Species
Gummy Shark
Mustelus antarcticus
Also known as Australian smooth hound · flake · sweet william
Tier 2Eating9/10medium tackleNSWVICSAWATAS
41 waypoints80–140 cm (max 185 cm) typical
Regulations
VICbag 1TASbag 1
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | — | 1 |
| TAS | — | 1 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about gummy shark
Southern Australian shark of bays, estuaries and inshore reef from southern WA across to NSW. Targeted with squid, salmon or trevally baits on the bottom, often at night around tide changes. The 'flake' of fish-and-chip shops — clean, mild flesh.
Biology: Gummy Shark size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Offshore
- Typical size
- 80–140 cm (max 185 cm)
- Weight
- 3–10 kg (max 25 kg)
- Depth range
- 5–350 m
- Diet
- octopus, squid, crabs, small fish
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Southern Australia
How to target: Gummy Shark angling strategies
Generally fished with medium tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- fresh squid, salmon fillet or eel on a running sinker rig over sand or mud bottom
- running paternoster rig at anchor in Western Port and Port Phillip channels
- berleyed pilchards drifted at dusk through Bass Strait shallows
Best season: when to catch gummy shark in Australia
- VIC
- Nov-May (Western Port)
- TAS
- year-round
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Safety & handling
Bleed and gut immediately; flesh ammonia-taints if not iced fast.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Marketed widely as 'flake'; AFMA quota-managed commercial fishery healthy.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught gummy shark
No gummy shark catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: gummy shark fishing spots in Australia
Victoria21
- Anderson InletEstuary · VIC-38.63°
- Bouchier ChannelEstuary · VIC-38.45°
- Corinella JettyJetty · VIC-38.42°
- Crawfish RockReef · VIC-38.40°
- Lang Lang BeachBeach · VIC-38.29°
- Lower Eastern ChannelShoal · VIC-38.44°
- Middle SpitShoal · VIC-38.37°
- Newhaven JettyJetty · VIC-38.51°
- Ocean Grove BeachBeach · VIC-38.28°
- Port Campbell BayBay · VIC-38.62°
- Port Fairy WharfWharf · VIC-38.39°
- Reef IslandShoal · VIC-38.39°
- Rhyll JettyJetty · VIC-38.46°
- SS Federal WreckWreck · VIC-38.43°
- SS Time WreckWreck · VIC-38.42°
- Sandy PointBeach · VIC-38.80°
- Skenes CreekRiver Mouth · VIC-38.70°
- Sorrento HoleShoal · VIC-38.34°
- Stony Point JettyJetty · VIC-38.37°
- Tortoise HeadHeadland · VIC-38.37°
- Western Port - TankertonShoreline · VIC-38.43°
Tasmania18
- Carlton BeachBeach · TAS-42.88°
- Cloudy BayBeach · TAS-43.45°
- Cockle CreekEstuary · TAS-43.58°
- Couta RocksRock Platform · TAS-41.22°
- Denison BeachBeach · TAS-41.78°
- Falmouth BeachBeach · TAS-41.51°
- Maria Island - Mercury PassageReef · TAS-42.65°
- Marrawah CoastRock Platform · TAS-40.91°
- Naracoopa Jetty King IslandJetty · TAS-39.92°
- Pirates BayBay · TAS-43.02°
- Roaring BeachBeach · TAS-43.09°
- Rocky CapeHeadland · TAS-40.86°
- Sandy Cape BeachBeach · TAS-41.41°
- Sisters BeachBeach · TAS-40.92°
- South Arm BeachBeach · TAS-42.98°
- St HelensBay · TAS-41.32°
- Stanley - Godfreys BeachBeach · TAS-40.76°
- Tomahawk BeachBeach · TAS-40.86°
More information: gummy shark references & sources
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