is a deep gutter that runs parallel to the rocks.
You'll discover many well located boat ramps and wharves available for public use.
When fishing in NSW waters you are required by law to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee and carry a receipt. You can pay the fee online, by calling 1300 369 365 or at many outlets such as fishing tackle stores, caravan parks, local shops, service stations and many Kmart stores.
Tide tables are available online here.
Much more information including restricted areas is available from the Department of Primary Industry website.
For proven local guides who know the Port Hacking and surrounds like the back of their hand, try Bravo Fishing Charters , Sydney Premium Fishing Charters, All At Sea Charters, Dorso's Deep Sea Fishing Charters or Southern Sydney Fishing Tours to name a few.
If you love the freedom of your own boat, get out on the water with a hire boat from Como Marina, Boab Boats Port Hacking and Botany Bay, The Boatshed at Woronora (for canoes and kayaks Woronora River), Cronulla Houseboats or Finz Boat Hire Sylvania Waters.
For all your tackle needs head to one of these local fishing stores:
Fergos Tackle World, Taren Point
Angler Power Fishing Tackle, Sylvania
© Images below courtesy of Gary Brown.
Catch of the day! This lovely mulloway caught not far from Shark Park.
Try trolling lures near the Captain Cook bridge for tailor.
The Port Hacking River has a big population of whiting. Pink nippers are the best for bait.
Lure fishing is a great way to put a few yellow-fin bream in the bag.
You need to keep an eye on the water when rock fishing in the Shire.
Len Pascoe and John Dyson are locals in the Shire who love getting out on the Georges River.
This 65cm dusky flathead was released back into Woolooware Bay.
Fishing from a kayak is a very popular way of getting on the water.
Try fishing the beaches of Bate Bay for bream, whiting and dart.
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