Greg James
Fishing Reports and Hotspots

 


Reports:





THIS WEEK'S FISHING HOTSPOTS:

  1. SA FISH SIZE & BAG LIMITS: www.pir.sa.gov.au/recreational_fishing/rules/species_limits.
  2. METRO: Mullet from Seaford, Marino & Seacliff., bream in the Port river., little to report on blueys & garfish unfortunately.
  3. FLEURIEU/RIVERLAND/FRESHWATER: Tommies, salmon trout & scattered KG whiting off Normanville, Lady Bay & Wirrina., yabbies & callop from Loxton., redfin in Myponga res.
  4. YORKE PEN: Blueys, whiting & squid from Wallaroo & Pt Hughes (jetties & boat)., KG whiting at Port Vic & Balgowan., salmon & mullet from Hillocky Bch.
  5. SOUTH EAST/COORONG: Snapper off Lower SE beaches - Canunda, Paradise, Picanninie., squid, snapper & whiting from Kingston, Pt MacDonnell & Beachport., salmon trout from The Granites.
  6. SPENCER GULF/WEST COAST: Kingfish again from Pt Augusta & Point Lowly., whiting, squid & gar from Tumby, Coffin & Venus Bays., a few blueys at Whyalla & Port Pirie.
  7. KANGAROO ISLAND: Tommies & squid from American River & Nepean Bay., KG whiting & flathead from Penneshaw.
  8. SA RESERVOIR FISHING: Here's the link: www.sawater.com.au/reservoir-reserves/activities/fishing.



"SA ALGAL BLOOM NO MORE - A 6-POINT PLAN TO FULL RECOVERY" by Em. Professor Julius S. Plankton.

1. Immediately establish mobile water filtration units at the barrages on the Murray River - to remove harmful phosphates

2. Immediately establish a targeted & on-going Algal Bloom foam clean up operation at all coastal locations

3. Create a fully supported Academic Chair of Algal Bloom Mitigation & Prevention position (UniHub concept) at a Regional Centre on the SA coast

4. Form Strategic Regional Advisory Groups (3 year paid positions) to provide clear & unequivocal Algal Bloom Mitigation & Prevention advice

5. Re-vision with intent to re-structure the entire State Govt & Private Fisheries sectors

6. Fund & support only Applied Marine Science research that provides a practical solution to an identified problem/threat

GET GREG'S FISHREPS ON ABC RADIO - EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT (891 @ 8.40PM) WITH THE ONE & ONLY SPENCE DENNY! THEN EVERY SATURDAY MORNING (639 @ 7.30AM) WITH THE FAB IAN (CHOOK) HARSLETT!

NOV 17-24, 2025

METRO WATERS: I am not convinced we are being told the full story &/or truth about the effects of the Algal Bloom along our magic Metro Coast. So - In good faith - I cannot advocate fishing for seafood consumption from these Metro waters unless I see good, scientific & practical reasons that we all can safely do so. If you want to hit the waters for a catch & release, then please head to an area without the Algal Bloom. Squid & blue crabs are very light, so flathead, mullet & bream are worth a try inside the Port River, with flathead also along parts of the St Kilda channel. Well offshore you might pick up KG whiting & red mullet from Outer Harbour (deep water drops). Take Care & See You Soon!

FLEURIEU/RIVERLAND/RESERVOIR: Our Spring weather did the usual predicted windy one day, drizzling rain the next and then a few hours of sunshine followed by a day or two of half-decent fishing conditions! The boggy conditions continue on the beaches south of the Goolwa river mouth as crews try for salmon to 2kg, mullet and shark from the 32 Mile Crossing all the way to Salt Creek and The Granites. Soapie mulloway are in the churning waters of the Goolwa channel and then slightly further across the lakes at the Tauwitchere Barrage and Sandy Spit. Upstream river fishing has a few callop and redfin from Walker Flat and yabbies at Lyrup. Although the water around Victor are looking much better in terms of clarity and beauty, I did hear an unconfirmed report of a resurgence of the Algal Bloom just east of Boomer Beach late last week. Boat crews fishing well offshore have targeted snapper, kingfish, sweep and red nannygai as the deeper water drops are less affected by the recent strong tides experienced along the coastline. As mentioned last week, shore-based anglers have enjoyed a short run of bream from local creeks and the Hindmarsh River, with even the odd salmon trout at Waitpinga Beach. Morgan's Beach has the odd late in the year mullet and boat crews in the know are picking up KG whiting from the Cape Jervis and Rapid Head grounds in waters of 12meters or so. Very little news on squid and garfish, although the whiting are at Lady Bay and out from Wirrina and Carrackalinga in small pods of 3-4 fish. Shore-based fishers are casting far and wide for yellowfin whiting, flathead, salmon trout and tommy ruffs from Aldinga, Myponga Beach, Sellicks and even along the firm sands of Southport and Moana.

