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Setup for estuary lure fishing: advice from a fishing guide!

castaway estuary fishing charters hastings river jewfish

A basic estuary lure fishing setup includes a rod and reel combo, typically a light to medium 7' graphite spinning rod (2-4kg) with a 2000-3000 size spinning reel, spooled with braid (4-10lb) and a fluorocarbon leader (6-12lb). A variety of soft and hard lures is a good start, split ring pliers/tweezers (to change hooks and split rings), long nose pliers (for de-hooking fish and other fiddly tasks with hooks) and a net to assist landing the catch. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the best estuary lure fishing setups and what I use and provide to clients on Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters:

RODS

  • Light to medium (1-3kg, 2-4kg) spinning rods, 6'8" to 7' for targeting bream, flathead, whiting and bass.
  • Medium to heavy rods (3-5kg, 4-6kg) spinning rods, 7' to 7'6" for targeting big flathead and mulloway with larger lures.
  • Medium to heavy baitcaster rods, 6'8" to 7' for targeting bass and 7' to 7'6" for targeting big flathead with swimbaits and glidebaits.
    Tip: Longer rods offer greater casting distance, while shorter rods provide better accuracy and lure control.
We use premium G.Loomis rods and Shimano Zodias and Expride rods.
 
castaway estuary fishing charters macleay river fishing tackle
 

REELS

  • 2000-2500 size spinning reels with 4-8lb braid for smaller, lighter lures targeting bream, flathead, whiting, tailor and trevally.
  • 3000-4000 size spinning reels 10-15lb braid for bigger, heavier lures targeting big flathead and mulloway.
We use high-quality Shimano Twin Power spinning reels.
 
LINE & KNOTS
 
Braid is connected to fluorocarbon leader via an FG knot for maximum strength and sensitivity. Leader is connected to the lure via a uni knot or loop knot. Lighter 4-8lb leader is used for smaller lures for bream, flathead and whiting, while heavier 10-20lb leader is used for big flathead and mulloway.
 
Castaway_estuary_fishing_charters_braid
 

LURE

We use a variety of soft plastics, metal blades, soft vibes, hardbodies, surface lures, and specialist swimbaits and glidebaits for shallow water flathead fishing. We are constantly experimenting and testing new lures and prototypes for a range of different brands.

TECHNIQUES

Sight fishing, casting and retrieving soft plastics and hardbodies, vertical jigging, surface fishing, swimbaiting and glidebaiting.

 

TAKE THE LEAP, JUMP ONBOARD WITH CASTAWAY!

Lure fishing in Australian estuaries is exciting, accessible and deeply satisfying—but it also has a learning curve. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the lure wall at your local tackle shop or frustrated after a fishless morning, you don’t have to go it alone.

A day spent with us on an estuary fishing charter can compress years of trial-and-error into a single session. You’ll learn the right gear, locations, retrieves, and seasonal patterns from someone who lives and breathes lure fishing. And most importantly—you’ll catch fish!

So, book a charter with us, get out on the water and learn from the best. The fish are waiting.