Browns Beach is a surf fishing spot on the west side of the foot of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
It is one of the state’s fishing treasures.
Like many great salmon beaches, Browns has an outlying reef with an inner wave-washed lagoon.
Schools of salmon move inside the reef on a rising tide.
Fishing is best in winter, but salmon are caught all year.
Commercial salmon fishing has been wound back in recent years, and salmon numbers at SA beaches like Browns appear to have improved.
Large chrome lures work well on this beach, or just cast baits of pilchards on ganged hooks.
If the salmon are biting they will take anything that moves, but sometimes they can be fussy.
A sturdy surf rod is required as the salmon can be big.
Mullet are also caught in autumn/winter, with occasional mulloway in summer.
Tailor are another occasional catch.
Mulloway should be fished on a large high tide in the evening, using livebait, or a fresh salmon fillet.
Rays and sharks can be a nuisance when bait fishing, especially after dark.
Considerable walking on soft sand is required to reach the beach, and a camping permit is needed for Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park.
Sadly, despite its fame as a fishing spot, some visitors treat this spot with disrespect, leaving behind their rubbish, a problem ever since the 1970s when this beach became popular.
To the north, Dust Hole Beach has salmon in winter, big mulloway in summer, and mullet, flathead and sharks. It also requires walking, depending where the gutters lie.
North of the Dust Hole Beach is Daly Head and Gleesons Landing.
Gleesons has 4WD access and a reasonably sheltered beach launch.
Read about Yorke Peninsula’s other fishing spots here.
Here is a list of recommended tackle for SA waters.
Here is the SA seasonal fishing calendar for various fish species.
Browns Beach on Beachsafe
Browns Beach tides
SA fishing regulations
SA marine parks
NOTE: Special snapper rules apply in South Australia – more info here.
Email corrections, additions, pictures or video here.
