Fish Tripper
Estuary FishSillago ciliata

Sand Whiting Fishing

Fine-eating estuary sportfish found in sandy estuaries and bays. Light-tackle bait fishing with beach worms and prawns over sand flats.

Best Months

Jun – Oct

Best Time

Morning low tide exposes flats and concentrates bait in channels; incoming mid-morning is ideal

Tide

Incoming tide flooding sand flats is the primary feeding window; fish 2hrs either side of high

Top Locations

61 regions

How to Catch Sand Whiting

Morning low tide exposes flats and concentrates bait in channels; incoming mid-morning is idealIncoming tide flooding sand flats is the primary feeding window; fish 2hrs either side of highCalm
Tides

Incoming tide flooding sand flats is the primary feeding window; fish 2hrs either side of high

Time of Day

Morning low tide exposes flats and concentrates bait in channels; incoming mid-morning is ideal

Conditions

Calm, clear estuary water; whiting sight-feed on sand flats — bright conditions help you spot them

Structure

Sand flats, sandy gutters, beaches adjacent to estuary mouths, weed-edged sand beds

Technique

Static bait on the sand bottom (beach worms, nippers, yabbies); slow-drag a soft plastic across the flat with long pauses

Pro Tip

Stealthy approach on sand flats is critical — whiting spook easily. Wear polarised glasses, look for tails-up feeding fish, and cast 2m ahead of them.

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
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Port Macquarie
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Newcastle
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Sydney
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Jervis Bay
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Batemans Bay
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Eden
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
South West Rocks
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Port Stephens
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Lake Macquarie
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Hawkesbury River
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Wollongong
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Ulladulla
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Narooma
G
G
F
G
G
P
P
G
P
P
G
G
Peak Good Fair Poor/None
Fishing Techniques
Estuary Bait Fishing

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

When to Target
Jan
53 regions
Feb
48 regions
Mar
9 regions
Apr
29 regions
May
47 regions
Jun
47 regions
Jul
47 regions
Aug
29 regions
Sep
47 regions
Oct
53 regions
Nov
53 regions
Dec
53 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.