EYRE PENINSULA

Tumby Bay Fishing

Tumby Bay, South Australia

Overview

Tumby Bay fishes well for King George Whiting, squid and tommy ruff from its long sheltered jetty and foreshore, with productive whiting grounds out in the bay for boat fishers.

Local Rules & Closures

SOUTHERN CALAMARI CLOSURE — SPENCER GULF

A total closure from 1 May 2026 prohibits the targeting, take and possession of Southern Calamari in Spencer Gulf for recreational and charter boat fishing.

SNAPPER CLOSURE — WEST COAST, SPENCER GULF & GULF ST VINCENT/KI

Snapper fishing is closed until 30 June 2027: targeting, take and catch-and-release fishing are strictly prohibited. Do not transit through a closure area with Snapper on board — bringing Snapper back to any boat ramp in a closed area (including Cape Jervis, Wirrina and Penneshaw) is prohibited.

KING GEORGE WHITING SPAWNING CLOSURE

The targeting, take and possession of King George Whiting is prohibited in Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf during the annual spawning closure (1 March – 30 June).

Quick Info

BEST FOR

Southern Calamari, King George Whiting, Tommy Ruff

FISHING TYPES

Shore, Jetty, Boat

ENVIRONMENT

Sheltered sandy bay on the western shore of Spencer Gulf

DIFFICULTY

Beginner friendly

BEST SEASON

Spring - Autumn

ACCESS

Easy

What Can I Catch?

Southern Calamari

COMMON

Best: Spring & Autumn

King George Whiting

COMMON

Best: Spring - Autumn

Tommy Ruff

SEASONAL

Best: Winter - Spring

Best: Summer

Flathead lie in ambush on sand and estuary channels and are an accessible, reliable catch across South Australia. They hit lures and baits readily, fight well for their size, and produce sweet, white, almost boneless fillets — a perfect species for beginners and lure anglers alike.

Best: Summer

Snapper waters here are inside the current Spencer Gulf snapper closure.

Where to Fish

Tumby Bay Jetty

JETTY

Long town jetty with deep water at the end - a reliable spot for King George Whiting, squid and tommy ruff, particularly on dusk.

JettyAccess: Easy

TARGETS: King George Whiting, Southern Calamari, Tommy Ruff

Tumby Bay Foreshore

BEACH

Town beach and foreshore shallows where whiting and tommies can be caught on light gear, best fished around high tide.

ShoreAccess: Easy

TARGETS: King George Whiting, Tommy Ruff

How to Fish Here — Rigs

Running Sinker Rig

The simplest and most natural presentation rig in fishing — a sinker that slides freely on the line so a fish can pick up the bait without feeling any weight. Perfect for finicky biters like whiting, bream and mullet.

Paternoster / Dropper Rig

A versatile and highly effective rig for King George Whiting and many other species.

Best Baits & Lures

Squid Jig

The dedicated lure for Southern Calamari - cast and retrieved with a jerky motion around jetties, weed edges and lighted areas at night.

Pipi / Goolwa Cockle

The number one King George Whiting bait in South Australia.

Squid Strip

A tough, reliable whiting bait that stays on the hook.

Fishing Environments

ShoreJettyBoat

Best Seasons

Whiting and squid fish well from spring through autumn; winter slows but whiting remain available.

Fishing Rules

Size, bag and possession limits apply to every species here — each species page carries the current verified SA rules from PIRSA. Marine park sanctuary zones are no-take areas. Always check current regulations before fishing.

View SA Fishing Rules

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