Archerfish are one of the coolest little sportfish in Australia’s tropical creeks and estuaries. They’re famous for shooting insects out of overhanging mangroves, and they’re a heap of fun on light gear when you find them feeding up high in the water.
In Australian waters you’ll mostly find archerfish across the tropical north, especially around mangrove-lined estuaries, tidal creeks, river mouths and quiet backwaters. They like brackish water and often hold around snags, shaded banks, rock walls and overhanging branches where food drops in.
These fish eat insects, small prawns, tiny baitfish and whatever else lands on or near the surface. They hunt by sitting just under the top, watching the edges, then nailing food quickly, and they’re especially switched on around structure with plenty of shade and cover.
Tide matters because moving water pushes food off the mangroves, and the run-in or first of the run-out often gets them looking up and feeding. Low light from early morning, late arvo or heavy cloud usually helps, as they feel safer cruising the edges and surface. Light to moderate wind is best because they feed by spotting surface targets, while strong wind makes the water messy and harder for them to hunt cleanly. Big swell is usually a negative, especially near creek mouths and exposed banks, because dirty, stirred-up water shuts down that surface-focused feeding behaviour.
A light spin outfit with small hardbodies, tiny surface lures, unweighted prawns or lightly hooked insects-style presentations works well. Long, accurate casts tight to mangroves, snags and shaded edges are the go, and a fine leader helps when the water is clear. If they’re being picky, small strips of prawn or bread floated naturally can do the job.
Archerfish can knock insects off branches by firing a precise jet of water from their mouths.