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Bite Compass

Dart

Shore / Surf
Trachinotus botla

Fast, hard-pulling surf-zone fighter of WA's warmer beaches, built like a small trevally and a brilliant light-tackle target in the wash. The common dart (Trachinotus botla) is the main WA species, found from around Bunbury north to the Kimberley but most reliable from Shark Bay up. Loves turbulent surf and gutters, feeding on small crabs, worms and molluscs churned up by the breakers.

Overview

Dart are the surf-zone speedsters of WA's northern and central beaches — compact, deep-bodied members of the pompano family that fight well above their weight on light gear. The common dart (Trachinotus botla, sometimes called large-spot dart) is the species most WA beach anglers encounter, ranging from around Bunbury up to the Kimberley but really hitting their straps from Shark Bay northward. They live in the white water, working the gutters and sand spits where breaking surf exposes crabs, worms and molluscs. For anyone who likes light-line beach fishing, dart are a gift: willing, abundant in the right conditions, and a genuine handful when hooked.

How to Catch
Best baits

Beach worms, bloodworms, peeled prawns, pipis, small crab, mullet strip

Lures

Small metal slugs (10–30g), small soft plastics, surf poppers, bibless vibes

Rigs

Light running-sinker rig with a size 1–1/0 long-shank or circle hook and a small ball or star sinker to hold in the wash; 8–12lb mainline with a short 15lb leader. For lure work, tie a small metal direct to a light spin outfit. Keep terminals small — dart have modest mouths but pull hard.

Technique

Read the beach and fish the gutters and the edges of sand spits where the surf churns. Cast bait into the foamy water and let it tumble naturally, holding just enough lead to keep contact. With lures, fan-cast small metals across the gutter and retrieve fast with the occasional pause — dart will chase down a fleeing metal. Bites are sharp and the fights are all runs and head-down power; let a light drag do the work.

Best time

Northern beaches fish year-round; the lower west is a warmer-months proposition. A rising tide flooding the gutters is prime, and the hour either side of high tide concentrates feeding fish. Early morning and late afternoon produce best, especially on a moderate, working swell rather than a flat or blown-out beach.

Size

Up to 3kg, commonly 0.5–1.5kg

Peak season

Year-round (north); warmer months in the lower west

Eating quality

Good eating when bled and iced straight away — firm white flesh that pan-fries or crumbs well. Like most surf fish they deteriorate quickly if left in the sun, so get them onto ice immediately. Smaller fish are best on the plate.

Regulations (WA)

Bag limit: 8. No minimum size. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.

Perth Tips

The surf beaches and sand spits around Shark Bay, Coral Bay, Exmouth and the Pilbara coast are dart strongholds; in the lower west, the Bunbury and South West beaches produce the odd fish in summer. Light gear makes them far more fun — drop to 8lb line and a small metal and they fight like miniature trevally. Watch the swell: a beach with defined gutters and moving water will hold dart, a flat shoreline rarely does.

Where to Catch Dart
Bunbury Back Beach (Geographe Bay) Coral Bay (South Ningaloo) Denham (Shark Bay) Exmouth (North Ningaloo / North West Cape) Gnaraloo Bay / Station Quobba (Quobba Station / Blowholes / Camp Rock) Tantabiddi (Boat Ramp / Lagoon Gap / Outer Reef Drop-off)
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