SOUTH EAST/COORONG: Some decent snapper reports are coming from the Lower South East waters as boat crews ping out from Cape Northumberland, Port MacDonnell & Beachport when conditions are at their best. Cool days, fine weather & medium swells are the go! Snapper are also off Robe, Boatswain's Point & Kingston, along with KG whiting, the odd crayfish (rock lobster) with permits required, sweep & flathead. Garfish are prevalent in many local bays around Robe, Nora Creina Bay, Beachport, South End & Carpenter Rocks. Shore-based fishing has some high tides happening, with salmon, flathead & shark in the surges at the 32 Mile Crossing, Salt Creek, Stinky Bch, Poorman's Salmon Hole & Canunda (south of Millicent). The sandy beaches just south of Picanninie Ponds have gar, salmon trout & flathead, while boat crews are running out for inshore garfish, squid & KG whiting - & well offshore for snapper, red nannys, samson fish & snook at times.

YORKE PENINSULA: Wallaroo: The prawn trawlers have been and gone as boat crews ran out for KG whiting, garfish and a few blue swimmer crabs. Jetty-based fishing has been good with squid, blueys and night-time tommy ruffs the main reports. Moonta Bay/Port Hughes: Small but legal squid again came from the Pt Hughes jetty as boaties that managed a launch caught KG whiting, garfish and squid. Squid catches are improving as crews ventured further south. It would be worth a try for yellowfin whiting on the beaches south of Pt Hughes. Port Victoria: KG whiting numbers again have been steady as the pressure starts to mount from an increased fishing effort on this side of the Gulf. Local shore-based fishers are catching the odd soapie mulloway, mullet, flathead and salmon trout. Point Turton: Strong west to north-west winds cracked in over the weekend as crews fished for gar, squid and the odd early morning KG whiting. The jetty has squid and tommies after dusk. Stenhouse/Marion Bays: Car topper tinnies are everywhere along this part of The Leg at the moment as caravaners use the Algal Bloom vouchers to advantage. Surf fishing has mulloway, flathead, big salmon and mullet from West Cape, Brown's and Richard's beaches. Big boat crews reported red nannygai, busted gear on tuna and kingfish offshore and flathead in close.

KANGAROO ISLAND The rec fishing rules changed on Nov 1, 2025 so if you fish KI waters it would be a good idea to check the map co-ordinates. There is still HAB damage in places - so if you have caught a fish & not sure about its health - DO NOT EAT IT!! A quick KI snapshot is for a few KG whiting & flathead from Kingscote channel & salmon to 1 kg at Salmon Point., whiting, gar & squid at night from Kingscote, American River (wharf) & Penneshaw jetties., Red Banks (Nepean Bay) has whiting, gar, tommies, squid & snook., Hog Bay holds sweep, red nannygai & flathead., Antechamber Bay has whiting, gar & squid for the boat crews & soapie mulloway from the shore.

CHRISTMAS DESSERT RECIPE: ROCKY ROAD. Ingredients: Chocolate melts, marshmellows, raw cashews, glace cherries, sultanas/dried apricots, spearmint lolly leaves. Preparation: Grease & line a flat tray. Sprinkle in chopped marshmellows, cashews, cherries & dried fruit (to taste). Drizzle with melted chocolate & allow to set. Drizzle further with melted white choc & add a generous sprinkle of green spearmint leaves. Try not to eat all at once! B"tayavon! HEBREW for Bon Appetit!

SPENCER GULF/WEST COAST: Fishing early is the tip as big squid are off the jetty in Waterloo Bay (Elliston) & boat crews are catching KG whiting at Arno Bay & Port Neill. Far West Coast shore-based anglers are battling some big tides, the odd brown snake & about 1m bush-flies (aka bushies) as they walk the white sands at Fowler's Bay (low tide shelf), Point Sinclair, Claire Bay & The Dog Fence Bch for mulloway, snook, 3 kilo salmon & flathead! Smaller salmon (from trouts to 1 kg) are off Haslam, Point Brown & Davenport Creek. Garfish, tommies & squid can be caught from the local jetties at Fowler's & Point Sinclair, with blue crabs at Ceduna & Streaky Bay jetties as well. Boat crews fishing off Murat Bay, Streaky Bay & Elliston are catching KG whiting (first light/dawn), garfish, squid, fat tommies & snook but they are usually gone after 30mins or so - then the trumpeters set in. Quite a few bays around southern EP have squid & garfish atm. Gents with berley & even the dark side of a day-old cockle work well as bait. West Coast surf beaches around Elliston are all wortha fish for salmon up to 3 kilos - Sheringa, Talia, Convention - the Elliston town jetty has tommies, whiting & squid/garfish. Pt Lincoln boat anglers are heading off to Thistle Is when the weather is clear for KG whiting to 39cm, with the whiting also off Arno & Louth Bays, Port Neill & Tumby Bay. Yellowfin whiting are hit & miss but I did hear of a few around Cowell, Germein Point & Murninnie Bay. Black Point off Whyalla has salmon trout & there are hungry kingies at Point Lowly, Leeton Tug & Pt Augusta (the wall). Blue crabs & garfish are at Miranda, Weeroona Bay, Port Pirie & Port Davis. TIGHT LINES!

TOP END/NORTHERN TERRITORY From Jason Deigan at Compleat Angler Darwin! ABC891 @ 8.30pm every Thursday night has a Top End (NT) element: #Shady Camp, Sth & East Alligator Rivers fishing well for barramundi & mud crabs #Dundee boat ramp has very low tides atm - mackeral, tuna & marlin offshore (catch & release) #Shoal Bay has barra & muddies as well #Heavy rain about as Season 11 of the Barramundi Million Dollar Fishing Comp continues!