Fish Tales - Fishing in Broome

Broome in August

The month of August in Broome, like July, is quite different from the rest of the year in terms of climate, conditions and fishing opportunities.

If it is blowing a gale down in the southwest due to a cold front, we generally experience perfect fishing conditions in Broome . Alternatively, if the winter weather is mild down south we can get very strong and gusty easterly winds in the morning which then drop off, generally around midday.

Either way, on the neap tides, you can guarantee plenty of people will be out chasing the lightening fast sailfish which frequent the in shore and offshore areas around Broome. You don’t need a big boat, in fact many sailfish have been caught from the confines of the average 3.8 metre dinghy.

As well as being the peak of the sailfishing action, you can start planning those barramundi sorties from Broome to the Fitzroy River in August as the barra wake from the lethargy nice and hungry and ready to eat. Toward the end of the month of August is usually the best bet when the water temperature rises just that degree or two to fire them up again.

Access to Crab Creek near Broome can still be OK after the water has drained off the track. Alternatively, you can launch from the ramps at Entrance Point and motor the 16 kilometres across Roebuck Bay.

Species that hang around Crab Creek are the black jew, threadfin and bluenosed salmon and occasionally a barra.

Remember it’s not called Crab Creek for no reason a I usually throw in a couple of pots and a few lamb necks from the butcher. Mostly brown crabs inhabit Crab Creek.

It pays to keep in mind that on average the wind will increase from the west as the day goes on making for a sometimes uncomfortable and slow ride back to Broome from Crab Creek.

Good luck!