FORMERLY referred to as jewfish, the mulloway is an astounding fish which has been reported as growing up to two metres in length and weighing over 60 kilograms.
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I cannot recall any period during the past 25 years that I have reported more mulloway being caught in Port Stephens than during the weeks since Christmas - the harbour is full of them.
They are best targeted in the evenings because as it gets dark mulloway gather in the deeper water and around structures with the most popular spots being the Nelson Bay breakwall, the Psyche wreck in Salamander Bay, the deep holes around Middle Island and the two Karuah Bridges.
Right now it seems that they can be caught anywhere in the Port.
The best baits are live yellowtail, mullet, slimy mackerel, tailor and pike. Fresh squid and squid heads are dynamic along with king prawns and fish fillets.
There is also plenty of mulloway action on our beaches, particularly Stockton and Fingal where the ideal baits are king worms, live fish or fresh fillet.
Oddly enough Fisheries have recently showed concern at the dwindling stocks of this magnificent fish in NSW which has resulted in increasing the minimum legal length to 70 centimetres and reducing the bag limit to two fish.
In my opinion the recreational fishing take of mulloway is far less significant than other factors which have not been fully addressed.
Sharing the Port with the mulloway are giant mud crabs which have gone crackers west of Soldiers Point.
Be careful when handling these thumpers as they have a nasty temper and do not take kindly to being lowered into a cooking pot. I wonder why?
Enrol now for Stinker's fishing clinic, limited seats available, contact Tomaree Community College 4984 1011 for more details.
Stinker