Overview
Australian herring, called tommy ruff in South Australia, school in huge numbers along the southern coastline and are the fish most West Australians catch first.
They spawn on the WA south coast and juveniles disperse east and north, which is why the stock is managed across state lines.
They are perfect light-tackle sport: two kilos of fish on a 2 kg outfit off a jetty beats most days offshore.
Where to find them
- ▸Jetties and marina walls with berley in the water.
- ▸Shallow reef and weed edges along the surf coast.
- ▸Rock groynes and breakwalls at first and last light.
- ▸Estuary mouths on a run-out tide.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 6–7 ft light spin, 1–3 kg.
- ▸Reel: 1000–2500 spin.
- ▸Line: 6 lb braid or 6 lb mono straight through.
- ▸Terminal: size 6–8 long-shank hooks, or 7–15 g metal slices.
Tips from the water
- ▸A steady berley trail of pollard and fish oil is non-negotiable.
- ▸Bleed and ice them immediately — they soften fast.
- ▸Small chrome slugs cast and burned back will out-fish bait when they are switched on.
Regulations
Bag limits apply in WA and SA; the WA stock is managed as a single west-coast fishery.