Kimberley Fishing is a true fishing adventure.
This pristine and remote outback in the northwest corner of Australia is a fishermens wonderland with a wide variety of fishing environments. These include un-spoilt beaches, prime barramundi fishing waters, fish rich reef systems and blue water fishing at its best all surrounded by amazing scenery.
The Kimberley is a lightly populated and rugged land. Other than the one highway running through the Kimberley few paved roads exist and most others are rough bush tracks and dirt roads lacking maintainence. The monsoon season closes the majority of the later for as much as five or six over summer.
Up here in the tropics only two seasons exist. The dry season from around May to end September is characterized by minimal to no rain and hot and sunny daysaveraging in the low 30's.
The wet season starts with the "build up" to the onset of the rains from around October to the end of December when humidity and air and sea temperatures are rising. This is followed by the arrival of the monsoon usually around Christmas when it rains heavily till the end of March. All can vary by as much as 30 days.
March to late November are the prime months for fishing the Kimberley with Barramundi fishing at its best after the wet season has finished when the food-laden waters are running off the flood plains into the rivers and estuaries. Barramundi are far more regularly found in the lower river systems and estuaries along the coast but can be present in saltwater or in freshwater far up stream. Many of those waters can be fished from the banks of the river but better results will typically be reached if fishing from a boat. Some of the finest and most easily accessed river systems for Barra fishing are the Fitzroy, Ord, Pentecost, Keep and the King Rivers and their tributaries.
The Kimberley coast is a spectacular and remote outback area accessible in the most part only by boat. There are numerous charter vessels that cruise this remote coastal region from March to November every year offering both specialist fishing cruises and also general interest cruises that include nature walks and cruises and aboriginal art gallery visits as well as fishing. The later are great options for the fishermen with the non-fishing partner.
These cruises will include opportunities for barramundi fishing where 1 meter plus Barramundi are often landed, and Mangrove Jack, Queen Fish, Finger Mark and Trevally are always on offer. The reef systems such as the huge Montgomery Reef are home to many species including Giant Trevally and Coral Trout and blue water and pelagic species include Sailfish, Dogtooth and other Tuna, Wahoo and Spanish Mackerel are often found cruising.
When fishing Broome, the major city of the Kimberley situated on the west coast the visiting angler has a wide selection of options. Broome fishing charters and fishing tours range from the half day to up to 2 weeks. Fishing in Broome area has a mixture of estuary and bluewater fishing and is well known for its visiting Sailfish in the dry season.
It should always be noted that there are dangers concerned with travelling round the Kimberley uneducated and unprepared. These hazards include breakdowns in outlying areas, shortage of drinking water and other supplies, heat stress and related issues, adverse weather events like cyclones and flooding and of course the ever present snakes, sea stingers and crocodiles. All of the Kimberley is a crocodile habitat.
The cost of getting to and travelling round the Kimberley is reasonably high and accordingly most fishermen will often only visit once in a life-time. It is advisable that visitors should maximise their experience by employing the many excellent Kimberley fishing charters, guides, lodges, camps and live on board vessels that are available.
This pristine and remote outback in the northwest corner of Australia is a fishermens wonderland with a wide variety of fishing environments. These include un-spoilt beaches, prime barramundi fishing waters, fish rich reef systems and blue water fishing at its best all surrounded by amazing scenery.
The Kimberley is a lightly populated and rugged land. Other than the one highway running through the Kimberley few paved roads exist and most others are rough bush tracks and dirt roads lacking maintainence. The monsoon season closes the majority of the later for as much as five or six over summer.
Up here in the tropics only two seasons exist. The dry season from around May to end September is characterized by minimal to no rain and hot and sunny daysaveraging in the low 30's.
The wet season starts with the "build up" to the onset of the rains from around October to the end of December when humidity and air and sea temperatures are rising. This is followed by the arrival of the monsoon usually around Christmas when it rains heavily till the end of March. All can vary by as much as 30 days.
March to late November are the prime months for fishing the Kimberley with Barramundi fishing at its best after the wet season has finished when the food-laden waters are running off the flood plains into the rivers and estuaries. Barramundi are far more regularly found in the lower river systems and estuaries along the coast but can be present in saltwater or in freshwater far up stream. Many of those waters can be fished from the banks of the river but better results will typically be reached if fishing from a boat. Some of the finest and most easily accessed river systems for Barra fishing are the Fitzroy, Ord, Pentecost, Keep and the King Rivers and their tributaries.
The Kimberley coast is a spectacular and remote outback area accessible in the most part only by boat. There are numerous charter vessels that cruise this remote coastal region from March to November every year offering both specialist fishing cruises and also general interest cruises that include nature walks and cruises and aboriginal art gallery visits as well as fishing. The later are great options for the fishermen with the non-fishing partner.
These cruises will include opportunities for barramundi fishing where 1 meter plus Barramundi are often landed, and Mangrove Jack, Queen Fish, Finger Mark and Trevally are always on offer. The reef systems such as the huge Montgomery Reef are home to many species including Giant Trevally and Coral Trout and blue water and pelagic species include Sailfish, Dogtooth and other Tuna, Wahoo and Spanish Mackerel are often found cruising.
When fishing Broome, the major city of the Kimberley situated on the west coast the visiting angler has a wide selection of options. Broome fishing charters and fishing tours range from the half day to up to 2 weeks. Fishing in Broome area has a mixture of estuary and bluewater fishing and is well known for its visiting Sailfish in the dry season.
It should always be noted that there are dangers concerned with travelling round the Kimberley uneducated and unprepared. These hazards include breakdowns in outlying areas, shortage of drinking water and other supplies, heat stress and related issues, adverse weather events like cyclones and flooding and of course the ever present snakes, sea stingers and crocodiles. All of the Kimberley is a crocodile habitat.
The cost of getting to and travelling round the Kimberley is reasonably high and accordingly most fishermen will often only visit once in a life-time. It is advisable that visitors should maximise their experience by employing the many excellent Kimberley fishing charters, guides, lodges, camps and live on board vessels that are available.
About the Author:
Paul Collery is a fishing enthusiast, travel industry professional and travel writer based in Australia.He has fished and travelled in numerous locations around the planet. He runs companies called Sports Fishing Adventures and Fly Fishing Adventures that is focused on guided fishing adventures to unique and remote locations around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
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