Introduction

Few natural baits are as consistently effective on large Australian predatory fish as fresh cuttlefish. While squid tends to receive most of the attention, mourning cuttlefish (Sepia plangon) produces a tougher, oil-rich bait that stays on the hook longer and continues releasing scent even after extended time in the water.

For anglers who regularly chase snapper, mulloway, kingfish, dhufish or large reef species, a freshly caught cuttlefish can be worth several packets of frozen bait. Its firm flesh withstands pickers remarkably well, its natural oils disperse steadily through the water column, and it can be prepared in several different ways depending on the species you’re targeting.

Although they’re less common than squid in many areas, mourning cuttlefish are available throughout much of southern Australia and are well worth collecting whenever the opportunity arises. A single medium-sized specimen can produce multiple quality baits, making it one of the most economical premium baits available.

Sourcing the Bait

Most recreational anglers collect mourning cuttlefish while targeting squid. Small squid jigs worked slowly over shallow reef edges, broken kelp and seagrass beds are by far the most productive method.

Areas where reef meets sand are particularly productive. Cuttlefish often patrol these transition zones searching for crabs, prawns and small fish, and will readily attack a well-presented jig. During periods of clear water and light wind, they can often be sight-fished in surprisingly shallow water.

Dawn and dusk generally provide the most consistent action, especially around moderate tidal movement. Calm conditions allow better visibility and make it much easier to work a jig naturally through likely habitat. While they can be caught throughout the day, bright sunlight combined with rough water often makes locating them more difficult.

In some regions, numbers increase noticeably during seasonal spawning events, when cuttlefish move into shallow reefs in greater concentrations. These periods can provide exceptional collecting opportunities, although the timing varies considerably between locations.

If you don’t have the opportunity to catch your own, some tackle stores and seafood suppliers occasionally stock fresh or frozen cuttlefish. Fresh specimens are always preferable, but properly frozen cuttlefish still produce excellent bait.

Recognising Quality

Freshness has a direct impact on how well cuttlefish performs as bait.

A quality specimen should feel firm throughout the mantle, with intact skin that hasn’t started peeling away. The flesh should retain its natural shape when handled rather than feeling soft or watery. Bright, clear eyes and a clean marine smell are also reliable indicators of freshness.

Avoid cuttlefish with milky eyes, strong ammonia odours or flesh that feels mushy when squeezed. These signs indicate tissue breakdown, resulting in bait that tears easily from the hook and loses much of its natural scent.

If purchasing frozen bait, look for whole cuttlefish that remain individually frozen without excessive ice crystals or signs of freezer burn. Heavy frost inside the packaging often indicates the bait has partially thawed and been refrozen, reducing its overall quality.

Storage and Care

Like all cephalopods, mourning cuttlefish deteriorates quickly once exposed to heat.

After capture, place them immediately into an ice slurry or well-drained icebox. Keeping the bait cold without allowing it to sit in fresh meltwater helps preserve the firmness that makes cuttlefish so effective.

If you’re planning to use them within a day or two, refrigeration is usually sufficient. For longer storage, freezing whole cleaned specimens provides the best balance between convenience and bait quality.

Vacuum sealing significantly reduces freezer burn and helps maintain the natural oils within the flesh. Freezing individual cuttlefish separately also makes it easier to thaw only what you’ll need for a session.

Once thawed, avoid refreezing. Each freeze-thaw cycle softens the flesh, making it more likely to tear during casting or after repeated bites from smaller fish.

Preparing the Bait

One of cuttlefish’s greatest strengths is its versatility. Almost every part of the animal can be used effectively.

For large predators such as mulloway or kingfish, small whole cuttlefish present a substantial, natural meal and remain securely attached even during long casts. Removing the cuttlebone while leaving the body intact creates a streamlined bait that sinks naturally and sits well on large hooks.

When targeting snapper or reef fish, strips cut from the mantle are often the preferred option. Long, tapered strips flutter naturally in the current while remaining remarkably durable. Cutting each strip so it narrows towards the tail creates more movement than square-cut pieces.

The wings also produce excellent baits. Their thinner profile creates extra action with minimal current, making them particularly effective for lightly weighted presentations.

The head and tentacles should never be discarded. Their natural movement continues underwater, making them outstanding baits for species that rely heavily on movement when feeding.

Smaller cubes can also be prepared for species with relatively small mouths or when fish are feeding cautiously.

How to Rig It

The ideal rig depends largely on how the bait has been prepared.

Whole cuttlefish are best presented on strong twin-hook or snelled-hook rigs. Positioning one hook near the head and the second further back keeps the bait straight while improving hook-up rates on larger fish.

For strip baits, thread the hook only once through the thicker end, allowing the remainder of the strip to move freely. This produces an enticing flutter while maintaining excellent hook exposure.

When fishing naturally over sand or reef, running sinker rigs remain the most versatile option. They allow the bait to settle naturally while giving fish minimal resistance during the initial pickup.

Dropper rigs work particularly well over reef when multiple species are present, while float rigs are highly effective whenever predators are feeding higher in the water column around bait schools or structure.

One advantage of cuttlefish over softer baits is its durability. Properly rigged strips often withstand repeated bites from pickers, allowing them to remain fishing effectively long after softer baits would require replacement.

Best Fish to Target

Mourning cuttlefish appeals to an impressive range of Australia’s larger predatory fish.

Snapper readily consume strip baits worked near reef edges, particularly when larger fish are present. The tough flesh survives nuisance pickers long enough for quality fish to find the bait.

Mulloway are another standout target. Whole or large strip baits provide a substantial meal that closely resembles the squid and cuttlefish they naturally hunt around estuary entrances, reefs and coastal washes.

Kingfish aggressively attack whole cuttlefish presented around reefs, wrecks and bait schools. Their durability makes them particularly valuable when powerful fish repeatedly strike without immediately swallowing the bait.

Offshore reef species including dhufish, coral trout, cod and morwong also respond exceptionally well, while sharks and rays readily locate cuttlefish through its strong scent trail.

Wherever cephalopods naturally occur, cuttlefish should be considered among the premium natural bait options available.

Common Mistakes

The biggest mistake anglers make is treating cuttlefish like soft squid.

Oversized chunks often reduce hook exposure and produce awkward presentations. Taking a little extra time to cut streamlined strips dramatically improves both movement and hook-up rates.

Poor storage is another common issue. Allowing cuttlefish to sit in warm conditions or soak in melted ice quickly softens the flesh, reducing one of its greatest advantages—its durability.

Many anglers also discard the head and wings after removing the mantle. In reality, these sections frequently produce some of the most effective baits, particularly when targeting snapper and reef fish.

Finally, avoid repeatedly freezing and thawing unused bait. While cuttlefish freezes exceptionally well, every thaw reduces flesh strength and shortens the time it will remain securely attached to the hook.

The Bottom Line

Mourning cuttlefish may not receive the same attention as squid, but experienced anglers know it deserves a place among Australia’s elite natural baits. Its combination of toughness, scent, versatility and natural appeal makes it one of the most reliable options for targeting larger predatory fish.

Whether fished whole for kingfish and mulloway, cut into fluttering strips for snapper, or prepared as smaller pieces for reef species, quality cuttlefish consistently produces results. A single freshly caught specimen can provide multiple premium baits, each capable of withstanding repeated attacks while continuing to release natural oils and scent.

If you’re already carrying squid jigs when fishing southern Australian reefs, adding a mourning cuttlefish to the esky isn’t just a bonus catch—it can easily become the best bait you’ll use all day.