City Beach Groyne has been a Perth fishing institution for generations. The groyne creates a defined break in the surf that concentrates bait and creates ambush points for tailor and herring. The reef system running offshore adds structure that most flat beaches lack, and the Floreat Drain nearby washes nutrients into the surf zone.

Fish the seam where turbulent water from the groyne meets cleaner water — that transition zone is where fish sit in ambush. Cast metals or pilchards along the groyne edge and work them through the wash. At dawn and dusk, tailor patrol the groyne edges aggressively. The Floreat Drain outflow attracts bait when it's running after rain.

Tailor (the groyne's bread and butter, autumn dawn and dusk), herring (year-round), KGW and sand whiting (clean sand patches), tarwhine, snook on jigs at first light, and mulloway at night in the deeper sections.

The Town of Cambridge has proposed fishing restrictions along parts of this coastline in the past — check current regulations before fishing. The groyne gets busy at dawn during autumn tailor season. Keep casts controlled around other anglers and swimmers. Don't leave bait on the rocks.

Sealed car park at City Beach Reserve immediately behind the groyne, with overflow on Challenger Parade. Sealed paths from car park to the upper beach and groyne base — partial mobility access onto the upper limestone steps; the productive lower rocks are not accessible. Public toilets, beach showers, cafes and a kiosk in season at the main reserve. No formal lighting on the groyne; head torch needed for dawn or dusk sessions. Parking fills on summer weekends.

West-facing groyne fully exposed to incoming SW swell. Fishes well in swell up to about 1.5–2m; above that the lower rocks wash and the spot becomes unsafe. Easterly mornings are calmest; afternoon Fremantle Doctor blows directly onshore. Salmon runs in autumn coincide with cleaner-water easterly mornings. Water clarity around the outflow can be turbid; further along the beach it's typically clear outside winter storms.

Wet limestone is slippery — watch your footing on the groyne, especially at dawn. Big swell sets can wash the lower rocks; never commit to a low ledge without watching the swell first. Boat traffic and surf craft pass close to the wash; keep long casts clear. Bluebottles drift in during summer northerlies. Sharks transit the area but have not historically affected fishing safety. Patrolled swimming hours apply in summer; don't fish swim zones.

Town of Cambridge has proposed restrictions along parts of this coastline in the past. Always check current local government regulations and signage before fishing. The groyne itself remains open under standard recreational fishing rules at the time of writing.

March through June, with the strongest interception sessions in April–May. Salmon hug the coast and the groynes are known interception points. Run-and-gun with 30–40g metals on a fast retrieve across the seam where wash meets clean water.

Yes in manageable swell (under about 1.5m) with grippy footwear and time spent watching sets before committing to a low rock. In bigger swell or after dark in unfamiliar conditions it gets risky — choose a sheltered alternative.

Ganged-hook mulies on a running sinker rig fished close to the groyne edge, or 30–40g metals worked across the seam. Dawn and dusk on a moving tide are the prime windows.