Scott Amon

Scott Amon

Fishing Jounalist, Publisher and Presenter

Scott has been a NSW North Coast fishing personality for decades, has written for multiple magazines, founded and published the former “Fish Life” magazine and been a frequent TV and DVD fishing presenter. Not to mention that his fishing photography has inspired too many anglers to count! These days Scott is taking a break from publishing to focus on his agricultural and working dog businesses….. but he’ll never stop fishing!

Scott Amon’s Top Tips For Nambucca Whiting On Lures

  • Whiting are prevalent in most east coast estuaries, but the best opportunities to catch them on lures occur between central Queensland and southern Victoria.
  • Whiting luring opportunities are closely linked to prawning – good prawning estuaries also tend to be good whiting estuaries. The start and end of whiting luring season matches the start and end of prawn runs.
  • Learn to work the lures properly. It is critical to create a fleeing prawn action. Contrary to popular advice, the speed your lures are moving is not important as long as they are throwing up plenty of water. In a strong current this can be achieved without the lure having much forward movement, in still waters the lure may need more forward movement to get the required action. You’ll need to learn the art of reeling at a slow, constant speed while stabbing the rod tip in 2-3 sharp jabs per second, which is a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach……. it takes practice!
  • Small stickbaits and poppers are Scott’s preferred whiting lures. Of the two, the stickbaits are more productive but whiting poppers are easier to use and are probably a better choice for those struggling to perfect the action of a stickbait. Poppers are also preferred when there is a lot of chop caused by wind or currents.
  • Prime places for whiting are the flats that contain plenty of yabby holes and the associated connecting channels. Along the edges of weedbeds is also productive.
  • Reasonably clear water tends to fish best. The topwater whiting bite goes quiet when there is a lot of fresh in the system, though the fishing can still be good in tannin-stained salt water.

Scott’s Whiting Tackle Recommendations

  • A relatively fast taper threadline rod with a relatively soft tip helps with long distance casting. Scott’s using Stradic 2500 reels at present, loaded with 8lb braid and an 8-12 lb leader. Light leaders aren’t necessary, but heavier leaders give some insurance when a by-catch of flathead or bream is hooked while targeting whiting. A quality braid that resists wind knots is a good investment Scott has recently found the new Berkley braid exceptional. Mono or fluorocarbon leaders are fine, but be sure and use a loop knot to connect the lure.

Scott’s Top Lures For Targeting Whiting

  • Scott’s #1 lure pick for whiting is the 90mm Bassday Sugar Pen in semi-transparent colours and/or with a white underbelly. The 70mm Sugarpen is often considered the best option for whiting, but Scott finds the larger lure better
  • Stiffy Poppers are Scotts favourite poppers but aren’t made any more. But there are plenty of similar shaped and sized poppers that will do the job too
  • Wilson surface walking whiting lure shaped like the Stiffy Top Dog works well too.

Scott’s Preferred Times & Tides For Luring Whiting

  • Run out tides when the moon is in the dark phase are best. These coincide with periods of strong tidal flow and prawn migrations. The start and end of the season varies from year to year and between location, but December to March or April is the prime time.

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team doc lures fishing resources
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