Omar Khalid
Whiting are a popular fish species in Victoria, Australia, and are known for their tasty meat and fun fighting qualities. They are often caught on bait, but soft plastics are a great choice too. They are slender fish with small mouths, so soft plastics should be worked slowly, and stinger hooks can be important to increase catch rates. Anglers should cast and let the soft plastic sink to the bottom, with lengthy pauses and some lifts and twitches. When fishing for whiting, it is important to berley often and fish an area for 15 to 20 minutes before moving on if there are no bites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fish type | Whiting (Yellowfin whiting, King George Whiting) |
| Fish characteristics | Long, slender, slimy, small mouth |
| Fish size | Up to 60 cm, but usually 25-40 cm |
| Fish location | Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, estuary systems, shallow water, sandy flats with worm holes, Australia |
| Best time to catch | Summer and Autumn, during high tide |
| Gear | Ultra-light, metal whiting cage, light spin gear, 7-foot rod, sensitive nibble tip, 1000-2500 size spin reel, 4-6 pound line and leader, 1-4 kilo spin rod, 2000 size reel, 6-8 pound line and leader |
| Soft plastics | Worm, crab, and minnow imitation plastics, gulp turtleback worms, grubs, gulp grub, keitech paddletails |
| Techniques | Cast and let the plastic sink, lengthy pauses, lifts, and twitches, use stinger hooks, small poppers, small hooks |
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What You'll Learn
- King George Whiting are a popular target for anglers using soft plastics
- Soft plastics are a great choice for catching whiting, especially worm, crab, and minnow imitations
- Use a metal whiting cage to distribute the berley and prevent your lines from getting tangled
- When using soft plastics, cast and let it sink to the bottom, then work it with pauses and twitches?
- Whiting have small mouths, so use a smaller hook to improve your hook-up rates
King George Whiting are a popular target for anglers using soft plastics
King George Whiting, or "whiting" as they are known in some parts, are a popular target for anglers. They are a terrific table fish, with delicate white flesh and a fine flavour. They are also a massively underrated sport fish. While they are most commonly caught using bait, they will eat soft plastics if presented correctly.
The majority of King George Whiting are caught in tidal situations, where it is often far too difficult to present a soft plastic lure. This is why bait usually dominates, with anglers using slightly heavier gear to allow for the sinkers that are often required. Whiting are well known for being fun to catch, but they can be extremely timid when the conditions are not right. They are usually found in bays or sheltered waters, but they can also be caught offshore. They thrive in sandy areas with seagrass beds, sandy patches within rocky areas, and estuary systems.
When using soft plastics, it is important to select the right type. The best soft plastics closely resemble the natural prey of the whiting, such as worms, crab, and minnow, thereby greatly increasing your chances of success. Gulp Worms, particularly the 2-inch Bloodworm and Sandworm varieties, have proven to be highly effective. Grubs and craw-like soft plastics also yield impressive results, with lures that mimic the movement and appearance of shrimp and yabbies. The technique for fishing with soft plastics is as important as the lure selection. Casting far and ensuring that the lure stays close to the bottom maximises your chances of attracting King George Whiting.
To work soft plastics, they need to be as close to the bottom as possible. The shallower the water depth, the better—between 2 and 3.5 metres is ideal, but they can work in water up to 7 metres deep. If the tide is running hard in deeper water, then this method is less effective, and bait is a better option. It is best to cast as far as you can and let the plastic drift right down to the bottom. Anglers often go wrong by working the soft plastic too fast. You need to give the whiting plenty of chances to take the plastic, and remember that the plastic will naturally be working in the water and emitting a scent, so many catches will come when the plastic is just sitting on the bottom.
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Soft plastics are a great choice for catching whiting, especially worm, crab, and minnow imitations
When using soft plastics to target whiting, it is important to remember that whiting have very small mouths. This can make it challenging to get consistent hook-ups, even if the fish are striking at your lure. To increase your chances of success, consider using a smaller hook or a stinger hook, which can improve your catch rates.
Additionally, when fishing with soft plastics, it is important to work the lure slowly and give the whiting plenty of chances to take the bait. Whiting can be found in shallow weedy areas, sandy flats with worm holes, and estuary systems. Cast your lure and let it sink to the bottom, then work it slowly with pauses and twitches. Remember that the plastic will be emitting scent, so many catches will come when it is sitting still on the bottom.
When choosing a soft plastic lure for whiting, opt for worm, crab, or minnow imitations in sizes ranging from 2 to 4 inches. A good option is the Berkley Gulp Turtleback Worm in pumpkinseed or camo colour, which has been known to attract whiting. You can also try grubs, small poppers, or pencil lures, especially in shallow areas. For your rod and reel setup, a light or ultra-light spin rod and reel combo in the 1-4 kilo or 2-4 kilo range is suitable, paired with a light or medium-weight lure.
