Don't Pack the Gear Away - Winter Is Prime Time in Perth
When the weather turns cold and the rain starts hitting, a lot of Perth anglers hang up the rod until summer. That's a mistake. Winter fishing in Perth is genuinely some of the best fishing the metro has to offer - if you know what to target and where to go.
The water cools, the bait schools shift, and the predators follow. Squid move into the shallows to breed. Snapper push closer to shore after storms. Herring are thick on every jetty. Bream stack up in the river. Tailor feed more aggressively in the rough conditions. And with fewer anglers on the water, you've got the best spots to yourself.
This guide covers everything you need to know about fishing Perth through the cooler months - May through August - species by species, with the gear, techniques, and spots that produce when the mercury drops.
A solid tailor taken on a stickbait from the beach - winter produces the bigger fish.
Squid - Peak Season
Winter is THE time for squid in Perth. Southern calamari move into the shallows from May through September to breed, and they're aggressive, abundant, and accessible from jetties, groynes, and rocks right across the metro.
This is arguably the single best reason to go fishing in winter in Perth. The numbers are insane, the gear is simple, and fresh calamari for dinner is hard to beat.
Where: Ammo Jetty, Fishing Boat Harbour, Cottesloe Groyne, Point Peron, Hillarys, Mindarie Marina. Cockburn Sound weed beds for boat anglers.
When: Dawn and dusk are most consistent, but night sessions under jetty lights can be the most productive of all. Rising tide is generally best from shore.
Gear: Dedicated egi rod - the Majorcraft Firstcast Eging for beginners, the Daiwa 26 Emeraldas X for a step up, or the Oceans Legacy Dream Cast Squid Seeker if you want a premium dedicated squid rod. Pair it with a 2500 spinning reel, PE 0.6 braid, 8lb fluoro leader (the Oceans Legacy Duelist FC is excellent), and quality squid jigs in sizes 2.5-3.5.
Jig picks: The Yamashita Egi OH Live 3.0 is the gold standard - natural prawn patterns for clear water, Neon Bright versions for murky or night sessions. The Oceans Legacy Egi Seeker 3.0 is our house favourite - brilliant action and available in 2.5, 3.5, and 3.5 Deep for different conditions. The Bite Science Squid Slayer 2.5 is great value for beginners, and the Yamashita Egi OH F 3.0 sinks faster for deeper water or current.
Read more: Our complete guide to squid fishing in Perth ?
Pink Snapper - Closer Than You Think
Snapper become more active in the cooler months and, critically, they push closer to shore - especially after winter storms. Rough weather disorientates baitfish and pushes them into the shallows, and snapper follow the food. For land-based and drone anglers, winter is prime time for a snapper from the beach.
Cockburn Sound holds snapper year-round, but the spawning aggregation from September onwards is the main event. In the lead-up (July-August), boat anglers drift the sound and pick up quality fish on bait and soft plastics.
Where: Cockburn Sound (boat - D9 wreck, Parmelia Bank, Garden Island), North Mole (shore), Point Peron (shore), northern metro beaches (drone fishing - see our drone fishing guide).
When: Dawn and dusk, tide changes. After storms from shore. Note: Cockburn Sound and Warnbro Sound are closed to snapper fishing August 1 - January 31 (spawning closure).
Gear: Medium-heavy spinning, 4000-6000 reel, 20-30lb braid, 30-40lb leader. Fresh bait (mulies, squid) or large soft plastics - the Berkley Gulp Jerkshad 5" and Z-Man Scented PaddlerZ 5" are proven snapper catchers on a TT HeadlockZ HD jig head. For drone fishing, the Oceans Legacy BackLine Big Bait Special is our staff pick for a drone rod - see our full drone rig range.
Demersal ban reminder: Boat-based fishing for demersal species (including snapper) is closed in the West Coast Bioregion until Spring 2027. Land-based fishing (including drone fishing) is exempt. Check fish.wa.gov.au for the latest rules.
A pair of quality pinkies from the beach at night - winter storms push snapper closer to shore.
