Mat Cameron's guide to saltwater fishing

Reflections Holidays ambassador and professional fisherman Mat Cameron knows a thing or two about casting a line. To help decide the great debate of FRESH vs SALT fishing, we asked Mat Cameron for a run down on what makes saltwater fishing on the NSW coastline just so special.

With so many anglers leaning towards the coast, Mat has shared his expert insights into why saltwater fishing in NSW is such a rewarding experience, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

The variety of salt water fishing

Saltwater fishing is one of the simplest, most rewarding ways to enjoy the outdoors. It’s about more than just the catch, it’s the challenge, the variety, and the chance to bring home fresh seafood. With hundreds of accessible spots along the NSW coastline, anglers of all levels can find great fishing year-round, whether in calm estuaries, off the beach, or further offshore.

Estuary fishing

Estuaries are an excellent starting point, easy to reach, family-friendly, and productive for both bait and lure anglers.

• Why try it: Estuaries offer a variety of species and simple techniques that are quick to learn and effective.
• Bait options: Pump yabbies, scoop prawns, jig baitfish, or use frozen prawns and squid.
• Lure fishing: Cast surface lures over weed beds for bream and whiting, flick soft plastics along sandbank drop-offs for flathead, or work hard-body lures around rock walls for bream.
• Access: Boats help cover more ground, but plenty of trophy fish are caught from the bank.
• Hot spot: Forster–Tuncurry is renowned for metre-plus flathead, whiting, and big bream.

Beach fishing

Fishing straight from the sand is as straightforward as it gets — relaxing, accessible, and often highly productive.

• Why try it: It’s a low-cost, low-effort way to target a range of popular table fish.
• Bait options: Fresh beachworms and pipis are ideal, but frozen prawns, squid, and fish strips also work.
• Species to target: Whiting, bream, dart, mulloway, and more.
• Tips: Focus on gutters — deeper channels in the surf that concentrate fish.
• Hot spot: Mylestom on the mid-north coast is one of the region’s best.

Offshore fishing

For those with access to a boat, offshore fishing offers bigger fish and bigger rewards.

• Why try it: It’s your best chance at large, high-value species and memorable days on the water.
• Species to target: Snapper, Spanish mackerel, tuna, and other pelagics.
• Techniques: Look for reefs and drop-offs, and find the bait schools — predators won’t be far behind.
• Hot spots: Evans Head, Coffs Harbour, Forster, Bermagui, and Eden are standout destinations for serious offshore fishing.

Why saltwater fishing is worth it

• Accessible: From estuaries to surf beaches, you don’t need a boat to get started.
• Variety: A huge mix of species and techniques keeps it interesting.
• Rewarding: The thrill of the catch plus the satisfaction of fresh seafood.
• Scalable: Whether you’re a beginner with a handline or an experienced angler with a boat, there’s always another challenge waiting.

NSW’s coastline offers some of the best saltwater fishing in Australia. Whether you want a relaxed day on the beach, a quick cast from the estuary, or a full offshore adventure, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get hooked.

Ready to book your coastal fishing adventure?

Reflections Holidays have loads of accommodation options in destinations in some of the best fishing spots that NSW has to offer - book your spot today.