Species
Whitebait
Hyperlophus vittatus
Also known as sandy sprat · blue sprat
Tier 3Eating6/10ultralight tackleNSWVICQLDSAWATAS
0 waypoints6–10 cm (max 12 cm) typical
Overview: about whitebait
Small schooling sprat of inshore Australian waters that drives the great spring-summer whitebait feed — when Australian salmon, tailor and trout pursue them into the surf and estuaries. Caught with whitebait nets and used widely as bait.
Biology: Whitebait size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Beach, Estuary, Inshore
- Typical size
- 6–10 cm (max 12 cm)
- Weight
- 0.01–0.02 kg
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- zooplankton
- Global range
- Southern Australia
How to target: Whitebait angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- whitebait nets in estuaries
- small bait jigs in tight schools
Recent community catches: anglers who caught whitebait
No whitebait catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
More information: whitebait references & sources
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