Inshore Sport FishTrachurus novaezelandiae

Yellowtail Scad Fishing

Prolific schooling baitfish found all along the east coast. Outstanding live bait for kingfish, snapper, and tuna — and genuinely good eating when kept fresh. Schools are marked by diving birds and frigate-birds over bait balls.

Best Months

Jan – Dec

Best Time

Dawn and late afternoon are prime

Tide

Active on both tides; bait balls surface most visibly during current rips and channel edges

Top Locations

28 regions

How to Catch Yellowtail Scad

Dawn and late afternoon are primeActive on both tides; bait balls surface most visibly during current rips and channel edgesClear blue water in 18–26°C; look for diving sea birds and surface splashing to locate schools

Tides

Active on both tides; bait balls surface most visibly during current rips and channel edges. Rising tide over reefs best for feeding activity

Time of Day

Dawn and late afternoon are prime. After dark under jetty and harbour lights scad school densely and are easily targeted

Conditions

Clear blue water in 18–26°C; look for diving sea birds and surface splashing to locate schools. Current edges and upwellings concentrate fish

Structure

Offshore reefs, rocky headlands, harbour walls, jetty pylons, current rips, and surface bait balls. Often visible from above

Technique

Light sabiki rigs (size 10–12 gold hooks) on a slow sink or moderate fast retrieve through the school. Small metal slugs 10–20g also produce

Pro Tip

Keep scad alive in a bait tank and use as live bait immediately — they are one of the best livebait species available for kingfish, snapper, and tuna. Hook through the back of the head for maximum swim action