Dhufish - The Ultimate Winter Challenge
If snapper is the bread and butter of winter shore fishing, dhufish is the trophy. WA's iconic reef species is a genuine challenge fish - smarter, warier, and harder to hook than snapper. Landing a dhufish from the beach is a serious achievement and one of the most coveted catches in WA fishing.
Winter is a productive window for dhufish from shore, particularly via drone fishing. Drones allow you to place baits precisely on the inshore reef edges where dhufish patrol - structure that's impossible to reach by casting.
Where: Beaches north and south of Perth with inshore reef within drone range. Your chances increase significantly as you move approximately an hour out of the metro in either direction - the further from Perth, the less pressure the reef has seen. Yanchep, Two Rocks, and Lancelin to the north; Mandurah, Bunbury, and beyond to the south.
When: Dawn is best. After rough weather can push dhufish closer to the reef edges. They're a slower, more deliberate feeder than snapper - patience is everything.
Gear: Heavy drone setup - 50-80lb rod, 10,000+ reel, PE4-5 braid, 80-130lb leader. Fresh squid or octopus bait on circle hooks deployed to the reef edge via drone. See our drone rigs and complete drone fishing guide for the full setup.
Key tip: Dhufish live on the reef, not over sand. Your bait needs to be right on the reef edge - the sand-to-structure transition zone. Use your drone's camera to identify the exact spot before dropping. And don't be afraid to travel - an hour's drive out of Perth dramatically improves your chances.
Demersal ban reminder: Boat-based fishing for dhufish is closed in the West Coast Bioregion until Spring 2027. However, land-based fishing (including drone fishing) is exempt - making drone fishing one of the only legal ways to target dhufish right now. Check fish.wa.gov.au for the latest rules.
Black Bream - Winter Specialists
Bream don't shut down in winter - they just change behaviour. They move deeper, hang tighter to structure, and feed more methodically. If you slow down your approach to match, winter bream fishing in the Swan and Canning Rivers can be incredibly rewarding. The fish are often bigger and less pressured than in summer.
Where: Kent Street Weir (fish stack up below the weir in winter), Narrows Bridge (night fishing), Canning Bridge, Claremont yacht clubs, Mosman Bay. Deeper water spots outperform the flats in winter.
When: Incoming tide, midday (when the water's at its warmest). Warmer days within a cold spell often trigger feeding.
Gear: Light spinning (1-3kg rod, 2000-2500 reel), PE 0.4 braid, 4-6lb fluoro. A rod like the Oceans Legacy Quest Inshore Finesse is ideal for this style of fishing - sensitive enough to feel light bites in deeper water. Small soft plastics (2-3") on light jig heads - the TT HeadlockZ Finesse in 1/16-1/8oz is the standard, paired with something like the Ecogear Grass Minnow SS, OSP DoLive Shrimp 3", or Bite Science Kick Minnow 3".
Lures: Vibes and blades are excellent in winter for getting down to deeper bream - the River2Sea Baby Vibe is hard to beat, and the Ecogear ZX35 is another proven performer. The Oceans Legacy Tidalus Minnow 92 is a standout hard body for bream - the suspending action is perfect for working structure slowly. The Cranka Crank Deep 35 and Atomic Hardz Crank 38 Deep dive into the strike zone where winter bream hold.
Key tip: Slow down. Everything. Retrieve speed, jig head weight, pause length. Winter bream are lethargic - they want an easy meal, not a chase. The pause is where the bites come.
Read more: Our complete guide to bream fishing in Perth ?
A chunky winter bream taken on a hardbody - slow it down and they'll still eat in the cooler months.
Australian Salmon - Tail End of the Run
The salmon run peaks in autumn, but May still produces solid fish from the rocks and beaches - and with fewer anglers out there competing, you'll often have the best spots to yourself. Winter salmon tend to be bigger individuals that have stuck around after the main schools have moved through.
Where: Any rock platform or beach with deep water access. Cottesloe, North/South Mole, Burns Beach, Trigg, Yanchep. Anywhere that cop south-westerly swell.
When: Dawn and dusk, rough conditions. If there's white water pushing bait against the rocks, salmon won't be far away.
