Fishing Darwin And The Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are around 80 klms north of Darwin or 30 mins in a light plane. Melville and Bathurst islands are the two islands in the group and both are relatively flat with loads of mangrove swamps around the shoreline.
The Tiwi Indigenous people have lived here since well before European settlement and there are over 2500 Tiwi living on the islands today scattered across a number of small settlements but mostly in Nguiu.
The islands are also known as the “islands of smiles” due to the friendly nature of the Tiwi people.
Fishing on the Tiwi Islands is quite simply excellent with a wide variety of fishing environments including estuary, reef, beach and blue water. Lure, bait and fly fishermen are well catered for and there are over 50 species regularly caught on the islands. These include barramundi, threadfin, bluefin, trevally, snapper, jewfish, mangrove jack ,mackerel and the list goes on!
The best time to fish the Tiwi Islands is after the wet season from late March through to the end of the build up in late November. Within this time frame some environments fish better at different times. For example, barramundi fishing is best in April and May during the “run off” period after the rainy season has finished and also September to November during the “build up” season when the water and air temperatures and the humidity levels are building up. Reef fishing is superb all year and pelagic species fishing for the likes of mackerel and tuna is best from August to November. Having said that, a good guide who knows his area well can get you on most species most of the year.
A permit is required to visit the Tiwi Islands and there is a fishing lodge on the Islands offering packages all inclusive of flights, permits, accommodation and meals, guided fishing and all equipment.
See the link below for more information.
Tiwi Islands Fishing