| Mulloway
(Jewfish)
Size
1.5 - 15kg. can reach
up to 61kg
Legal
Length
45cm Bag
Limit
5
Where
Mulloway are common
off the beach and
in the estuaries
of southern Australia
from southern Qld
to mid W.A. They
can be found in tidal
lakes, estuaries,
rivers, bays, harbors
and adjacent surf
and ocean beaches
as well as infrequently
in deep offshore
reefs. They prefer
areas of good bait
fish populations
like tailor, mullet
and whitebait. Juvenile
mulloway sometimes
referred to as soapies
or school jewfish
prefer the more saline
river and estuary
systems.
Best Bait
Australian salmon,
Bass Yabbies (nippers),
Bonito, Garfish,
Octopus, Pilchard,
Poddy mullet, Squid,
Tailor
Other: Lures - red
feather jig, Bomber
Long A, Rapala CD12
- 18, Killalure Barra
baits & metallic
Stumpjumper.
Tackle
8 - 10kg main line
with 2x 30cm 10 -
20kg mono trace.
Hook: No. 6/0 - 10/0
Mustad 540 Viking.
No.4/0 - 8/0 Ganged
for whole and strip
baits. No. 5/0 Longshank
for worm
Rig: Single hook
with a No.2 - 5 ball
running sinker. Live
bait rig for larger
fish.
Hints
High tide within
a few hours of darkness
is a productive time
to fish as well as
at dusk up until
the turn of the tide.
Estuary fish tend
to congregate in
the deep holes and
channels as well
as gutters off river
mouths. Entrances
to tidal lakes also
find big jewies.
Live baits are best
for estuary and reef
fishing. Found under
lighted bridge structures
at night. Full moon
nights are productive
and early morning.
The big fish are
taken at night, on
the flat of the tide
and at the dark of
the moon. Best beaches
include long and
steep often with
a visible reef, headland
or island in close
range. The Jewfish
tend to leave these
hideouts and feed
at the beach at night.
They are found in
reasonably deep holes
and gutters with
plenty of white foam
flowing over. Strip
baits are best for
surf. A heavy run-off
from rain often puts
them on the bite.
Big minnow lures
work well on a slow
retrieve. Trace is
not necessary unless
fishing near reef
or rocky areas. Must
be quiet when fishing
for jewfish as they
spook easily.
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