Tailors are found in temperate and subtropical waters worldwide, thriving in estuaries, inshore areas, and coastal waters. Known for their missile-shaped head, forked tail, and streamlined body, they feature a silvery color with hints of green, olive, or blue on their backs and pale green fins with yellow tinges. Tailor fish can grow up to 1.2 meters in length and weigh as much as 16 kilograms. They are ferocious predators, often hunting in schools and feeding aggressively on bait fish. For fishermen, tailor fish offer great fun to catch and put up an exciting fight, making them a favorite among sport fishing enthusiasts.
Successful Bait and Lures
When targeting tailor fish, both dead bait and lures can be highly effective. For dead bait, mullies and mullet slices work best, especially when paired with small movements and a slow reel to mimic natural prey. For lure fishermen, paddle tails on jig heads are an excellent choice, with a fast reel-in motion triggering tailor to chase and strike aggressively. As predatory fish, tailor respond well to movement and bait that imitates live fish, making these techniques particularly successful for anglers.
Rod Setup, Rigs to use and Techniques
Best Rod Setup and Techniques for Catching Tailor Fish –
For catching tailor using dead bait, the ideal rod setup involves gang hooks with a running egg bobber on the leader line below the swivel. The egg bobber provides enough weight for long casts while allowing a moderate-speed reel-in to mimic small moving prey. If an egg bobber isn’t available, a lightweight sinker on the main line above the swivel works just as well with the same retrieval technique. Tailor tend to strike their prey with a single hit, so it’s crucial to strike immediately upon feeling a bite and keep reeling fast to counter their vigorous head shakes. For lure fishing with paddle tails, cast as far as possible, wait 5-10 seconds, and reel in at moderate speed, striking as soon as a hit is detected for the best results.
Where to find Tailors
Tailor fish are a favorite target for anglers in Australia due to their accessibility once you know where to look. They are commonly found in various locations, including beaches, where they hunt along surf zones, headlands, and shallow waters near banks or bommies with drains. In estuaries and bays, tailor occasionally move into calmer waters, while gutters—deep sections between the shore and sand banks—are hotspots, especially at the draining end. Headlands with rocky outcrops and nearby beaches are also prime spots, as are the coastal environments of islands, which offer diverse fishing opportunities for tailor enthusiasts.
Here are some water and land terrains to spot when out hunting for tailors:
