Salt water depth chart
Today's read
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
33,433-acre Spencer Gulf. Sector 72 Australian saltwater fishing map showing only directly measured AusBathyTopo 2026 cells, source-qualified fishing spots, official regional fish evidence, seasonal forage context, access guidance and current-rule links. Sector 72 trip-scale surveyed footprint within Spencer Gulf. Australia's long western gulf, divided from upper tidal flats through major bays and channels to its offshore-facing mouth. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 121 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Traced from the shoreline, Spencer Gulf - Sector 72 runs 33,432 acres with 47.3 miles of edge. Index 1.8 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 4% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Tip to tip the water measures near 16.8 mi with an 8-mi widest point. For a second option, Spencer Gulf - Sector 65 lies 11 mi north.
Regional occurrence does not mean equal abundance, child-specific catch rate, retention permission or a promised catch. Live state, territory, Commonwealth, protected-area and local rules always control. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| sand flathead (Sand Flathead) | official species listing | — |
| gummy shark (Gummy Shark) | official species listing | — |
| mulloway (Mulloway) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Start shallow in spring: sand flathead sit in 8 to 35 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 16 to 80 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 35 ft. Top water on the chart: Sharp break, a drop-off in the 85 ft range, good in summer. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 16 to 80 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (85 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Winter | 8 to 35 ft | dawn | open water | see map |
When the water first warms, gummy shark slide up into 8 to 40 ft. By summer they slide out to 18 to 120 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deepest basin: a deep basin around 119 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 18 to 120 ft | dawn & dusk | Deepest basin (119 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 84 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (85 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | see map |
Start shallow in spring: mulloway sit in 5 to 30 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 14 to 100 ft, and winter fish settle into 18 to 100 ft. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 85 ft of water that rates good for mulloway in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 14 to 100 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (85 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 5 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (85 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 100 ft | midday | Sharp break (85 ft) | see map |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deepest basin at roughly 119 ft.
No facility from the cited South Australian boat ramps and marine facilities source was spatially attached within 3 km of this directly measured map footprint during the 2026-09-08 audit. This is an evidence gap, not a claim that public access is absent. Check the official portal, live site signs, tides, ramp condition, vessel suitability, fees, parking, working-port restrictions and landowner permissions before travel: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/boating-and-marine/boat-ramps-and-marine-facilities
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for South Australia waters are set by the PIRSA (current recreational species limits) — and special regulations can apply to Spencer Gulf - Sector 72 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check PIRSA's live species lookup, closures and SA Fishing app before every trip. Snapper remains absent from these page rosters because the current management closure prohibits targeting and catch-and-release in the affected South Australian waters through the stated closure period. Verify all size, boat and possession limits, protected areas, gear controls and local access directions. A contour, spot or access lead never grants fishing, retention, entry, parking or launching permission.
Check the official South Australia fishing regulations →
PIRSA SA Fishing app and live rules →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Spencer Gulf - Sector 72 is about 121 ft (37 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Primary Industries and Regions South Australia regional evidence informs the sand flathead, gummy shark, mulloway roster for Spencer Gulf - Sector 72. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
Deepest basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 119 ft of water that rates prime for gummy shark in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For sand flathead, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Spencer Gulf - Sector 72 is regulated by the PIRSA (current recreational species limits). Check the official South Australia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Spencer Gulf - Sector 65 11 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 64 11 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 73 13 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 71 15 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 66 20 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 78 25 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 59 32 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 60 41 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 52 42 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 53 47 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 61 52 mi · Boston Bay - Northwest 58 mi
Browse all South Australia fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.