Sow and Pigs Reef (Sydney Harbour)

Sow and Pigs Reef - GPS: 33 50.320 S 151 16.180 E

'Sow and Pigs' is a rocky reef situated just on the eastern side of the shipping channel between Middle Head and South Head, and is easily located as it is surrounded by cardinal markers for shipping. It is a boat spot only and fishes well on both tides, as you can fish both the upstream and sea entrance sides of the reef. The reef drops fairly abruptly on both sides into eight to ten metres of water, and the bottom around the reef is sandy and silty with build ups of mud and gravel.

The best way to fish it is to anchor either upstream on the outgoing tide, or downstream on the incoming tide, so as to be able to float your bait back toward the reef. Remember you do not want to put your bait right on the reef, just at the edge of it. You can get a good idea of the channels running throught the reef by having a good look at its features during low tide, when much of the rock is exposed. This will give you some opportunity to work out where eddies may form and therefore bait is likely to concentrate. The reef works well on both tides.

Whatever you do make sure you DO NOT ANCHOR IN THE SHIPPING CHANNEL, on either edge of the reef.

The best time of year to fish the reef, especially if you are after the larger pelagics, is when the water temperature is above 21 degrees celcius. Usually about November to April. Some species like Tailor, Trevally and most certainly Bream, can be found here most of the year round.

Some of the biggest Kingfish caught in the harbour come from around the reef at 'Sow and Pigs', along with many other larger pelagic species normally found offshore, such as Bonito, Mackerel, Sampson Fish, Salmon and even the occasional Cobia and others.

Live Squid or Yakkas can be a huge help in distinguishing those big fish from the pickers when you fish near a reef like this. Bream, Trevally and Tailor will usually be taken on most fresh fish or prawn baits, with live yabbies and bloodworms more likely the Bream specialists favorite.

Almost any boat will be big enough to fish 'Sow and Pigs' in normal conditions, with many people hiring 4m tinnies from Rose Bay Boat Hire (see the Sydney Yellow Pages for more info), in order to get there first real shot at some of the bigger pelagicas to be caught in Sydney waters. Many times your biggest problem will being swamped by ferry wash! Beware though and always check the weather forecast and the Bureau of Meterology weather warnings, as the harbour can become extremely rough and sometimes not the place you want to be in a tinnie. Strong winds especially Southerly or Westerly can also be a problem.