Mulloway (Jewfish) Fishing: Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Guide

Good season NSW: min size 70cm · bag limit 1

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
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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.
Samaki Vibelicious Soft Vibe Motor Oil 100mm A lake local's "old faithful" for jew and flathead on the drift. Slow lifts, let it sit.
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
  • Drag discipline: light drag on the baitrunner until the rod folds and the fish is committed, then flick to the fighting drag. Too tight and you pull baits or gut-hook fish; backed off, they hook the corner of the mouth
  • Lake bait seasonality: tailor is the pick in winter, squid takes over as the water warms - snelled 6/0s for squid baits, single hook for chunks
  • Troll deep divers to gather fresh tailor for bait - the trolling doubles as a sounding run, marking the bait schools you want to fish near after dark
  • Lake jew come off everything: edges, drop-offs, holes, wrecks, cockle beds, even the shallows. Fresh bait and hours in the water beat spot-hopping - and a small chunk can outfish the big butterflied bait

Best Time to Fish

Best Time of Day
Night, Dusk (4-8pm)
Best Tide
High tide
Peak Season
April, May, June, July, August

Size & Bag Limits

70cm
Min Size
1
Bag Limit / day
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 (4-8pm). Best tide: High tide. Peak season: April, May, June, July, August.

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

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

When is Mulloway (Jewfish) season in NSW?

Mulloway (Jewfish) are in peak season around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie during April, May, June, July, August. Within the day they bite best at Night and Dusk (4-8pm). 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 Mulloway (Jewfish) in NSW?

In NSW, the minimum legal size for Mulloway (Jewfish) is 70cm. The recreational bag limit is 1 per person. Rules change, so always check the current NSW DPI limits before you keep a fish.

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