The Australian salmon is one of the most exciting and reliable sportfish you can target—whether you’re casting from the surf at Ninety Mile Beach, flicking soft plastics in an estuary, or trolling offshore near headlands. Their tendency to school in big numbers, leap through the air, and slam lures or bait makes them a favourite among Aussie anglers.
🌊 Surf Fishing for Salmon
Winter surf runs in the Bass Strait bring in big salmon over 2kg, but they can be caught all year round.
Where: To catch Australian salmon. Look for well-defined gutters on a rising tide, especially where baitfish are funnelling through.
How: 🎣 Cast metal slice lures for fast-paced action. 🎣 Use a 9–10 ft spin rod, 3000–4000 reel, 15 lb braid, and leader. 🎣 If bait fishing, opt for a 12–14 ft surf rod and use pyramid sinkers to hold your line in place.
Top Baits: ✅ Blue bait ✅ Pilchard (cut or whole) ✅ Whitebait ✅ Squid strips ✅ Pipi
Rig Setup: Double dropper paternoster with 40 lb mono and hooks from size 2 to 1/0 based on bait size.
💡 Tip: Use a rod holder to keep your setup clean and out of the sand.
🚣 Estuary Salmon Tactics
Estuary salmon may not be as large, but they’re just as energetic—especially on bream or whiting gear.
Best Techniques: 🎯 Soft plastics (2.5″–3.5″) on light jig heads 🎯 Hardbody bream lures as bycatch 🎯 Bait on running sinker rigs with berley in channels with good current
Ideal Estuary Setup:
6.5–7.5 ft light/medium rod
2500-sized reel
6 lb braid and 10 lb leader
🌊 Offshore Salmon Adventures
Find schools around headlands and coastal whitewater zones.
Catch Methods:
Cast metal slugs into white water
Retrieve fast or troll to cover ground
Fish are typically bigger than estuary counterparts
💡 Tip: Keep a few fresh for the smoker, or freeze them for premium gummy shark bait.
🍽️ Salmon for the Table
While not everyone rates them highly, if bled and chilled quickly, Australian salmon are decent eating. For best results: 🔥 Hot smoke the fillets – the oily flesh handles it beautifully ❄️ Avoid freezing for food – but they’re unbeatable for bait!
🎯 Final Thoughts on how to catch Australian salmon.
Whether you’re soaking bait at dawn, casting slices into crashing waves, or flicking plastics on a backwater flat, Australian salmon bring heart-pounding runs and unforgettable aerial displays. Gear up, hit your local beach or estuary, and enjoy one of Australia’s most thrilling and accessible sportfish.
📍 Need gear? Shop surf rods, bait, rigs & more at 👉 VTackle.com.au
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