Beach & Surf Casting
Casting baits and metal lures through the surf zone for tailor, Australian salmon and mulloway is a classic Australian beach fishing experience accessible from sandy beaches and headlands along the east and south coasts. Dawn and dusk sessions during tailor and salmon runs produce fast and furious action in the white water.
Target Species
Fishing Locations
- • 80-Mile Beach North
- • Cape Le Grand
- • Fraser Island Ocean Beach
- • Oreti Beach
- • Ninety Mile Beach
- • 80-Mile Beach
- • Steep Point (Westernmost Australia)
- • Bass Point
Fishing Tips
- 1
Focus on gutters — the deeper water channels that run parallel to shore between two sand bars. Tailor, salmon, and mulloway congregate in these features, especially at dawn and after storms.
- 2
After a storm has churned up the water and washed worms and crabs out of the sand, the surf fishing is often outstanding — discoloured water is productive, not a hindrance.
- 3
Use a running sinker rig with a star sinker (to grip sand in current) and whole or pilchard flesh bait for mulloway; ganged hooks with a whole pilchard are the go for tailor and salmon.
- 4
Cast beyond the break — tailor and salmon often patrol the back edge of the breaker zone. A long surf rod (3.6–4 m) and braided main line maximise casting distance from the beach.
- 5
Tailor and salmon school, so when you get one, stay put and work the gutter until the school moves on. Salmon in particular run in tight groups and the bite window can be short.
Gear Setup
Tailor
- Rod
- PE1–2, 7–9ft light-medium spinning (longer for beach surf)
- Reel
- 5000–6000 medium spinning (Shimano Saragosa, Penn Baitrunner)
- Main Line
- PE1–2 (10–20lb braid)
- Leader
- 20–30lb wire trace or 30lb fluorocarbon
- Lures / Terminal
- Metal slugs 20–60g (Halco Twisty, Chrome Slice), Raider lures, small hard bodies
- Drag Setting
- 3–5kg
Wire trace recommended — tailor have razor-sharp teeth; night runs in autumn
Australian Salmon
- Rod
- PE1–2, 8–10ft medium spinning (beach surf casting)
- Reel
- 5000–8000 medium spinning (Shimano Saragosa, Daiwa Bg)
- Main Line
- PE1–2 (15–20lb braid)
- Leader
- 20–30lb fluorocarbon
- Lures / Terminal
- Metal slugs 20–50g, small vibes, chrome hard bodies, small poppers
- Drag Setting
- 3–5kg