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40,880-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 14 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 14 trip-scale surveyed footprint within Van Diemen Gulf. A very large tropical gulf between the Top End and Cobourg Peninsula, divided across major channels and coastal sectors. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 171 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Traced from the shoreline, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14 runs 40,879 acres with 99.7 miles of edge. An index of 3.5 puts the bank firmly in maze territory: point after pocket after cove, every one a casting target. About 9% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 19.9 mi long by 15.4 mi wide at the broadest reach. For a second option, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 13 lies 17 mi west.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| golden snapper (Golden Snapper) | official species listing | — |
| black jewfish (Black Jewfish) | official species listing | — |
| queenfish (Queenfish) | official species listing | — |
| giant trevally (Giant Trevally) | official species listing | — |
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
When the water first warms, golden snapper slide up into 8 to 35 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 8 to 35 ft, winter 21 to 80 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Sharp break: a drop-off around 66 ft that scores good in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in 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 | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
Start shallow in spring: black jewfish sit in 8 to 35 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 8 to 35 ft covers summer, 21 to 90 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Sharp break, a drop-off in about 66 ft of water that rates good for black jewfish in winter. 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 | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
In spring, queenfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 25 ft. Summer keeps them at 3 to 25 ft, and they winter in 15 to 55 ft. Winter queenfish concentrate at Sharp break, a good-rated drop-off around 66 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 | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Offshore hump (41 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
Come spring, look for giant trevally tight to the bank in 4 to 30 ft. Through summer count on 4 to 30 ft; the winter hold is 18 to 80 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 66 ft of water and rates prime come winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
Start shallow in spring: narrow-barred spanish mackerel sit in 8 to 45 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 8 to 45 ft covers summer, 27 to 120 ft covers winter. Top water on the chart: Sharp break, a drop-off in the 66 ft range, prime in fall. 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 45 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (54 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (54 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 84 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 27 to 120 ft | midday | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
In spring, coral trout run shallow here, mostly 8 to 35 ft. Summer keeps them at 8 to 35 ft, and they winter in 21 to 100 ft. Fall coral trout concentrate at Sharp break, a prime-rated drop-off around 66 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 | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 100 ft | midday | Sharp break (66 ft) | see map |
The chart marks 9 structure features on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14; the deepest is Deepest basin at about 161 ft.
No facility from the cited Northern Territory boat ramps 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://nt.gov.au/marine/for-all-harbour-and-boat-users/boat-ramps
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Northern Territory waters are set by the Northern Territory Government (current recreational-fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check the Northern Territory's live possession and size limits and rules for specific areas before every trip. Seasonal barramundi controls, protected species, marine-park and Aboriginal land or sea-country permissions, method limits, vessel rules and local closures can apply. Remote-water access often needs separate landowner or permit approval. A mapped survey footprint, fishing spot or access lead never grants fishing, retention, entry, parking, camping or launching permission.
Check the official Northern Territory fishing regulations →
Northern Territory possession and size limits →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14 is about 171 ft (52 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 Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries regional evidence informs the golden snapper, black jewfish, queenfish, giant trevally, narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14. 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.
Sharp break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 66 ft of water that rates prime for giant trevally in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For golden snapper, 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 Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 14 is regulated by the Northern Territory Government (current recreational-fishing rules). Check the official Northern Territory regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 13 17 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 20 33 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 35 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19 37 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 35 50 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 34 52 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26 54 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 55 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 33 58 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 74 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 48 79 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 47 84 mi
Browse all Northern Territory 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.