Castaway articles: How to catch mulloway (jewfish) on lures

Mulloway, or jewfish, are one of Australia’s most prized sport fish, earning nicknames like the "silver ghost" due to their elusive nature. Found in estuaries, bays, beaches, and offshore waters, jewfish can be caught a number of ways. But we reckon the most rewarding (and challenging) way of catching them is targeting them in estuaries and rivers on lures...

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ESTUARY/RIVER TACKLE

Selecting the right gear depends on the fish’s size and your fishing environment. For estuary lure fishing, where "school" mulloway are common, lighter setups are the most effective. Most of the time, a "light" 7-foot (2-5kg) rod, 2500 sized spinning reel, 10lb braid, and 12-20lb fluorocarbon leader is all that's required. Though, on Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters we'll also carry a couple of "medium" setups made up of a 7-foot rod (4–8kg), 3000 reel, 15lb braid, and 20-25lb fluorocarbon leader.

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BEST LURES FOR MULLOWAY

Soft plastics are highly effective and versatile, with paddle tails, jerk shads and wriggler or grub styles lures leading the way. One of the keys to getting consistent bites on soft plastics is using the correct size and weight jighead to depth and current; lighter for shallow water and heavier for deeper water. Soft vibes and blades are also incredibly productive at times, but you'll need to be mindful of the areas where you cast these as they are prone to snagging. Lure colour isn't all that important, but it can pay to experiment, adjusting to water clarity and light conditions.

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TIMING AND LOCATION

Mulloway often use the tide to travel up and down estuary systems and schools of fish will often shift areas at different times when foraging. It's always a good idea to focus on areas with plentiful bait and structures like bridges, rock walls and other bottom structure, which can often hold fish. Mulloway are quite often considered a night time or low light fish, but we typically catch all of our jewies on Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters during daylight hours – often in the middle of the day!

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LANDING AND RELEASING

Mulloway are strong fighters with powerful runs and head shakes. It's important to maintain a tight line and a cool head when getting them to the boat. We always like to handle them carefully as we strongly encourage catch and release fishing for these fish.

Catching mulloway requires patience and persistence. Success with lures can take multiple attempts, but the good news is we specialise in fast tracking that process using the latest tackle and techniques – guiding our Castaway clients onto these elusive "silver ghosts" is what makes us tick! Check out our personalised guided trips HERE.