Fishing in the Kimberley

September 12th, 2011 | Author: Fishing_tips

Kimberley Fishing is one of the last true fishing adventures.

This wild and remote wilderness in the northwest corner of Australia is a anglers paradise with a wide availability of angling environments. These include un-spoilt beaches, prime barramundi fishing waters, fish rich reef systems and blue water fishing at its best all surrounded by spectacular scenery.

The Kimberley is a isolated and unhospitable land. Other than the one highway running from Broome in the west to Kununurra in the east few paved roads exist and most others are poorly maintained bush tracks or dirt roads. The monsoon season closes almost all of the later for sometimes five or six over summer.

unlike much of Australia, only two seasons exist up in the tropics. The dry season from May to approximately end of September is characterized by minimal rain and hot daysaveraging between 30 and 35 degrees.

The wet season starts with the “build up” to the beginning of the monsoon from around October to the end of December when humidity and air and sea temperatures are rising. This is followed by the arrival of the monsoon generally around late December when it rains heavily up until the end of March. All can change by as much as 30 days.

March to late November are the premium months for fishing the Kimberley with Barramundi fishing at its best after the wet season has finished when the food-laden waters are running off the flood plains into the streams and estuaries. Barramundi are far more regularly found in the lower river systems and estuaries along the coast but can be found in saltwater or in freshwater far up stream. Many of those waters can be fished from riverside but better results will routinely be achieved if fishing from a boat. Some of the best and most accessible river systems for Barra fishing are the Fitzroy, Ord, Pentecost, Keep and the King Rivers and their tributaries.

The Kimberley coast is an impressive and remote outback area accessible in the main part only by boat. There are numerous charter vessels that cruise this remote coastal region from March to November annually offering both dedicated fishing cruises and also general interest cruises that include nature and aboriginal culture activities as well as fishing. The later are good options for the fishermen with the non-fishing partner.

These cruises will include opportunities for barramundi fishing where 1 meter plus Barramundi are often landed, and Mangrove Jack, Queen Fish, Finger Mark and Trevally are always on offer. The reef systems such as the massive Montgomery Reef are home to many species including Giant Trevally and Coral Trout and blue water and pelagic species include Sailfish, Dogtooth and other Tuna, Wahoo and Spanish Mackerel are often found cruising.

When fishing Broome, the major city of the Kimberley situated on the west coast the visiting angler has a wide choice of options. Broome fishing charters and fishing tours go from the half day to up to 2 weeks. Fishing in Broome area has a mixture of estuary and bluewater fishing and is celebrated for its visiting Sailfish over the dry season.

It should invariably be remembered that there are dangers concerned with travelling round the Kimberley uneducated and unprepared. These perils include breakdowns in outlying areas, lack of drinking water and other supplies, heat stress and related issues, extraordinary weather events like storms and flooding and of course the ever present snakes, sea stingers and crocodiles. All the Kimberley is a crocodile habitat.

The cost of getting to and travelling around the Kimberley is reasonably high and consequently most fishermen will often only visit once in a lifetime. It’s a smart move that visitors should maximize their experience by utilizing the many excellent Kimberley fishing charters, guides, lodges, camps and live aboard vessels that are available.

Paul Collery is a fishing enthusiast, travel industry professional and travel writer based in Australia.He has fished and travelled in numerous locations around the planet. He runs companies called Sports Fishing Adventures and Fly Fishing Adventures that concentrates on guided fishing adventures to unique and remote locations around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.