How long does it take to go fishing in Australia? A full-season guide + safety guide, a must-read for beginners!

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australia Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me about the question of **how long does it take to go fishing by boat in Australia**. Now I will summarize the relevant issues and combine practical suggestions for different scenarios to help you plan your fishing trip efficiently!

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### 1. The “time code” for sailing to catch the sea in Australia
The duration of fishing in Australia is affected by factors such as season, sea area, target catch, etc. The following is the most complete analysis:

#### 1. **Season determines the basic duration**
- **Summer (December-February)**: Fish are very active and you can usually get a good catch (such as squid and sea bream) in just 4-6 hours at sea.
- **Winter (June-August)**: Need to be extended to 6-8 hours due to low water temperature and wide range of fish activities (such as tuna and deep-sea fish).
- *Tips*: You can go sea catching all year round in tropical areas such as Queensland and the Northern Territory, but you need to avoid storms during the rainy season (November to April).

#### 2. **Significant differences in sea areas**
- **Near sea (1-3 nautical miles)**: Suitable for beginners, one-way sailing takes about 30 minutes, and the total duration is recommended to be 3-4 hours.
- **Open sea (more than 5 nautical miles)**: You need to apply for a license in advance, and the round trip + fishing takes 8-12 hours (GPS and satellite phone are required).

#### 3. The “golden combination” of weather and tides
- **Best tide**: 2 hours before high tide to 1 hour after high tide (fish come to shore to feed).
- **Avoid strong winds**: It is recommended to cancel the trip when the wind speed exceeds 15 knots, otherwise it will extend the return time and increase the risk.

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### 2. Six important things to know when going to the beach
1. **Safety Equipment List**:
- Mandatory equipment: life jacket (1 per person), EPIRB emergency locator, fire extinguisher, VHF radio.
- Recommended to bring: sunscreen (SPF50+), non-slip shoes, first aid kit.

2. **Legal documents and restrictions**:
- Different states have different regulations: for example, New South Wales requires a **Recreational Fishing Licence**, which costs $7/3 days.
- Fishing restrictions: Each person is limited to 2 abalones per day (Western Australia), and those under the size must be released.

3. **Environmental protection and no-fishing zones**:
- Avoid entering **Marine Protected Areas** (such as parts of the Great Barrier Reef), violators may be fined up to $2200.
- Use environmentally friendly fishing hooks and do not discard plastic waste.

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5 major issues related to sailing to the sea in Australia

#### Q1: Is there a big difference in the time for going to the beach in different states of Australia?
**Answer**: Very much! For example:
- **Tasmania**: Best in summer (water temperature 10-18℃), 5 hours per trip;
- **Western Australia**: You can go fishing all year round, but you need to pay attention to shark activity warnings in winter.

#### Q2: How to plan a day’s beach-hunting trip?
**Answer**: Recommended timetable:
- 5:00 AM: Check the boat and equipment;
- 6:00 AM: Go out to sea and sail to the target sea area;
- 7:00-11:00 AM: Peak fishing season;
- 12:00 PM: Return to the port and clean up the catch.

#### Q3: What additional preparations do novices need?
**answer**:
- Participate in the **BoatSafe training course** (approximately $300) to learn navigation and emergency response;
- Charter boat services with a captain (e.g. Sydney Harbour $200/4 hours).

#### Q4: What should I do in case of weather emergencies?
**Answer**: Return immediately! Monitor the radar map in real time through the **Bureau of Meteorology** App and contact nearby ports for reporting.

#### Q5: What is the average cost of sea catching?
**answer**:
- Self-owned boat: fuel cost $50-100/day + maintenance fee;
- Boat rental: $150-400/day (including basic equipment).

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### 3. Summary
When sailing in Australia, the time planning needs to be flexibly adjusted according to the season, sea area and regulations. Safety always comes first! Whether it is a short offshore experience or a challenge to the giants in the open sea, reasonable preparation is required to enjoy the fun of "gold panning at sea"!

Thanks for reading this article. I hope this article can help you fully understand the duration and strategy of going fishing by boat in Australia. If you have other questions, please leave a message to discuss! Follow us to get more practical guides for life in Australia!