Updated October 2026 · Local knowledge from the team at Tackle World Exmouth, 3 Maley Street, Exmouth WA.
Quick answer: Exmouth is one of the few places in Australia where you can chase billfish, Spanish mackerel, GT, reef fish and whiting in the same week, often within sight of land. The locals at Tackle World Exmouth troll hardbodies over reef edges for mackerel through the cooler months, skip baits for sailfish and marlin all year, throw poppers for GT off the shore and fish the Gulf beaches on the high tide for whiting. Ningaloo has no-take sanctuary zones and WA's reef fish bag limits changed on 1 June 2026, so check both before you keep a fish.
Why Ask a Local in Exmouth?
Tackle World Exmouth has been looking after the Exmouth community and visiting anglers for more than 25 years. In their words: "There's a lot of local knowledge in our team, and we're here to share it." That's why they launched Ask a Local in 2026, a weekly series on fishing, diving, boating and "everything in between".
It's the Tackle World LIFE in action:
- Local: open 7am to 6pm every day of the year, stocking bait, ice and tackle for Exmouth's locals and the thousands of visitors who come for Ningaloo. They even had the local kindy in to explore the shop before a beach fishing excursion.
- Independent: locally run by fishing expert Matt Gates, who also hand-builds custom rods. The team backs small specialist brands too, from Divermon freedive fins (the only Exmouth stockist) to Flyzinc flies and a young local artist's hand-painted fish stickers.
- Fishing: respectful and legal. Barbless hooks on GT poppers, circle hooks on billfish baits, and straight answers on sanctuary zones and bag limits.
- Experts: "There's no dumb questions. We're here to help anglers from those starting out to experts in their field."
What Fish Can You Catch in Exmouth, and When?
Here's what the team targets through the year. Seasons shift with water temperature, so pop in or call 08 9949 1315 for what's biting.
| Species | When the locals target them | Where to look | Go-to approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish mackerel | Cooler months, especially August to October | Reef edges, shoals, bait schools, the islands | Trolled hardbodies, one shallow and one deep |
| Sailfish | Year-round, with fish reported in September and October | Shallow grounds in the Gulf and west of Tantabiddi | Skipped garfish or small skirts on circle hooks |
| Marlin (black, blue, striped) | Year-round, 12 months of the year | Offshore canyons and the ledge west of the Muiron Islands | Skipping or swimming baits, skirted lures at 6 to 9 knots |
| Giant trevally | Year-round, from the shore and boats | Rock platforms, reef edges, pressure points | Large poppers with barbless hooks |
| Queenfish | Year-round, great land-based fish | Rocky shorelines and beaches | Stickbaits, poppers, metals |
| Whiting | Year-round. Winter mornings on a high tide are best | Gulf beaches on the high tide | Prawns, small poppers, soft plastics |
| Mangrove jack | Warmer months | Ask in store, it changes through the year | Mulies, hardyheads, small shads |
| Reef fish (emperor, coral trout, bluebone) | Year-round, inside WA's reef fish bag limits | Reefy Gulf ground (trout); 30 to 80m off the west side of the cape (red emperor) | Fresh mullet and squid, lightly weighted; soft plastics |
How Do You Catch Spanish Mackerel in Exmouth?
"Screaming drags and blistering first runs make these fish one of the most exciting targets on the Ningaloo Coast." Here's the store's own Ask a Local guide to mackerel.
Find the bait
"Spanish mackerel rarely stray far from food. Finding the bait is one of the quickest ways to put yourself in the right spot." Trolling covers ground fast while you look for surface disturbances, diving birds, reef edges and drop-offs, and current lines.
Which lures should you troll for mackerel?
"Try trolling one shallow diver and one deep diver. This allows you to cover two water columns at once, greatly increasing your chance of a hookup." Shallow runners are best at dawn and dusk; go deeper through the middle of the day. Troll at 5 to 9 knots around reef edges, shoals and bait.
