Mulloway are a fascinating fish. They can grow to an enormous 40kg yet, at times, swim in water less than a metre deep. Pioneer oyster growers have told me that giant mulloway would, on occasions, become stranded in fenced oyster leases as the tide went out. 

More likely to be found in the deep holes off Middle Island, Soldiers Point, mulloway tend to gather around bridges or old sunken boats where they can rest from the current and wait in ambush for their next feed.

The season is right now and the best baits are fresh squid or any live fish. Plastics are proving to be deadly tossed in the right spots.

Outside the heads these thumping fish cruise along the beaches and snavel worms and pipis just behind the first line of breakers. If your baited hook just happens in their path. Wooshka! Hang on. Best baits off the beaches are big worms and fresh fillets of tailor.

Mulloway swim around all the headlands from Birubi to Tomaree. They can also be targeted over the shallow reefs off Broughton Island.

The recreational bag limit for mulloway is 2 for recreational fishers with a minimum size limit of 70 cms.

Fishing writer, author and radio presenter John “Stinker” Clarke can be heard weekly, throughout NSW, on popular ABC Regional Radio fishing program “The Big Fish”.  Check him out on www.stinker.com.au or send an email to editor@manningcommunitynews.com with your information and questions.