Sand Whiting
Sand whiting have been known to grow to 20 inches and 1kg but most of
those caught range from 400-600g and a fish of >900g is rated large.
They are olive-green along the back, merging to silver-green, silver and
then white below. The lower fins show strong tones of yellow and the
dorsal fins are dotted with small dark spots. They live mainly on the
sand flats and along the shallow channels in the estuaries, on shallow
ocean sandbars and in the surf along the ocean beaches. They often bury
themselves.
They spend a lot of time fossicking in the sand for small shellfish
and crustaceans, which they break up in the crushers at the back of
their palates. They are mainly taken on worms. Probably the best bait
for them are the little hard-nipping wriggler worms found under logs and
stones along the water's edge in quiet backwaters. Next best are the big
sand worms taken out of the beaches along the edge of the surf. Blood
worms dug from the mudflats in the estuaries are also very good. Squirt
worms, ejected out of their tunnels in the estuary sand-flats by
pressure of an upturned fruit tin, also do well, as do poddy worms dug
from under rotting weed on some of the backwater beaches. Earthworms are
poor bait for whiting. A lot of fishing is done for sand whiting with
cockles and pipies. Pipies are soft but take a lot of sand whiting in
the surf. At times a few can be caught on off-beat bait such as mullet
gut, octopus, garfish or bonito, but this is not customary.
Because it bites so freely and is easily caught, the sand whiting
provides more enjoyment in the summer months for once-a-year holiday
anglers than any other Australian fish. Inexperienced anglers usually
can catch a few. Those who use two or three hooks on their line
frequently land fish on each hook. They bite freely by day or night and
when they are hungry, at any state of the tide — but generally an early
flood tide is best, as this keeps the fish swimming towards the shore in
search of food.
To secure most fun fishing for sand whiting should be done on very
light tackle with small hooks, say, sizes No. 3 to 5. A sinker about the
size of a small pea is adequate about two feet above the hook and the
running type are preferred. Only in reasonably strong surf should the
breaking strain of the line used with rod or hand be increased beyond
3kg. Sand whiting are seldom caught in water beyond 4m in depth. |
