Trade-A-Boat – April 2018

a popular viewing platform to see the
spectacle of the fleet going to sea, or
returning when being challenged by a
large swell.
The Bermagui River with its
breakwater and sandy beaches offers
ample opportunity for people who don’t
have a boat. There are always plenty of
fish moving up and down the river with
the tides, and many residents as well
... the trick is to catch them. Hire boats
are available on the river or at nearby
Wallaga Lake for those who want to
captain on their own vessel. There is no
shortage of tackle shops and servos that
are always willing to provide free advice
on where the fish are biting.
For newcomers to any location the
local tackle shop is a ‘must stop’ for all
the local info on what’s going on. The
boys at Bermagui Bait and Tackle are
always on hand for advice, plus they
have breakfasts and lunches packed
for early departures and fuel to get
you on your way. Don’t forget to pick

up a copy of the local newspaper as

there is always a fishing column with

someone bragging about their catch

and where they got it or make ‘Friends’

by liking the ‘Trapman Bermagui’ site

on Facebook for regular updates.

ANY PORT IN A STORM

Bermagui has a well-serviced deep-

water harbour for the larger game

fishing fleet, professional fishing fleet

(or what’s left of them!), yachties and

seafarers. Each year some Sydney to

Hobart yachts struggle into the safe

port when heading south, whilst others

enjoy their leisurely trip homeward

bound stopping off for a few days of

R&R.

There are way too many fishing

charters to list, but there is something

for everyone and every budget,

including half-day and full-day

charters. There are any number of large

flybridge cruisers heading out to the

shelf for the large pelagics, or perhaps

you would prefer a ‘bottom bouncing’

session on the inshore grounds for

succulent table fish like snapper,

mowies, flathead and maybe even a

yellowtail kingfish.

There are even estuary charters

available on the Bermagui River

or nearby Wallaga Lake where you

can target the wily bream, whiting,

luderick or that elusive humungous

dusky flathead in and out of tree-lined

estuaries and their sandy deltas. Boat

hire, canoes and kayaks are available

both on the river or at Wallaga Lake

for those wanting to captain their own

vessel.

There is some terrific land-based

fishing around Bermi where you will

always find a spot on one of the two

breakwalls, the end of several jetties,

lots of productive surf beaches and

some great rock outcrops. There are lots

of tranquil spots along the Bermagui

River or on Wallaga Lake for the kids

to chuck in a line, and who knows

Bermagui, NSW

"The Bermagui River with its breakwater and sandy

beaches ofers ample opportunity for people who don’t

have a boat"

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