Overview
Mackerel tuna, or kawakawa, work bait schools along beaches, headlands and inshore reefs from Sydney north.
They are notoriously fussy about lure size — matching the bait exactly is usually the difference between fifty follows and five hook-ups.
They are rarely eaten fresh but are the number one bait for Spanish mackerel, marlin and large reef predators.
Where to find them
- ▸Surface bust-ups marked by terns and shearwaters.
- ▸Headland pressure points where current meets a reef edge.
- ▸Shallow inshore reef in 5–20 m.
- ▸Around harbour entrances chasing whitebait in autumn.
Tackle
- ▸Rod: 7' spin rated 5–10 kg.
- ▸Line: 20–30 lb braid with 30 lb fluorocarbon leader.
- ▸Lures: 10–30 g slugs, 40–65 mm slim metals, or a small clouser fly on an 8-weight.
Tips from the water
- ▸Cast in front of the school's direction of travel, never into the middle of it.
- ▸Downsize to a 10 g slug when fish are on tiny whitebait.
- ▸Keep two rods rigged — the window on a bust-up is often under a minute.
Regulations
Size, bag and possession limits differ between states and can change each season. Check the current rules with your state fisheries authority before keeping a fish.