Fishing in the River

Fishing in the river is an excellent pastime for tourists and locals in Australia, and one of the best places to do it is the Clarence River in NSW. This is one of the largest rivers on the Australian mainland and home to a wide variety of fish, and Yamba is situated right on it. That’s why we recommend everyone vacationing in NSW to try river fishing in Yamba.

Why go river fishing?

There are so many reasons why fishing is an excellent hobby or a really fun way to spend a couple of days while on vacation. You might not have thought about it, but fishing is actually a great workout. Not only do you usually walk or row out to a suitable fishing spot, but the act of setting up, casting off and winding in fish gives your whole body a workout, including your arms, shoulders, back, core and legs. Spending all that time outside will also give you plenty of vitamin D, so fishing is great for your physical health as well as your mental health. Fishing greatly reduces stress, as being near water has that effect on us, and being still and calm for so long is almost like meditation. Fishing is a fun activity for friend groups or families, and it’s a skill people are proud of and enjoy passing on to the next generation. Lastly, you might get food out of it, and being able to catch your own food is a confidence boost for anyone.

The fish you can catch

The Clarence River is riddled with fish, making it an excellent place to go river fishing. You might catch Blackfish, which are tricky to get but taste delicious and grow up to 16 inches. There are also Jewfish, huge and with a distinct flavour, versatile Flatheads that are suitable for everything from battering and deep-frying to steaming, grilling, frying and even eating raw, Gropers, Snappers and much more. There are fish of all different sizes here, that can be prepared in a wide variety of ways and taste excellent.

Things to keep in mind

If you’ve now decided that you do want to go river fishing, here’s some advice on how to make your session as successful as possible. In order to fish in NSW, you will need to pay the Recreational Fishing Fee, with some exemptions. Keep safety in mind, wearing light clothing, non-slip footwear and a lifejacket if you’re fishing off the rocks. Fish like moving water, so find a place with a slow or medium stream and you’re bound to catch some. There are some different methods of fishing that you might want to consider depending on what kind of fish you want to catch, including float fishing, which is the most basic and simple method, whip fishing and trotting. Make sure you have a good bait and you’re more likely to get lucky, and maggots are usually a favourite with any species of fish.

How to get started

When you’re ready to try river fishing in Yamba, make sure you get the appropriate equipment for the kind of fishing you want to do and the species you want to catch. Pay the fee, and then you can either stroll down to the river with your equipment or rent a boat or kayak to get further out onto the river and find all the best secret spots. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, it’s bound to be an experience you won’t forget.