Western School Whiting
Shore / EstuarySmall but excellent eating fish found on sandy beaches and shallow flats. Common catch when targeting whiting species with worms or prawns. Often the first fish kids catch.
Western school whiting are the bread-and-butter whiting species in Perth — smaller than their King George cousins but just as good on the plate. Found on sandy beaches and shallow estuary flats year-round, they're abundant, willing biters, and the perfect target for a relaxed family fishing session. They're also often the first fish that gets kids excited about fishing.
Tube worms, beach worms, prawns, pipis
N/A — bait-only species. Stick to fresh natural baits for best results.
Running sinker rig with a size 6–8 long-shank hook and a small ball sinker. Use light line (4–6lb) and keep the rig simple. A paternoster with two small hooks is effective for catching a quick feed.
Cast into sandy gutters and shallow flats and let the bait sit on the bottom. School whiting cruise the shallows feeding on worms and small crustaceans, so positioning your bait in the sandy patches between weed is key. Walk the beach and fan-cast to find where the fish are — once you find them, there are usually plenty around.
Bite throughout the day on the shallow flats. Rising tide that floods the sandy shallows brings whiting in to feed. Calm, warm days are most productive.
Up to 30cm, commonly 15–25cm
Year-round
Excellent eating — delicate, sweet white flesh. Pan-fry whole (they're usually too small to fillet) or scale, gut, and crumb. One of the best tasting fish in Perth for its size.
Bag limit: 30 (combined whiting group, excludes King George whiting). No minimum size. Always check current DPIRD rules — regulations may change.
Beaches around Rockingham, Secret Harbour, and down to Tim's Thicket are loaded with them. They're very common close to shore — no need to cast far, even a few metres out will do. Prawns or beach worms are your best bait. A bucket of whiting makes one of the best fish dinners going — don't overlook these little battlers.