Hawkesbury Estuary Perch Fishing
Catching Winter EP’s with Sydney Flyfishing Tours!
Hawkesbury Winter Fishing: When the Estuary Goes Quiet but Fishing Comes Alive
There is something different about fishing the Hawkesbury River system in winter. The mornings feel sharper, the mist can hang low over the water, and the whole river seems to slow down on the surface. But beneath that calm winter skin, the estuary is still very much alive. Baitfish move through the channels, tailor and trevally patrol the edges, bonito can turn up where the saltwater influence pushes in, and somewhere among the deeper bends, rocky banks and structure, estuary perch gather like little silver ghosts.
That is what makes winter estuary perch fishing so interesting. It is not loud, flashy fishing. It is more like a careful search. You are reading the river, watching the tide, thinking about where the bait might be holding and where the perch might be waiting. Estuary perch are not the biggest fish in the system, but they are one of the most rewarding. They are sharp, wild and beautifully marked, with that bright silver body and spiky, tough little attitude that makes every hook-up feel special. When you find them in winter, especially in a river as big and layered as the Hawkesbury, it feels like unlocking a secret part of the estuary.
On this trip, I headed out with Justin Duggan from Sydney Flyfishing Tours, a specialist lure and fly fishing guide who knows the waterways of Sydney Harbour, Broken Bay, Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River system intimately. The focus was winter estuary perch, but like most good days on the water, the river had a few surprises ready for us. Along the way we came across bycatch including tailor, trevally, grinner and bonito, each one adding a different mix to the session. It was a reminder that even in the colder months, Sydney’s waterways can still produce a range of fish.
The Hawkesbury is the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best possible way. It is wide in parts, tight and moody in others, with sandstone, mangroves, deep water, current lines and hidden edges all working together to create a living maze. In winter, you do not need chaos for the fishing to be exciting. Sometimes the magic is in the stillness — the soft cast, the pause, the sudden tap, and then the silver flash of a perch coming up from the cold water. This was not just a fishing charter. It was a quiet winter hunt through one of New South Wales’ great estuary systems, chasing one of its most underrated sportfish.
Quick Facts
- The Hawkesbury estuary is the mixing zone, where freshwater from the catchment meets saltwater from the ocean, creating shifting brackish conditions that support baitfish, prawns, crabs and predatory fish.
- Estuary perch are perfectly suited to this tidal world. They are most often associated with estuaries and tidal river habitats.
- In winter, estuary perch move towards lower estuary areas and estuary mouths to spawn, which is one reason the colder months are such an important part of their life cycle.
- Adult estuary perch are often found around structure such as rock walls, snags, bridge pylons, deeper holes, mangrove edges and shaded banks.
- They are a slow-growing, long-lived native sportfish, with some individuals known to live for several decades.
- Large estuary perch are capable of reaching around 75cm and up to 10kg, although most fish caught by anglers are much smaller.
Our Guide:
Justin Duggan from Sydney Flyfishing Tours
Justin is one of Sydney’s most experienced lure and fly fishing guides, specialising in the waters of Sydney Harbour, Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River system. A certified casting instructor and long-time professional guide, Justin brings a mix of technical fishing knowledge, teaching experience and genuine enthusiasm to every session on the water.
His background extends well beyond guiding. Justin has worked in the fishing industry as a radio presenter, writer, photographer and public speaker, and his former experience as a zookeeper and wildlife photographer gives his charters an extra naturalist edge. Whether chasing pelagics on the surface, working structure with lures, Justin’s approach is built around reading the water, finding the fish and helping anglers better understand the incredible waterways right on Sydney’s doorstep.
Picking Our Location
Launch: I was picked up from Newport Wharf before heading into Pittwater. The plan was to work the tides, find bait and target winter estuary perch around the Hawkesbury system.
Location 1: Beside Scotland Island, an unexpected tailor bust-up suddenly brought the surface to life — a sharp reminder that winter Pittwater can still surprise.
Location 2: We moved towards Morning Bay, where Justin marked baitfish and we landed a trevally while waiting for the tide to line up.
