HOW TO CATCH TAILOR

LOCATIONS: Tailor are an inshore species that are widespread along beaches, headlands, shallow offshore reefs / islands and occasionally in large rivers like the Macleay River.

SIZE: Tailor can grow to 1 meter in length or 9kg however are most commonly caught between 30cm and 70cm.

AVAILABILITY: Tailor can be caught all year round in the South West Rocks area.

PEAK SEASON: Large Tailor are often referred to as Greenbacks, and are most common between January and May along beaches and headlands. Large numbers of school sized Tailor are caught mostly between May and September.

TACKLE/RIGGING: Tailor are clean fighters and are unlikely to go for structure once hooked. Mainline of 15lb to 20lb is ideal for beach fishing for longer casts, 30lb line may be needed for fishing the rocks. Tailor have very sharp teeth and strong jaws and will easily bite through light line. Leader of between 40lb and 80lb is best however wire should be considered when targeting big Tailor.

For Beach and Rock fishing rods from 9ft to 13ft work best with spinning reels between 4000 and 8000 to match.

Using gang hooks of size 3/0 to 5/0 will help avoid getting bitten off. If fishing the rocks a float drifting in the wash with a bait near the surface is a great way to catch Tailor and avoid snags. Star or grapnel sinkers between 3oz and 5oz are best for surf fishing with a 1m leader for the bait to move around in the surf.

BAITS/LURES:Tailor respond very well to metal lures and heavy minnows / stickbaits retrieved quickly. Lures between 30g and 70g are ideal. Choose colours that have plenty of flash like chrome/silver and gold.

Tailor prefer oily fish baits. Pilchards, Garfish, Mullet or Bonito fillets are the best baits for Tailor both on the rocks or from the beach.

EATING QUALITY: Tailor are an underrated fish on the plate. If looked after (bled/iced) they have a delicate white meat that is very versatile. Crumbed / battered and fried, grilled or smoked are all great ways to cook Tailor.

Pictured Above: Night time is when the big 'Greenback Tailor' come out to hunt! Gun local angler Wayne with a cracking big beach Tailor.

Pictured Above: Kai (Left) and Jacob getting stuck into a school of 'chopper' sized Tailor at Smokey Cape Beach, getting a fish almost every cast!