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THIS WEEK'S FISHING HOTSPOTS:
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Jan 12 - 25, 2026
METRO WATERS: Do not be surprised if a school or three of Rat Kingies runs along parts of the Metro waters in coming days. There are shitloads of them in lower-mid Spencer Gulf & then around parts of Backstairs Passage in that deep water between Troubridge Island/Cape Jervis/Rapid Head (Tuna to 30 kilos are also around Cape Jervis & Tunk Head). Most of the half-decent fishing reports are coming from the waters off St Kilda to Lower Light (north), with KG whiting & some green mackerals being the main catches. Plus of course, Le Poisson de Shite (trumpeters). If the bloom stays out of the picture, some migratory fish might well be here in isolated pods, not in great numbers - but here, none the less. If the fish you catch doesn't look or smell fresh, my advice would be NOT to consume it. Local jetties have some of the salmon trout that we reported on from Second Valley about 2 weeks back, & it is worth throwing a line into the Onkaparinga river, West Lakes, the Port river & The Pat for overnight soapie mulloway & even mullet.
FLEURIEU/RIVERLAND/RESERVOIR: The annual Murray Cod season (catch and release) opened on January 1, 2026 and Murray River anglers were soon into the action as they managed to find fish up around Lock 4 at Renmark. There are a few yabbies at Lyrup and redfin perch from Wellington and Murray Bridge. Downstream anglers are picking up overnight soapie mulloway from the Goolwa river mouth and Tauwitchere Point, along with a few nice plump mullet. Just when we thought the algal bloom might be gone there have been recent reports again off Goolwa river mouth and then right around off Port Noarlunga and Seaford beaches just in the last week. There are a few snapper offshore from Victor Harbor but the incessant onshore southerlies have made it tres difficile (very difficult) to get offshore for any decent amount of time to catch a fish! Tuna and medium kingfish are also around these waters with bigger fish and red nannygai off Tunk Head and Sanders Bank - but when the sea is up and angry caution is always the best counsel. Jetty-based and shore-based fishers are having fun overnight with soapie mulloway, tommy ruffs, the very occasional snapper, snook and rat kingies coming from The Bluff, Screwpile jetty and Newland Heads. Down along the Coorong there are mullet from the 32 Mile Crossing and Salt Creek. There are a few mullet at Waitpinga in the early mornings (first light). Tuna reports are up and down as schools of these great fighting fish seem to be slowly making their way east from the west coast and Kangaroo Island waters. Fish to 12 kilos have been caught from around Tunk Head and Cape Jervis when boat crews have managed a launch. Rapid Bay jetty has lazy drummer and some big trevalley for the patient. Yellowfin whiting catches have been on the small side but none-the-less the good news that there are fish off Morgan's, Carrackalinga and Aldinga beaches, along with a few mullet at Seaford and bream from the rocks at Trigg's Beach.
SOUTH EAST/COORONG: Surf-based casters are having to contend with strong onshore winds & some pretty decent swells as they try for 2kg salmon, mulloway & mullet from the hotspots at the 42 Mile Crossing, Salt Creek & Botswain's Point/The Granites. Some high tide surges and boggy beach conditions also need to be factored into plans as crews need to keep their vehicles up high on the beach to avoid swamping. Boat crews are catching snapper, KG whiting, flathead, sweep & a few crays (PIRSA rock lobster permits are required) from Margaret Brock reef, Kingston, Robe, Nora Creina Bay, Beachport & Port MacDonnell. Large garfish & big squid are in the protected waters around Robe, Nora Creina Bay, South End, Carpenter Rocks & Nene Valley/Cape Northumberland. Pannie snapper are off the broken grounds along Picanninie Bch with flathead whiting & squid. Early season tuna reports have been slow - but stay tuned & I will report back as the schools migrate across the South East waters. KG whiting are in small numbers but they are whopper fish (up to 44cm) from Carpenter Rocks & Beachport.
