Exmouth Fishing Charters
Exmouth fishing charters run the Ningaloo Coast, Gulf, and offshore bluewater, with marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi, reef fish, and trophy sport species all in range of a single day.
Top Rated Charters in Exmouth
TrustedFish connects anglers with proven local captains in Exmouth, WA —no commissions, no pay-to-play listings, no BS. Every charter on our platform is invite-only, vetted for skill, local knowledge, and reputation. If they’re listed, they’ve earned it.
Exmouth, WA Fishing Guide
Exmouth is one of Australia’s best all-round fisheries, with saltwater action in every direction. On the west side you’ve got the Ningaloo Reef, stretching right along the coast, holding coral trout, spangled emperor, red emperor, and giant trevally. Push through the reef into deeper water and you’re on to sailfish, marlin, tuna, and mahi mahi. On the east side, the sheltered Exmouth Gulf produces queenfish, golden trevally, cobia, and longtail tuna, with mangrove creeks offering cod, jacks, and the odd barra.
Charters here run the full range—half-day Gulf trips for queenfish and trevally, full-day reef and offshore sessions, and multi-day bluewater marlin expeditions. Most depart from Exmouth Marina or Learmonth ramps, with short runs to inshore grounds and 15–30 miles to offshore FADs, drop-offs, and current lines. The structure is varied—coral reefs, shoals, deep bluewater, flats inside the Gulf, and tidal creeks—all holding fish at different times of year.
Seasonality makes Exmouth a year-round fishery. Summer brings heavy offshore action with black and blue marlin, sailfish, and wahoo working the current lines. Autumn is prime for red emperor and spangled emperor on the reefs. Winter delivers Spanish mackerel, tuna, and reef fish inside the Ningaloo. Spring produces variety, with pelagics, reef species, and Gulf sportfish all firing.
Techniques are as diverse as the grounds. Offshore, crews troll spreads of skirted lures and live baits for marlin and sailfish. Bottom fishing with baits and jigs accounts for red emperor, coral trout, and cod. In the Gulf, casting poppers and stickbaits for queenfish and trevally is standard, while soft plastics and vibes work the flats. Exmouth is one of those rare places where you can fish heavy tackle offshore in the morning, then sight-cast to trevally on shallow flats in the afternoon.
Fishing Seasons in Exmouth
Spring (March–May)
Spring is a transition season in Exmouth, with both reef and pelagic action. Coral trout and spangled emperor bite hard on the reef edges, best on jigs and cut baits. Spanish mackerel and tuna schools work along the Ningaloo, smashing trolled lures and metals. In the Gulf, queenfish and golden trevally are active, taken on surface lures and flies across the flats. Sailfish begin to show offshore, giving light-tackle anglers shots at fast runs and aerial displays. Charters this season often mix reef fishing with Gulf sport sessions.
Summer (June–August)
Summer is peak bluewater time. Black and blue marlin dominate offshore, taken on big skirted lures and live baits trolled along current lines and bait balls. Sailfish remain thick, giving multiple shots a day for light-tackle anglers. Wahoo and mahi mahi join the spread offshore, adding variety. Inshore reefs still produce coral trout and red emperor, while the Gulf creeks offer mangrove jack and cod. Heat and wind are factors, but summer charters here can deliver some of the best game fishing in the world.
Fall (September–November)
Autumn brings settled weather and strong reef fishing. Red emperor, spangled emperor, coral trout, and rankin cod bite aggressively along shoals and reef edges, taken on baits and jigs. Spanish mackerel continue offshore, while tuna schools give steady surface action. In the Gulf, queenfish and trevally are reliable, and cobia show up around buoys and rays. Offshore, marlin taper off but the odd fish is still caught on trolled lures. Fall is a balanced season with plenty of options both inside and outside.
Winter (December–February)
Winter cools things down but keeps the bite steady. Offshore, Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna, and yellowfin tuna dominate, taken trolling garfish or casting lures into surface bust-ups. Reef fishing remains strong, with trout, emperor, and cod biting baits and jigs. Inshore, queenfish and trevally continue across the flats, while the Gulf stays productive on calm days. Sailfish can still be found offshore, though less concentrated than in summer. Winter charters lean toward reef and Gulf sport fishing, with reliable weather windows and comfortable conditions.
Gamefish in Exmouth
- Black Marlin – 200–600 lb. Peak summer offshore on skirted lures and live baits.
- Blue Marlin – 200–800 lb. Found offshore in summer, taken trolling wide current lines.
- Sailfish – 40–80 lb. Strongest in summer and spring, offshore on trolled baits and teasers.
- Spanish Mackerel – 10–40 lb. Year-round, peak winter and spring along reef edges on trolled garfish.
- Red Emperor – 10–25 lb. Reef and shoal target in autumn and winter, best on cut baits and jigs.
- Coral Trout – 5–20 lb. Found on Ningaloo Reef edges year-round, taken on baits and lures.
- Queenfish – 5–20 lb. Gulf flats and channels, best in spring and summer on poppers and flies.
- Golden Trevally – 5–20 lb. Flats and reef edges in Gulf and Ningaloo, strong in spring and autumn.
Exmouth Fishing FAQs
Where do most Exmouth charters depart from?
Most trips leave from Exmouth Marina, with some running out of Learmonth ramps for Gulf sessions.
How long are typical trips?
Half-days usually fish the Gulf or reef edges. Full-day trips push offshore for marlin, sailfish, and reef species. Multi-day expeditions target the wide grounds and FADs.
Do charters provide tackle?
Yes, all gear is supplied—from heavy marlin tackle to light spin rods for queenfish. Many operators also cater to fly anglers on request.
Do I need a license to fish in Exmouth?
Yes, WA requires a recreational fishing license for boat fishing, but charters normally include this in their fee.
When is the best time to fish Exmouth?
Summer is peak for marlin, sailfish, and pelagics. Autumn and winter are best for red emperor, coral trout, and Spanish mackerel. Spring gives variety across all grounds.
What techniques are most common here?
Trolling lures and baits offshore, bottom fishing and jigging on reefs, and casting poppers and plastics in the Gulf are the main approaches.
What species are best for beginners?
Reef trips for coral trout, emperor, and cod are steady and rewarding. Inshore Gulf sessions for queenfish and trevally also keep rods bending.
How many anglers can go on a charter?
Most boats take 4–8 anglers comfortably. Larger offshore vessels can carry more, while fly and sportfishing skiffs are limited to smaller groups
Are specialty trips available?
Yes—bluewater fly trips, liveaboard expeditions, and dedicated heavy-tackle marlin charters are all offered out of Exmouth.