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Use a metal whiting cage to distribute the berley and prevent your lines from getting tangled
When fishing for whiting, using a metal whiting cage is a great way to distribute the berley and prevent your lines from getting tangled. A berley cage is a simple yet effective tool that can significantly increase your chances of catching fish. It does this by attracting fish to your bait and holding your terminal tackle in place.
Berley cages are usually made of metal or plastic and can be mesh or solid tubing. Metal cages with an inner layer of mesh are ideal for distributing berley as they allow the berley to seep out slowly and evenly. The mesh creates a larger surface area, allowing for more holes and a faster release of berley. The metal edging provides durability and structure to the cage.
To use a metal whiting cage effectively, simply drop it at the front of your boat. This will create a berley trail that leads directly to your baits, attracting fish to your desired area. The cage will also help to keep your lines tangle-free, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable fishing experience.
When choosing a berley cage, consider the flow of the water you'll be fishing in. Match the weight of the cage to the water flow so that it stays in place effectively. In still water, a lighter cage is sufficient, while in moving water, a heavier cage is required. This ensures that the cage stays in one place, creating a concentrated berley trail that attracts fish to your bait.
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When using soft plastics, cast and let it sink to the bottom, then work it with pauses and twitches
When fishing for whiting with soft plastics, it's important to remember that they have small mouths. This can make it challenging to hook them, as they may only bite halfway up and miss the hook. To increase your chances of success, use a smaller hook and a soft plastic that has been properly rigged. Once you have the right setup, cast your line and let the soft plastic sink to the bottom.
After casting your soft plastic, it's crucial to work it with pauses and twitches. Allow it to sit on the bottom for a while, as this is when many catches occur. Whiting will take their time with the plastic, and you don't want to work it too fast and scare them away. Try a small hop, moving the worm about 20cm every 10-15 seconds. If the whiting are being greedy, you can also try slow rolling near the bottom.
The ideal rod and reel setup for this technique is a 1-4, 2-4, or 2-5 kilo spin rod paired with a 2000 or 2500 size reel. Spool this with an 8 lb braid and finish it with a rod length of 8 lb fluorocarbon leader. A fast-action rod with a stiff tip will help you maintain contact with your soft plastic at all times. Remember to berley often and fish an area for 15 to 20 minutes before moving on if you're not getting any bites.
Soft plastics are a great choice for targeting whiting, and you may be surprised by the hits you get. They respond well to worm, crab, and minnow imitation plastics, such as the Berkley gulp turtleback worm. Using stinger hooks can also improve your catch rates, as whiting tend to nibble on the plastic without always taking the hook. Whiting fishing requires subtle finesse, and with the right techniques and setup, you can consistently catch these fun and tasty fish.
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Whiting have small mouths, so use a smaller hook to improve your hook-up rates
Whiting are slender, slimy fish with small mouths. They are known to be aggressive feeders, especially in the summer. When using soft plastics, it can be challenging to get consistent hook-ups because the fish only bite halfway and miss the hook. This results in lost catches. To improve your hook-up rates, consider using a smaller hook.
The standard jig heads often do not fit into the mouths of whiting, so anglers need to get creative. One solution is to use a smaller stinger hook, which increases the chances of catching the fish. You can use a standard jig head with an additional eyelet and attach a small stinger hook about 8 cm below the main hook. This setup allows the soft plastic to be securely anchored in the fish's mouth.
Additionally, it is important to work the soft plastic slowly and give the whiting plenty of chances to take the bait. Whiting are known to strike at soft plastics, but they may only bite halfway. By allowing the plastic to sink to the bottom and using lengthy pauses with some lifts and twitches, you increase the chances of a successful hook-up.
When choosing your equipment, a light spin rod and reel setup is recommended. A sensitive nibble tip will help you detect bites more easily. A 7-foot rod rated 1-4 kg with a 2000-sized reel, 6-pound line, and 6-pound leader should suffice. However, some anglers prefer to use a slightly heavier leader, such as 8-10 pounds, to handle larger bycatch.
Finally, it is worth noting that whiting fishing requires a subtle finesse. Using ultra-light gear can make the experience more enjoyable and challenging. Remember to berley often and fish an area for a while before moving on if you don't get any bites. With the right techniques and equipment, you can improve your hook-up rates and successfully catch whiting on soft plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Ideally, worm, crab, and minnow imitation plastics such as gulp turtleback worms.
You can use a 1-4, 2-4, or 2-5 kilo spin rod with a stiff rod tip. Pair it with a 2000 or 2500 size reel spooled with an 8-pound braid and a rod length of 8-pound fluorocarbon leader.
Cast and let the soft plastic sink to the bottom. Then have lengthy pauses with some lifts and twitches. Remember to give the whiting plenty of chances to take the plastic.
Whiting have small mouths, so a smaller hook will help increase your catch rates. Stinger hooks can be effective, placed about 30mm from the tip of the tail.
Whiting can be caught year-round, but they are more commonly found in Summer and Autumn, during high tide, and in shallow waters.
