💎

Mulloway (Jewfish) Fishing — Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Guide

Peak season right now

The ultimate estuary trophy fish. Croaking sounds at night! "Mullomay" = April, "Jewn" = June, "Jewly" = July. Easiest time of year! Legal size 70cm is important - they grow very slowly and breed late. Handle with wet hands and release carefully.

Ambush Hunter: Hunts by lateral line vibration - THRIVES in murky post-rain conditions
Best Spot Right Now
Best spot for Mulloway (Jewfish) right now:Swansea ChannelSheltered from SSW windView spot guide →
All spots — live ratings
Loading...

Where to Catch Mulloway (Jewfish)

Newcastle

Lake Macquarie

Tackle & Setup

Rod & Reel

Rod 7ft medium-heavy spin, 8-15kg, moderate-fast action
Reel 4000-6000 size spin reel with good drag
Mainline 20-30lb braid (PE 1.5-2.5)
Why Need backbone to turn big fish from pylons, but not so stiff you pull hooks.

Leader

Material Fluorocarbon or heavy mono
Strength 40-60lb (20-30kg)
Length 1.5-2m
Why Mulloway have rough mouths and crush bait. Heavy leader handles abrasion and their head shakes.

Sinkers

Weight 2-4oz depending on current
Style Running ball sinker above swivel
Tip Just enough weight to hold bottom without dragging. Too heavy = unnatural presentation.

Lure Recommendations

Name Colour Size Note
Zerek Fish Trap Soft Vibe OG, Silver, Gold 95mm, 110mm BCF top seller. Slow sinking vibe near structure.
Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad Pearl White, Glow 5" Scented for slow bite periods.
Berkley Gulp! Grub White Glow 6" Big curly tail for mulloway. Deadly on the drop.

Live Bait

  • Live mullet (poddy mullet) — THE #1 bait. 10-15cm ideal. Hook through nose or back.
  • Live yellowtail (yakka) — Excellent when mullet unavailable.
  • Live herring — Very lively and attractive to mulloway.
  • Live squid — Premium bait when available. Pin through tail.

Single 6/0-7/0 circle hook through nose (for casting) or behind dorsal (for dropping).

Dead Bait

  • Fresh squid — Whole baby squid or half adult. Very effective.
  • Whole pilchard — Cheaper option, still works well.
  • Mullet fillet — Cut with skin on for toughness.
  • Octopus tentacles — Tough, stays on hook well.

Whole squid: hook through head. Pilchard: through head or gang hooked.

How to Catch Mulloway (Jewfish)

Running Sinker Rig (Standard Jew Rig)

  1. Thread 2-4oz ball sinker onto mainline
  2. Tie swivel to end of mainline (sinker stopped by swivel)
  3. Attach 1.5m of 50lb fluoro leader to other side of swivel
  4. Tie 6/0-7/0 circle hook to leader
  5. Add live bait through nose - allows natural swimming

Technique

Basic
Soak live or dead bait on bottom, near pylons or channel edges. Depth 4-10m. Wait for solid pull, let fish run, circle hook sets itself.
Advanced
Last 2 hours of run-out tide is CRITICAL. Baitfish get flushed past structure and mulloway ambush them. Fish the shadow line of pylons and channel edges.
Presentation
Let them take it. Wait for the second run before engaging drag. They inhale bait headfirst - don't strike too early.
Timing
Overcast nights, new/full moon, run-out tide = perfect conditions. Listen for their croaking sounds - they're there.

Pro Tips

  • "Mullomay" (April), "Jewn" (June), "Jewly" (July) - peak season names for a reason
  • Newcastle Harbour fish LOVE the commercial berths - deep water and structure
  • Last 2hrs of outgoing tide = prime time every session
  • Listen at night - mulloway croak/grunt underwater. If you hear it, they're feeding
  • Full moon = harder fishing (too much light). Fish new moon or overcast nights
  • 70cm minimum - they grow slowly. Release smaller fish for the future
  • Big jewfish (over 1m) often take live mullet fished mid-water, not on bottom

Best Time to Fish

Best Time of Day
Night, Dusk (4-7pm)
Best Tide
Strong tidal flow
Peak Season
April, May, June, July, August

Size & Bag Limits

70cm
Min Size
2
Bag Limit
NSW DPI full regulations →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I catch Mulloway (Jewfish) in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie?

The best spots for Mulloway (Jewfish) include Queens Wharf, Carrington Bridge (Wickham Side), Stockton Bridge, Stockton Breakwall (End), Stockton Beach (Gutters). Peak season runs April to August. At Carrington Bridge (Wickham Side): Apr-Aug, night fishing essential. Key spots: Queens Wharf, Carrington Bridge (Wickham side), Stockton Bridge, Swansea Channel, Coal Point.

What is the best time to catch Mulloway (Jewfish)?

Mulloway (Jewfish) fish best at Night and Dusk (4-7pm). Best tide: Strong tidal flow. Peak season: April, May, June, July, August.

What bait and lures work best for Mulloway (Jewfish)?

Top lures: Zerek Fish Trap Soft Vibe, Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad, Berkley Gulp! Grub. Best bait: Live mullet (poddy mullet), Live yellowtail (yakka), Live herring. Use a 7ft medium-heavy spin, 8-15kg, moderate-fast action.

See which spots are firing right now for Mulloway (Jewfish) and more.

Check Live Conditions