Gear: Medium spinning, 4000 reel, 15-20lb braid. Metals are king for salmon - the Halco Twisty is a Perth classic, the Halco Streaker is deadly in a fast retrieve through the wash, and the Oceans Legacy Slingshot casts a mile and has a tight, fast shimmy that salmon can't resist. For stickbaits, the Bassday Sugapen 95F and Oceans Legacy Keeling Stickbait 105 walked across the surface draw explosive hits. Shore casting rods in the 7-9ft range - like the Oceans Legacy Aurora Ledge Spec - give you the length to punch casts into the wind.
Read more: Our complete guide to Australian salmon fishing in Perth ?
The tail end of the salmon run still produces quality fish from the rocks - and you'll have the spot to yourself.
Tailor - Big Fish Season
Perth has tailor year-round, but winter produces the bigger fish. While summer brings schools of small "choppers," winter tailor are fewer in number but significantly larger - 50cm+ fish that hit hard and fight seriously on medium tackle.
Winter tailor fishing is best in rough conditions - a north-westerly blow before or after a cold front pushes bait into the shallows and gets tailor feeding aggressively. If you see the forecast showing 15-20 knot north-westerlies, grab your gear.
Where: North Mole, South Mole, Cottesloe, City Beach, Leighton, Point Walter (river). Any beach or rock platform with deep water access.
When: Dusk into darkness is prime. An hour before dark through to 10pm. Rough, overcast days fish better than calm, sunny ones.
Gear: Medium spinning (3000-4000 reel), 15-20lb braid, wire trace (they have teeth!). Whole pilchards or mulies on gang hooks for bait. For lure casters, metal slugs like the Halco Twisty and Sure Catch Knight, and Oceans Legacy Slingshot are proven, and Nomad Dartwing 70 or Oceans Legacy Keeling Stickbait 88 are deadly walked across the surface at dusk.
Herring - Guaranteed Action
If you want a guaranteed fish in winter, herring is your answer. They're the most reliable fish in Perth - thick on every jetty, groyne, and rock wall in the metro, all winter long. Herring are spawning through winter which means they're concentrated and hungry.
They're also an excellent bait source - fresh herring fillets are top-shelf bait for tailor, mulloway, and snapper.
Where: Literally everywhere with structure. Ammo Jetty, Hillarys, North/South Mole, Cottesloe Groyne, Trigg, Ocean Reef, Burns Beach - pick your nearest jetty.
When: All day. Berley (bread and tuna oil in a mesh bag) will concentrate them around you.
Gear: Light spinning, size 8-10 hooks, float rigs. Small pieces of prawn, bread dough, or mulie flesh. A berley cage or bomb makes a huge difference. For something different, micro jigs like the Majorcraft JigPara Micro 3g or Oceans Legacy Roven Micro Jig are surprisingly effective on herring and a lot more fun on light tackle.
Skippy (Silver Trevally) - Underrated Winter Target
Skippy move into the Swan River in greater numbers during winter, and they're one of the most underrated estuary species in Perth. They fight hard for their size, they're excellent eating, and they respond well to lures - a perfect target for a quiet winter arvo on the river.
Where: Swan River - Fremantle to Claremont stretch, around jetties and rocky structure. Also from metro jetties (Ammo, Hillarys) and North/South Mole.
When: Any tide, but tide changes are often best. Daytime fishing is fine.
Gear: Light spinning, 2500 reel. Small soft plastics (2-3") like the Ecogear Grass Minnow SS or Berkley Gulp Shrimp 2" on a slow retrieve, or micro metal jigs - the Majorcraft JigPara Micro 5g or Oceans Legacy Roven Micro Jig are perfect. They'll also take bait readily - prawn or squid strip on a running sinker rig.
Mulloway - The Winter Trophy
Mulloway are Perth's most elusive predator, and winter is when the serious mulloway anglers come out. These big fish (often 70cm-1m+) patrol the Swan River, hunt the surf gutters, and ambush bait around structure. Landing a mulloway from the shore is a genuine achievement - they're smart, wary, and fight incredibly hard.
Where: Swan River (Narrows Bridge, Fremantle area), North Mole, surf gutters along the metro beaches, Mandurah.
When: After dark. Mulloway are primarily nocturnal feeders. New moon (darker nights) and tide changes are the prime windows. After storms can also fire.