The team's top five trolling lures:
- Halco Laser Pro 190 (in store)
- Nomad DTX 165
- Shimano Ledge Runner 160 (more in our Ledge Runner review)
- Samaki Pacemaker 180
- Reaper Rig Medium (in store)
Want to cast instead? The store rates the Nomad Madscad Autotune, which casts and trolls.
Take the right tools
"Mackerel are an incredibly powerful fish with razor sharp teeth. Having the right tools can make landing these fish easier and may save you a hospital visit." Pack a fish bat or ike jime spike, a long-handled gaff, long-handled pliers, and a fish bag with ice. Ice is available at the shop.
And they get big here. In October 2026, a speared Spanish mackerel weighed in at the shop at 40.25kg. For more on the species, read Mastering Mackerel.
How Do You Catch Sailfish and Marlin off Exmouth?
Exmouth is one of the best billfish destinations in the country. The team sees billfish 12 months of the year, including black, blue and striped marlin, broadbill swordfish, sailfish and shortbill spearfish. "Fishing grounds are close to shore and easily accessible for small and large craft."
- Sailfish: skip or swim garfish, or run small skirted lures. Rig baits on circle hooks with clips so the fish is less likely to throw the hook, and is more likely to swim away healthy after release. With lures, run a spread of 3 to 5 at 6 to 9 knots over the shallow grounds in the Gulf or west of the Tantabiddi boat ramp. One local landed a big sailfish from a small boat in October on BKK Kajiki 8/0 hooks with hooks and skirt from the shop.
- Marlin: troll skipping or swimming baits (garfish, mullet, queenfish, mackerel) or skirted lures around the offshore canyons and the ledge west of the Muiron Islands. Ask in store where the temperature breaks are and where the latest fish have come from.
Can You Catch GT and Queenfish Land-Based in Exmouth?
Yes. The store sees GT "12 months of the year from the shore and boats", and the land-based queenfish are a highlight. In August 2026, two of the shop's regulars landed a big land-based GT on a Malosi Tyrant popper, "proving that local land based giants are around for those that are willing to put the time and effort in."
Use large poppers with barbless hooks so fish can be released quickly. Browse poppers and popper rods, then ask the team which tide and spot suit the conditions. As Tackle World Exmouth puts it: "Pop in and see Will or any of our other team members for advice on landbased fishing, where to go, what to use and what tide."
Where Can You Catch Whiting and Beach Fish in Exmouth?
"Fish the high tide along the beaches in the Gulf all year round. In winter they love the early morning when it is high tide." Prawns, small poppers and soft plastics all work. The beaches throw up surprises too. Philly, partner of one of the team, landed a first bluebone off the beach on a prawn and out-fished the tackle shop staffer in the process.
Mangrove jack turn up in the warmer months on mulies, hardyheads and small shads. Where they're sitting changes through the year, so ask in store.
How Do You Fish the Reef for Emperor and Coral Trout?
- Spangled emperor: berley, then cast lightly weighted whole squid or fresh local mullet (from the shop) over shallow, broken reefy ground. Gulp Jerk Shads on a jighead work too. Use a tough, clear 30 to 50lb leader such as Instinct Pro XTS to cut bust-offs.
- Red emperor: large whole and cut baits on gently sloping ground in 30 to 80m off the western side of the cape and around the Muiron Islands.
- Coral trout: big baits or soft plastics on shallow reefy country in the Gulf. Keep the bait light and close to the bottom.
Reef fish are where WA's 1 June 2026 rule changes matter most, so check the next section before you keep one.
What Are the Fishing Rules in Exmouth and Ningaloo?
Ningaloo Marine Park sanctuary zones are no-take. You can fish across most of the park, but not in sanctuary zones, and special rules apply in some other zones. Several sanctuary zones sit close to popular spots, including Bundegi, Jurabi, Tantabiddi, Lakeside, Mangrove and Osprey. Check the Ningaloo Marine Park zoning (DBCA) before you fish, and the DPIRD spearfishing map if you dive.
