Australian Pilchard
The Australian pilchard is also known as the Blue Pilchard, Pilly, Sardine, Bluebait Western Australian Pilchard and Mulies. Australian Pilchards are blue on the back with the sides and belly area being silvery white. The flanks have a series of dark spots along the center. The Australian Pilchard can grow to over 20cm long.
Pilchards as Bait
There is no more versatile bait than the Australian pilchard it will entice any number of fish to bite the list is as long as Pinocchio’s nose after a long weekends fishing. It is however the number one bait for Tailor, Australian Salmon and Snapper.
How to Catch your Bait
Australian Pilchards are primarily a commercial catch and can be bought from all good Bait and Tackle shops in packs from 400g to 15kg buying in bulk works out the cheapest method.
Bait Presentation
Probably the most common method of presenting Australian Pilchards is on a set of 3 or more gang hooks and then suspended below a float, Anchored with a sinker or used as a floating bait. Other methods include halving the bait and also cubing.