YORKE PENINSULA: Wallaroo: There are plenty of garfish for both boat and shore-based fishers if they can find their marks or locations before the strong southerly winds get the better of conditions. The jetty has lots of visitors but the fishing has generally been slow. Yellowfin whiting are off North Beach on the high tide. Early morning fishing is best for KG whiting up to 38cm. Moonta Bay/Port Hughes: Another big visitor cruised past the Pt Hughes jetty last week in the way of a 3 metre shark, which made for an interesting moment for jetty fishers as they otherwise tried for gar, squid and blue crabs. Boat crews are catching KG whiting, garfish, a few blueys and the odd squid. Port Victoria: KG whiting are still on the chew from the deeper water drops off the western side of Wardang Island, plus the seemingly perennial no-keep snapper. Garfish and a few blueys are around the jetty and the Songvar wreck broken grounds. Yellowfin whiting are a good bet along local sandy beaches. Point Turton/Port Rickaby: Nice gar are at Port Rickaby and the Mindlacowie grounds coming from water around 3-4 metres in depth. KG whiting are also at The Banks and out from Point Souttar, but the early fishers are getting the best results. Mullet and yellowfin whiting are here for the jetty and shore-based anglers. Marion/Stenhouse Bays: Unfortunately the dreaded algal bloom has washed in not only around Stenhouse Bay but up to Pondalowie Bay and Gym beach as well. Big boat crews are chasing tuna, red nannygai, whiting and flathead. There are mullet and a few small salmon from several local beaches and the jetties are worth a try for night-time tommy ruffs and squid. Edithburgh/Stansbury/Port Vincent: Several species are making a frustratingly slow return and remain 'thin on the ground' in terms of local fishers' catch bags, with blue crabs at Port Vincent's Back beach (rakers) and at the Stansbury jetty, although many are undersize. Garfish are around the Marion Reef and Wattle Point spots and squid were caught from the broken, rocky grounds just out from the bay at Port Moorowie.
KANGAROO ISLAND
AUST DAY SEAFOOD RECIPE: Seafood Burger. Ingredients: Fish pieces, crabmeat, prawns, white onion, lettuce, bread rolls, chopped pickled onions, olive oil, chopped green chilli, bread crumbs, wasabi paste, bread rolls. Preparation: Gently blend the seafood & mix with some oil, wasabi/chilli, breadcrumbs & caramelised onions. Make burgers, brush with oil & cook on medium hot plate for 3-4 mins. Plate with lettuce, pickled onions & wasabe paste.
SPENCER GULF/WEST COAST: Anglers fishing Waterloo Bay (Elliston) in the last week & found big squid, garfish & tommy ruffs, with salmon trout coming from the beach north of the jetty & below the old inn ruins on the northern shore. West Coast surf beaches around Elliston are all fishing well for 2 kg salmon - Sheringa, Talia, Convention, with the Elliston jetty producing tommies & squid/garfish. Pt Lincoln boat crews are heading out to Thistle Is when the weather is clear for KG whiting to 39cm, with the whiting also off Pt Neill, Louth Bay & Tumby. Yellowfin whiting catches are improving with fish at Pt Neill, Cowell, Germein Point, Cowled's Landing & Murninnie Point. 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. KG whiting, squid & garfish are in the sheltered waters of Proper Bay, Coffin, Venus & Streaky Bays, with mulloway, flathead & 3 kilo salmon coming from Fowler's Bay, Yalata & Claire Bay. Ceduna & Streaky Bay jetties have blueys & garfish. TIGHT LINES!
FROM JAN 10 2026 - CATCH GREG ON YOUR ABC RADIO On ABC891 every Thursday evening after 8.30pm with the wonderful Spence Denny. Then on ABC639 every Saturday morning after 6.30am with the splendid Chook Harslett!
"SA ALGAL BLOOM NO MORE - A 6-POINT PLAN TO FULL RECOVERY" - A simple exercise in confidence & competence.
1. Immediately establish mobile water filtration units at the barrages on the Murray River (to remove harmful phosphates) & cease releasing Desal Plant solids into the Gulfs
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
- STATEWIDE GPS MARKS FOR SALE - CLICK BELOW!
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Greg James' Fishing Pathfinder 4th edition
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Stories of men and women from WW2