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21,669-acre Spencer Gulf. Sector 78 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 78 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 99 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
Traced from the shoreline, Spencer Gulf - Sector 78 runs 21,668 acres with 27.2 miles of edge. Its 1.3 shoreline index means few bank features; the contours below do the pattern work. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 4% of this chart. Call it 10.9 mi long by 5.8 mi wide at the broadest reach. For a second option, Spencer Gulf - Sector 71 lies 12 mi northeast.
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.
Spring puts sand flathead in skinny water — 8 to 35 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 16 to 80 ft, wintering in 8 to 35 ft. Summer sand flathead concentrate at Sharp break, a good-rated drop-off around 72 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening.
| 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 (72 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (72 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 8 to 35 ft | dawn | open water | see map |
Spring gummy shark on Spencer Gulf - Sector 78 hold shallow, usually 8 to 40 ft. They move out to 15 to 99 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 40 ft. Put Deepest basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 96 ft that grades prime for summer. The feeding windows run 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 | 15 to 99 ft | dawn & dusk | Deepest basin (96 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 84 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (72 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | see map |
In spring, mulloway run shallow here, mostly 5 to 30 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 14 to 99 ft before dropping to 18 to 99 ft for winter. Summer mulloway concentrate at Deepest basin, a prime-rated deep basin around 96 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 14 to 99 ft | dawn & dusk | Deepest basin (96 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 5 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (72 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 99 ft | midday | Deepest basin (96 ft) | see map |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Spencer Gulf - Sector 78; the deepest is Deepest basin at about 96 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 78 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 78 is about 99 ft (30 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 78. 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 96 ft of water that rates prime for gummy shark in summer. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
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 78 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 71 12 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 64 24 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 72 25 mi · Boston Bay - Northwest 34 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 65 34 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 73 37 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 66 45 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 59 56 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 60 66 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 52 66 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 53 72 mi · Spencer Gulf - Sector 61 77 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.