How to catch big Mulloway in reefs is the #1 question I get asked by fishos in Southeast Queensland. Even though I’ve moved on from the Gold Coast, the fundamentals of landing a monster Jewfish remain the same. If you want to stop guessing and start catching, you need a system that covers everything from bait gathering to the exact minute you should pack up and head home.
In this Mulloway 101 guide, I’m breaking down the 16 to 18-fathom secrets that helped me land 20lb to 50lb+ trophies consistently.
1. The Best Time for Offshore Mulloway
While you can catch Jewfish all year round, the colder winter months are prime time for the real monsters. When learning how to catch big Mulloway in reefs, timing your trip with the moon is critical. I always fish from the New Moon up until about two or three nights before the Full Moon. I personally despise the Full Moon for Mulloway—the fishing is often erratic and unpredictable.
2. Broadwater Bait Gathering: The Pike Secret
Before you head out to the 35m marks, you need the right candy. If the tide is rising in the afternoon, I spend an hour trolling the weed flats near the North of wave break island.
- The Gear: A light 2500 spin outfit with 6lb braid.
- The Lure: Small hard-body lures with plenty of “twitch.”
- The Target: Pike. They are arguably the best bait for Jews and big Snapper.
3. Finding the Right Reef Marks (Hook Bender & 17)
Don’t just drive to a GPS coordinate and drop anchor. To master how to catch big Mulloway in reefs, you must find the bait. I use marks like “Hook Bender” and “17” on the 16-18 fathom line as starting points. I search the broken reef sections to the South of these marks. If a reef isn’t holding bait, move on. The predators will always be where the food is.
4. Mastering the Eastern Edge Anchor
Positioning is everything. I always aim to anchor on the Eastern (outside) edge or the Southern edge of the reef.
- Why? Mulloway are ambush predators that cruise the reef fringes.
- The Westerly Advantage: In winter, the Westerly winds hold you off the reef perfectly.
- Avoid the West: I’ve never had luck on the Western (inside) edge. It’s almost always a waste of time.
5. The “Old Faithful” Mulloway Rig
When you are targeting 60lb fish, your terminal tackle needs to be bulletproof. I use an 80lb leader to handle their raspy teeth and the rough reef environment.
- The Setup: A 8 – 10oz Lumo Sinker (egg-shaped) sitting above a small green bead and a pair of snelled 80/0 hooks. This offshore Mulloway Rig alone has land me hundreds of Jew over many, many years.
- The Drop: This is crucial—keep your thumb on the spool! A “controlled drop” ensures your sinker doesn’t outpace your bait and cause a massive tangle.
6. Proper Drag Settings: The 1/3 Rule
Stop locking your drags! If you want to know how to catch big Mulloway in reefs without breaking rods, you need to set your drag to 1/3 of your line’s breaking strain.
- If you’re running 15kg braid, set your drag to 5kg.
- This is enough to set the hook when the rod buckles, but light enough to let the fish run without pulling the hooks or snapping your rod in the holder.
7. Catching Pike After Dark
If you couldn’t get bait in the Broadwater, look at your Sounder after the sun sets. You’ll often see a “cloud” rise 3/4 of the way up the water column—those are Pike.
- Use a tiny gang of hooks with a small sliver of pilchard.
- Flick it up-current and let it drift down.
- Once you catch a fresh Pike, get it on your main Jewfish rod immediately. A live Pike is irresistible to a big reef Jew.
8. The Artificial Blocks Rig Change
If you aren’t fishing the natural reefs and prefer the artificial blocks northeast of the Seaway, you must change your rig. For some reason, the “Old Faithful” lumo rig doesn’t work as well there. Switch to a standard running sinker rig with a 6-8oz ball sinker. It’s a small change, but it makes a huge difference in your strike rate at the blocks and remember a slow controlled drop.
9. The 9:00 PM Rule
Here is a secret most people won’t tell you: If you haven’t had a hit by 9:00 PM, go home. We’ve experimented with this for years. On the Gold Coast reefs, the prime window is from sundown until 9:00 PM. After that, the bite usually dies completely. Save your fuel, get some sleep, and try again another night.
Before you head out, always check the BOM Gold Coast Tide Tables to ensure you’re fishing that magic window.
Summary Checklist for Big Reef Mulloway
- Season: Winter months.
- Moon: New Moon to 3 days before Full.
- Bait: Live Pike or Yakkas.
- Rig: 80lb leader with 10oz Lumo sinker.
- Stealth: Anchor on the Eastern edge and keep the noise down.
More Mulloway Fishing Guides
Read the full mulloway fishing guide