Luderick (Blackfish) Fishing: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Guide

Good season NSW: min size 27cm · bag limit 10

Cult species with huge local following. Float fishing specialist. Bleed immediately by cutting gills. Fillet, skin, breadcrumb and pan fry. One of the BEST eating fish - sweet, white flesh. The cult following is deserved!

Adaptable: Weed grazer - tolerates varied clarity, but clearer is better for float watching
Best Spot Right Now
Best spot for Luderick (Blackfish) right now:Swansea Channeltime + season + clarity alignedView spot guide →
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Where to Catch Luderick (Blackfish)

Newcastle

Lake Macquarie

Tackle & Setup

Rod & Reel

Rod 10-12ft float rod (specialist luderick rod) OR long light spin
Reel Centrepin (traditional), Alvey sidecast, or 2500 threadline
Mainline 6-10lb mono (braid is fine but mono floats better for mending line)
Why Long rod essential for float control. Centrepin gives best line control but has a learning curve.

Leader

Material Fluorocarbon
Strength 4-6lb (2-3kg)
Length 30-50cm below float
Why Light, invisible leader is critical. Luderick are extremely line-shy.

Hooks

Style Long shank (Sneck hooks traditionally)
Size #8-#10 (small!)
Why Small hooks hide in weed, long shank for easy removal from small mouths.

Float Setup

Type Pencil float or bobby cork style
Size Match to conditions - lighter for calm, heavier for swell/wind
Brands Peacock quill (traditional), foam pencil floats
Setup Float should sit with tip just visible. Adjust depth so bait is 30-50cm off bottom.

Bait

  • Green cabbage weed: THE only bait. Fresh off the rocks that morning.
  • Sea lettuce: Bright green, softer weed. Also good.

Wrap small piece around hook shank, tie with single overhand knot. Hook point exposed. Size of 10 cent coin.

Scrape green weed off rocks at low tide. Keep damp in bucket. Must be FRESH.

Berley

Mix Chop collected weed finely, mix with sand to help it sink
Method Regular small handfuls near float. Creates a green cloud that attracts fish.
Tip No berley = usually no fish. It's essential to bring them in and keep them feeding.

How to Catch Luderick (Blackfish)

Traditional Float Rig

  1. Thread pencil float onto mainline, fix with rubber stoppers above and below
  2. Attach small swivel below float
  3. Tie 40cm of 6lb fluoro leader to swivel
  4. Tie #8 sneck hook to leader
  5. Split shot (if needed) placed 20cm above hook
  6. Set depth so bait sits 30-50cm off bottom

Technique

Basic
Fish at tide change (last hour run-out OR first hour run-in). Set float depth so weed sits just off bottom. Watch float - strike on the "DIP" (when float goes under).
Advanced
Mend your line constantly - keep direct contact with float. Let it drift naturally with current. Lift and rebait every 5-10 minutes - fresh weed = more bites.
Presentation
Natural drift is everything. If float is dragging unnaturally, luderick won't eat. Practice line mending.

Timing

Best Dawn and midday, particularly around tide changes
Tide Last hour of run-out OR first hour of run-in = peak bite
Weather Overcast days fish all day. Slight swell pushes baitfish and gets them feeding.
Season Winter (May-Aug) is peak. Water temp drops, luderick school up on structure.

Pro Tips

  • Stockton Breakwall (inner wall) is one of NSW's best luderick spots
  • Fresh green weed only - old brown weed doesn't work
  • Berley constantly - small handfuls every minute or two
  • Strike on the DIP, not the bob. Patience pays.
  • Float fishing has a steep learning curve - expect a few blanks while learning
  • Polarised glasses help spot fish schooling - dark shadows against the rocks
  • Bleed immediately - cuts gills. Luderick flesh spoils quickly without bleeding

Best Time to Fish

Best Time of Day
Dawn (5-9am), Midday
Best Tide
Strong tidal flow
Peak Season
May, June, July, August

Size & Bag Limits

27cm
Min Size
10
Bag Limit / day
NSW DPI full regulations →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I catch Luderick (Blackfish) in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie?

The best spots for Luderick (Blackfish) include Stockton Bridge, Stockton Breakwall (End), Nobbys Breakwall (End), Swansea Channel, Swansea Channel Training Walls. Peak season runs May to August. At Stockton Bridge: May-Aug (winter). Key spots: Stockton Breakwall (inner wall), Nobbys Headland, Swansea Training Walls, Murrays Beach Jetty.

What is the best time to catch Luderick (Blackfish)?

Luderick (Blackfish) fish best at Dawn (5-9am) and Midday. Best tide: Strong tidal flow. Peak season: May, June, July, August.

What bait and lures work best for Luderick (Blackfish)?

Best bait: Green cabbage weed, Sea lettuce. Use a 10-12ft float rod (specialist luderick rod) OR long light spin.

When is Luderick (Blackfish) season in NSW?

Luderick (Blackfish) are in peak season around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie during May, June, July, August. Within the day they bite best at Dawn (5-9am) and Midday. 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 Luderick (Blackfish) in NSW?

In NSW, the minimum legal size for Luderick (Blackfish) is 27cm. The recreational bag limit is 10 per person. Rules change, so always check the current NSW DPI limits before you keep a fish.

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