Bruny Island fishing Information

Best time to fish
November to April

 

Major angling species
Flathead, leatherjacket, flounder, morwong (perch), gurnard, wrasse, cod, squid, mackerel, pike, Australian salmon, barracouta, silver trevally, striped trumpeter, skate, school and gummy shark.

 

Fisheries information
A number of restrictions apply when fishing including, bag, size and possession limits as well as special restrictions depending on the area fished. See the seasons, limits and restrictions page for regulations. Rivers are covered by both inland regulations (see Inland Fisheries website: www.ifs.tas.gov.au??) and sea fisheries. You can also check regulations on in the sea fishing guide available from Service Tasmania outlets.

Bruny Island is almost a world of its own, isolated from the mainland, it is rich in both marine and wildlife. Bruny is separated into a north and south island - joined by a thin neck. Although large in area, Bruny is relatively unpopulated. Mostly it is made up of holiday makers, tourists and shack owners. It is a very popular holiday destination with something for the entire family.

There are many beautiful, pristine beaches scattered around the island and each year these produce good numbers of large Australian salmon - sometimes topping 4 kgs. The real bonus of Bruny’s size is that there is always a sheltered shore - regardless of weather conditions.

Around the island you will find numerous small, often unused jetties which produce reliable numbers of wrasse and leatherjacket.

Another fishing highlight is the arrival of large schools of calamari and arrow squid from around October each year. These will be found all around the island. The bigger squid usually arrive first and the run lasts well into the new year.

A recent benefit for the boat angler is the report of albacore and striped tuna being taken wide off Adventure Bay.

Bruny Island is not just a saltwater fishery though. A popular trout fishery is ‘Big Lagoon’ located approximately 30 minutes from the ferry terminal (Roberts Point) and a 25 minute walk there after. This water can often produce very exciting fishing - especially early season when sight fishing to tailing fish can be a highlight. A small fur fly or nymph often results in success.

Access to the fishing destinations is very good with a lot of the hot spots being literally roadside. Bruny Island has various small stores which have basic supplies such as food, petrol, bait and basic terminal tackle.
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Bruny Island Hot Spots
Adventure Bay and Neck Beach
This area is one of Bruny’s highlights. Neck Beach offers some of the state’s best surf fishing. The beach offers reliable catches of good size sand flathead, large rays and strong fighting school and gummy shark. It is the large Australian salmon that get the locals talking though. When these appear in schools the action is fast, furious and breathtaking. The best access to the beach is in front of The Neck camping ground.

Best baits to use are pilchards and squid. The traditional red and white popper also works well rigged on the top dropper of a paternoster rig. The standard lure is a silver wobbler or slice.

Alonnah
Alonnah has it all with a hotel, beer garden, shop and wharf. Flathead, squid, wrasse and leatherjacket are all readily taken in this area. The best spots are the wharf or large breakwater in front of the pub. This is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Cloudy Bay Lagoon
This is well worth the effort to get to. Large leatherjacket and flathead are virtually always available. Spinning around the mouth is a prime spot for Australian salmon. Further up from the mouth is where a large population of bream call home. These are not easy to catch though, but persistence will be rewarded. Care must be taken at the mouth as tidal action can be dangerous.

Barnes Bay
This is where the old ferry used to dock. It is a very protected area that can be a saviour when weather conditions are unkind. Species such as morwong, flathead, mackerel, mullet, cod and an occasional Atlantic salmon are caught in this area. Fishing around the old wharf with mussels and anchovies will often bring good results. This area is rich in oysters and offers a safe mooring.

Dennes Point
This is one of Bruny’s busiest locations. It is here many of the holiday homes are located. The jetty is a great place to fish for squid, especially after dark. Flathead and barracouta are also targeted and it is one of the best places to catch a feed. Dennes Point is serviced by shops and it is a prime place to gather local fishing information.