Joseph Bonaparte Gulf

Sea, from shore Australia · 07:51 - 19:06

Joseph Bonaparte Gulf on the coast in Australia. Coastal and sea fishing with species ranked by weather, water temperature and season, see below.

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Fair 43% The bite right now

Top bet: Mangrove Jack Active through the night, water near its preferred 26 degrees, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

74%

26°

Tue

74%

25°

Wed

74%

26°

Thu

74%

26°

Fri

74%

26°

Sat

76%

26°

Best day

Sun

74%

28°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather

Clear sky

Water temp (est.)

26°C

Air temp

21°C

Wind

3 m/s

Pressure

1013 hPa → stable

Clouds

0.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-06-28 22:05

Best times today

Dawn 07:06–09:06 Dusk 17:51–19:51

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Full moon 97% lit

Major period 23:19–01:19 Major period 11:19–13:19 Minor period 16:58–18:28 Minor period 06:10–07:40

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

06:00

21°

07:00

20°

08:00

20°

09:00

22°

10:00

24°

11:00

26°

12:00

26°

13:00

25°

14:00

25°

15:00

25°

16:00

25°

17:00

26°

Likely catch now (6 species)

Mangrove Jack

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

43%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 26 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Giant Trevally

Caranx ignobilis

42%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

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Barramundi

Lates calcarifer

37%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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King Mackerel

Scomberomorus commerson

23%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Coral Trout

Plectropomus leopardus

22%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

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Black Marlin

Istiompax indica

7%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 26 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Joseph Bonaparte Gulf is a coastal fishing spot in Australia. The fishing here is from the shore.

Popular catches here include Mangrove Jack, Giant Trevally, Barramundi, King Mackerel, Coral Trout and Black Marlin.

Mangrove Jack fishing is usually best around Nov-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A national or regional fishing permit is generally required here. Check the local rules. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Tips right now

Timing This is a prime window for mangrove jack at night. Fish hard now.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

You need a fishing permit (fiskekort) to fish here. Buy it online:

Fishing licence (overview)

About this water

The Joseph Bonaparte Gulf or the Bonaparte Gulf is a large body of water off the coast of the Northern Territory and Western Australia and part of the Timor Sea. It was named after Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon and King of Naples (1806–1808) and then Spain (1808–1813) by French explorer and naturalist Nicolas Baudin in 1803.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Daly River at Woolianna Daly River, Northern Territory · 245.2 km away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Joseph Bonaparte Gulf?

Popular catches here include Mangrove Jack, Giant Trevally, Barramundi, King Mackerel, Coral Trout and Black Marlin.

Do you need a fishing license at Joseph Bonaparte Gulf?

Usually yes. Most countries require a national or regional fishing permit. Check the local rules via the link on this page.

When is the best time to fish Joseph Bonaparte Gulf?

Mangrove Jack fishing is usually best around Nov-Dec. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Joseph Bonaparte Gulf right now?

Right now Mangrove Jack is the most likely catch, at about 31%.