WikiCatch
Australian bass
Percalates novemaculeatus
Overview
The Australian bass is a small-to-medium-sized species of primarily freshwater ray-finned fish found in coastal rivers and streams along the east coast of Australia. A member of the genus Percalates from the order Centrarchiformes, the Australian bass is an important member of the native fish assemblages found in east coast river systems. It is a native predatory fish and an extremely popular game fish species among anglers. The species was simply called perch in most coastal rivers where it was caught until the 1960s, when the name "Australian bass" started to gain popularity.
Best Baits & Lures
Live Baits
- Live Shrimp
Effective under pontoons and near structure.
- Yabbies (Crayfish)
Bass love them, especially in dams.
- Small Fish (e.g., minnows)
Hook lightly through the lips.
- Earthworms
A classic, good for slow retrieves.
Artificial Lures
- Rapala Shad Rap SR05CrankbaitBuy
Excellent for trolling or casting.
- Spinnerbait - TT VortexSpinnerBuy
Effective around timber and weed edges.
- Z-Man Slim SwimZ 2.5"Soft PlasticBuy
Fished on a jighead, great all-rounder.
- Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Finesse WormSoft PlasticBuy
Texas or Carolina rigged near structure.
- River2Sea Baby CrankCrankbaitBuy
Good for tight structure
Techniques
Vary your retrieve speed to find what the fish are responding to on the day, and don't be afraid to fish tight to structure.
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Where to Find Australian bass
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bait for Australian bass?+
Popular baits for Australian bass include Live Shrimp, Yabbies (Crayfish), Small Fish (e.g., minnows), Earthworms, Rapala Shad Rap SR05. Tip: Vary your retrieve speed to find what the fish are responding to on the day, and don't be afraid to fish tight to structure.
Where can I catch Australian bass?+
Australian bass can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include New South Wales, Australia; Queensland, Australia; Victoria, Australia. WikiCatch lists 344 fishing spots where this species is found.
How big do Australian bass get?+
Australian bass (Percalates novemaculeatus) can reach up to 65 cm in length and 4.5 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is NE.
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