Yellowtail Kingfish Fishing: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Guide

Good season NSW: min size 65cm · bag limit 5

Premier sportfish. Powerful fighters that patrol channels. Kings fight incredibly hard - be prepared for 10-15 minute battles on big fish. Bleed immediately, ice well. Excellent sashimi or grilled.

Sight Hunter: Sight-chase predator - needs clear water to spot bait schools

Where to Catch Yellowtail Kingfish

Newcastle

Stockton Breakwall (End)
Dec-Mar (summer)
Nobbys Breakwall (End)
Dec-Mar (summer)

Lake Macquarie

Swansea Channel
Nov-May (peaking Dec-Mar when water warms)

Tackle & Setup

Rod & Reel

Rod 7ft medium-heavy spin, 10-15kg (PE 2-4), fast action

Reel 5000-6000 size spin (Stella, Saragosa, Stradic)

Mainline 30-50lb braid (PE 2-3)

Why You need stopping power. Kings run hard and will bust you off on structure.

Leader

Material Fluorocarbon

Strength 40-60lb (20-30kg)

Length 2-3m

Why Heavy fluoro handles their abrasive mouths and chaotic runs near structure.

Lure Recommendations

Name	Colour	Size	Note
Nomad Riptide Floating Stickbait	Fusilier, Silver Green Mackerel, Bleeding Mullet	125mm, 155mm	BCF stocks this. Walk-the-dog on surface.
Nomad Madscad Sinking Stickbait	Silver, Fusilier	190mm	Sinking stickbait for deeper kings.
MMD Pop Prawn	Natural	75mm	The light-tackle wildcard at the Swansea bridge: kings have eaten it on 8lb when heavy stickbaits went untouched.
Zerek Fish Trap Soft Vibe	SRW, MM, OG	95mm, 110mm	Soft vibe when kings are holding deep.
Halco Twisty	Chrome	40-70g	Metal slug for fast retrieves when busting up.

Live Bait

Live yellowtail (yakka)
Live slimy mackerel
Live squid

Rig: Simple: 60lb leader, hook through nose or above tail

Hooks: 5/0-7/0 Mustad Circle Hooks (BCF stocks these)

Sinker: Unweighted or light ball sinker to get down in current

Technique: Lower bait to where kings are holding, keep tension. Let them run, circle hook sets itself.

How to Catch Yellowtail Kingfish

Technique

Basic

Find current line where fast water meets slow. Kings station here waiting for bait. Livebait down-current or cast stickbaits across the current.

Advanced

Sight cast to free-swimming kings! Watch for dark torpedo shapes cruising in clear water. Lead them by 5-10m and work lure across their path.

Retrieve

Stickbaits: Walk-the-dog with aggressive sweeps. Pause occasionally. Jigs: Fast wind-and-rip or slow-pitch.

Presentation

Match the baitfish size. If yakkas are 15cm, use 15cm lures. Kings are visual predators.

Pro Tips

Dawn is prime - first light on the incoming tide at Swansea Channel
Watch for "nervous water" (bait getting pushed up) and birds diving
Sabiki rig your own yakkas near the channel - fresh bait = more hookups
Drag should be set firm - don't let them reach the rocks
Legal size is 65cm - measure carefully, fines are heavy

Best Time to Fish

Best Time of Day

Dawn (5-9am)

Best Tide

Strong tidal flow

Peak Season

December, January, February, March

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Size & Bag Limits

65cm

Min Size

Bag Limit / day

NSW DPI full regulations →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I catch Yellowtail Kingfish in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie?

The best spots for Yellowtail Kingfish include Stockton Breakwall (End), Nobbys Breakwall (End), Swansea Channel. Peak season runs December to March. At Stockton Breakwall (End): Dec-Mar (summer). Key spots: Swansea Channel (main current), The Drop Over (Lake Mac entrance), Stockton Breakwall (ocean side).

What is the best time to catch Yellowtail Kingfish?

Yellowtail Kingfish fish best at Dawn (5-9am). Best tide: Strong tidal flow. Peak season: December, January, February, March.

What bait and lures work best for Yellowtail Kingfish?

Top lures: Nomad Riptide Floating Stickbait, Nomad Madscad Sinking Stickbait, MMD Pop Prawn. Use a 7ft medium-heavy spin, 10-15kg (PE 2-4), fast action.

When is Yellowtail Kingfish season in NSW?

Yellowtail Kingfish are in peak season around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie during December, January, February, March. Within the day they bite best at Dawn (5-9am). You can catch them at other times of year too, but those are the months they are most active.

What is the legal size and bag limit for Yellowtail Kingfish in NSW?

In NSW, the minimum legal size for Yellowtail Kingfish is 65cm. The recreational bag limit is 5 per person. Rules change, so always check the current NSW DPI limits before you keep a fish.

Yellowtail Kingfish stories

The people filming our water

25 July 2026 · 4 min read

See which spots are firing right now for Yellowtail Kingfish and more.

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