Targeting Tuross Lake Whiting With Starlo

Starlo’s Tips For Whiting On Topwater Lures

• Starlo deems surface luring for whiting the most thrilling development in southern estuary fishing. Evolving for nearly 20 years, this technique has turned lure fishing for whiting into an exciting sport that is accessible to all Australians.
• Initially, small cup-faced poppers were effective, but over time, fish grew more discerning. As the technique developed, the transition to walk-the-dog style stick baits proved fruitful, rekindling catch rates and overcoming challenges posed by smarter and wiser fish.
• These days, catches are consistent but lower than they were years ago as the fish have become lure shy. Starlo theorises that this may be exacerbated because anglers are selectively removing the more aggressive fish in the schools.
• Water temperature is the critical factor for targeting whiting, with the 23-26°C range optimal, particularly during prawn runs and darker moon phases.
• Casting distance is paramount, requiring proper gear, as is clever use of the wind, and strategic casting to lure whiting effectively.
• Starlo shared some intriguing theories on lure choice. Cup-faced poppers may imitate the sound of fish feeding on prawns, invoking a feeding frenzy among whiting. In contrast, walk-the-dog stick baits simulate fleeing prawns, potentially prompting predatory species like flathead to strike, along with whiting.
• When looking for spots to fish for whiting the water depths from ankle to waist deep seem to fish best for surface lures. Bare sandy environments are usually not so productive as areas punctuated by weedbeds, rock bars, mud banks, gutters or other structure. Confirming the presence of food sources like worms, yabbies, and crustaceans also helps to locate fish.
• Time of day seems to be less important than water temperature. Water clarity is also a factor – fish tend to be skittish if the water is very clear and tend to be more aggressive if the water has a little colour.

Starlo’s Whiting Fishing Tackle

• Spin reels in the 1000 to 2500 size range are ideal. Spooling with four to six-pound braid and using a fluorocarbon leader of around 12 to 15 pounds enhances the lure’s action without spooking the fish. Optimal rod length is crucial, with seven and a half to eight and a half-foot rods being the preference for long casts with light lures.
• Starlo finds that replacing the treble hooks on the lures tail with small, super-sharp assist hooks significantly improves hook sets and catch rates.

Starlo’s Top Whiting Lures

• A Lucky Craft Sammy (65mm), Bassday Suga Pen (70mm) or other small, walk-the-dog style stickbait retrofitted with assist hooks in place of the rear treble. Keep the lure moving with a brisk zigzag motion and don’t pause, especially if there is a whiting following. Bream and flathead eat a paused lure, but whiting tend to flee.
• The new Shimano Ligen 66F is a small walk the dog lure that has a cup face and can also be popped or even burned. For whiting it’s fished in much the same way as the Sammy or Sugarpen, but Starlo finds it’s easier to get working with the zigzag walk the dog action.