Mastering Topwater Whiting Around Mackay With Luke Galea

Luke’s Tips For Topwater Whiting Around Mackay

• Check Out Luke’s YouTube video on topwater whiting.
• Central Queensland offers year-round opportunities for whiting fishing, thanks to its favorable climate and active whiting populations.
• Choose your fishing times wisely by focusing on periods from the bottom of the tide until the water reaches high tide level. During these periods whiting follow the rising water.
• Pay attention to wind direction and strength, as they affect casting accuracy and lure presentation with small, light lures. Whiting are eagle-eyed, so a gentle breeze can enhance your chances by rippling the water surface. Try to get the wind behind for longer casting where possible.
• Unlike some species, whiting can be caught on topwater lures throughout the day, making them accessible to anglers at various times.
• The flats are vast but whiting often gather around isolated structure such as oyster rocks, gutters and channels, weed beds and yabby beds.
• Cover a lot of water and make plenty of long casts, fanning them out to find fish.
• Be prepared for occasional barra, threadfin, queenfish, grunter and of course bream and flathead to attack your lures. These fish might not necessarily be too small, either.

Luke’s Topwater Whiting Tackle

• For topwater whiting fishing, a light spin combo is essential. Luke recommends a 2-4 kilo, seven-foot stick paired with a 2500-size eggbeater reel, six-pound braid, and an eight-pound fluorocarbon leader.
• While lighter tackle is an option, it increases the risk of losing larger species like barramundi or queenfish that might take your lure.

Luke’s Topwater Whiting Lures For Mackay Fishing

• Bassday Sugar Pen (58mm): This slender stickbait is Luke’s standout choice for whiting fishing. Cast it out and work it with a relatively slow handle turn, creating zigzagging movements by twitching 4 times per turn of the handle. The seductive wobbles and meandering “walk the dog” action make it highly effective. Replace the rear treble with a size 8 or 10 Atomic Tick Bitz assist hook for increased hookup rates.
• Bassday Sugar Pen (70mm): While larger than the 58mm version, the 70mm Sugar Pen is still a viable choice for whiting due to its slim profile. It offers a similar action, and the slower handle turn keeps it dancing on the surface, enticing whiting.
• The Atomic Canine Walker (60mm) is a similar lure to the Sugar Pen and is used in the same way but is useful if you need to switch things up.
• Atomic Soft Pop (50mm): This soft material popper is designed for a realistic and natural feel. Work it slowly with a gentle handle turn, allowing it to make distinct blip-blip sounds as it moves across the surface. If a fish strikes and misses, they often return for another go due to its lifelike appearance.
• Bassday Sugar Pen Splash (70-75mm): Keep an eye out for this exciting new lure with an open face. It’s a splash popper with sexy color options. While Luke hasn’t used it yet, it’s a promising addition for whiting fishing, and he’s eager to try it out.
• Remember when whiting fishing that it’s important the lure doesn’t stop moving.