If you are planning a holiday on the Sapphire Coast and you are into fishing, this article was written with you in mind, as we outline the wide range of fish species that can be found in this idyllic region of Australia. The best place to board a deep-sea fishing boat is Merimbula, a quite coastal town that actually has its own airport.
Common Fish Species
The popular species include Flathead, Whiting and Snappers, while the artificial reef off Merimbula is home to Kingfish, Tiger, Morwong, Trevally, Nannygai and Gropers that love to feed on the bottom. The good news is when you book a fishing charter in Merimbula, they supply the following:
- Fishing tackle & bait
- Fishing licence
- Novice tuition, if required
The fishing tour also includes cleaning and bagging your catch, ready for you to cook and make sure you are suitably attired, as the weather can change in an instant.
Middle Beach
This is a favourite spot for Salmon and Bream if you fancy casting from the beach, while further along the coast, you can catch Flathead at Short Point. If you arrive early in the morning, you’ll see beach-casters hurling their bait into the surf, while you can also charter a fishing boat to catch these fish close to the shore.
Half or Full Day Fishing
You can search online for fishing charters in Sapphire Coast for a list of approved fishing tour operators, most of which offer both half and full day fishing trips. If you fancy a half-day trip, you will be fishing for about 3 hours, while the full-day excursion would involve around 6 hours of angling. Check out the FAQ page on the tour operator’s website, which should answer any questions that you might have.
Preparing for the Fishing Trip
If you suffer from motion sickness, we advise you to take some medication a couple of hours prior to the vessel leaving the harbour. You also need to dress suitably and expect sea spray on the deck, so wear shoes with good grip and take a waterproof jacket with a hat to protect yourself from the strong sunlight. In the event of bad weather, your booking would be postponed to a suitable date in the future.
When talking to the tour operator, you can ask if they have specific fish species that you wish to catch and if the answer is affirmative, the boat skipper knows where the best place to go for any of the many species that are found in the Sapphire Coast area.