Location 3: On a small reef in the middle of Pittwater, we missed one fish and landed a grinner — not the target, but classic estuary variety.
Location 4: The shorelines between Juno Point and Dangar, along the rock walls and weedlines, the trip really clicked, with multiple estuary perch landed tight to structure.
Location 5: On the run home through Broken Bay, we searched for longtail tuna. No tuna, but a few bonito gave us a lively finish.
Estuary Perch
Percalates colonorum
Top Target Species
The Estuary Perch (Macquaria colonorum) is a prized native sportfish found in coastal rivers and estuaries along south-eastern Australia. Known for its bright silver body, dark fins and powerful fight on light tackle, it is one of the most exciting winter targets in systems like the Hawkesbury. Estuary perch often hold around structure such as rock walls, snags, bridge pylons, weed edges and deeper tidal water, where they wait for baitfish and prawns to move past. For anglers, they are a rewarding species because they require accurate casting, patience and an understanding of tides, structure and seasonal movement — making every fish feel properly earned.
Common Species In The Hawkesbury
Mulloway
Argyrosomus Japonicus
Dusky Flathead
Platycephalus Fuscus
Tailor
Pomatomus Saltatrix
Tackle we used for the day
Designed for winter estuary perch fishing throughout the Hawkesbury system, our setup focused on finesse, accuracy and total light-tackle control. Justin also kept a few heavier outfits ready for any opportunistic encounters — including the possibility of longtail tuna.
Rods: Justin had us using top-of-the-line Daiwa gear, with the main setup built around a Daiwa 22 TD Zero 692ULFS. It was light, crisp and sensitive enough to feel subtle perch bites, while still having the control needed around structure.
Reels: The rod was matched with a Daiwa Revelry MQ HD 2500D-H, a refined light spin reel that suited the finesse approach perfectly. It gave us smooth drag, light handling and enough stopping power for estuary perch, trevally and other surprise bycatch.
Line & Leader: We fished 6lb braid with 6lb leader, keeping the setup light and natural while still offering enough strength for working lures around rocky edges, weedlines and timber.
Lures: The main presentation was a 1/6oz jighead matched with a 2-inch Daiwa Bait Junkie Minnow (Electric Shad). This gave the lure a small baitfish profile with enough movement to tempt perch holding close to structure.
Our techniques for the day
We used small soft plastics on light spin gear with one main goal: keep the lure close to structure and make it look like an easy meal.
1. 45-Degree Casts Towards Structure – Bottom Bounce
Around rock walls, weedlines and shoreline edges, we cast at roughly 45-degree angles towards structure. Once the lure hit bottom, we worked it back with small lifts, pauses and controlled hops.
This kept the plastic in the likely perch zone, moving like a small baitfish or prawn close to the bottom.
2. Working the Drop – Jerks Before the Bottom
Once we had a better idea of depth, we changed the retrieve slightly. After casting, we let the lure sink, added a few sharp jerks on the drop, then let it fall back towards the bottom.
This gave the lure a flash of life through the water column and helped draw attention from fish sitting just above the bottom.
3. Tea-Bagging Under the Boat – Vertical Drops
Where Justin marked larger schools beneath the boat, we switched to a vertical approach. We dropped the lure straight down, then gently lifted and lowered it through the fish.
This kept the lure in front of them longer and helped tempt bites from fish that were interested but not chasing far.
Q&A With Sydney Flyfishing Tours + Trip Highlights
What We Loved About This Hawkesbury Fishing Charter Experience
The Guide — Justin
Justin was excellent — friendly, personable and extremely easy to spend a full day on the water with. From the moment we booked, communication was clear and professional, with Justin taking the time to answer questions and help shape the day around the best possible conditions and fishing experience.
What really stood out was his knowledge and ability to teach. Justin knows the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Broken Bay system in detail, along with the many species that move through it. He explained what we were seeing, why fish were holding in certain areas, and how structure, bait, tide and wind all influenced the fishing. I also picked up practical casting tips, especially around managing wind while working lures, and you can quickly tell why he is such a respected casting instructor.
