Fish Tripper
Estuary FishSillaginodes punctata

King George Whiting Fishing

South Australia's premier table fish. Schooling whiting found on sandy flats in bays and estuaries. Light-tackle bait fishing with tube worms and squid. Peak season Oct–Jan.

Best Months

Jan – Dec

Best Time

Sunrise to mid-morning is the peak period

Tide

King George whiting feed most actively on the run-in tide over shallow sandy flats

Top Locations

24 regions

How to Catch King George Whiting

Sunrise to mid-morning is the peak periodKing George whiting feed most actively on the run-in tide over shallow sandy flatsCalm
Tides

King George whiting feed most actively on the run-in tide over shallow sandy flats. The first two hours of the incoming tide in gulf systems are often golden.

Time of Day

Sunrise to mid-morning is the peak period. They feed all day in cooler months. Avoid the heat of summer midday in shallow water.

Conditions

Calm, clear conditions over sand and weed flats in bays and gulfs. SA's Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent are prime habitats. Slightly turbid water can improve results.

Structure

Sandy seagrass beds in 2–8m depth. KGW feed over clean sand patches adjacent to weed beds. Flat-bottomed bays and sheltered gulf environments.

Technique

No retrieve needed — anchor or drift and bottom-fish with tube worms (the premier bait), squid strips, and pilchard. Small soft plastics on light jigheads can also work.

Pro Tip

SA's King George whiting are the premier table fish of the south. Oct–Jan is peak season when fish school up on the shallows. Fresh beach worms (tube worms) are the ultimate bait — rig them with minimal weight.

Best Regions by Month

Seasonal ratings across all Australian regions. Click a region to see the full calendar.

Fishing Techniques
Estuary Bait Fishing

Traditional bait fishing in estuaries using prawns, worms, and cut bait.

When to Target
Jan
24 regions
Feb
24 regions
Mar
24 regions
Oct
9 regions
Nov
24 regions
Dec
24 regions

Bag & Size Limits

Regulations vary by state and change seasonally. Check the official fisheries website for current rules.

Gear Guide

See the recommended tackle, lures, and equipment for this species.