1. Target Species
When fishing Broome and the wider Kimbeley region the angler has quite an array of fishing experiences to enjoy. Barramundi, threadfin and fingermark are amongst the more popular species in the streams and estuaries contributing to the enormous expanse of Roebuck Bay.
Broome is also known for the black jewfish that live in Roebuck Bayand don't miss the huge mud crabs of the bay.
Coral trout, mackerel, red emperor and blue bone are among the favored reef species but there are many more available.
Marlin, sailfish, mackerel, mahi mahi and wahoo are the commonest blue water species.
2.
The billfish season in waters offshore from Broome starts around April and runs through to October, give or take a month. Sailfish are present in huge numbers from roughly June to October. The best months for barramundi fishing in Broome and the Kimberley are after the wet season in the "run off" in April and May and also during the "build up" from late September into December.
3. Tidal effects
The standard of fishing in Broome is very much tide dependent as the tidal movement in this part of the world can be big at around ten meters
Billfish and some reef species for instance are best fished one or two days after neap tides as the water becomes too murky after king tides.
Barramundi and many estuary species appear to like tides closer to neap but still with some tidal movement. "No run, no fun" as the saying goes.
But this is fishing and the rules change always according to climatic conditions and location so the best chance is always to get friendly with the local people.
4. When to fish Broome
The best fishing in Broome is usually in the period of late August through to November for most species. Estuary species like barramundi are also very aggressive after the wet season finishes round the end of March, give or take a month.
5. How to get to Broome and where to stay
Virgin Airlines and Qantas both have daily flights to Broome with connections from most capital cities in Australia. There's a large range of accommodation from caravan parks to luxury beach front resorts and self contained vacation residences both in Broome town and also out at Cable Beach. The town usually fills up with general tourism during the peak of the dry season from June to Aug. The Shinju Matsuri or the "Festival of the Pearl" is usually held in early Sep. After this, accommodation gets less difficult to get and at shorter notice which is good as Sep to October are often awesome fishing months.
6. Geography
Broome is located on the north western coast of Australia in an isolated area called the Kimberley. The Kimberley is virtually twice the size of the state of Victoria and three times the size of England. Broome is 2200 klm from Perth and 1900 klm from Darwin. Broome is found on a flat headland with the wide shallow expanses of Roebuck Bay on the east-facing side and the long sweep of the attractive Cable Beach on the west side. All of the western Kimberley is reasonably flat and the Broome area is not an exception. The soil is red and sandy so far as the eye can see and the vegetation is meagre.
7. Population
The Kimberley is sparsely populated with only 40 000 people. In 2010 Broome had a population of almost 16 300 which has grown by over 50% since 1995. In the main tourist season from June through to August the population of Broome will swell to about 40 or 50 000. A lot of the resident population are aboriginal people with a significant part of the populace descendants of the Japanese, Malay and other Asian people who came to Broome when the pearling industry was booming here from the 1880's. It is rather a cosmopolitan city.
8. Climate
Broome and the Kimberley are situated in the tropical section of northwards Australia and as such they really only have two seasons each year. The dry season starts from around April and runs to approximately Sep. Little rain falls in these months with clear blue skies dominating and typical daily temperatures usually around 30. The wet season starts in October with rising temperature and humidity and occasional storms building up to the start of the monsoon. This period is known. As the "build up". The vast bulk of the rains fall from around Christmas to March or April and this is cyclone season.
9. Dangers and Safety
You would be forgiven for thinking the Kimberley has more dangers per square foot than any other place in the world. Onshore there are most of the top 10 deadly snakes on the planet, as well as scorpions and many other tiny biters especially near mangrove swamps.
In the sea it becomes worse! The Kimberley is prime crocodile habitat for a start, with both the smaller, usually not aggressive freshwater crocodile and the bigger always aggressive saltwater crocodile found in large numbers. "Crocs" were just about shot out of existence by hunters in the early days but they have been protected in Australia now since the 1970's. And there numbers have been building up since then. Their common names are a bit misleading as both types of crocs can be seen in both fresh and saltwater.
Box jellyfish are present in these waters from October to April depending on water temperatures. Their sting, if not deadly will be extremely agonizing and scaring. There are plenty of other creatures to be aware of when fishing Broome and the Kimberley including many species of shark and sea snake.
Finally there is cyclones and intense weather to be aware of which can spring up rapidly between October and April with the majority between December and March. All really good reasons to use local information.
10. Fishing guides, lodges and charters
Fishing Broome and the Kimberley is a unique, wild, remote and exotic experience that may draw you back time after time. Your fishing experience and your results will be optimised if you use the local knowledge and services offered by the range of professional fishing guides, lodges and charter operators that are generally accessible.
Bear in mind that from June through to Nov you need to book ahead to prevent disappointment. They regularly book out far ahead.
About the Author:
Paul Collery is a passionate fishermen, traveller and writer based in Darwin Australia. His companies www.sportsfishingadventures.co.au and www.flyfishingadventures.com.au have a variety of unique fishing adventures to wild, remote and exotic locations around Australia, New zealand and the Pacific.
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