The Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix) is a widely sought after sport fish over much of the Australian coastline. Known as shad or elf in South Africa and bluefish in America, it's a fish with a wide geographical distribution and an equally wide following among anglers. An aggressive predator, the tailor can be caught with a number of different techniques, but the most exciting must undoubtedly be surface lures. Find the baitfish, structure and water movement and the tailor will seldom be far away.
A Stunning 82 cm tailor that took a Halco Roosta popper just on sunset. Although not the best-rated tailor lure, the Roosta popper definitely comes up with the goods. Fished in the right place at the right time, most top water lures will work, but some more effectively than others. Rapala skitter pops, and Maria bull chops and pop queens are popular among tailor fisherman. Subsurface stickbaits can be devastating when fished in the right area, particularly if the fish aren't confident enough to hit the poppers.
Tailor frequent the washes around shallow reef, which Lloyd knows only too well. Casting Maria stickbaits and Shimano waxwings produced a number of quality fish including this 60cm beauty. The closer the lure gets to the wash, the higher the chances of hooking good fish. The swirling waters provide ideal ambush habitat for this high speed predator.
Another good fish that came out of the white water on a Shimano waxwing
A tailor fisherman works a stick bait over the reef breaks.
Tailor like this are an absolute delight to catch on surface lures. If the fish are in the mood, multiple strikes from two or three fish aren't uncommon . One thing's for certain and that is the lure will be getting nailed.
Nick casting a Roosta popper for tailor, Western Australia
And the result! A fine tailor that fought hard all the way to the rocks. In some areas where the underwater terrain is rough, some serious pressure must be put on to keep the fish from reaching the oysters and barnacle. Although tailor are a fairly clean fighting fish in the shallow water where they like to live, the structure is often too close for comfort
A good fish on a Rapala Skitter Pop that was worked fast back to shore. When the fish are a little shy blooping the popper with short stops may help induce a bite.
Many outstanding fishing spots on the West coast of Australia are tucked away behind the sand dunes. A good 4wd vehicle can open up hundreds of superb fishing spots.
A specialist collection of tailor lures
Lloyd flicking lures to a reef break
A typical beach, Western Australia; lots of fish and very few fisherman. Pretty spoilt over here really!
Soaking a big bait for mulloway. Unfortunately, none was to show apart from a couple of small soapies as they are known. I'm planning to meet with a few bigger fish over the next weeks - so fingers crossed.
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