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21,744-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 26 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 26 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 181 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The rest of this page walks each species through its year, using the map's own scoring.
The outline encloses 21,743 acres, worked by 50.9 miles of shoreline. A development index of 2.5 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 8% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Figure 10.1 mi of water from one end to the other, 5.6 mi at the beam. Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 33 sits 9 mi south — the closest neighbouring chart.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Come spring, look for narrow-barred spanish mackerel tight to the bank in 8 to 45 ft. Through summer count on 8 to 45 ft; the winter hold is 27 to 120 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 62 ft of water and rates prime come fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 45 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 84 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (62 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 27 to 120 ft | midday | Sharp break (62 ft) | see map |
When the water first warms, coral trout slide up into 8 to 35 ft. There's no big seasonal slide here — summer means 8 to 35 ft, winter 21 to 100 ft. Start at Sharp break. It's a drop-off holding about 62 ft of water and rates prime come fall. The feeding windows run 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 70 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (62 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 100 ft | midday | Sharp break (62 ft) | see map |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deepest basin, sits near 173 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 26 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 26 is about 181 ft (55 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 narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26. 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 62 ft of water that rates prime for narrow-barred spanish mackerel in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For narrow-barred spanish mackerel, 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 26 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 33 9 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 20 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 34 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 19 22 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 26 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 28 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 32 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 32 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 12 34 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 35 36 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 47 38 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 38 39 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.