Situated three and a half hours away from Adelaide, within Innes National Park, Browns Beach has a uniquely defined coastal formation like no other in SA. Upon arrival, you overlook the breathtaking view of this photogenic landscape consisting of blue water, sand dunes and coastal vegetation. 

The noticeable large outer reef protects the main beach and the lagoon from the majority of the large ocean swell from the Southern Ocean. Some 300m from the base of the car park a smaller, low-tide accessible reef divides the main beach from the white sandy lagoon. It is within this lagoon where huge schools of Australian Salmon are encountered. 

Stick baits & Poppers

Who doesn’t get a rush of adrenaline when your lure gets hit on the surface! Salmon are willing to take top water lures so why not take advantage of that? Although surface lure fishing is difficult on most high energy surf beaches, the calm waters and close quarters combat of the Browns Beach lagoon make surface fishing viable in almost all conditions.

15-35 gram lures with internal long-cast systems come into their own in these conditions. Fat profile stick baits with internal rattles such as the Jackson Kaiken 110mm are exceptional all-rounders and can be used in all weather conditions. These lures excel at Browns as they silhouette in the wash, push plenty of water and have great sonic appeal. Another option is the Strada Pro Torment Popper 80mm. These poppers are rear weighted; this allows them to be cast great distances without tumbling in the air. The Strada Pro Torment Popper is easy to use and can be fished with confidence by beginners and experts.

Retrieving poppers and stick baits for Australian Salmon are slightly different but one rule remains constant: keep it moving!

If the Salmon are hungry (which is generally the case), your retrieve style is not critical; however, it is a good idea to develop the habit of working them properly just in case they’re shut down, or they're having trouble finding your lure. Popping requires constant sharp stabs of the rod tip to ‘bloop’ the lure. Stick baits on the other hand can be worked with regular, soft draws of the rod tip. Be sure to avoid moving the rod tip too fast as this will cause the stick bait to fly out of the water. The problem with that is chasing fish may not find the lure again as it re-enters the water.

Soft Plastics

Soft plastic lures are a preferred choice when the fish are shut down or wary. It is a good idea to have multiple shapes and sizes as the size of fish can vary from small Salmon Trout to Salmon in excess of 3kg. Zman 3” minnows, Berkley gulp 5” jerkshads and Berkley gulp 6” jerkshads are perfect for Browns Beach.

Jig head weights will vary depending on the gear you use and the weather conditions you're dealt with. Typically, jig head weight varies from 1/4oz to 1oz depending on the strength and direction of the wind. The best retrieve for jerkshad style plastics is an aggressive double hop off the bottom followed by a quick pause (about 2-3 seconds) before the rod work is repeated. Paddle tailed lures can be retrieved at a steady pace without the need for additional rod work.

Metals & weighted minnows

Although metal chrome lures are arguably the most popular choice on high energy surf beaches, they tend to lack the realistic qualities required in calm water like that of the Browns Beach Lagoon. With that being said they do have a place when the onshore wind is howling and the schools are holding up in the back of the lagoon.

In contrast, weighted minnows are as close as you will get to a long-casting, realistic alternative to metal lures. Their profile resembles a small fish and has the ability to punch through a strong onshore wind and achieve very good casting distance. A good example is the Jackson Muscle Shot Magnum. Both metal slugs and weighted minnows can be retrieved at a fast pace for best results.

Gear

9-12ft surf rods are commonplace in SA salmon fishing. They’re still usable however you can make it easier for yourself at Browns Beach. The lagoon is not a huge area and majority of the fish holding areas are within a 20-50m cast. 7-9ft rods around 4-8kg or 5-10kg are more efficient than their 12ft counterparts. Reels between 2500-5000 size are adequate depending on the rod you chose to pair it up with. 10-20lb braid tied to 1.5m of 20-30lb mono leader is favoured. Monofilament leaders tend to stretch more than fluorocarbon leaders, as well as aid in absorbing the lunges, runs and jumps from energetic salmon. Monofilament leaders will not sink as quickly as fluorocarbon leaders which benefits poppers and stick baits. Essentially, mono leader avoids more bust offs, spat hooks, lost lures and lost fish.

If you haven't already explored, fished or experienced Browns Beach first hand you are missing out on a great sports fishing opportunity. And for those who have, give the light tackle and lures a go on your next expedition. It must be warned, this is one highly addictive form of fishing!