Fish Tripper
Inshore Sport FishPomatomus saltatrix

Tailor Fishing

Fast-running school fish of beaches and ocean entrances. Metal slugs from the beach or lures cast into gutters. Autumn–winter migrations down the NSW coast.

Best Months

May – Jun

Best Time

Night fishing from the beach during autumn–winter migrations is most productive

Tide

Run-out tide pushing bait from estuaries onto beaches is prime; gutters form on the outgoing

Top Locations

67 regions

How to Catch Tailor

Night fishing from the beach during autumn–winter migrations is most productiveRun-out tide pushing bait from estuaries onto beaches is prime; gutters form on the outgoingChoppy surf with broken gutters; tailor push bait against the beach in schools
Tides

Run-out tide pushing bait from estuaries onto beaches is prime; gutters form on the outgoing

Time of Day

Night fishing from the beach during autumn–winter migrations is most productive

Conditions

Choppy surf with broken gutters; tailor push bait against the beach in schools

Structure

Beach gutters, rock platforms, ocean entrances, creek mouths, headland washes

Technique

Fast retrieve with metal slugs and Raider lures; a stop-start action or surface popping also works

Pro Tip

Wire trace is recommended — tailor razor teeth will destroy mono. School runs happen in autumn: be on the beach at dusk and you could catch 20+ fish.

Best spots this month — June

Best Regions by Month

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Coffs Harbour
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Port Macquarie
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Newcastle
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Sydney
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Jervis Bay
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Batemans Bay
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Eden
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
South West Rocks
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Port Stephens
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Lake Macquarie
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Hawkesbury River
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Wollongong
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Ulladulla
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Narooma
F
F
F
G
P
P
G
G
G
F
F
F
Peak Good Fair Poor/None
Fishing Techniques
Casting Hard Bodies

Casting hard body lures to structure, mangroves, and rocky areas in estuaries.

Vertical Jigging

Working metal jigs up and down in the water column over reefs or structure.

Beach / Surf Casting

Casting from beaches and rock platforms into gutters and breaks for tailor, mulloway, and trevally.

When to Target
Mar
6 regions
Apr
62 regions
May
61 regions
Jun
61 regions
Jul
58 regions
Aug
49 regions
Sep
16 regions

Bag & Size Limits

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

Australian Lure Fishing Podcast

Greg Vinall — Doc Lures

Browse all episodes on Spotify

Gear Guide

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