Species
Sand Whiting
Sillago ciliata
Also known as summer whiting · yellowfin whiting · blue-nose whiting
Tier 1Eating10/10ultralight tackleNSWVICQLDSAWATASNT
45 waypoints22–35 cm (max 51 cm) typical
Regulations
NSW27 cm min · bag 20VIC27 cm min · bag 20QLD23 cm min · bag 30
| State | Size | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 27 cm min | 20 |
| VIC | 27 cm min | 20 |
| QLD | 23 cm min | 30 |
Regulations change. Always verify with the relevant state fisheries authority before fishing.
Overview: about sand whiting
Default 'whiting' on the east coast — found in estuaries, beach gutters and bay flats from southern QLD to eastern VIC. Targeted with beach worms, pipis, soldier crabs and small surface lures (poppers and walkers) over sand flats. Top sport on light line and superb eating.
Biology: Sand Whiting size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Beach, Estuary, Inshore
- Typical size
- 22–35 cm (max 51 cm)
- Weight
- 0.15–0.5 kg (max 1.4 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–30 m
- Diet
- marine worms, small crustaceans, molluscs
- Most active
- diurnal
- Global range
- Multiple Sillago species across Australia — sand, trumpeter, school, yellowfin, KGW
How to target: Sand Whiting angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- beach worms or pipi on a long-shank hook in beach gutters and sand drains
- saltwater nippers on a paternoster rig with a small running sinker
- small surface lures (Bassday Sugapen, Lucky Craft NW Pencil) walked over shallow flats at dawn
- tiny soft plastics (1.5" baitfish) hopped on light braid
Best season: when to catch sand whiting in Australia
- NSW
- Sep-May
- VIC
- Nov-May
- QLD
- year-round
Seasons shift with water temperature and local conditions, so check recent reports before a trip.
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Genus catch-all — see sand-whiting, KGW, yellowfin-whiting for species detail.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught sand whiting
No sand whiting catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: sand whiting fishing spots in Australia
Queensland21
- Agnes Water Main BeachBeach · QLD-24.21°
- Bribie Surf Gutters (Woorim)Beach · QLD-27.08°
- Bundaberg Port PromenadeShoreline · QLD-24.76°
- Coomera River MouthRiver Mouth · QLD-27.85°
- Currumbin AlleyEstuary · QLD-28.14°
- Elliott HeadsRiver Mouth · QLD-24.93°
- Jumpinpin BarRiver Mouth · QLD-27.73°
- Logan River MouthRiver Mouth · QLD-27.72°
- Mon Repos BeachBeach · QLD-24.80°
- Myora ReefReef · QLD-27.48°
- Ngkala Rocks GutterBeach · QLD-24.97°
- North Stradbroke Main Beach GuttersBeach · QLD-27.48°
- Pimpama RiverEstuary · QLD-27.78°
- Rainbow Beach GuttersBeach · QLD-25.90°
- River Heads Boat RampBoat Ramp · QLD-25.38°
- Tallebudgera Creek MouthRiver Mouth · QLD-28.10°
- Tannum Sands BeachBeach · QLD-23.94°
- Tin Can Bay MarinaBoat Ramp · QLD-25.90°
- Toogoom ForeshoreBeach · QLD-25.25°
- Urangan PierJetty · QLD-25.29°
- Wynnum JettyJetty · QLD-27.44°
Western Australia16
- Becher PointBeach · WA-32.36°
- Binningup BeachBeach · WA-33.15°
- City Beach GroyneBreakwall · WA-31.93°
- Coogee Beach JettyJetty · WA-32.12°
- Faure SillShoal · WA-25.83°
- Floreat Beach GroyneBreakwall · WA-31.94°
- Geographe Bay Artificial Reef (Dunsborough)Reef · WA-33.56°
- Henri Freycinet HarbourBay · WA-26.08°
- Leighton BeachBeach · WA-32.02°
- North Beach ReefReef · WA-31.86°
- Preston BeachBeach · WA-32.88°
- Sorrento BeachBeach · WA-31.83°
- Swanbourne BeachBeach · WA-31.97°
- Useless LoopBay · WA-26.13°
- West Beach (Esperance)Beach · WA-33.87°
- Whitfords Beach ReefReef · WA-31.79°
Victoria5
Tasmania1
New South Wales1
South Australia1
More information: sand whiting references & sources
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