What can you catch at Thirroul Beach?

Thirroul Beach is a known location for Australian salmon, tailor, and yellowfin bream. Seasonality varies by species; the live conditions panel on Get A Nibble shows which species are most likely on a given day.

What is the best tide for Thirroul Beach?

Tides matter at Thirroul Beach, but no single phase suits every species. Open the Read to see the tide alongside wind, swell and water temperature.

What moon phase is best for fishing at Thirroul Beach?

At Thirroul Beach the moon sets the tide. Spring tides around the new and full moon move more water than the neap tides around the quarter moons, and the tide reading shows that range for each day.

What wind direction does Thirroul Beach handle?

Thirroul Beach faces east. Some shelter from west winds. Open to north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west and north-west winds. Catchability and fishability appear as two separate coloured bands, never a safety clearance.

Thirroul Beach

The water

Thirroul Beach is a beach in Illawarra, New South Wales. Get to know the water before unpacking: choose a target species, look at the tide and wind, and work out where you can comfortably fish.

Find the mark at 34 degrees 19.164 minutes south, 150 degrees 55.644 minutes east. These coordinates locate the fishing spot, not a safe access route.

Structure

The mapped structure is estuary mouth sandbar. The chart depth near the usual casting position is about 2.5 metres below chart datum, the reference level on a marine chart. The tide changes the actual depth during your session.

Thirroul Beach faces east. Some shelter from west winds. Open to north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-west and north-west winds.

Surf beach: fish gutters from sand only. Do not fish the rock ends in swell. Wollongong LGA declared rock-fishing area; lifejacket required on any rock platform edge.

Target species

Australian Salmon (Arripis trutta). A metal slice is a useful starting lure in surf gutters. From structure in calm water, try a soft plastic with a slow retrieve.

Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix). Retrieve a metal slug through wash edges, changing speed as you search. Pilchard is an alternative when casting control becomes difficult.

Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus australis). Try worms on a light running sinker rig for a natural drift. Prawns are another option when the water is moving.

How to fish it

Match the weight of your rig to the water in front of you. Start with enough control to present your bait or lure, then adjust when the tide changes. Watch where your line settles and leave space for other anglers to work their tackle.

Read the surf from dry sand before choosing a position. Stay out of rips and leave enough space between your casting area and other beach users.

Use the live weather at Thirroul Beach to understand the session: tide, wind, swell, air pressure, moon and water temperature belong together. The two coloured bands describe catchability and fishability. They cannot assess your footing, access or safety at the water.

Nearby spots

Bellambi Point: 6.0 km south in a straight line.
Wollongong Harbour Breakwall: 12.0 km south in a straight line.
Stanwell Park Beach: 12.0 km north-east in a straight line.

Explore more fishing spots in Illawarra and compare their conditions before choosing your next session.

Data sources

Learn where the weather information comes from on our data sources page.