24 Hours of Fishing Frenzy - Darwin's Big Spring Tides - Part I Beach & Rock Fishing

Nonstop Fishing Action
Land-Based Fishing in the Northern Territory, Australia

The Northern Territory (NT) is famous for its wild, remote, and productive fishing spots. With access to rivers, creeks, estuaries, beaches, rockbars, jetties, and headlands, land-based fishing in the NT offers plenty of action.

Popular Land-Based Fishing Spots in the NT

1. Darwin Harbour – Rockwalls, wharves, and mangroves offer easy access to barramundi, queenfish, and golden snapper.


2. East Point (Darwin) – Rocky areas for queenfish, trevally, and cod.


3. Nightcliff Jetty – Iconic fishing jetty for trevally, queenfish, mackerel, and tuna.


4. Buffalo Creek – Mangrove-lined creek for barramundi, mangrove jack, and mud crabs.


5. Lee Point – Beach and reef fishing for blue salmon, queenfish, and trevally.


6. Daly River (lower reaches) – Great barramundi fishery accessible from shore.


7. Cahills Crossing (East Alligator River) – Famous barra spot, but be croc-wise!


8. Dundee Beach – Good rock and beach fishing for reefies, queenfish, and tuna.


9. Shady Camp – Access to the Mary River for barramundi and threadfin salmon.


10. Channel Island Bridge (near Darwin) – Mangrove jack, barramundi, and trevally.




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Common Land-Based Target Species

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) – Iconic NT species found in rivers, estuaries, and creeks.

Mangrove Jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) – Hard-fighting estuary predator.

Golden Snapper (Fingermark Bream) – Found around rocks and reefs.

Queenfish (Scomberoides spp.) – Surface predator, loves fast lures.

Giant Trevally (GT) – Powerful species around rockbars, ledges, and headlands.

Blue Salmon (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) – Found on beaches and estuaries.

Threadfin Salmon (Polydactylus macrochir) – Estuarine and river mouths.

Black Jewfish (Protonibea diacanthus) – Targeted near deep channels and structures.

Spanish Mackerel – Occasionally caught from jetties and rocks.

Mud Crabs – Often found in mangrove creeks (using crab pots).



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Recommended Gear

Rod & Reel Setups

Medium-Heavy Spin or Baitcaster Combos

Rod: 6'6" – 7'6" medium-heavy rods (8-15kg)

Reel: 4000-6000 size spin reel or baitcaster (suitable for barra, jacks, salmon)

Line: 30-50lb braided line + 40-60lb fluorocarbon leader (barra & jacks)


Heavy Surf or Rock Combo

Rod: 9' – 12' heavy surf/rock rods (10-24kg)

Reel: 6000-10000 size spin reels

Line: 40-80lb braid + 60-80lb mono/fluoro leader (GTs, queenfish, mackerel)


Light-Spin Estuary Combo

Rod: 6' – 7' light spin rod (4-8kg)

Reel: 2500-4000 spin reel

Line: 10-20lb braid + 20-30lb leader (small trevally, salmon, bream)



Terminal Tackle

Wide gape hooks (4/0 – 8/0)

Circle hooks (5/0 – 10/0)

Heavy-duty jig heads (1/4 oz – 1 oz)

Snap swivels

Ball sinkers for live bait rigs

Wire trace for mackerel



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Best Lures for NT Land-Based Fishing

Hardbody Lures

Reidy's B52 – Barra favorite.

Classic Barra 120 & 160 – Barra and mangrove jacks.

Rapala X-Rap 10 & 12 – Jacks, barra, and queenfish.

Halco Scorpion – Versatile estuary lure.


Soft Plastics

Zerek Live Mullet & Prawn – Barra and jacks.

Berkley Gulp Jerkshads & Shrimp – Estuary species.

Reidy's Rubbers – Barra-focused soft plastics.


Surface Lures / Poppers

Halco Roosta Popper 105 & 135 – Queenfish, GTs, mackerel.

Nomad Chug Norris – GTs and queenfish.

Zerek Poparazzi – Barra and jacks.


Metal Slices / Jigs

Halco Twisty / Raider – Queenfish, mackerel, and trevally from the rocks.

**Gillies Pil