The Ultimate Guide to Catching Yakkas (Yellowtail Scad) from Shore in Australia

If you're looking to catch yakkas (yellowtail scad) from the shore along Australia’s east coast, you’re in the right place! Yakkas are plentiful, easy to catch, and perfect for both live bait and eating. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler, learning the best rigs, bait, and techniques will help you land more fish.

🔥 In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ Where to find yakkas & how to catch them
✅ The best rigs, baits & lures for yakka fishing
✅ How to use yakkas as live bait for bigger fish
✅ Cooking tips – Yes, yakkas are delicious!

🎣 Let’s get started! 🚀

🐟 What Are Yakkas? Understanding the Yellowtail Scad

Yakkas, or yellowtail scad, are small, fast-swimming fish found in schools along Australia’s eastern coastline. They are a favorite target for shore-based anglers due to their abundance, aggressive feeding habits, and value as both live bait and table fish.

🔍 How to Identify Yakkas

✔ Silver body with a distinctive yellow stripe
✔ Forked tail for fast swimming
✔ Small mouth—best suited for small hooks & lures
✔ Typically 10-20 cm, but some grow over 30 cm

📍 Where to Find Yakkas in Australia

Yakkas school in large numbers along the east coast, from Queensland to Victoria. They prefer structure-rich environments and can be found:

🐟 Rocky Reefs – Great for catching yakkas near submerged structures.
🎣 Piers & Jetties – Some of the best shore fishing spots for yakka fishing!
🌊 Harbours & Estuaries – Yakkas feed near the surface making them easy to spot.

💡 Pro Tip: The best time to catch yakkas is early morning and late afternoon when they are actively feeding near structure.

🎣 Best Fishing Gear for Catching Yakkas

Yakkas may be small, but using the right gear makes a huge difference in how many you catch!

🎯 Rod & Reel Setup

✅ Rod: 7-foot, light-to-medium action (💡 Try the Bream Reaper Travel Rod for easy transport!)
✅ Reel: 2500-3000 size spinning reel
✅ Line: 6-8 lb fluorocarbon (yakkas are line-shy!)

🐠 Best Bait for Yakkas

✔ Bread on a small size 8-10 hook under a float
✔ Prawns & small fish pieces (can attract other species)
✔ Canned tuna & bread burley mix (creates an irresistible scent trail!)

✅ Best Lures for Yakkas

✔ Small metal jigs – Lightweight & flashy to mimic baitfish
✔ Soft plastics – Works well when retrieved slowly
✔ Sabiki rigs – Multiple small hooks that look like a school of tiny fish

💡 Did you know? In Japan, targeting yakkas with lures is called "Ajing" fishing a highly effective finesse technique!

🎣 Best Fishing Techniques for Catching Yakkas from Shore

1️⃣ Float Fishing for Yakkas

One of the easiest and most effective ways to catch yakkas is float fishing. Just attach a small hook with bait and let it drift naturally.

✅ Why It Works: Yakkas feed near the surface, and a float keeps your bait at the perfect depth.
🔥 Recommended Gear: 🛒 ReproBaits Float Kit & Luderick Hooks

2️⃣ Using Sabiki Rigs for Yakkas

A Sabiki rig is one of the fastest ways to catch multiple yakkas at once. These rigs have several small hooks tipped with beads or feathers to imitate tiny baitfish.

🛠 How to Use a Sabiki Rig:
✔ Cast near piers, jetties, or reef edges
✔ Let it sink, then jig it gently
✔ Keep it in the strike zone for multiple bites

🛒 Need a Sabiki Rig? Check out our ReproBaits Tackle range!

3️⃣ Burleying for Yakkas

Creating a burley trail attracts yakkas to your spot and keeps them biting longer.

🔥 Best Yakka Burley Recipe:
✔ Bread soaked in seawater
✔ Canned tuna or tuna oil (for an irresistible scent!)
✔ Throw small handfuls into the water every few minutes

🚨 Pro Tip: Don’t throw out big chunks—you want to attract fish, not feed them!

🐟 How to Use Yakkas as Live Bait for Bigger Fish

Yakkas are one of the best live baits for targeting kingfish, mulloway, snapper, and more.

✅ How to Keep Yakkas Alive
✔ Use a bucket with an aerator or change water frequently.
✔ Handle them gently—stressed baitfish won’t swim naturally.

✅ Best Hook Placement for Live Bait
✔ Through the back (for free-swimming action!)
✔ Through the nose/lips (for stability in strong currents!)

✅ Casting Trigger and Distance Casting Tools
✔ Try a casting trigger (for extra casting distance with the heavier bait!)
✔ Sinker Slides (for free-swimming bait action!)
✔ Bait Clip (for longer cast and less windmilling!)

💡 Pro Tip: When targeting big kingfish, use a stinger hook setup to increase hook-up rates.

🍽️ Can You Eat Yakkas? Absolutely!

While most anglers use yakkas as bait, they’re actually delicious! Yakkas have firm, white flesh, perfect for:

🍽️ Pan-Frying – With garlic, butter & lemon juice
🌮 Fish Tacos – Shredded & seasoned for a fresh twist
🥘 Fish Cakes – Minced with herbs & breadcrumbs OUR RECIPE HERE

🚀 Cleaning Tip: Fillet them whole, then skin them in one quick motion for fast prep! Easy as!

🔥 Catch More Yakkas Today!

Catching yakkas is fun, easy, and rewarding—whether for live bait, cut bait, or a fresh seafood meal. With the right gear, bait, and techniques, you’ll be filling your bucket in no time!

🎣 Shop the Best Yakka Fishing Gear 🎣
🛒 Check out our premium hooks, floats & sabiki rigs for the ultimate yakka fishing experience!

👉 Shop Now

❓ FAQs About Catching Yakkas

🧐 What’s the Best Time to Catch Yakkas?
Early morning & late afternoon when they are most active.

🎣 What’s the Best Bait for Yakkas?
Bread, prawns, small fish pieces, or a tuna/bread burley mix.

🐟 Can Yakkas Be Used as Live Bait?
Yes! They’re excellent for kingfish, snapper, & other predatory species.

🍽️ Are Yakkas Good to Eat?
Absolutely! They’re great pan-fried, in fish cakes, or as tacos.

Yakka are called Aji in Japanese and fishing for horse mackerel as they are called in Japan is called Ajing.