Burns Beach has a large reef system extending out from the beach with deep holes between reef sections. This genuine structure sets it apart from the flat sand beaches nearby and makes it one of the better tailor spots in Perth's northern suburbs. The deep holes hold fish even when surrounding beaches are quiet.

Target the deep holes between reef sections — cast metals, poppers, or sinking stickbaits into the holes and retrieve fast over the reef edges. Tailor sit in the holes and ambush bait washing over the reef. Dawn and dusk are prime, and a light onshore swell that pushes wash over the reef helps switch the bite on.

Tailor (the main target, aggressive on metals over the reef), herring (over reef edges), Australian salmon (autumn), KGW and sand whiting on the cleaner sand patches, and occasional skippy and wrasse. Mulloway in the deep holes at night.

Use weedless or snagless rigging where possible. The reef is slippery and uneven; wade carefully or fish from the beach and cast to the reef edge. Poppers and surface lures are snag-free options that work well here. Don't leave bait on the rocks; the gulls move fast.

Sealed car park at Burns Beach Reserve immediately behind the productive reef sections. Sealed paths from car park to the upper beach access — partial mobility access; the productive lower reef positions are not. Public toilets, beach showers and a small grassed picnic area at the reserve. No formal beach lighting; head torch essential for dawn or dusk sessions. Parking is generally easy outside summer weekends.

West-facing position with extensive offshore reef structure that creates deep holes between reef sections. Fishes well in most swell short of cyclonic; the reef structure provides some protection while creating productive turbulence. Easterly mornings are calmest; afternoon Fremantle Doctor blows onshore. Light onshore swell switches the bite on by pushing wash over the reef. Water clarity is generally good and stays cleaner during swell events than open beaches.

Reef sections snag gear quickly; bring spares. The reef is slippery and uneven; wade carefully. Big swell sets can wash anglers off lower rocks; stay back in heavy seas. Stingrays cruise the gutters; shuffle if you wade. Bluebottles drift in during summer northerlies. Sharks transit the area but have not historically affected fishing safety. Soft sand walking with heavy gear is tiring; pack light.

Genuine reef structure with deep holes between reef sections creates ambush points where tailor sit. The reef extends offshore enough to influence sand banks and create features that hold bait. It's one of the better tailor spots in Perth's northern suburbs.

30–40g metals worked fast over reef edges, or poppers and sinking stickbaits into deep holes. Surface lures are snag-free options that work well over the reef. Bring spares — the reef will eat lures regardless of how careful you are.

Yes for the beach sections in manageable swell. The reef is slippery and uneven; wade carefully or fish from the sand and cast to the reef edge. Don't fish low rock platforms in heavy swell. Always keep an escape route in mind.

Yes — the deep holes between reef sections hold mulloway at night, particularly October through April. Fresh whole squid or live mullet on heavy gear in the deepest holes is the standard approach. Patience matters.