The Fishing Experience
The fishing was productive, varied and engaging from start to finish. We landed 12-plus estuary perch, including a few impressive females, and also caught a good mix of bycatch while waiting for the tide and conditions to line up.
There were no long dead patches, which made the whole day feel active and enjoyable. Between the perch, tailor, trevally, grinner, bonito and the search for bigger opportunities in Broken Bay, the session had a great balance of targeted fishing, variety and exploration. Add in Justin’s storytelling, local knowledge and relaxed banter, and it became much more than just a day of catching fish.
The Boat, Gear & Tackle
The boat was perfectly suited to fishing this waterway — comfortable, clean and set up properly for moving through Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury system. It had the latest tech for finding fish, and Justin used it well to locate bait, mark perch and explain what was happening below the surface.
The gear was also first class. Justin runs top-of-the-line Daiwa rods, reels and tackle, with light setups that were perfectly matched to winter estuary perch fishing. Everything felt balanced, well maintained and suited to accurate lure casting around structure, weedlines and deeper schools.
The Overall Operation
From start to finish, the whole experience was smooth, professional and genuinely enjoyable. Booking was easy, Justin was helpful before the trip, and the day itself felt well planned without ever feeling rushed.
The Hawkesbury River system is a beautiful place to fish, with plenty to see between locations, and Justin’s background as a photographer shows in the way he captures the day. Overall, it was a fantastic mix of fishing, sightseeing, learning and fun. For anyone wanting to catch fish, understand the system better and spend a day with a guide who genuinely loves teaching, this is a charter we would highly recommend.
My top tips for this charter.
Dress for winter, but keep it practical – Winter on the Hawkesbury can be cold, especially early in the morning or when travelling between spots. Wear long pants, thick socks and a good windbreaker, but avoid anything too bulky so you can still cast comfortably.
Bring a few snacks if you like – Water is provided on board, but it is worth bringing a few snacks for the session. There is also a cafe near the pick-up location, so you can grab something before heading out.
Take a camera, but don’t stress about photos – Definitely bring your phone or camera, because the Hawkesbury is a beautiful place to fish. Justin also takes photos using his own camera and phone, and his experience as a photographer shows in the way he captures the day.
Ask plenty of questions – Justin is a very patient and knowledgeable angler, guide and instructor. If you want to understand why you are fishing a certain spot, how to read structure, or how to improve your casting, ask away. He is great at explaining things clearly and will also point things out as he sees them.
Listen to the small details – A lot of the value in this charter comes from the little tips. Pay attention to how Justin talks about wind, lure angles, tide, structure, bait and sounder marks. Those small adjustments can make a big difference when targeting estuary perch.
Don’t worry too much about seasickness – Most of the trip is spent in calmer protected water around Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury system. Motion sickness tablets probably are not needed for most people, unless you already know you get sick easily.
Enjoy the full experience – This is not just about ticking off estuary perch. The Hawkesbury system is stunning, with beautiful scenery, changing water, birdlife, rock walls, bays and plenty of different species to keep things interesting. Relax, enjoy the banter and take in the whole day.
What makes the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Broken Bay system such a special fishery compared to other waterways around Sydney?
The longest coastal catchment in NSW spanning marsh land, mangroves, deep sandstone ravines that gets frequent flooding and good tidal pushes. Packed with bait and prawns and subject to saltwater influence for over 120km
For anglers who do not know the area well, how would you describe the different zones of the system — from the river and bays to the saltier water around Broken Bay?
Cowan creek has deepwater with numerous sandy bays and spectacular surrounds. The water here is clearer and often becomes a refuge for pelagic that push into the cleaner water and then are reluctant to move back into the siltier Hawkesbury water. The siltier waters of the Hawkesbury are a great zone to target bream, jewfish, flathead and Estuary Perch. This more “coloured” water offers good fishing as the fish are often less leader shy and more aggressive than in cleaner environs. Broken bay offers the shift between clean oceanic water and the silty Hawkesbury water that pushes to sea. You can find distinct transition lines running miles out to sea. Broken bay offers a great mix of baitfish like slimy mackerel, yakka and anchovies and can attract larger predators like Tuna and even the odd Marlin. The reefs can hold kingfish and Mulloway and all manner of pelagic can call the bay home including vast salmon schools
Why are estuary perch such a great winter target in the Hawkesbury system?
