Mulloway (Jewfish)
Shore / SurfPerth's premier land-based trophy fish. Patrols rock walls, channels, and river mouths after dark. Best targeted with live mullet, squid heads, or large soft plastics on tide changes.
Overview
Mulloway are Perth's premier land-based trophy fish. These powerful predators patrol rock walls, groynes, and river mouths after dark, hunting baitfish and squid on the tide changes. Landing a big mulloway from the shore is a genuine achievement and one of the most exciting experiences in Perth fishing — and one of the few where a single fish can justify a whole night on the rocks.
How to Catch
Live mullet, squid heads, whole squid, large fresh pilchards
Large soft plastics (Gulp 6–7 inch), deep-diving hard-bodies, vibes
Running sinker rig with a 60–80lb leader and 6/0–8/0 circle hook for bait. Use enough sinker weight to hold bottom in the current. For lures, a heavy jig head (1–2oz) with a large Gulp is the go-to.
Fish after dark around rock walls, groynes, and river mouth channels. Cast bait or large soft plastics into areas where current flows past structure — mulloway ambush prey in the current lines. Use slow, deliberate retrieves on lures and let the scent trail work. Be patient — mulloway fishing is a waiting game, but when they bite, it's explosive.
After dark on tide changes, especially the first two hours of the run-in tide. New moon periods and overcast nights are best. They bite year-round but can be more active in the warmer months.
Up to 40kg, commonly 3–10kg
Year-round (night)
Yes — mulloway is one of the best table fish in Perth: firm, white, mild-flavoured flesh that holds together on the grill or in the pan. Bleed and ice on capture, then pan-fry, bake, or crumb the fillets. Smaller fish (the 'soapies' just over the 50cm limit) actually eat cleaner than big breeders, so there's no shame in keeping a modest one for the table.
Bag limit: 2 (individual species cap), counted within the statewide nearshore/estuarine finfish TOTAL mixed bag of 16 per fisher. Minimum size: 500mm. Possession limit applies. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
Perth Tips
North Mole, South Mole, and the Swan River bridges are Perth's top mulloway spots. Invest in a quality headlamp and a long-handled net — you'll need both. Mulloway spook easily, so keep noise and light to a minimum on the rocks.