Australian Salmon: The Aussie Fisho’s Guide to Sambo and More

Common Name: Eastern Australian Salmon – Western Australian Salmon
Species Name: Arripis trutta – Arripis truttaceus

If you’re an Aussie fisho, chances are you’ve tangled with an Australian Salmon. These silver speedsters are a common sight along our coasts, providing plenty of action and a great feed. But don’t let their abundance fool you – they’re a worthy adversary, capable of putting up a great fight on the right gear. This guide dives deep into the world of Australian Salmon, covering everything from identifying the two species, their distribution across our great land, the best tackle and bait to use, and how to get them hooked up.

Two Species of Aussie Salmon: Eastern and Western

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to understand we’re actually talking about two distinct species. We’ve got the Arripis trutta, also known as the Eastern Australian Salmon, and the Arripis truttaceus, or Western Australian Salmon. While they share similar looks and habits, they are geographically separate, each calling their own part of Australia home.

Spotting the Difference:

Both species boast a sleek, elongated body that’s built for speed. They’re typically a silvery blue to olive-green on their back and flanks, fading to a silvery-white belly. You’ll also spot dark spots along their sides, especially in younger fish. These spots often appear in rows. Juvenile salmon are a bright silver with distinct brown spots down their flanks and their small yellow pectoral fins. Another key identifier is their deeply forked caudal (tail) fin, which helps them power through the water. They’ve got a relatively small set of eyes and a big mouth to inhale any juicy baitfish. Now, while it’s hard to spot the physical differences between each species they are generally found in different locations.

The Eastern Australian Salmon (Arripis trutta):

The Eastern Salmon, often simply called “Australian Salmon”, is the more widespread of the two. They’re known by a bunch of nicknames, including “Black Back,” “New Fish,” “Bay Trout,” “Buck Salmon,” “Cocky Salmon,” “Colonial Salmon,” and even “Kahawai” (a name shared with a similar species in New Zealand). They can grow up to 6kg, but fishos will more commonly encounter them around the 2kg mark. These guys are found along the eastern seaboard of Australia, from Queensland down through New South Wales, Victoria, and into South Australia and Tasmania. They’re known for their schooling behaviour so often where you find one you find many.

The Western Australian Salmon (Arripis truttaceus):

The Western Salmon, as the name suggests, is primarily found along the coast of Western Australia. They have all the same attributes as the Eastern Australian Salmon.

Where to Find ‘Em: Distribution Across Australia

Australian Salmon are a coastal species, loving the surf beaches, rocky headlands, and estuaries all across our coastline. Knowing their distribution will put you in the right spot:

Eastern Salmon: From the warmer waters of Queensland and down the entire coast of New South Wales, hugging the Victorian coastline and South Australia and Tasmania. These are truly widespread.

Western Salmon: Western Australia is their domain, preferring the south-west coast of WA.

These fish are highly migratory, following the schools of baitfish they feast on. You will find them from the open ocean to deep in estuaries at different times of year. They’re a great option if you are unsure what you are targeting as they can be caught at different times in different places.

Gearing Up: Tackle for Australian Salmon

When it comes to tackle, you don’t need heavy duty gear to land these awesome fish. Light to medium gear is the go, depending on your location. Here is what you need to think about:

Rods and Reels: Light to medium spinning or baitcasting outfits are ideal. Think rods around 6-7 feet in length, paired with reels capable of holding a decent amount of line – these fish can run!

Line: Braided line in the 6-15lb range is perfect for a bit of extra sensitivity and casting distance. A fluorocarbon leader of 8-20lb will provide extra stealth. Monofilament is also a good option for this style of fishing.

Hooks: Size 1- 2/0 is the best size for most salmon, and be sure to have plenty of hooks with you.

Terminal Tackle: Swivels, split rings, and a selection of sinkers to suit different conditions.

Lures: Enticing the Strike

Australian Salmon are predatory fish and they hit hard! When using lures, the best bet is to imitate their prey. Here’s a rundown of the lures that work a treat:

Chrome Lures: Spoons and metal slugs work well, mimicking the flashing scales of baitfish.

Poppers: Great for surface action, especially in calm conditions and in the early mornings.

Minnows: Hard-bodied and soft plastic minnow lures that resemble small baitfish are deadly.

Jigs: Metal jigs in the smaller sizes (20-60g) can be extremely effective when salmon are feeding deep or in rough conditions.

Saltwater Flies: A great option for the fisho looking for a challenge. Saltwater fly patterns that imitate baitfish or shrimp will work perfectly.

Bait: Keeping it Natural

If you’re more of a bait fisho, you’re in luck. Aussie salmon are not fussy eaters and will readily take a variety of offerings. Here are some of the classics:

Pilchards (aka “Pillies”): The top bait choice for most Australian fishos when targeting salmon. Whole, white, frogmouth, or half pilchards are all very effective.

Garfish: A great bait option, particularly in the estuaries or from the rocks.

Mullet: Whole, halved, or cubed mullet works a treat.

Yellowtail: Another great bait, especially when cut into chunks.

Herring: A smaller fish that works well in calm water or when fish are feeding on the surface.

Squid: A good all-rounder and especially good for targeting the bigger fish.

Worms: Beach and blood worms work well in calmer conditions, especially in the estuaries.

Bait Presentation: The Key to Success

How you present your bait can make all the difference. Here’s how to get your bait into the strike zone:

Gang Hooks: Presenting a whole pilchard on a set of 3 or more gang hooks is a classic technique. You can suspend the bait below a float or fish it unweighted.

Floating Bait: Use a small float and some lighter sinkers to keep your pilchard or other bait just below the surface.

Anchored Bait: If the current is strong, use a sinker to anchor your bait.

Halved or Cubed Baits: Cutting pilchards or other baits in half or cubing them can create a scent trail to attract fish from a distance.

Berley: You can make an awesome berley by cubing some pillies. Throw a little bit in to attract the fish.

Live Baiting: If you can manage to catch some herring, yellowtail or even small mullet, these can be deadly on a live bait rig.

Tips and Techniques

Here are some extra tips to help you catch more Australian Salmon:

Time of Day: Early mornings and late afternoons are often the most productive times to fish for salmon.

Water Conditions: Keep a watch for schools of baitfish – where there’s bait, there’s usually salmon. Look for surface action.

Berley: A good berley trail will often bring salmon into your area and keep them there.

Move Around: Salmon are often on the move, so don’t be afraid to try different spots.

Use a Wire trace if there are tailor about. Tailor and Salmon look very similar when on the hook and they often travel in the same area. Tailor have sharp teeth and will often cut your line.

Conclusion

Australian Salmon, whether it’s the Eastern or Western variety, are an iconic species for Aussie fishos. With a bit of know-how, the right gear, and some good old Aussie determination, you’ll be hooking up with these silver bullets in no time. So get out there, wet a line, and enjoy the thrill of the catch!

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