Introduction
Yellowtail scad, better known to most Australian anglers as yakkas, occupy a unique position in Australian fishing. They are one of the most commonly encountered baitfish species along the southern half of the country, yet many anglers overlook them as a legitimate target species in their own right.
Most recreational fishers first encounter yakkas while gathering live bait for kingfish, mulloway, tuna or sharks. A sabiki rig dropped beside a jetty, harbour wall or navigation marker will often produce a steady stream of fish. Because of this association with bait gathering, many anglers never take the time to understand how the species behaves.
That is a mistake.
Understanding where yakkas school, why they move and how they respond to changing conditions often provides valuable information about the location of larger predators. In many coastal systems, finding yellowtail scad is the first step toward finding kingfish, salmon, tailor, mulloway and tuna.
The species spends much of its life in large schools. Unlike species that relate tightly to the bottom, yakkas are commonly found suspended through the water column. Their location can change hourly depending on current strength, bait concentrations and available structure.
The most reliable locations include deep-water jetties, harbour walls, breakwalls, moorings, navigation markers, reef edges and island washes. Schools often appear on sounders as dense midwater clouds rather than bottom-hugging arches.
One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is assuming yellowtail scad simply occupy every structure permanently. In reality, they move constantly. A jetty that held thousands of fish yesterday may appear empty today if current, water quality or bait concentrations change.
Successful anglers spend more time looking for active schools than waiting for fish to arrive.
Tackle and Rigs
Light tackle is ideal. A 1–3 kg or 2–4 kg rod paired with a 1000–2500 size spinning reel provides more than enough power for even the largest fish. Fine braid between 4–10 lb allows anglers to fish small lures and bait rigs efficiently while maintaining sensitivity.
For bait fishing, long-shank hooks in sizes 8–12 work exceptionally well. Small pieces of pilchard, squid or fish flesh outperform larger offerings. The most productive rig remains the humble sabiki. Multi-hook bait jigs allow anglers to quickly identify the depth at which schools are holding.
One useful tactic is counting the sink time of the rig after locating fish on sonar. Once the productive depth is identified, anglers can repeatedly place the rig directly into the feeding zone rather than fishing blindly.
When targeting larger fish around reefs and offshore structure, heavier tackle may be required simply because kingfish, bonito and salmon frequently attack hooked yakkas before they reach the surface.
When to Use Lures
Although bait catches plenty of fish, lures are often more efficient. Small bait jigs dominate because they imitate the tiny crustaceans and baitfish that schooling yakkas naturally feed upon. Micro metal lures between 3–10 grams can be extremely effective when schools are actively feeding near the surface. Fast retrieves interspersed with short pauses often trigger multiple follows. Small paddle-tail plastics and tiny stickbaits also produce results when fish become selective.
One observation shared by many experienced bait collectors is that lure size matters more than lure colour. Schools feeding on tiny prey frequently ignore larger presentations regardless of how realistic they appear. If fish are visible but refusing to bite, downsizing should be the first adjustment.
Time of Day
Yakkas can be caught throughout the day, but certain periods are noticeably more productive. Dawn is often the most reliable time around jetties, harbour structures and inshore reefs. Schools frequently move higher in the water column during low-light periods and become easier to locate. Dusk can produce similar results, particularly around artificial lighting where bait accumulates.
Night fishing around illuminated wharves and marina structures can be exceptionally productive. Plankton gathers beneath lights, attracting baitfish and subsequently large schools of yakkas.
During bright midday conditions, fish often shift deeper and become more concentrated around shade lines or deeper structure. Anglers fishing from boats should pay close attention to sounders during daylight hours, as schools frequently remain present even when they are not visible on the surface.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is fishing too large. Many anglers use hooks, sinkers and bait pieces designed for snapper or bream and then wonder why they struggle to catch yakkas.
Everything about yellowtail scad fishing improves when tackle is scaled down.
Another mistake is fishing the bottom. While schools occasionally move close to structure, they are often suspended well above it. Anglers who focus exclusively on bottom fishing regularly miss active fish.
Poor berley management also reduces success.
A steady stream of fine particles is far more effective than occasional handfuls of large chunks. The objective is to keep schools interested and concentrated rather than feeding them.
Many anglers also leave productive locations too early. Yakkas often move through structure in waves. A seemingly quiet jetty can suddenly become alive with fish when current strength changes.
Finally, many fishers fail to use yellowtail scad as indicators. If large schools are present, predators are often nearby. Paying attention to yakka activity frequently leads to opportunities on much larger species.
The Bottom Line
Yellowtail scad are far more than a baitfish.
They are a widespread, accessible and highly useful species that teaches anglers how bait schools interact with structure, current and predators. Understanding these patterns improves success not only on yakkas but also on kingfish, mulloway, salmon, tuna and countless other species that depend on them as prey.
The most consistent approach is simple: find clean water, locate active structure, identify the depth of the school and fish small. When current is moving and bait concentrations are present, yellowtail scad are rarely far away.
For anglers willing to pay attention to their movements, yakkas often reveal far more about a fishery than the species being targeted.
