Mulloway

Jewfish, Silver Jew

Argyrosomus japonicus

BEST BAITS

Pilchard

METHODS

Shore, Boat

EATING QUALITY

Good

Overview

Mulloway are a prized night-time catch around South Australian estuaries, beaches and deep gulf channels. A full species guide is in development — check current SA rules with PIRSA.

Quick Info

DIFFICULTY

Intermediate – Advanced

TYPICAL SIZE

60–90 cm

MAXIMUM SIZE

Up to 1.5 m+

HABITAT

Estuary, Surf gutters, Deep holes

BEST MONTHS

Summer – Autumn

ENVIRONMENTS

Shore, Boat

Identification

Slender silver-bronze fish with a high forked tail and a lateral line running to the tail.

Distinctive concave forked tail, silvery-bronze body and a clear lateral line.

SIMILAR SPECIES

Small mulloway (soapies) can be confused with teraglin; check the tail shape and lateral line.

Where to Find Them

EstuarySurf guttersDeep holes

Typical depth: 2–60 m

Fishing environments: Shore, Boat

When to Fish

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Best monthsSummer – Autumn

TideRun-out tide into dark, or the turn of the tide

Time of dayNight, dusk and overcast days

ConditionsDeep, quiet water with structure: river channels, bridges and deep estuaries

Seasonal movementBest from spring through autumn as fish follow bait into Gippsland and western district rivers and bays.

How to Catch Them

Fish live baits, whole squid and large soft plastics along deep channel edges, bridge pylons and river mouths, mainly after dark.

Live mullet or similar live bait, whole squid and large soft plastics on 5/0-8/0 hooks.

Slow lift-and-fall of large soft plastics near the bottom; live baits fished unweighted or lightly weighted in the current.

BEGINNER TIPS

Fish the run-out tide into dark at river mouths with live bait and be patient; mulloway are not a high-volume fish.

COMMON MISTAKES

Fishing bright daylight and still conditions; mulloway feed mostly in low light and moving water.

Best Baits

Pilchard

The classic saltwater baitfish - a staple for salmon, mulloway, snapper and gummy sharks, fished whole or in strips.

Rigs & Gear

Live Bait Rig

A strong, simple rig built around a live baitfish swimming naturally — the setup for kingfish, tuna, mulloway and big snook when only the real thing will do.

Gang Hook Pilchard Rig

A whole pilchard threaded onto a string of ganged hooks — the classic rig for presenting a natural, fish-shaped bait that hooks salmon, mulloway and sharks wherever they strike the bait along its length.

Surf Paternoster Rig

A heavy-duty paternoster built for the surf — a star or grapnel sinker holds the bottom in the wash while one or two baits sit up off the sand in the gutter. The standard rig for salmon, mulloway and gummy sharks off South Australian beaches.

Current SA Fishing Rules

CURRENT SA FISHING RULES

Coorong waters (Lakes and Coorong recreational fishing area)

RESTRICTIONS APPLY

Special limits and conditions apply in Coorong waters (Lakes and Coorong recreational fishing area) — see below.

Minimum size46 cm

Legal size rangeFish 46–82 cm and fish over 82 cm have different limits.

Daily bag limit10 (fish 46–82 cm) per person

Daily boat limit30 (fish 46–82 cm)

Special conditionsFish over 82 cm: bag limit 2, boat limit 6. Different limits apply inside and outside the Lakes and Coorong recreational fishing area.

All other SA waters

OPEN

Minimum size82 cm

Daily bag limit2 per person

Daily boat limit6

Gulf St Vincent & Kangaroo Island

OPEN

Minimum size82 cm

Daily bag limit2 per person

Daily boat limit6

Spencer Gulf

OPEN