How to catch Australian bass

Australian bass are a revered native freshwater sportfish. Found in southeastern Australia's rivers, estuaries, and stocked impoundments, these fish can be targeted in diverse habitats, from freshwater streams to brackish tidal zones. Whether you're a novice or an experienced angler, understanding their behaviour, preferred habitats, and the right gear and techniques can significantly enhance your success.

HABITAT AND SEASONS

Australian bass are typically ambush predators, favouring structure like weedbeds, rocky outcrops, submerged timber, and shady areas. These fish are highly adaptable, thriving in both wild and stocked environments. In rivers, they migrate downstream to brackish waters during winter to spawn and return upstream as temperatures rise. In impoundments, their movement is influenced by water temperature and bait availability. On Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters, we target bass in the upper tidal reaches of the local Mid North Coast rivers from spring to autumn using a range of lures and techniques.

GEAR

Aussie bass are known for their hard and often dirty fighting tactics. That said, a 2500-size spinning reel with a 6'8"-7' 2-4kg graphite spinning rod is adequate to handle most bass. Thin 8-12lb braid tied to a metre or two of 10-15lb fluorocarbon leader is generally a good compromise between sensitivity and stopping power when targeting bass. That said, it's not uncommon for us to use three or four different reel, rod and line combinations in one session for specific lures and tehcniques. Baitcasters, known for their accuracy, are also a popular choice when targeting Aussie bass, especially around structure.

LURE SELECTION AND TECHNIQUES

Australian bass are voracious feeders that eagerly strike at a variety of lures – in fact, it's not uncommon to use 5-10 different lures in one session! Here’s a breakdown of the different lures we use:

Surface Lures: Effective during low-light periods or over weed beds, surface lures mimic insects or small prey. Use slow retrieves with long pauses to entice strikes.
Spinnerbaits and Bladed Lures: These versatile lures excel in both shallow and deep water. Adjust sink time and retrieve speed to match conditions.
Diving Hardbody Lures: Ideal for navigating snags and timber, these lures imitate baitfish and prawns and are best retrieved slowly with occasional twitches.
Soft Plastics and Vibes: Small soft plastics (2–3 inches) and vibes are versatile options, excellent for targeting bass near bait schools or in deeper water.

CATCH AND RELEASE

Wild bass are a 'no take' species during the closed season (May–August in NSW and June–August in QLD), but on Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters we have a strict year round catch and release policy when targeting Aussie bass. Conservation is key to sustaining our precious wild bass populations!

Fishing for Australian bass offers not just a thrilling battle but also a chance to connect with nature. Luckily for us, the Mid North Coast is home to some of the best, scenic wild bass fishing in Australia! Get in touch with us if you'd like to catch a wild Australian bass.