Reef fish limits (in force since 1 June 2026). Exmouth is in the Gascoyne Coast bioregion, where WA's demersal limits apply:
| Demersal (reef) fish, outside the West Coast region | Daily bag limit per fisher |
|---|---|
| Total of all demersal species combined | 4 |
| Coral trout, coronation trout | 1 |
| Red emperor, tuskfish (including baldchin groper) | 2 |
| Minimum size: red emperor 450mm, spangled emperor 400mm |
Source: DPIRD, statewide finfish size and bag limits from 1 June 2026. Always check the full WA recreational fishing rules for other species and boat limits.
Fishing from a boat? You need a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence (RFBL) to fish from a powered boat, unless someone on board holds one and the group stays within that person's limits.
Flares changed on 1 September 2026. Parachute flares are no longer accepted as safety equipment on WA waters. Only red and orange handheld flares count, or an approved electronic visual distress signal (EVDS) if you carry a GPS-enabled EPIRB or PLB. Department of Transport details. The shop stocks safety gear and can talk you through it.
Show Us Your Exmouth Adventures
"Our coastline has so many amazing experiences that deserve more than sitting on your camera roll." Tag @tackleworldexmouth and @tackleworldaus, or send the shop a DM, and your catch could feature in the next Ask a Local.
Exmouth Fishing FAQs
What fish can you catch in Exmouth?
Exmouth offers sailfish, black, blue and striped marlin, Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, queenfish, mahi mahi, red and spangled emperor, coral trout, bluebone, whiting and mangrove jack. Billfish are caught year-round.
When is the best time to fish Exmouth?
There's something to target all year. Billfish and GT are year-round, Spanish mackerel peak in the cooler months (especially August to October), whiting are best on winter morning high tides, and mangrove jack turn up in the warmer months.
Can you fish in Ningaloo Marine Park?
Yes, across most of the park, but not in the no-take sanctuary zones, which include areas near Bundegi, Jurabi and Tantabiddi. WA's statewide bag, size and licence rules also apply. Check the DBCA zoning map before you fish.
Do you need a fishing licence in Exmouth?
You need a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence to fish from a powered boat in WA, unless someone on board holds one. Check DPIRD's licence page for other licences.
What are the bag limits for reef fish in Exmouth?
From 1 June 2026, the combined daily bag limit for demersal (reef) fish is 4 per person, with 1 coral trout or coronation trout and 2 red emperor or tuskfish, including baldchin groper. Red emperor must be at least 450mm and spangled emperor 400mm.
What is the best lure for Spanish mackerel in Exmouth?
Tackle World Exmouth's top trolling lures are the Halco Laser Pro 190, Nomad DTX 165, Shimano Ledge Runner 160, Samaki Pacemaker 180 and Reaper Rig. Run one shallow and one deep diver at 5 to 9 knots.
Gear From This Guide
- Nomad DTX Minnow 165
- Shimano Ledge Runner trolling lure
- Samaki Pacemaker 180DD
- Strada Pro Tracka 160
- Nomad Madscad 150 Autotune
- BKK Kajiki Light Trolling hooks
- Nomad Chug Norris 180 popper
- Berkley Gulp Jerk Shad 5"
- Instinct Pro XTS Leader
- Emeraldas Ikashime Spike and gaffs
Halco Laser Pros, Reaper Rigs, Malosi poppers, bait, ice and safety gear are in store at Tackle World Exmouth.
Visit Tackle World Exmouth
Tackle World Exmouth
3 Maley Street, Exmouth WA 6707
Open 7am to 6pm, 7 days
Phone 08 9949 1315
Bait and ice, line spooling, rod and reel repairs, custom rod builds by Matt, and snorkel, dive and spearfishing gear. Follow @tackleworldexmouth for the weekly Ask a Local.
Fishing somewhere else? Find your nearest Tackle World or check the weekly fishing report.
