Fish Broome 10 Things You Should Know
1. Common species
When fishing Broome and the surrounding region the fisherman has a large numerous angling experiences to enjoy. Barramundi, threadfin and fingermark are among the more popular species in the streams and estuaries running in to the huge expanse of Roebuck Bay.
Broome is also famous for the black jewfish that live in Roebuck Bayand don't miss the succulent mud crabs of the bay.
Coral trout, mackerel, red emperor and blue bone are amongst the popular reef species but there are several more available.
Marlin, sailfish, mackerel, mahi mahi and wahoo are the commonest blue water species.
2.
The billfish season in the seas of the western Kimberley Broome starts around April and runs on to October, give or take a month. Sailfish are present in huge numbers from around June to October. The optimum time for Barramundi fishing in Broome and the Kimberley are after the wet season through the "run off" in April and May and also through the "build up" late in the year.
3. Tidal effects
The success of fishing in Broome is very much tide dependent as the tidal movement in this region of the world can be massive at up to 10 meters.
Billfish and some reef species for instance are best fished a few days after neap tides as the water becomes too discoloured after king tides.
Barramundi and many estuary species appear to like tides closer to neap but still with some tidal movement. "No run, no fun" as the saying goes.
But this is fishing and the guidelines change consistently according to climate conditions and location so the best bet is always to talk to the local people.
4. Best fishing
The best fishing in Broome is mostly in the period of late August through to Nov for most species. Estuary species like barramundi are also very aggressive after the wet season finishes around the end of March, give or take a month.
5. Getting there and Accommodation
Virgin Australia and Qantas both have daily flights to Broome with connections from most capital airports in Australia. There is a vast range of accommodation from caravan parks to luxury beach front resorts and self contained holiday apartments both in Broome city and also out at Cable Beach. The town generally fills up with general tourism in the peak of the dry season from June to Aug. The Shinju Matsuri or the "Festival of the Pearl" is generally held in early September. After this, accommodation gets less difficult to obtain and at shorter notice which is good as Sep to October are typically fantastic fishing months.
6. Geography
Broome is found on the north west coast of Australia in an isolated region called the Kimberley. The Kimberley is nearly twice the size of the state of Victoria and three times the size of England. Broome is 2200 klm from Perth and 1900 klm from Darwin. Broome is situated on a flat headland with the wide shallow expanses of Roebuck Bay on the easterly side and the long sweep of the gorgeous Cable Beach on the west side. All of the western Kimberley is reasonably flat and the Broome area isn't an exception. The soil is red and sandy as far as the eye can see and the vegetation is scant.
7. Population
The Kimberley is sparsely populated with only 40 000 inhabitants. In 2010 Broome had a population of around 16 300 and that has grown by over 50% since 1995. In the peak tourist season from June through to Aug the population of Broome will swell to around about 40 or 50 000. Much of the resident population are aboriginal people with a big part of the people descendants of the Japanese, Malay and other Asian people who came to Broome when the pearling industry was booming here from the 1880's. It is a cosmopolitan area.
8. Climate
Broome and the Kimberley are situated in the tropical area of northwards Australia and as such they actually only have two seasons each year. The dry season starts from around April and runs to approximately September. Little rain falls in these months with clear blue skies dominating and typical daily temperatures often around 30. The wet season starts in October with rising temperature and humidity and occasional storms building up to the start of the monsoon. This period is known. As the "build up". The vast bulk of the rains fall from around Christmas to March or April and this is cyclone season.
9. Hazards and Safety
You'd be excused for thinking the Kimberley has more dangers per square foot than any other place in the world. Onshore there are most of the top 10 deadly snakes in the world, plus scorpions and a million other small biters especially round the mangrove swamps.
In the sea it is worse! The Kimberley is prime crocodile habitat for starters, with both the smaller, usually not aggressive freshwater crocodile and the bigger always aggressive saltwater crocodile found in big numbers. "Crocs" were just about shot out of existence by hunters in the early days but they've been protected in Australia now since the 1970's. And there numbers have been building up since then. Their common names are a bit misleading as both types of crocs can be found in both fresh and saltwater.
Box jellyfish are present in these waters from October to April dependent on water temperatures. Their sting, if not lethal will be very painful and scaring. There are plenty of other creatures to be mindful of when fishing Broome and the Kimberley including many species of shark and sea snake.
Finally there's cyclones and intense weather to be aware of which can spring up quickly between October and April with the majority between December and March. All really sound reasons to use local knowledge.
10. Fishing guides, lodges and charters
Fishing Broome and the Kimberley is a unique, wild, remote and exotic experience that may draw you back time and time again. Your fishing experience and your results will be optimised if you use the local knowledge and services provided by the range of professional fishing guides, lodges and charter operators that are accessible.
Bear in mind that from June through to November you must book ahead to prevent disappointment. They often book out well in advance.
Paul Collery is a passionate fishermen, traveller and writer based in Darwin Australia. His companies www.sportsfishingadventures.co.au
and www.flyfishingadventures.com.au have a range of unique fishing holidays to wild, remote and exotic locations around Australia, New zealand and the Pacific.