Catching Trophy Jewfish on The Hawkesbury.

Yes, they are an all year round target. However the bigger fish show up in the colder months.

I definitely think soft plastic lures are the most deadly, especially on bigger fish. Anything from 4″-6″ with a realistic fish or prawn profile will work well.

If the water is clear, use clear or natural colours, if the water is discoloured, use white, black or hi-vis colours – The ideal size is 4″-6″.

There are plenty of good stretches on the Hawkesbury, but a few spots consistently hold quality jewfish if you put the time in. Spencer Reach is a favourite — that whole junction where Mangrove Creek meets the river has deep edges and strong current, perfect for working soft plastics along the drop-offs.

Further downstream, the area around Bar Point and Dangar Island is hard to beat. You’ve got structure, current breaks, and plenty of bait moving through — it’s a classic ambush zone for big mulloway.

I also like the Cowan Creek arms, especially those deep rock walls and quieter corners. They’re less pressured and ideal for daytime lure sessions. Flint and Steel, Juno Point, and Pumpkin Point are all proven producers too, and if you’ve got good electronics, keep an eye on the bridges and deeper holes near Milson Island — they always seem to hold bait and fish when the tide’s right.

Honestly, the Hawkesbury’s full of potential. Once you learn to read the sounder, follow the bait, and fish the tides properly, there are mulloway waiting all the way from Broken Bay up to Wisemans Ferry.

Tip: On bigger tides, I stick to the tributaries and creeks. On smaller tides I focus on the main river.

The best time to throw lures for jewfish on the Hawkesbury is around the tide changes, especially during the first few hours of the run-in or run-out when bait starts to move and current slows just enough for effective lure presentation. These windows concentrate baitfish along drop-offs, bridge pylons, and channel edges — ideal ambush points for mulloway.

While they can be caught throughout the day, low-light periods like dawn and dusk are prime times, as jewfish become more active and move into shallower areas to feed. Timing your session to match the turn of the tide with early morning or late afternoon light gives you the best shot at a solid bite.

The key is to keep your lure in contact with the bottom, where jewfish spend most of their time hunting. Cast out, let it sink, and then use a slow lift-and-drop retrieve — bouncing the lure off the bottom as you work it back to the boat. Each hop should be deliberate, allowing the lure to glide naturally back down.

With soft plastics, short, controlled lifts with a pause on the drop let the tail do the work, imitating a wounded baitfish. For vibes, small rod lifts or gentle shakes create vibration and flash, perfect for triggering strikes when fish are holding tight to structure or sitting deep in the channel. Patience is key — most bites come as the lure sinks or settles on the bottom, so stay alert for that subtle thud or tap before setting the hook.

A 7’2” to 7’6” spin rod in the 3–6kg or 4–8kg range is ideal for casting soft plastics and vibes while still having the stopping power to handle a solid jewfish. Pair it with a 3000–5000 size reel spooled with 10–20lb braid and a 14–20lb fluorocarbon leader for the perfect balance of finesse and strength.

This setup allows for accurate long casts, sensitive lure control, and enough muscle to turn big fish away from structure. The lighter end of that range suits smaller plastics and open-water work, while the heavier combo gives extra confidence around bridges, rock bars, and deep snags where Hawkesbury mulloway often strike hard and fight dirty.

It can be, again, depending on the scenario. Night time around bridges can be good to catch them on lures.

The trick is to understand where they will be holding up during the day. If you know where they sit, with enough patience and persistence, you will eventually catch one.

If you have an electric motor, you can anchor but I wouldn’t anchor with a traditional anchor and throw lures. The noise it makes will all but put jew off the bite. Better to just drift fish if you don’t have an electric motor. These fish spook easily so silence is key.

I tend to like overcast conditions and even a touch of drizzle. Bright sunny days with no wind makes it much harder. At those times just focus on low-light conditions around dawn and dusk.

Aside from watching the tides, fishing the change of light, and using the right tackle for the structure, one tip locals swear by is lure colour. If you see prawn trawlers working the river, switch to green lures to match the hue of Hawkesbury prawns — when the trawlers are out, everything in the system is feeding on them. On quieter days without trawlers, vary your colours. With fewer prawns around, predators turn to baitfish, and a white lure can be deadly during these periods.