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Castelnau's herring

Herklotsichthys castelnaui

Castelnau's herring© FishBase (CC BY-NC)

Castelnau's herring (Herklotsichthys castelnaui) is a small, silvery schooling fish found in coastal marine, brackish and occasionally freshwater environments of the Indo‑Pacific. Anglers target it for light‑tackle action and as a live‑bait source for larger predatory species.

Fight
Taste

Basic Information

Family

Dorosomatidae

Max Size

20 cm

Habitat

marine, freshwater, brackish

Depth Range

0-50m

Climate

tropical

Best Season

Summer months (December–February in the Southern Hemisphere) when water temperatures rise and schooling activity peaks

Best Time

Early morning and late evening when herring surface to feed

Distribution

Select a map type to show distribution on the globe.

Fishing Tips for Castelnau's herring

  • Use the lightest possible tackle to feel the subtle runs of this small herring
  • Fish near estuary mouths, mangrove channels, and shallow surf breaks where schools gather
  • Tackle a small spoon or minnow‑style lure with a steady, slow retrieve; a quick twitch can trigger a strike
  • Keep the line tight and be ready for rapid, successive bites as schools often produce multiple hits in quick succession

Top Fishing Locations for Castelnau's herring

Cairns Reef, Great Barrier Reef

Australia
beginner78% Very Common

Coastal reef system with abundant schools of Castelnau's herring attracted to the coral breakwaters.

Best: November to March

Darwin Harbor, Northern Territory

Australia
beginner82% Very Common

Protected harbor with nutrient‑rich waters supporting large herring runs.

Best: December to February

Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea
intermediate55% Common

Remote bay with mangrove estuaries where herring spawn.

Best: October to April

Bali Strait, Indonesia

Indonesia
intermediate62% Common

Strong currents concentrate schools of Castelnau's herring near the strait.

Best: May to September

Palawan West Coast, Philippines

Philippines
beginner70% Very Common

Sandy beaches and offshore reefs where herring feed on plankton.

Best: June to October

Nouméa Outer Reef, New Caledonia

New Caledonia
expert30% Occasional

Isolated reef system visited by anglers seeking trophy catches of herring.

Best: January to March

Market Prices

Recommended Fishing Equipment for Castelnau's herring

Recommended Equipment

RodUltralight spinning rod, 5‑6 ft, fast action
Line2‑6 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon
Lure TypeTiny metal jigs, micro soft plastics, or small surface poppers
TechniqueLight spin casting or trolling with a slow retrieve, often using a drift or jig‑ging motion

Best bait: Live shrimp, small worms, or chopped pilchard