Australia Fishing Forecast: Bite Times & Tide Times
Check bite times, tides, sun, moon and wind conditions for your fishing spot. Pick a date, then choose your spot by GPS, on the map or from the list.
Bite times for Sydney
Moderate activity
4 out of 5Fishing windows
Tide times
Range 1.4 m- 1:51amLow tide0.3 m
- 8:09amHigh tide1.7 m
- 2:25pmLow tide0.4 m
- 8:26pmHigh tide1.6 m
Tides from Sydney (Fort Denison) · Bureau of Meteorology
Bureau of Meteorology copyright and disclaimer
Tide predictions © Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Bureau of Meteorology.
This product is based on Bureau of Meteorology information that has subsequently been modified. The Bureau does not necessarily support or endorse, or have any connection with, the product.
In respect of that part of the information which is sourced from the Bureau, and to the maximum extent permitted by law: (i) The Bureau makes no representation and gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights; and (ii) the Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.
Wind
Around 4pmDaytime 41–46 km/h from the NE
Sun
13 h 14 min- First light
- 5:37am
- Sunrise
- 6:03am
- Sunset
- 7:17pm
- Last light
- 7:43pm
Moon
98% litWaxing Gibbous
Moon age 13.5 days
- Moonrise
- 6:22pm
- Moonset
- 5:01am
Heading out with your mates?
Turn this forecast into a picture card and post it in your fishing group, with the tides, bite times and wind for Sydney on Sunday 25 October.
Live wind map
Wind strength and direction often decide whether a session is comfortable or safe. Pan along the coast and play the forecast forward to plan around it.
Wind map by Windy.com, which may set its own cookies.
All locations today
New South Wales
- SydneyMajor 10:40am–12:40pm · 11:00pm–1:00amMinor 4:30–5:30am · 5:50–6:50pm
- Central CoastMajor 10:40am–12:40pm · 10:55pm–12:55amMinor 4:30–5:30am · 5:50–6:50pm
- NewcastleMajor 10:35am–12:35pm · 10:55pm–12:55amMinor 4:30–5:30am · 5:50–6:50pm
- Port StephensMajor 10:35am–12:35pm · 10:55pm–12:55amMinor 4:30–5:30am · 5:45–6:45pm
Queensland
- Gold CoastMajor 9:30–11:30am · 9:50–11:50pmMinor 3:25–4:25am · 4:35–5:35pm
- Brisbane / Moreton BayMajor 9:30–11:30am · 9:50–11:50pmMinor 3:30–4:30am · 4:35–5:35pm
- Sunshine CoastMajor 9:30–11:30am · 9:50–11:50pmMinor 3:30–4:30am · 4:35–5:35pm
- Hervey BayMajor 9:30–11:30am · 9:50–11:50pmMinor 3:30–4:30am · 4:35–5:35pm
- CairnsMajor 10:00am–12:00pm · 10:20pm–12:20amMinor 4:05–5:05am · 4:55–5:55pm
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
How bite times work
Bite times follow the moon. Major periods are the two hours around the moon passing overhead or underfoot; minor periods are the hour around moonrise and moonset. Times shift by roughly 50 minutes each day and differ from place to place, which is why each spot has its own page. Pair them with a moving tide and low light for the best chance of a fish.
Frequently asked questions
What are fishing bite times?
Bite times are the parts of the day when fish are expected to feed more actively. They are worked out from the position of the moon (solunar theory): fish tend to be more active when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot, and around moonrise and moonset.
What is the difference between major and minor bite times?
Major bite times are the two hours centred on the moon passing overhead or underfoot, and are usually the stronger periods. Minor bite times are the hour around moonrise and moonset. They are shorter, but still worth timing a session around.
How is the fish activity score worked out?
The score out of 100 is mainly based on the moon phase. It is highest either side of a new or full moon, when tides are biggest and tidal flow is strongest, and lowest around the quarter moons. Windy days lose points, because rough water makes fishing harder. Treat it as a guide, not a guarantee: you can still catch plenty on a low-scoring day.
Should I fish the bite time or the tide?
Both matter. The best sessions are often when a major bite time lines up with dawn or dusk and a moving tide. If you can only pick one, most anglers favour a moving tide in low light over a bite time in the middle of a bright, slack day.
How accurate are these times?
Moon and sun times are calculated for each location and are accurate to within about five minutes. Tide times come from official predictions for the nearest tide station: in New Zealand from LINZ (18 standard ports and nearly 300 secondary ports worked out from them the way LINZ sets out), and in Australia from the Bureau of Meteorology’s standard ports. Local tides can still differ by a few minutes. Always check the marine forecast before heading out. This page is not for navigation.
Heading to New Zealand? See the New Zealand fishing forecast.
Coast & Cast ships tackle to Australia. Shop reels, graded used gear or read our fishing guides.
Bite times calculated from moon position (solunar). Tides: Bureau of Meteorology (© Commonwealth of Australia). Wind: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.
Tide predictions © Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Bureau of Meteorology.
This product is based on Bureau of Meteorology information that has subsequently been modified. The Bureau does not necessarily support or endorse, or have any connection with, the product.
In respect of that part of the information which is sourced from the Bureau, and to the maximum extent permitted by law: (i) The Bureau makes no representation and gives no warranty of any kind whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise in respect to the availability, accuracy, currency, completeness, quality or reliability of the information or that the information will be fit for any particular purpose or will not infringe any third party Intellectual Property rights; and (ii) the Bureau’s liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense resulting from use of, or reliance on, the information is entirely excluded.