Busselton Jetty is 1.841 km of timber pylon reaching out into Geographe Bay — the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, and a fishery that shifts character as you walk. Herring, skippy, gardies and tarwhine gather at the shallow end for families and kids; half a kilometre out it's squid and chopper tailor; the deep end holds pink snapper, samson fish, mulloway and the odd southern bluefin tuna. Over 300 marine species live around the pylons. You can fish 24 hours, but you pay four bucks to enter during the day.

Walk or take the jetty train and pick your depth. Shallow end: light baits or small soft plastics for herring, skippy, gardies and whiting. Mid-jetty: squid jigs at night under the lights (watch for fresh ink on the deck — that's where they just were), metal slugs in the wash for tailor in autumn. Deep end: heavier gear with whole mulies, live baits or bigger soft plastics for snapper, samson and mulloway. Dawn, dusk and tide changes drive everything.

Herring, skippy, gardies, tarwhine, squid and yellowfin whiting (shallow to mid — the reliable mix); tailor and salmon (autumn); and deeper out: pink snapper, samson fish, mulloway, the occasional yellowtail kingfish, and on a lucky summer day a southern bluefin tuna.

No fishing around the Underwater Observatory at the end — it's well signed. Wind carries down the jetty — bring a jacket even in summer. Don't fillet on the boards; gulls move fast and the jetty staff will move you on.

Entry to the jetty is from the Busselton foreshore precinct. Sealed boardwalk along the entire 1.841 km length — among the most mobility-friendly fishing destinations in WA. Jetty train operates during Interpretive Centre hours for $13 return ($16 with Underwater Observatory). Public toilets at the foreshore and partway along the jetty. Parking at the foreshore precinct fills on summer weekends. Lighting is solid for night sessions. Cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, fuel and tackle shops in town.

North-facing position into Geographe Bay. The bay shelters the jetty from worst SW swell. Easterly mornings are calmest; afternoon onshore breezes blow up most days. The jetty length means you can pick a depth that suits the conditions — shallow end fishes through almost any weather. Water clarity is generally excellent; the bay's protected nature means fishable water more days than not. Wind funnels along the jetty; a calm shore can have noticeable wind chop at the deep end.

West Coast Bioregion demersal closures apply to land-based pink snapper and other demersals — check DPIRD before targeting. Heritage timber boards have nail heads in places — check footing in the dark. Wind funnels along the jetty length; deeper sections can be uncomfortable in strong onshore weather. Bluebottles drift in during summer northerlies. The Underwater Observatory zone at the end is signed no-fishing; respect the boundary or get moved.

Entry fee is $4 per adult per day during Interpretive Centre hours; kids 0–17 are free. Outside those hours the jetty is open 24/7 and free — that's when the squid and night mulloway crew rotate through. The jetty train ($13 return) is optional; you can walk the 1.841 km if you prefer.

Mid-jetty under the lights at night is the local pattern. Watch for fresh ink on the deck — that's where they just were. Fish 2.5–3.0 jigs slowly along the pylon shadows. The jetty length means you can move until you find the active section.

Occasionally, on lucky summer days when warm Leeuwin Current water pushes schools close to the deep end. It's not a target; it's a bonus. Heavy gear and live or large fresh baits at the deep end give the best shot — but expect zero, hope for one.

Extremely — the shallow end is one of the best family fishing spots in WA. Sealed boardwalk, jetty train option, light-tackle bread-and-butter species, and cafes/toilets back at the foreshore. Stay at the shallower end for kid-suitable conditions.