Bass Point (West Platform) Fishing Guide & Forecast

Bass Point has snapper, salmon, kingfish, tailor, luderick and squid. The run-in tide at dawn or dusk can bring fish closer to the rocks. Rock fishing is dangerous, and no swell or wind forecast guarantees safety. The eastern ledges sit inside the Bushrangers Bay no-take sanctuary.

Bass Point sits just south of Shellharbour on the Illawarra coast. The western and central platforms reach deep water, with about seven metres close to the rocks. Reef ledges and kelp beds hold baitfish and squid, then draw predators along the current lines.

This is exposed rock fishing, not a casual ledge. Snapper, Australian salmon and yellowtail kingfish work the outer water. Tailor and squid are year-round options, while luderick feed in the wash around the tide change. Good forecast weekends can get crowded.

Best Tides, Swell and Weather at Bass Point

Check the swell, wind, tide and marine warnings before travelling. Conditions can change, and a forecast cannot guarantee safety on any platform.

The run-in tide brings clean water onto the ledges. Kingfish and salmon patrol the outer edge, snapper move closer in low light, and luderick work the wash around the change. Check the Bass Point conditions page for live swell, tide and wind. A calm surface does not mean the rocks are safe.

Target Species off the Rocks

Snapper

Snapper hold along the western reef ledges and move shallower at dawn and dusk. Drift a lightly weighted squid strip, pilchard or cuttlefish bait beside the reef. April through September is the main window, with winter producing the bigger fish.

Australian Salmon

Salmon school along the open face in autumn and winter. Watch for working birds and surface action, then cast a 40 to 60 gram metal slug beyond the school and retrieve fast.

Yellowtail Kingfish

Kingfish hunt the deep ledges and current lines from spring through autumn. Drift a live squid or yellowtail scad under a float, or let it swim off the edge. Use a 7 to 8 foot rod in the 6 to 10 kilo class, a 6000 to 10000 reel and 30 to 50lb braid.

Tailor

Tailor chase bait along the ledges and wash through the cooler months. Retrieve a metal slug quickly through the school, or float a whole pilchard on gang hooks at dawn or dusk. Bleed and ice the fish straight away.

Luderick

Luderick pick green weed and cabbage from the wash between May and September. Drift either bait naturally beneath a light float around the tide change.

Southern Calamari Squid

Squid hunt the kelp edges and deeper weed beds at dawn and dusk. Work a size 2.5 or 3.0 natural green or orange-foil jig with sharp lifts and pauses. They are available year-round and also provide fresh bait for snapper or kingfish.

Reef Structure and Platform Access

Take Bass Point Tourist Road from Shellharbour Road to the main car park, then walk to the western or central platform. Bring a gaff or long-handled landing net. The ledges drop quickly, so the final lift matters.

Fish the current line where deep water meets submerged reef, not the rock at your feet. The platforms have no facilities and little shelter. Carry what you need and dress for the open coast.

Rock Fishing Safety and Sanctuary Boundaries

Rock fishing is dangerous. Wear a life jacket and rock cleats or other non-slip footwear, and never fish alone. The NSW Government recommends watching the wind and waves from a safe position for at least 30 minutes before choosing a spot. This is a minimum, not proof of safety. Conditions can change.

Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve covers the eastern end of Bass Point. It is a no-take sanctuary. Fish only the western and central platforms, stay west of the main car park access track, and obey the boundary signs.

Check forecasts and warnings before you leave. No forecast guarantees safety on the rocks. Respect the eastern sanctuary boundary.