Hidden Gems: Our Favorite Underrated Fishing Spots in Sydney

You’ve probably heard of all the popular fishing spots around Sydney. Places like Manly and Watson’s Bay attract crowds of anglers casting their lines on any given weekend. But some of the best catches can be found off the beaten path at hidden gem locations only the locals know about. In this post, we’re doing you a favor and spilling the beans on our favorite under-the-radar fishing holes that never disappoint. We’ll share how to access these out-of-the-way spots, what’s biting there, and the techniques that consistently hook fish. You’ll come away with a list of new spots to explore where you can escape the maddening crowds and improve your chances of landing a trophy catch. So read on to unlock Sydney’s best-kept fishing secrets!

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Overlooked Shoreline Spots for Catching Snapper and Bream

If you’re after a solid day of reeling in snapper and bream without the crowds, check out these under-the-radar spots along Sydney’s shoreline.

The Spit Bridge Rocks

Just north of the Spit Bridge, there’s a series of rocky outcrops that are prime real estate for snapper and bream. Wade out at low tide or fish from the rocks for best results. Live bait like pilchards, mullet, and squid are always a good choice here. ###Middle Harbour Creek This quiet tributary of Middle Harbour is a hidden gem, especially around dawn and dusk. Cast soft plastics, surface lures, or baitfish imitations around the mangrove roots and near the drop-offs for some hard-fighting fun. You may even hook a flathead or two.

Clontarf Reserve

The waters around Clontarf Reserve don’t get nearly as much attention as other harbor hotspots, making it ideal for a casual session. Try fishing the points and drop-offs with bait or lures, especially around high tide when the fish move in close to feed. The bream here regularly top 35 cm, so you’ve got a shot at some real whoppers.

With a bit of exploring, you’re sure to stumble upon your own overlooked honey holes around Sydney. Tight lines! Let us know if you discover any under-the-radar spots—we’re always on the hunt for new secret fishing spots to share.

Secluded Freshwater Creeks Teeming With Bass

Some of Sydney’s best bass fishing spots are tucked away in hidden creeks around the city. If you’re looking to land a trophy largemouth or smallmouth bass without the crowds, these secluded creeks are where you want to wet your line.

The Upper Lane Cove River

The upper reaches of the Lane Cove River north of Macquarie Park offer prime bass habitat with deep pools, fallen timber, and plenty of overhanging vegetation. Launch your kayak or canoe from Burns Road and paddle upriver, casting spinnerbaits and soft plastic lures along the way. Early mornings and evenings are the best times to target bass in the shady, tea-colored water.

Berowra Creek

A network of creeks feeds into the picturesque Berowra Creek, providing excellent bass fishing in a wilderness setting just over an hour from the CBD. 4WD access and bushwalking tracks will get you to the most remote parts of the creek where you’ll find hungry bass patrolling the shallows. Surface lures that mimic native fish and frogs are hard for bass to resist here.

The Upper Nepean River

While the lower Nepean River has become overfished, the upper reaches from Camden down to the Warragamba Dam remain an angler’s paradise. Launch at any of the secluded creek crossings along the way and you’ll find yourself virtually alone, surrounded by thick bushland. The bass grow big here, feeding on yellowbelly and native shrimp – so come prepared with a variety of lures to entice these wary fish from their cover.

With some local knowledge and a willingness to get off the beaten path, Sydney’s hidden creeks can produce bass fishing unlike anywhere else. Tight lines!

Hidden Beaches and Coves for Salmon and Tailor

Some of Sydney’s best fishing spots are hidden in plain sight. Tucked away beaches and coves along the coast offer pristine waters teeming with salmon, tailor, and other prized catches. Pack your gear, grab your mates, and head out on an adventure to these underrated spots.

Camp Cove

Nestled between South Head and Inner South Head at Watsons Bay, Camp Cove’s quiet waters and rocky shoreline make for great land-based fishing. Salmon and tailor frequent these parts, especially around sunrise and sunset. Cast your line from the beach or rocks and reel in your catch. Since Camp Cove faces north, the waters are protected from southerly winds—perfect if there’s a chill in the air.

Milk Beach

Accessible only by a 30-minute hike or boat, Milk Beach is a secluded paradise for anglers in the know. The challenging trek deters most crowds, leaving the pristine waters and white sands nearly private. Salmon, tailor, and snapper patrol the reefs and drop-offs along the shore. Pack light, bring supplies for a full day, and soak in the solitude of this hidden gem.

