How to catch whiting in Lake Macquarie

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Whiting in Lake Macquarie, mid fall, and clear evenings make for good bites if you dial in the basics.** Here’s a practical, no-flussy guide to put you on more fish with light gear and smart spots.

**Best spots & timing**
- Fish along weed edges, drop-offs, and channel edges around the lake. Whiting love where the water depth changes and there’s a clean bottom. Early morning or late afternoon light often produces the best action, and the mild mid-fall days can bring a settled bite window as the water cools slightly but stays comfortable for feeding.
- Tides help. If you have a tidal influence, target a rising tide when fresh bait is moving onto the flats and edges, then ease off as the tide peaks. Calm mornings after a light northerly wind can also give you glassy water to spot bites more easily.

**Gear & rigs (light, responsive)**
- Rod & reel: a light spin setup is ideal (6–7 ft, 2–6 lb line, 2000–2500 size reel). Use a fluorocarbon leader of 6–8 lb for abrasion resistance around weed and shells.
- Rig options:
  - Running sinker rig with a small 1/8 oz sinker, 15–25 cm of leader, and a size #6–#8 hook. Great for baits like yabbies or pipis and lets the bait stay near the bottom where whiting feed.
  - Two-hook paternoster (short dropper) can be handy if you’re targeting pipis or small crustaceans on the bottom. Keep the distances tight (10–15 cm) so you don’t foul on weed.

**Bait, lures & tips**
- Bait options that work well in Lake Macquarie:
  - Live or fresh yabbies, or pipis (cockles) on the hook. If you’re in a pinch, small prawns or prawn tails can be effective too.
  - Whitebait and small strips of soft plastic crustaceans can also tempt finicky fish.
- If you want to try plastics, go light: a 2–3 inch paddle-tail in white, pale pink, or natural colors on a light jig head can draw bites when retrieved slowly along the bottom.
- Quick tip: keep bait off the weed; allow just enough line so the bait swings and lands near the edge, not straight into weed clumps.

**Tackle tips for mid fall**
- Water temps around 18–22 C are common in autumn; bites can be subtle. Watch your line for tiny twitches and keep rigs close to the bottom.
- Wind can push bait toward sheltered pockets. Cast with the wind and work the lure or bait back slowly, pausing near channels.
- Use small hooks and light leaders; whiting have soft mouths and respond to a gentle, patient approach.

**Practical steps to get results**
1) Scout a weed edge or channel near a drop-off; drop your bait to the bottom and keep it just off structure.
2) Cast parallel to edges and make slow, straight retrieves with occasional tiny pauses.
3) If you’re not getting any taps after 10 minutes, move 20–30 meters and try a new edge or a slightly different depth.
4) When using a soft plastic, fish it with a slow, steady retrieve with a short pause every few seconds to mimic a crustacean nibble.
5) Release undersized fish promptly and handle carefully to keep your catch sustainable.

**Resource links**
- YouTube technique & local spots:
  - [Bream fishing Lake Macquarie on the bass boat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cocfw_lKOeY)
  - [Yak Hunters round 2 tuggerah lake 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-U0UrC-4dg)
  - [KAYAK FISHING basics for Flathead, Gold Coast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsRGuKMuA24)

**Gear picks you can check out**
- [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax – lightweight jigging aroma for subtle bites](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Lure Set – versatile for trout/bass/pike](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J4CR24K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Mini Glide Bait Swimbaits – small, responsive for chilly mornings](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSLLMJXR?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

Stay patient, stay curious, and keep your gear light—Mid fall is a great time to coax those quiet Whiting once you’re dialed in. Tight lines and happy casting! 😎🐟

General Questions

More Questions

Summer Gill Flee Shad

What fly fishing techniques should be avoided in August for Kenai rainbow trout?

How can I find fish on any lake?

Best fishing spots to bring kids in CA?

Where can I catch tuna?

Does a drop shot setup work well through weeds and algae in Texas?

