Inshore Sport FishKyphosus sydneyanus

Black Drummer Fishing

Also called Silver Drummer — powerful fish that inhabit rocky headlands, surge zones, and ocean rock platforms along the NSW, QLD, and VIC coast. Feed on algae and encrusting organisms; caught using float rigs and green weed similar to luderick technique. Can exceed 5kg and make long, powerful runs in the surge. Underrated on the table.

Best Months

May – Jul

Top Locations

39 regions

Best spots this month — August

Ballina / Byron Bay

GoodNSW

GoodNSW

GoodNSW

GoodNSW

GoodNSW

GoodNSW

Best Regions by Month

Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Ballina / Byron Bay

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

South West Rocks

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

Hawkesbury River

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

F

F

G

G

P

P

P

G

G

F

F

F

Peak Good Fair Poor/None

When to Target

Mar

34 regions

Apr

39 regions

May

39 regions

Jun

39 regions

Jul

39 regions

Aug

34 regions

Sep

16 regions

Bag & Size Limits

Regulations vary by state and change seasonally. Check the official fisheries website for current rules.

Gear Guide

See the recommended tackle, lures, and equipment for this species.