Autumn is nearly here and for us that means some very enjoyable fishing sessions are on the way! Although all seasons have their good aspects, Autumn is our favourite time to fish as the weather is gentler: the sun is not so harsh and the wind not so gusty and unpredictable.
As we live in southern Adelaide, we spend a lot of time fishing from beaches in our ‘back yard’ – the Fleurieu Peninsula. There are so many excellent locations to choose from. In this article we share our top five Fleurieu Peninsula Autumn fishing locations with you.
1.Morgans Beach (accessibility 4/5)
Nestled below towering cliffs that are dotted with windmills, Morgans Beach is a spectacular place to fish. This beach is quite small and is one of the few beaches you can drive onto if you have a 4WD. If you have a 2WD, there is a car park at the bottom of the hill, and you can walk onto the beach from there.
A variety of fish can be caught here both from the beach, and from the rocks at the far end of the beach. We particularly enjoy float fishing from the rocks for Garfish during Autumn. Wind conditions are critical to success however as the wind must be on your back to push the float rig out to sea.
We tend to avoid holiday periods and weekends as this small beach can fill quite quickly.
2.Carrickalinga Beach (accessibility 4/5)
Carrickalinga Beach is a long, white sandy beach with several access points. The main carpark is at the northern end of the beach, and there is a long ramp down to the sand. The other entrance points to the south are all easily accessible. This is a picturesque beach with an almost mediterranean feel when sailboats drop anchor there. During Autumn we have caught flathead, garfish, mullet and silver whiting along this beach. It has a very relaxed vibe with plenty of space for everyone. Good coffee and food can be purchased at Normanville which is less than ten minutes’ drive from here.
3.Aldinga Beach (accessibility 5/5)
Aldinga Beach is a great location to fish during Autumn. Mullet can be caught in the surf on Aldinga Beach through Autumn, along with the odd flathead. This is one of the most accessible beaches to fish that we have come across. We enjoy nothing more than loading up the ute with deck chairs, the bbq and sun shelter, and spending the day on the beach. Fishing from the back of the ute is so easy, especially when mobility is an issue. You can drive on the beach with a 2WD. Note that Aldinga Beach is closed to cars from 1 May to 30 September each year, although the area north of the entrance ramp remains open for boat launching. During this time you can access the beach by stairs. If that is too difficult then neighbouring Silver Sands Beach and Sellicks Beach can be driven on all year round. These beaches are narrower than Aldinga Beach however so extra care must be taken with the tide times.
4.King Beach (accessibility 3/5)
King Beach is a hidden gem, and we have caught an interesting array of fish from this beach. It is a twenty-minute walk from the car park to the beach, along the hills face. The track is moderately difficult so travel light and leave the bucket in the car. It is worth the walk though. The beach is small and sheltered, with some good rocky areas.
5. Parsons Beach (accessibility 3/5)
Parsons is a beautiful, sweeping ocean beach. Not as turbulent as neighbouring Waitpinga Beach, Parsons Beach is perfect for surf fishing. There are steep steps down to the beach which can be a challenge however there is also a gently sloping track that runs behind the beach which is much easier to navigate. We have spent many blissful autumn sessions on this beach, usually bringing home Mullet or Salmon Trout for dinner. The roar of the waves and mist in the air fills the senses. So good for the soul!
So why not give fishing in Autumn a go?
The Fleurieu Peninsula offers a diverse range of fishing experiences, from surf fishing on high energy ocean beaches, to rock fishing and sheltered bays. Autumn really showcases the beauty of these locations and offers some excellent fishing opportunities. Always check the tides and wind direction, and burley up to attract the fish. Why not give one (or all) of our top five locations a try?
Our Fleurieu Peninsula video playlist shows you where we fished, what we caught at each location, and how we caught it. So have a look at our videos before heading out fishing.