Aussie salmon are one of the easiest sportfish to catch in Australia. Anglers of all sizes and shapes can hook up with a tough pelagic fish. When most people hear the word “salmon,” they think of bagels and cream cheese. But these finned missiles aren’t the smoked salmon you’ll find in the fridge at the grocery store. Our Aussie sambos are the kind that cause reels and Fishos alike to scream with joy. Aussie salmon are common and can be found along the coasts of Australia. They can even be found in the waters off the coast of New Zealand, where they are called Kahawai. You can catch them all year, but the cooler months are when they get the hottest. That’s when they school up in big groups off our many surf beaches. There are lots of great places to get your heart racing with a sambo at the end of your line, like the beach, the jetty, or the big blue. So, get geared up and get out there with our how-to guide to catch an Australian salmon today!.
Australian salmon are a popular sport fish species found in abundance along the southern coastlines of Australia Anglers of all ages and experience levels eagerly await the annual salmon run each year In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about catching these hard-fighting fish.
Where Are Australian Salmon Found?
Australian salmon are native to the temperate waters of southern Australia. They go from Perth on the west coast to southern Queensland on the east coast, across the Great Australian Bight. Most of the time, the fish move and gather in large groups in the fall and winter, when the water is cooler. Along the coasts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales are beaches, headlands, estuaries, and river mouths that are great places to fish for salmon.
Australian Salmon Identification
Arripis trutta is the scientific name for the Australian salmon. They are in the Arripidae family. The back of their bodies is blue-gray, the sides are silver, and the bottom is white. A steep forehead, big eyes, small mouths, and a forked tail are some of the things that make them stand out. Young fish less than 40 cm long are called salmon trout and migrate in large groups. Adults can be over 1 meter long and 9 kg heavy.
Best Time to Catch Australian Salmon
The annual salmon migration happens during the cooler months between March and August. Peak times vary each year but generally occur around April to July. Water temperature is a key factor – once it drops below 16 degrees Celsius that’s your cue to get fishing. Beaches exposed to southerly swell and winds are prime spots during the run. Salmon may be present year round but will be more dispersed outside of the winter migration period.
Salmon Fishing Techniques
There are several effective techniques for catching Australian salmon:
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Beach fishing – Use surf rods to cast baits or metal lures from the shore. Target gutters and holes between the sandbars.
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Lure fishing – Cast small metal slices, soft plastics, and stickbaits on light spin tackle from beaches, rock walls, and estuary banks.
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Bait fishing – Drift or anchor baits like pilchards, squid, or bluebait near current lines at river mouths and coastal drop-offs.
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Fly fishing – When salmon are schooled up close to shore, floating flies can produce explosive surface strikes.
Top Salmon Fishing Tips
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Look for telltale signs like diving seabirds to pinpoint bait schools and feeding salmon.
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Polarized sunglasses help spot fish cruising the shallows or flashing in the surf.
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Downsize your tackle – light spin gear is ideal for maximizing the sporting challenge.
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Keep moving if the fish aren’t biting – don’t be afraid to cover ground searching for more productive areas.
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Retrieve lures and flies fast – salmon are aggressive predators that love a moving target.
Bait, Lures and Flies for Australian Salmon
Popular baits include pilchards, squid, prawns and bluebait. Good all-round lure choices include small metal slices, stickbaits and poppers. For fly fishing, baitfish patterns like Clousers, surf candies and gummy minnows work well. Match your lures and flies to the prevalent baitfish – pilchards are a prime forage species.
Eating Australian Salmon
While not considered a premium table fish, Australian salmon are certainly edible if care is taken to bleed and ice the fish immediately after capture. Smaller juveniles produce better fillets for eating. Smoking is a great option to enhance the flavor. Don’t let those tasty salmon go to waste – look up some recipes and expand your seafood horizons.
Salmon Fishing Regulations
Australian salmon are not a regulated recreational species in most states. Standard mixed daily bag limits apply of around 5-10 fish per person. Legal minimum sizes range from 25-30cm. Always check your state fisheries website for the most up to date recreational fishing rules in your area before wetting a line.
Are Australian Salmon Sustainable?
Australian salmon stocks are considered sustainable in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania where most of the recreational catch occurs. While commercial harvest levels are high, salmon are prolific breeders with broad distributions, so current fishing pressure does not pose a threat to overall stocks.
Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, Australian salmon provide awesome sport fishing opportunities along the southern Australian coastline. Arm yourself with local knowledge, hone your surf fishing skills, and make the most of the next salmon run. Just remember to fish responsibly and sustainably.
Hardbody lures for salmon
There are two main types of hardbody salmon lures: diving lures, which work great for trolling, and surface lures, which are great for when you find one of those bust-ups we were talking about earlier. Rapala, Nomad, and Halco all have a number of cracker hardbodies to tie on. In terms of colour, its hard to beat anything that looks fishy. Salmon naturally eats a mix of whites, blues, and fish patterns, so you’ll definitely catch some fish. With colour sorted, its time to have a think about size. The size of the fish youre chasing will impact the size of the lure you tie on. Most of the time, a medium-sized hardbody between 50 and 70 mm will do the trick. But if you’re on a pack of mega-sized sambos, don’t be afraid to throw out a bigger lure, especially when you’re fishing with stickbaits. A 120mm surface presentation is like a lollipop for big sambos.
Soft plastics for salmon
They come in a huge range of colors and sizes and are another great way to catch a sambo. Combining a soft plastic with the old burn and pause technique is sure to excite a sambo. To do this, you throw out the plastic and let it sink for a while before quickly reeling in the lure. Throw some pauses in between the fast-winding action and youre in for a good day on the salmon. When it comes to colors and sizes, we’d look at natural colors that look like bait fish. Anything from 2 to 5 inches in size should work. In terms of styles, its hard to beat a curl-tail. For bigger women, the white Zman Streakz Curltailz 5″ is a real beauty, and the reliable Zman Grubz 2 5″ is a winner for the smaller models.
HOW TO: Catch Australian Salmon
FAQ
Is there any wild caught salmon in Australia?
Do salmon live in Australia?
Is Australian salmon OK to eat?
Can you catch salmon in Sydney?
How do you catch Australian salmon?
Anglers can use various methods to catch these fish, including trolling, casting lures, and using baits such as pilchards, worms, and squid. Another key aspect of catching Australian salmon is being aware of the importance of preserving the inshore ecosystems.
When is the best time to catch Australian salmon?
Catching Australian salmon is a popular pastime and recreational activity for many anglers in Australia. One of the most important things to consider when catching Australian salmon is the time of year. These fish are typically caught during the summer months when they are in the shallower waters along the coast, making it easier to catch them.
Where are Australian salmon caught?
Australian Salmon are caught in all southern waters of Australia, particularly southern NSW and Eastern Victoria. While commercial landings are at historically high levels, Australian Salmon are also a popular recreational species and the recreational catch is significant.
What kind of fish can you catch in Australia?
Western Australian salmon are also popular among anglers, as they are known for their delicious taste. These fish are typically found in Zealand waters and are often caught in large numbers by commercial fishermen. In addition to Australian salmon, another popular species found in Australian waters is the Australian herring.