MULLOWAY are remarkable fish for many reasons.
Growing in excess of 40kg, huge mulloway can be caught in knee deep water or deep water over the outside reefs.
Inside the Port, mulloway will roam from the upper reaches of the Karuah River and Tilligerry Creek, throughout North Arm Cove into the Port from Swan Bay to Lemon Tree Passage to Shoal Bay at the entrance.
Thinking about it – mulloway can be found everywhere!
The big fish travel “underwater pathways” from one structure to another – from the Karuah Bridge to the wreck of the “Psyche” in Salamander Bay.
From the deep 100ft hole around Middle Island to the calm waters of Fame Cove.
There are many old wives’ tales when it comes to catching mulloway, most are baseless.
One I was told was that it was necessary to go fishing all night to catch a mulloway.
This I soon realised was nonsense.
The peak period when you are most likely to hook a big fish is sundown into the early hours of the night.
One hour before sundown and two hours after.
If you haven’t caught a mulloway over that period, pack up and go home and come back tomorrow.
It must be realised that some spots are far more productive than others.
As mentioned, bridges, ship wrecks, oyster sheds and deep water attract mulloway.
Once targeted, the trick is to anchor and lower a live bait, set your rod in the holder and wait.
Yellowtail are my preferred bait but it must be realised that mulloway will have a crack at just about anything including fish fillet, squid and big prawns.
Once hooked the mulloway will take off like a rocket but the resistance is short unlike big snapper and kingfish.
A couple of hefty dashes and then the big fish will roll on the side.
Outside the heads the same rule applies – they can be caught anywhere.
The most productive areas include Stockton Beach, Rocky Point, Fingal Head, Fingal Beach and the reefs around Broughton Island. Again, live yellowtail is my favoured bait and the preferred time to strike remains the same – one hour before dark and two hours after.
The best way to catch a mulloway is to concentrate your effort on that fish alone.
Be prepared for the big hit and hang on!
By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE
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