The Best Tailor Spots in Perth (March-May)
Tailor fishing in Perth is one of those pursuits that never gets old. You’ve got explosive surface strikes, strong runs, and fish that’ll test your gear—all within striking distance of the city. March through May is prime season for tailor along our coastline, when they’re at their most aggressive and schools are pushing in shallow.
If you’ve never targeted tailor before, they’re worth understanding. They move fast, they hit hard, and they’re everywhere once they show up. The key is finding where they’re feeding and timing it right.
North Mole: The Classic Tailor Mark
North Mole is probably the most reliable tailor spot in Perth. The structure there — the rocky outcrops, the deeper water nearby — creates natural feeding zones. Tailor are ambush predators, and they love structure. Early mornings and late arvos are peak times, when the light’s low and baitfish are most active.
Throw small surface lures, soft plastics, or live bait if you can get it. The water can be rough here, especially when the swell’s up, so check the North Mole conditions before heading out. The bonus: if tailor aren’t playing, there’s usually a chance at flathead or bream.
South Mole: The Quiet Alternative
South Mole gets less traffic than its northern counterpart, which means less competition and sometimes fresher fish. The marks are similar — rocky areas, deep channels nearby — but it’s worth knowing in case North Mole’s crowded or conditions are unfavourable there.
Spring tides work well here, especially as the water pushes in and drains out. Tailor follow baitfish movements, so focus on the rips and current lines where smaller fish congregate.
Cottesloe: Shallow and Explosive
Cottesloe is a different game. You’re fishing shallower water, but the payoff is genuinely exciting surface action. Tailor come right up into the gutters and shallow banks, especially on bigger tides. Early morning light and the hour either side of low tide are your best windows.
This is where you throw surface lures and watch them blow up on your offering. The strikes here are some of the best surface fishing you’ll get in Perth. It’s also more accessible if you’re not equipped for offshore marks.
Trigg and Scarborough: Point and Beach Fishing
Trigg and Scarborough are both solid tailor territory during the season. These spots rely more on movement—walk the beach, cover ground, and keep your eyes open for activity. Tailor often push in with the tide and set up in specific gutters.
Scarborough’s advantage is accessibility and the range of depths you can fish. You can work the shallower areas near shore or cast to deeper channels. Trigg offers good structure and less foot traffic than some of the more famous beaches.
Timing and Technique
Tailor are most active around dawn and dusk, when light levels drop and baitfish movement increases. Overcast days during the middle of the season can be equally productive. You’re looking for conditions where tailor are hunting aggressively—slightly rough water, active baitfish schools, and moments of tide change.
Bring appropriate gear. A light-to-medium rod works well, and you’ll want a good drag because tailor take line when they hook up. Live bait is deadly when you can get it, but surface lures and small soft plastics will get the job done.
Why March to May Matters
By March, tailor have settled into predictable patterns for the autumn months. The water’s still warm enough for consistent behaviour, and schools are in before winter cools things down. February can be inconsistent, but by March the bite typically becomes reliable.
This is also when fewer recreational fishers are focused on tailor—peak time for most people is summer—so you might have some marks to yourself.
Tailor fishing teaches you something important about Perth’s fishery: consistency comes from understanding what the fish are doing and reading the conditions. Get out there, pick a mark, and learn how the tailor feed in each spot. You’ll find your favourites quickly.
Check conditions for any of these spots on BiteCompass — wind, swell, and tides for Perth fishing spots, so you can pick the right arvo before you load the car.