Little Congwong Beach

On the northern side of Botany Bay National Park, Little Congwong Beach offers scenic surroundings and fishing to match. Access is via walking track only, so you’ll often have the beach to yourself. Salmon and tailor chase schools of baitfish in the shallows and further out. For your best chance at a catch, fish the incoming tide. The serenity alone is worth the hike in, with uninterrupted views of the bay and opportunities for birdwatching between bites.

With a little extra effort, these hidden beaches and coves can reward you with memories to last long after you’ve cooked up and devoured your delicious catch. Grab your gear, pack a picnic, and get ready for an adventure discovering Sydney’s secret fishing spots. Tight lines!

Off-the-Beaten-Path Jetty and Pier Fishing

Sydney harbour is lined with iconic jetties and piers, many of which also double as hidden fishing hotspots. These spots may not be as famous as places like the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Opera House, but for avid anglers, they represent some of the best opportunities to hook local favorites like flathead, whiting, bream and mulloway.

Rose Bay Pier

Nestled within the upscale suburb of Rose Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Rose Bay Pier offers keen fishos a chance to drop a line without battling the crowds. Extending 100 meters into the bay, this historic pier is a popular spot to catch flathead, bream and mulloway after dark. The best time to fish is at high tide using live bait like mullet, pilchards or prawns.

Chowder Bay Wharf

Tucked away within a quiet cove of Sydney Harbour, Chowder Bay Wharf is a secluded fishing spot surrounded by natural bushland. The wharf and adjacent rocky shoreline are renowned for bream and flathead, especially around dawn and dusk. The waters around the wharf drop to over 10 meters deep, so be prepared for the possibility of hooking a decent sized fish. Live shrimp and pilchards work well here, as do soft plastic lures.

Balmoral Bathers’ Pavilion Jetty

Extending 150 meters into Middle Harbour from Balmoral Beach, the historic Bathers’ Pavilion Jetty is a popular spot for land-based fishing, especially at night. The jetty is well known for catches of large flathead, bream, whiting and even the occasional mulloway. As the jetty is open 24 hours a day, night fishing can be very productive, especially around high tide. The deeper waters also mean you have a chance to land bigger specimens. Live bait like pilchards, mullet and prawns are recommended, as are soft plastics and vibes.

With a little local knowledge and adventure, these hidden gem piers and jetties offer a tranquil fishing experience within Sydney’s bustling city limits. Cast a line, take in the surroundings and enjoy this unique way to connect with nature.

Secret Estuary Backwaters for Monster Flathead

Not too far from the city center of Sydney, you’ll find a network of hidden estuary backwaters that hold some trophy-sized flathead. The Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers are lined with secluded inlets and tributaries that rarely see much fishing pressure, despite the monster fish that inhabit them.

The Secret Bays of Lane Cove River

The upper reaches of the Lane Cove River, north of the Gladesville Bridge, wind through dense bushland and sandstone cliffs. There are a few secret bays tucked away in here that flathead love, like Tambourine Bay and Quarry Creek. These spots require a bit of a hike to access, so they tend to only be fished by locals in the know. The seclusion means the flathead can grow undisturbed until they reach sizes over 80 cm.

Forgotten Tributaries of the Parramatta

As the Parramatta River flows west from Sydney Harbour, it breaks off into smaller tributaries like Duck River, Haslams Creek, and Powells Creek. These offshoot waterways were once important for transport and trade, but today they’re mostly neglected. The silver lining is that flathead flock to the cover and baitfish found in these forgotten tributaries. The drop-offs and deep holes in Duck River and Powells Creek, in particular, are hotspots for flathead pushing 90 cm and above.

With a bit of exploring, you’re bound to stumble upon your own secret flathead honey hole in the network of estuaries surrounding Sydney. Once you crack the code to these covert locations, you’ll be catching flathead so big you’ll struggle to fit them in your car! The solitude and thrill of the hunt only add to the experience of fishing these hidden gems.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my friend – a handful of delightful hideaways where you can cast your line in peace. No crowds, no hassle, just you and the fish. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s still a day of relaxation in nature. And if you do get a bite, there’s no better feeling than reeling in your catch as the sun sets over the harbor. The next time you’re looking to wet a line without the tourist hordes, try out one of these out-of-the-way spots. You might just discover your new favorite secret fishing hole, one you’ll be coming back to again and again. Just don’t tell too many people – let’s keep these gems hidden! Tight lines!