Sport fishing boat on turquoise ocean

Your WA boat fishing playbook

120+ species.
5 bioregions.
One guide.

Demersals closed on the West Coast? There's still plenty biting. We'll show you what, where, and how.

West Coast Demersal Closure

Boat-based recreational fishing for demersal scalefish (snapper, dhufish, baldchin groper, emperors, and more) remains closed until Spring 2027 in the West Coast bioregion. View full closure details →

85+
Species Covered
5
WA Bioregions
12+
Fishing Techniques
100%
WA Focused

What's Biting Right Now

Species currently in season on the West Coast. Demersals may be closed, but these aren't.

Underwater coral reef with tropical fish
In Season

Australian Salmon

Great sport fish and excellent eating when bled properly. Running strong around Rottnest and metro reefs.

Best: Apr–Aug | Trolling, Casting

Learn more →
School of fish underwater
Open Year-Round

Samson Fish

One of the hardest fighting fish in WA. Available from metro to mid-west waters on structure.

Best: Oct–Apr | Jigging, Live Bait

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Coral reef underwater scene
In Season

Spanish Mackerel

Fast, aggressive, and excellent on the plate. Pushing south into metro waters during summer.

Best: Nov–Apr | Trolling, Casting

Learn more →
Fishing tackle box with lures

Learn New Techniques

Your bottom fishing skills transfer. Here's how to adapt them for pelagics and other available species.

  • Trolling – Set up a spread that works for salmon, mackerel, and tuna
  • Jigging – Vertical and slow-pitch methods for samson, yellowtail, and more
  • Live Baiting – Float-lining and downrigging techniques
  • Casting – Surface and sub-surface presentations
Browse Techniques
Underwater reef scene

Downloadable Resources

Practical guides you can take on the boat. Print them, laminate them, use them.

  • Trolling Spread Diagrams – Visual guides for setting up effective spreads
  • Species ID Cards – Quick reference for size limits and bag limits
  • Seasonal Calendars – What's on each month by region
  • Rig Diagrams – Step-by-step tying instructions
View Resources

The fish are still out there.

Demersals may be off the menu, but WA waters are still full of excellent sportfish. Time to learn some new tricks.

Start Exploring