Gear: Medium-heavy spinning (6000+ reel, 30lb braid, 40-50lb leader). A rod like the Oceans Legacy Aurora Surf Heavy Spec gives you the backbone to handle big mulloway from the beach. Live bait (herring, mullet) is the most effective method. For lure fishing, large soft plastics (5-7") like the Berkley Gulp Jerkshad 7", Z-Man SwimmerZ 6", or Z-Man DarterZ 6" fished slow and deep on a TT HeadlockZ HD jig head. Swimbaits like the Chasebaits Flick Prawn 125 and Bite Science BioBait Jointed Swimbait 127mm are excellent for working structure at night.
Blue Swimmer Crabs - Season Still Open
The recreational crab season runs until August 31, so the first half of winter still offers good crabbing in the right spots. Water temperatures are dropping but crabs are still active, particularly in Mandurah and Cockburn Sound.
Where: Mandurah Estuary, Cockburn Sound, Shoalwater Bay.
Regulations: Check fish.wa.gov.au for current bag limits, size limits, and closures.
Winter Gear Essentials
Fishing in winter means dealing with cold, wind, rain, and short days. Here's what makes the difference:
- Dress in layers. A good base layer, fleece mid-layer, and waterproof outer shell. You'll warm up walking and cool down standing still - layers let you adjust.
- Waterproof jacket. Non-negotiable. Perth's winter rain is relentless and fishing wet is miserable.
- Polarised sunglasses - yes, even in winter. They cut glare, help you see structure and fish, and protect your eyes from stray hooks. We stock Shimano Conquest, Smith Optics Guides Choice, and Costa Del Mar Permit 580G polarised sunglasses.
- Headlamp. With sunset at 5:15pm in June, you'll be fishing in the dark for half your session. A quality headlamp is essential, especially for squidding and tailor.
- Rod and reel maintenance. Salt spray and rain accelerate corrosion. Rinse your gear with freshwater after every session, loosen the drag for storage, and get your reels serviced before winter starts. We offer reel servicing at the store.
Rugged up and rewarded - the cooler months bring some of the biggest fish of the year to Perth's shores.
Your Winter Fishing Calendar
May
Transition month. Squid season ramping up fast. Tail end of the salmon run (bigger fish, less pressure). Tailor still active. Bream feeding well before the cold hits. Herring everywhere. Crabs still good.
June
Full winter mode. Squid are in peak numbers. Big tailor appear after cold fronts. Bream shift deep. Herring spawning and thick on structure. Mulloway active in the river after dark. Snapper pushing closer to shore.
July
Peak winter. Squid still firing. Snapper building towards the Cockburn Sound aggregation. Mulloway best month in the river. Herring reliable. Skippy in the river. Conditions can be rough but the fishing rewards those who brave it.
August
Late winter / early spring transition. Cockburn Sound snapper closure begins August 1 (until January 31). Squid still going strong. Crab season closes August 31. Bream start moving back onto the flats. Spring is around the corner - snapper spawn approaching, demersal reopening on the horizon.
Make the Most of the Demersal Closure
With boat-based demersal fishing closed until Spring 2027 in the West Coast Bioregion, winter is the perfect time to explore the species you might not normally target. There are plenty of species to explore that are unaffected by the closure.
Use the closure as an opportunity to:
- Get into squidding - the gear is affordable and the fishing is addictive
- Target bream and flathead in the river on light tackle
- Chase tailor and mulloway from the beach
- Try drone fishing - land-based demersal fishing (including drone) is exempt from the ban
- Pick up micro jigging - light tackle, shore-based, and catches everything from herring to snapper
- Service and upgrade your gear ready for the demersal reopening
Get Winter Ready
Don't let the cold stop you. Some of the best fishing Perth has to offer happens between May and August - and with fewer anglers out there, you'll have the run of the place.
Come into Compleat Angler Nedlands at 154 Stirling Highway and let our team set you up for winter. Whether it's a squid setup, a new bream rod, tackle for chasing mulloway, or just fresh braid and leader - we've got you covered.
Free shipping on orders over $150 Australia-wide. Call us on (08) 9389 1337.