Rock fishing the Macleay by Brett Kirk
Thousands of land based anglers head to the Macleay Valley each year to fish the rock ledges for a huge variety of species that seasonally visit our shores. There are many reasons rock fishing is so productive along this area of the mid north coast, however, the close proximity to the continental shelf and the fact that this region is visited by both southern and northern species of fish in huge numbers are 2 leading factors.
Mackerel, cobia, marlin, mulloway, and snapper are just some of the vast array of species that can be targeted in the area with a good chance of success. With plenty of headlands facing in all directions, it is usually possible to find a spot that is fishable and protected from the elements, no matter what conditions you are faced with.
Grassy Head is located to the north of South West Rocks and is the next headland up from where the Macleay River meets the sea. This small headland offers some safe fishing ledges with relatively easy access. Mulloway, bream and tailor are present for most of the year and can be targeted throughout the day, however, fishing an hour either side of sunset is the most productive time.
Due to the distance from Smoky Cape and the protected area it provides for Trial Bay, Grassy Head is affected by any big swells out of the south and north. This area is definitely a no-go area then during times of large swell. The reefs off Grassy are a haven for mackerel from Christmas through to May, and during this time land based anglers get their chance at a piece of the action too. Large stickbaits and metal spinners account for plenty of Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna and cobia from this area. Live baiting can be conducted here also, with bonito usually available from the washes. Yellowtail can be caught on occasions, however, it is worth being prepared if there are no bonito available by bringing in livies caught from elsewhere.
The northern wall at the southern end of the beach from Grassy Head fishes best when there is a deep gutter across the front and along the beach. You will find big mulloway, flathead, bream, tailor and Australian salmon laying in ambush on a runout tide. Live baiting mullet, pike and yellowtail are the gun options for capturing a big mulloway here. Large paddle tail soft plastics and hardbody diving lures have accounted for some big fish too.
The southern breakwall protrudes further out to sea than its northern partner. Due to the main channel of the Macleay running along the wall, it can be a tricky place to fish at times. The end fishes well on a runout tide and if there is a hole present it is possible to let your bait wash around in the back eddy that the river produces. Similar species to the northern wall will be found here. Firing floating bibbed divers out with the tide and slowly retrieving them over the holes that form alongside the bar channel is a popular approach for catching mulloway off the high rocks at the end of the wall.
