A live bait presented well out-fishes almost everything else for kingfish, mulloway, mackerel and barramundi. Presented badly, it is worse than a dead one.
Catching bait
Bait jigs on a light rod over moored ground, wharf pylons and inshore reef take yakkas, slimies and herring reliably at first light.
A cast net over a sandy flat is the fastest way to a tank of mullet and herring where nets are legal — check state regulations.
Handle bait with wet hands or a soft net; every scale you knock off shortens its life in the tank.
Keeping bait alive
Circulation matters more than volume. A modest tank with strong flow keeps bait far better than a big still tub.
Keep the water shaded and cool, and cull any dead bait immediately before it fouls the tank.
Never overcrowd. Ten strong yakkas beat thirty stressed ones every time.
Where to pin the hook
Nose or bridge hooking makes the bait swim away from the boat and covers ground. Best when drifting or slow trolling.
Shoulder hooking, just behind and above the pectoral, keeps the bait deeper and panicking. Best on anchor near structure.
Anal hooking makes a bait swim back toward the boat — useful under a berley trail.
Miss the lateral line and the spine. A bait hooked through either will roll and die quickly.
Fishing it
Lower, never cast. A cast bait arrives stunned and swims poorly.
Run the lightest drag you can, and let a fish move away before you engage.
With circle hooks, simply wind until the rod loads. Striking is the fastest way to lose a big fish.
Key takeaways
- ▸Circulation and cool water keep bait lively.
- ▸Nose hook to cover water; shoulder hook to stay deep.
- ▸Lower baits into the water rather than casting them.
- ▸Wind, do not strike, when using circles.
This guide is general information only. Fishing regulations differ by state and change regularly — confirm current rules with your fisheries authority before you fish.