Australia's Salmon

Images of long white sandy beaches with surfers, bikini clad women and rolling waves is a somewhat strange backdrop to fish for salmon but in Australia this is how it is done. Few people here in Europe know Australia has its own form of salmon. Although it’s not a true salmoniod it shears many attributes of its northern cousin. They are a hard fighting fish that has all the aerial tendencies to keep even the most die-hard fisherman happy for days.

Morten Neeve with a great fish

Tropical storm on the way

A simple but effective rig

A great sport for the entire family

Australia salmon can be found throughout the entire south coast of Australia. They range from northern New South Whales along the southern coast and all the way to the western shores of western Australia. Their long ranging habitat has given them the crown of one of Australia’s most popular game fish. We have an expression in Australia that labels such fish “bread and butter fish”. That means they are a staple fish, common in other words.

These beloved fish live in a huge range of environments; from large bays, gutters of surf beaches, large estuaries, breakwaters and man made harbours of the southern Australian coastline. The current Australian record is a whopping 9.4 kg.

There are a number of points that must be learnt before under taking this form of fishing. Salmon prefer an incoming tide. If you find yourself on a beach in bad weather don’t stress, salmon have the habit of hanging around the gutters behind the breakers. It is claimed this is where they take shelter in storms. Include to this they are touchy biters with a very soft mouth. It is especially important to take care of your hooks. Then can never be to sharp. Always be gentle handed with you strikes. Many good fish have been lost due to heavy-handed fishermen. The final hint is to keep your eyes open and watch for birds or thrashing baitfish. This is a tell tail sign that salmon are feeding and are willing to take baits.

When trying a new form of fishing an eye for detail is always important. Not only your rigs are new but also so are the baits used for new and interesting species. Here is a list that will give all the details needed to fish these
salmon.

1. LINE, 2-4 kilogram main line with a shock absorbing leader of 10 kilograms

2. RIGS, The use of a running sinker (no knot or swivel to stop the sinker running down your line). Whole baitfish laced with a set of gang hooks. Local shell fish (pipies) and the odd raw prawn work a treat. The other trick used by Victorian fishermen is tying a popper fly above your bottom bait.

3. HOOKS. Norwegian Mustad hooks size 4-4/0 for prawns or pipiers and Mustad 4202 ganged for your whole baitfish rigs.

I have written numerous articles about Australian fishing but what comes to mind first are the opportunities the entire family have to satisfy their needs. Not only the kids build their sand castles but also the wife can improve the all-important tan. Most central it’s a great venue in which you will find yourself. If you are so fortunate to have a family that love fishing as much as you then this is a safe family activity. The Photos in this article are of a young man that had success while enjoying a day with his family.

SKOT