Australian Salmon Fishing Guide
Australian salmon are fast, schooling saltwater fish known in Australia as Australian salmon rather than true salmon. Arripis trutta occurs on the east and south-east coast, with a western Australian salmon species across southern WA to Victoria. In Australian waters they occur around NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, with occasional winter movement into south-east Queensland, and they can be caught year-round where they are present. They favour cooler water in some areas and are often encountered from beaches, breakwalls, ocean rocks, bays and estuaries.
These fish are streamlined visual predators that herd baitfish and feed aggressively near the surface, while juveniles also take small crustaceans and worms. Bird activity over bait can be a useful clue when schools are pushing food up. In Australia, bigger fish are more closely tied to beaches and rocks, while juveniles are more likely in coastal and sheltered bay water. Their spawning habitat is not well defined, though late summer spawning in deeper water is suggested.
Because Australian salmon travel in schools, fish can appear and disappear quickly from the same beach or bay edge. Keep watching for moving water, nervous bait, birds and surface disturbance rather than anchoring all effort to one fixed patch.
Beach gutters are worth prioritising because they give salmon a deeper lane running parallel to the sand. Pilchards, pipis, cockles and beach worms are supported beach baits, while whitebait, prawns and squid are relevant in estuary water. Cast lures into visible schools and retrieve quickly with pauses to imitate injured baitfish. Silver lures that flash in the water, poppers, spoons and hard bodies can all suit active fish.
Surf rigs, paternoster-style presentations, live baits, trolled lures and jigs are all supported options, but the main practical point is to match the method to the water being fished. Add bait where needed, use burley carefully when trying to draw fish up, and keep rock and surf safety front of mind around exposed Australian beaches and ocean rocks.
- The incoming tide make it easier to reach Australian Salmon schools off the beach.
- The Winter months tend to see more salmon activity throughout surf beaches and bays.
- Brightly metallic lures can be particularly effective at catching salmon.
- Bait choice is often pilchards, whole and cut, mullet fillets and silver whiting.
- Optimal activity around around first light until mid morning. Then again late afternoon and dusk.
- A 12 to 14 foot beach or surf rod is optimal for surf beaches and larger bay piers/beaches.
- A paternoster rig is effective when using bait.
- A double gang hook has also proven to be an effective technique, especially when using whole fish or larger fillets.
- Size 2 to 1/0 hooks are ideal.
Check your local state fishing authority website for current Australian salmon size, bag and rule changes.