It's partly cloudy and around 78°F; I'm fishing from the bank in green/brown water for bass—what do I use?

What is the best fish in the world?

How to catch whiting in Lake Macquarie

Related Videos

Product Recommendations

TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax, Magic Noisy Turbulent Wiggling and Vibrating Actions for More Bites, Segmented Swimbait Jointed by Dyneema Strongest Fiber, Lifelike Fishing Lures for Relax Family Fishing

Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Fishing Kits, Slow Sinking Lifelike Swimbaits Crankbaits Hard Baits Lure Set, Fishing Gear for Bass Trout Pike Walleye, Freshwater Saltwater Predator Bait

Mini Glide Bait Fishing Lures: 5pcs Raptor Glide Swimbait Fishing Lures for Freshwater Saltwater Bass

GOANDO Fishing Lures Kit for Freshwater Bait Tackle Kit for Bass Trout Salmon Fishing Accessories Tackle Box Including Spoon Lures Soft Plastic Worms

HALF CRESCEN Fishing Lures Kit for Diving Bass/Trout/Pike with Lifelike Action, Fishing Gear Set for 2025 Xmas (Gift Box 1)

TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass Trout Jighead Lures Paddle Tail Swimbaits Soft Fishing Baits Freshwater Saltwater Jigging Bass Gear Gifts for Men

Gorvellin Metal VIB Spinner Blade Fishing Lures 5PCS – Vibrating Hard Baits with Treble Hook for Bass, Trout, Perch, Walleye, Pike – Multi-Color Metal Blade Bait Kit for Freshwater & Saltwater

Rapala Bass Boom Box, Curated Bass Lure Selection Includes Seven Hand-Picked bass Lures Plus one Bonus Item, Featuring top Brands Like Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Sufix, and Storm

Community

🎣 Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

General Questions

heavy weight fishing

where would be the best place to cast here

fish type in HK

How to catch whiting in Lake Macquarie

Related Videos

Product Recommendations

TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax, Magic Noisy Turbulent Wiggling and Vibrating Actions for More Bites, Segmented Swimbait Jointed by Dyneema Strongest Fiber, Lifelike Fishing Lures for Relax Family Fishing

Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Fishing Kits, Slow Sinking Lifelike Swimbaits Crankbaits Hard Baits Lure Set, Fishing Gear for Bass Trout Pike Walleye, Freshwater Saltwater Predator Bait

Mini Glide Bait Fishing Lures: 5pcs Raptor Glide Swimbait Fishing Lures for Freshwater Saltwater Bass

GOANDO Fishing Lures Kit for Freshwater Bait Tackle Kit for Bass Trout Salmon Fishing Accessories Tackle Box Including Spoon Lures Soft Plastic Worms

HALF CRESCEN Fishing Lures Kit for Diving Bass/Trout/Pike with Lifelike Action, Fishing Gear Set for 2025 Xmas (Gift Box 1)

TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass Trout Jighead Lures Paddle Tail Swimbaits Soft Fishing Baits Freshwater Saltwater Jigging Bass Gear Gifts for Men

Gorvellin Metal VIB Spinner Blade Fishing Lures 5PCS – Vibrating Hard Baits with Treble Hook for Bass, Trout, Perch, Walleye, Pike – Multi-Color Metal Blade Bait Kit for Freshwater & Saltwater

Rapala Bass Boom Box, Curated Bass Lure Selection Includes Seven Hand-Picked bass Lures Plus one Bonus Item, Featuring top Brands Like Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Sufix, and Storm

Community

🎣 Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

Summer Gill Flee Shad

What fly fishing techniques should be avoided in August for Kenai rainbow trout?

How can I find fish on any lake?

Best fishing spots to bring kids in CA?

Where can I catch tuna?

Does a drop shot setup work well through weeds and algae in Texas?

It's partly cloudy and around 78°F; I'm fishing from the bank in green/brown water for bass—what do I use?

What is the best fish in the world?

heavy weight fishing

where would be the best place to cast here

fish type in HK