Narooma and Montague Island
New South Wales · Offshore and estuary
Montague Island is one of the most reliable kingfish grounds in the country, and the shelf out from Narooma turns on for tuna and marlin when the current pushes in.
Fishing Narooma and Montague Island
Narooma and Montague Island sits in New South Wales and fishes as an offshore and estuary. The species most people target here are Yellowtail Kingfish, Snapper, Southern Bluefin Tuna and Flathead, and the mix shifts through the year with water temperature and bait movement.
Tide does most of the work here: moving water pushes bait onto the edges and switches the fish on, while slack water usually means a slow hour or two on the bank.
Timing matters: kings nov–may; tuna may–aug. Plan around that window rather than chasing a single good report.
Getting there: Narooma bar ramp; Montague is 5 nm offshore.
The single thing that changes results most at Narooma and Montague Island is the detail locals take for granted — the Narooma bar is shallow and dangerous on a run-out swell. Everything else is refinement on top of that.
Local tips
- ▸The Narooma bar is shallow and dangerous on a run-out swell.
- ▸Live yakkas on the island's northern corner produce the best kings.
Check current closures, marine park zoning and licence requirements with the relevant state fisheries authority. Conditions on tidal and offshore water change quickly — always check the forecast and tell someone your plans.
Licences and rules
New South Wales sets its own licence requirements, size and bag limits and closed seasons, and they change through the year. Confirm the current position with NSW Department of Primary Industries — Fisheries before you fish Narooma and Montague Island.
Species guides for Narooma and Montague Island
- Yellowtail Kingfish — Raw power on light tackle. Kingfish hunt reef edges, bommies and current lines and will bury you in structure given half a chance.
- Snapper — Australia's best-loved offshore table fish, found from shallow inshore reef to deep continental structure.
- Southern Bluefin Tuna — The blue-water prize of southern Australia — long-range, seasonal and worth every early start.
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Narooma and Montague Island?
Narooma and Montague Island holds Yellowtail Kingfish, Snapper, Southern Bluefin Tuna, Flathead. Montague Island is one of the most reliable kingfish grounds in the country, and the shelf out from Narooma turns on for tuna and marlin when the current pushes in.
When is the best time to fish Narooma and Montague Island?
Kings Nov–May; tuna May–Aug. As a rule, the hours either side of a tide change and the dawn and dusk bite windows produce the most fish here.
How do you access Narooma and Montague Island?
Narooma bar ramp; Montague is 5 nm offshore.
Do you need a fishing licence at Narooma and Montague Island?
A NSW Recreational Fishing Fee must be paid by anyone fishing in salt or fresh water, with limited exemptions. Confirm current rules with NSW Department of Primary Industries — Fisheries before you fish.
Nearby waters to Narooma and Montague Island
Closest locations in the directory if Narooma and Montague Island is blown out or crowded.
- Bermagui, New South Wales24 km away · also holds southern bluefin tuna
- Jervis Bay and the Shoalhaven, New South Wales137 km away · also holds snapper
- Mallacoota Inlet, Victoria153 km away · estuary
- Sydney Harbour, New South Wales281 km away · also holds yellowtail kingfish
- Gippsland Lakes, Victoria287 km away · coastal lake and estuary system
- Hawkesbury River, New South Wales312 km away · large estuary system
What swims here
Species profiles for the fish Narooma and Montague Island is known for.
- Yellowtail KingfishTopwater stickbaits — best first light around headlands and bommies
- Dusky FlatheadSoft plastics — best run-out tide over sand flats
- SnapperSoft plastics — best dawn, dusk and the tide change
- Southern Bluefin TunaTrolled skirts and divers — best early morning around shelf lines and bait schools
- Pink SnapperWhole squid — best dawn, dusk and after dark
- Golden SnapperSoft plastics — best night and the hour either side of the tide change
- Tiger FlatheadDrifted baits — best any time on a moderate drift
- Queen SnapperBaits on deep reef — best tide change during daylight
Plan this session
- Fish Finder spot mapDepth contours and structure scoring centred on Narooma and Montague Island (10–200 m).
- Bite times calculatorTide and moon windows for New South Wales so you fish Narooma and Montague Island on moving water.
- Catch logLog sessions at Narooma and Montague Island and build your own pattern over a season.
- Guided chartersLocal skippers who run New South Wales trips if you'd rather learn the water with a guide.
Where to fish for Narooma and Montague Island right now
The Local Knowledge Fish Finder scores real Australian spots against live tide, moon phase, wind, water temperature and season, then ranks the best places to start today — with marine charts and depth contours built in.
- ▸ Ranked pins for Narooma and Montague Island near you
- ▸ Depth contours and seamarks on the chart
- ▸ Live tide, moon, wind and water temp
- ▸ Free for 7 days, then $7.99/month
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