Mulloway
Mulloway are one of the most widely chased saltwater species along Australia's southern coastline.
They move between surf beaches, estuaries, river mouths, and offshore reefs — which means shore anglers, kayak fishers, and boat crews all have a genuine crack at them.
Patient, methodical fishing is the price of admission; the reward is a fish that can push well past 20kg and is excellent eating.
Scientific Name: Argyrosomus japonicus
Also known as Jewfish, Jewie, Jew, School Jew, Silver Jew, Butterfish, Soapy, River Kingfish
- Silver to bronze-green flanks with a paler belly; copper tinge on the head and occasional purple or red iridescence along the sides.
- A distinctive row of pearly-white spots runs the full length of the lateral line — the clearest ID feature when you have the fish in hand.
- Large, wide mouth built to swallow big baitfish whole; broad, paddle-shaped tail that becomes more rounded with age.
- Most fish caught run 3–10 kg; anything over 25 kg is an exceptional specimen, and the species can exceed 60 kg and 1.8 m.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to Australia — distributed from around Yeppoon in Queensland, south and west to Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia, including Tasmania.
- North of Gladstone, QLD, the closely related black jewfish takes over; mulloway dominate the southern half of the coast.
- Juveniles spend their early years in estuaries and inshore shallows; adults range across surf beaches, rocky headlands, river mouths, and deeper offshore reefs.
- Equally at home in brackish estuary reaches and open saltwater — one of the few species that genuinely crosses all three environments.
Key Locations
- South Australia's Coorong and Murray Mouth — a well-known gathering point, particularly during spawning aggregations around the river mouth.
- NSW's Newcastle Harbour and the Hunter River system — consistent estuary and breakwall fishing for both school and larger fish.
- Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, QLD — the Gateway Bridge pylons and Jumpinpin Bar are established spots for estuary mulloway at the northern end of the range.
- Victoria's Glenelg River — carries a strong reputation for mulloway in a river environment, accessible to both boat and shore anglers.
- Gold Coast Seaway, QLD — schools of mulloway are regularly encountered around the seaway structure and adjacent sand flats.
Specific Spots
- Deep holes and scour pools near river mouths and estuary channels — mulloway hold in the current shadow and wait for baitfish to wash past.
- Bridge pylons and breakwall structure after dark; fish move up from deep water to patrol the shallows once light drops, using the structure as a reference point.
- Surf beach gutters — the deeper channels running parallel to the beach concentrate baitfish on a run-out tide, which pulls mulloway in close.
- Eddy lines and wash zones around rocky headlands and offshore reefs, where disoriented baitfish and squid get caught in the current.
Mulloway FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Mulloway?
Soft plastics are the go-to lure for estuary and landbased fishing, 5–7 inch paddle-tail or curl-tail shads in white, pearl, or natural baitfish colours, rigged on a jig head heavy enough to hold bottom in the current. Work them with a slow lift-and-drop retrieve along the bottom near structure.
When is the best time to fish for Mulloway?
Summer (December–February): warmer water activates school-sized fish in estuaries; good entry point for anglers targeting their first mulloway on lures from the shore.
How do you catch Mulloway?
Most mulloway fishing in Australia happens at night, either from the shore (beaches, breakwalls, bridge pylons) or by boat in estuaries and river mouths. Timing casts to coincide with tidal changes, particularly the run-out tide, and working lures or baits along the bottom near structure gives the best results.
What do Mulloway eat?
Adults eat fish and squid almost exclusively, mullet, yellowtail scad, and other baitfish are the main targets. Match this with large soft plastics (paddle-tails and curl-tails in 5–7 inch sizes), metal slugs, or whole/fillet bait presentations.
Where do Mulloway live?
Native to Australia, distributed from around Yeppoon in Queensland, south and west to Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia, including Tasmania. North of Gladstone, QLD, the closely related black jewfish takes over; mulloway dominate the southern half of the coast.
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