They school in bigger numbers in the Winter months rather than spreading out into smaller gatherings.
Where do estuary perch tend to live within the system at different times of the year, and how does that change around winter spawning season?
Perch occupy mostly brackish water through much of the year and push to the saltier water to spawn . Tagging studies have shown perch returning to the same exact spots annually. They require structure and weedbeds and correct salinity for their spawning. Back eddies and soft water adjacent hard tidal run is preferred
When you are searching for estuary perch, what signs are you looking for in the water, structure, tide, bait or sounder?
They require structure and weedbeds and correct salinity for their spawning. Back eddies and soft water adjacent hard tidal run is preferred
What are your favourite techniques for targeting estuary perch on lures or fly, especially when they are holding tight to structure or deeper schools?
Any small shrimp or baitfish pattern moved with sharp but short twitches is preferred. Look for the bite on the fall rather than the lift on your retrieve. It’s a subtle tick most times as they inhale. I like Daiwa Bait junkie prawns, grubs or minnows in small sizes hitched to a bighead that does not plummet too rapidly, it needs to waft in their faces. Fly lines are best as sink tips or full sink lines. I like shrimp flies and closers
What are some common mistakes anglers make when trying to find fish in this system, especially when reading structure, tide and bait?
Fishing the really strong incoming tide can make lure and fly presentations very hard. Look for shaded shorelines which are best in the early or late periods, Noon sun can limit areas so plan your times. Fishing too heavy and too fast. Striking too hard, Perch will return multiple times to eat a lure…don’t rip it away on the strike.
You also teach beginners, kids and novice anglers. What do you focus on first when helping someone build confidence on the water?
I think learning to cast straight and accurately and learning to understand exactly what the lure is doing in relation to their retrieve. Too many new anglers lose connection to their lure or don’t understand how to keep their lure in the zone, whether due to retrieve or using the wrong lure. Presentation is 95% of the game, if the fish see it, they’ll almost always eat it! You have to be able to cast on a dime. That takes technique and lots of practice
What do you love most about guiding people on Sydney’s waterways, and what makes a great day on the water for you?
I really enjoy meeting people, I thoroughly enjoy watching people catch fish and create memories. I work on some of the most breathtaking waterways in the country, sharing it with people is a treat. For me a great day is more than just catching fish, its teaching skills to others to improve their fishing techniques . On top of this I also think the ideal day involves some great wildlife action, whether marine or birds or other creatures. There’s so much taking place it feels like a David Attenborough Doco at times
What should people know before booking a Hawkesbury, Pittwater or Broken Bay charter with you, and how far ahead should they book to get the right season, conditions and experience for their goals?
These trips are best planned at shorter notice based on current fishing as it is so variable. You can rely on Perch from June to August and some form of pelagic action between December and April but every month in between can be amazing, its just a matter of enquiring how its fishing a month out.
Photo gallery of our day on the water with Justin
A Winter Perch Session Worth Repeating
If you’re looking to experience winter fishing on the Hawkesbury properly, a day out with Justin Duggan from Sydney Flyfishing Tours is hard to beat. With 12-plus estuary perch landed, including a few impressive females, it was a thoughtful, hands-on session built around reading structure, watching the sounder, working the tides and learning how fish behave in colder weather.
What really made the day stand out was Justin’s professionalism and teaching style. He is extremely personable, calm on the water and generous with his knowledge, explaining where to cast, why the fish were holding there, and how structure, weedlines, bait and fish on the finder all shaped the session.
The extra bycatch added plenty of variety while we waited for the tide, but the real value of the trip was the learning. If you want to catch quality fish, better understand the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Broken Bay system, and learn from one of Sydney’s most experienced lure and fly fishing guides, Sydney Flyfishing Tours is a charter we would highly recommend.
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