Coffs Harbour and finding bait
Yellowtail and slimy mackerel have been reported at Park Beach Bommie. Whitmore and Changte Shoals have different species listed, so browse their cards when choosing where to try.
THE DOWNRIGGER SHOP FIELD GUIDE
Coffs Coast Fishing Marks
Browse fishing marks from Arrawarra through Coffs Harbour and Sawtell to Bundagen. Compare bait grounds, shoals and reefs, then open the spots that interest you on the map.
ON THE WATER
Get the bait and the spread working properly
Park Beach Bommie has yellowtail and slimy mackerel reports; Sawtell Reef, Wide Macauleys and Bundagen Shoal include mackerel. That gives a trip two separate jobs: find useful bait, then find feeding predators. Do not use up the day filling a tank with the wrong-sized fish. Keep baits healthy and test how each one swims before sending it back.
Andrew’s mackerel guide favours a small spread the crew can manage, with clear separation between surface and deeper presentations. A spinning dead bait should come back aboard for adjustment. Watch bait depth, current and the sounder, and change the presentation before blindly adding more lines. The snapper shoals offer a separate reef-fishing option when that better suits the day.
Build a manageable mackerel spread ↗GET TO KNOW THE AREA
Where to start
Sawtell and Bundagen
Sawtell Reef and Wide Macauleys have mackerel reports. Sawtell Peak, South Patch and The Patch have other reef species listed. Search by fish name below to find matching marks.
Arrawarra
The Trap and The Drift are the two Arrawarra marks in this guide. Open them on the map to compare their positions, and turn on the marine park layer when planning around the Solitary Islands area.
EXPLORE THE MARKS
Find a fishing mark
Search by spot name, fish species or fishing method, then open a mark on the map.
11 of 11 marks shown
Arrawarra offshore
The Drift - Arrawarra
An offshore Drift reference northeast of Arrawarra. The historical listing associates it with snapper and flathead. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Arrawarra offshore
The Trap - Arrawarra
The Trap reference off Arrawarra on the northern Coffs Coast. Snapper appears in the historical report for this ground. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Bundagen offshore
Bundagen Shoal
One published reference for the wider Bundagen Shoal area. Historical reports include mackerel, snapper and samsonfish; other numbered Bundagen points are not extra pins here. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Bundagen offshore
The Patch - Bundagen
A Bundagen offshore Patch reference associated with samsonfish, snapper and teraglin. Other NSW grounds also use the name The Patch. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Coffs Harbour offshore
Changte Shoal
An offshore Changte area reference associated with snapper and flathead in historical lists. Public lists use several different positions for the wider named ground. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Fishing methods
Bait fishing · Casting · Jigging
Seasonal notes
The Coffs Coast guide highlights April-October for snapper, with opportunities year-round at its named shoal hotspots.
Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable. Public lists give several Changte positions. This pin retains the selected listing without averaging or treating it as an exact drop.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Go Fishing Coffs Coast · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Coffs Harbour offshore
Whitmore Shoal
A shoal off Coffs Harbour with historical snapper and mulloway reports. The NSW guide also names Whitmore Shoal as a snapper hotspot. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Fishing methods
Bait fishing · Casting · Jigging
Seasonal notes
The Coffs Coast guide highlights April-October for snapper, with opportunities year-round at its named shoal hotspots.
Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Go Fishing Coffs Coast · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Macauleys Headland offshore
Wide Macauleys
A reference wider of Macauleys Headland, historically associated with mackerel. The source does not resolve which mackerel species. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Park Beach
Park Beach Bommie
A nearshore Park Beach reference associated with yellowtail and slimy mackerel in the historical listing. Treat it as a bait-ground search area. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Sawtell offshore
Sawtell Peak
An offshore peak reference south of Sawtell with historical reports of snapper, teraglin and morwong. It is distinct from the nearby Bundagen Shoal reference. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Sawtell offshore
Sawtell Reef
The southern of the public Sawtell reef references in the reviewed list. It has a historical mackerel association; other Sawtell entries use different coordinates. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable. Other Sawtell entries use different positions. Their depths and precise shoal identities have not been transferred to this pin.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Sawtell offshore
South Patch - Coffs Coast
An offshore South Patch reference south of Sawtell. Historical reports associate this ground with snapper, teraglin and morwong. This pin is a public area reference, not an exact drop or navigation waypoint.
View on interactive map- Published depth
- Depth not published
- Spot type
- Broader fishing area
Reported fishing species
Named in fishing sources. Reports may be historical and do not confirm a current bite.
Species to consider
Coffs Coast inshore-reef guidance. These are regional suggestions, not species identified in the older mark-specific report.
Species reviewed 14 Oct 2026Coordinates, sources & safety
Source datum unknown. GPX export is not available for this coordinate.
The selected coordinate source does not identify a datum. Plotting converts notation only; positional uncertainty remains and GPX export is unavailable.
Check current charts, sounder, weather, water levels and local fishing rules. Published depths do not establish clearance over structures, safe access or permission to fish. Check current Solitary Islands Marine Park zones and site restrictions before fishing.
- Fishing GPS marks database - northern NSW comparison review · OzPolitic, entries attributed to Fishnet / BCF
- Solitary Islands Marine Park · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Coffs Coast regional fishing species · NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
FISHING TIPS & TRIP REPORTS
Advice from Andrew
How to use public fishing marks
Use a GPS mark and your sounder to find structure, bait and fish.
Read your sounder before dropping a line
Andrew’s examples of structure, bait and fish on the screen, and what to do with that information.
Rigging live bait for downrigging
Andrew’s practical rigging guide. Match the method to the fish, conditions and local rules.
Catch yellowtail and slimy mackerel
Finding the school and caring for the bait.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you head out
Where can I look for bait around Coffs Harbour?
Park Beach Bommie has published reports of yellowtail and slimy mackerel. Its card includes the map link and sources; Andrew’s live-bait rigging guide below covers preparing a bait for downrigging.
Where do I find the GPS coordinates?
Choose “View on interactive map” on a card, then use Copy coordinates or Copy link. The map help guide explains how to save, share and plan with them.
KEEP EXPLORING
Nearby water and useful guides
24 fishing marks
Newcastle & Port Stephens
Explore Swansea, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Port Stephens fishing marks, from estuary reefs to offshore grounds, with direct map links.
Explore the guide 14 fishing marksCentral Coast
Find Central Coast reefs and wrecks around Terrigal, Bateau Bay, The Entrance and Norah Head. Open each mark on the NSW fishing map.
Explore the guide 21 fishing marksSydney offshore
Explore Sydney fishing marks from Long Reef and The Peak to the Twelve Miler, Browns Mountain and Bate Bay, with map links and Andrew’s fishing reports.
Explore the guideMAKE A SHORTLIST
Plan your next fishing trip.
Find a boat ramp, choose your fishing spots and save them in Trip Planner.