Mulloway are caught from shore all around Australia, and the anglers who catch them consistently do the same handful of things: they fish at night, on the right tide, in a small number of proven locations, repeatedly.
This guide sets out the timing formula, the two presentations that account for most shore jewfish, and how to convert the bite into a landed fish.
The timing formula
Fish the two hours either side of a tide change, at night, within three days of a new or full moon. That single sentence describes when most land-based mulloway are caught.
Dirty water after rain is a bonus, not a problem — a discoloured run-out tide out of an estuary is one of the most productive mulloway situations there is.
Commit to the same spot across multiple sessions. Mulloway fishing is a numbers game and the fish move through on a schedule you can only learn by being there.
The two presentations
Live bait: a live mullet, yakka or tailor fished on a 6/0–8/0 circle hook with a running sinker, cast into the deep water beside a wall, bridge pylon or beach gutter. Leave the rod in a holder with a light drag and let the circle do its work.
Soft plastic or vibe: a 5–7" paddle-tail on a 1/2–1 oz head, or a 65–100 mm soft vibe, hopped slowly along the bottom at the base of structure. Most takes feel like the lure has snagged and then moves.
Do not overwork lures. Lift, let it fall, keep contact, repeat. Mulloway eat the fall almost every time.
Landing and handling
Mulloway have soft mouths and a large head that pulls hooks under sudden pressure. Keep steady, moderate drag and never pump hard on a short line.
Time your landing with a wave or surge on rocks and beaches, and slide the fish up on the water rather than lifting it.
If releasing, support the fish horizontally, keep it in the water and give it as long as it takes to swim off strongly. Big jewfish are old fish.
Key takeaways
- ▸Night, tide change, near a full or new moon.
- ▸Live bait on circle hooks or a slow-hopped plastic at the base of structure.
- ▸Steady drag — mulloway pull hooks under sudden pressure.
This guide is general information only. Fishing regulations differ by state and change regularly — confirm current rules with your fisheries authority before you fish.