Thu Sep 05 by: Archer Hume
The Australian herring, also known as Tommy rough, is a popular recreational fish species found in Victorian waters. It's often confused with juvenile Australian salmon but has distinct characteristics.
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Source: fishesofaustralia.net.au
Table of Contents
Australian herring (Arripis georgianus) is a small to medium-sized fish species belonging to the Arripidae family. They are typically silver in color with a bluish-green back and can grow up to 40 cm in length, though most caught are around 20-30 cm. These fish have a streamlined body shape, forked tail, and small scales.
Found in coastal waters around southern Australia, including Victoria, Australian herring prefer sandy beaches, rocky reefs, and estuaries. They are known to form large schools, especially during their spawning season in autumn and winter. Australian herring are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming small fish, crustaceans, and squid.
Fishing for Australian herring is popular among recreational anglers due to their fighting spirit and tasty flesh. They can be caught year-round but are more abundant during the cooler months. Beach fishing, jetty fishing, and fishing from small boats are common methods to target these fish.
When fishing for Australian herring, it’s important to be able to distinguish them from juvenile Australian salmon, which they closely resemble. Key differences include the herring’s more pointed snout, smaller scales, and the absence of dark spots on the body that are characteristic of young salmon.
There are specific regulations for fishing Australian herring in Victoria:
To catch Australian herring in Victoria, try beach fishing, jetty fishing, or fishing from small boats in coastal areas. Use light tackle with 2-4 kg line and small hooks (size 6-8). Berley (chum) can be effective to attract schools. Cast your bait or lure into the surf zone or around structure and retrieve slowly. Early morning and late afternoon are often the best times to fish for herring. Remember to vary your technique and location if you’re not having success.
When it comes to fishing for Australian Herring (Tommy Rough), your choice of bait or lure can greatly impact your success. Based on the preferred fishing methods for this species, you will have a bit more success with baits when fishing for Australian Herring (Tommy Rough), but lure fishing is common too.
For the best chances of success, try using Pilchards as bait or fishing with a Soft Plastics. Remember to always check local regulations and adjust your fishing strategy based on the specific conditions and seasons in your fishing area.
For those who prefer bait fishing, here are the top 6 options that have consistently produced results for Australian Herring (Tommy Rough):
Lure fishing for Australian Herring (Tommy Rough) can be incredibly rewarding, especially when using these four top choices:
Anglers in Melbourne and Victoria have numerous opportunities to catch Australian Herring (Tommy Rough). While we couldn't pinpoint specific hotspots, Australian Herring (Tommy Rough) can be found throughout Victoria. We recommend consulting local fishing authorities or experienced anglers for the most up-to-date information on prime fishing locations.
When planning your fishing trip for Australian Herring (Tommy Rough), consider factors such as seasonality, local regulations, and recent fishing reports to increase your chances of success.
Yes, there is a bag limit for Australian herring in Victoria. The combined daily bag limit for Australian herring and Australian salmon is 20 fish in total. This means you can catch up to 20 fish of either species or a combination of both, but the total number must not exceed 20.
There is no minimum size limit for Australian herring in Victoria. This means you can legally keep Australian herring of any size. However, anglers are encouraged to practice responsible fishing and consider releasing smaller fish to allow them to grow and reproduce.
The Australian herring, also known as Tommy rough, is a popular recreational fish species found in Victorian waters. It's often confused with juvenile Australian salmon but has distinct characteristics.
When targeting Australian Herring (Tommy Rough) with artificial lures, anglers have found success with the following options: Soft Plastics, Metal Spoon Lures, and Small Minnow Lures.
For those who prefer bait fishing, the top choices for Australian Herring (Tommy Rough) are: Pilchards, Whitebait, and Prawns.
While Australian Herring (Tommy Rough) can be caught, there are currently no known specific locations for targeting them. Anglers may encounter them while fishing for other species in various water bodies around Melbourne.
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