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Overview

How to target

Greater Weever
Species ID: greater-weever

Greater Weever

Greater weever frequent clean, gently sloping sand and the edges of surf beaches, estuary mouths and sandy patches beside piers. They bury in the top layer of sand and feed by ambu...

🌊 Tide: flood 💨 Wind: calm 📅 Peak: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Best tide

flood

Moon

none

Season

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Wind

calm

Max weight

0.6 kg

Day vs night

Day 80%
Night 20%
Greater weever frequent clean, gently sloping sand and the edges of surf beaches, estuary mouths and sandy patches beside piers. They bury in the top layer of sand and feed by ambush, so target shallow, clear sand in settled, warm weather. The flood into high is most reliable: work the advancing edge of the tide across gutters, sandbars and the low-water line, then move up with the water. In calm to slight surf, short casts often out-fish long ones; place baits so they just sit on or inch along the sand. A light 1–2 hook flapper or up-and-over with size 4–1/0 hooks and longish snoods (30–60 cm) works well. Best baits are small ragworm or lugworm sections, slivers of sandeel or mackerel belly, or peeled prawn/shrimp; keep baits neat and no bigger than your thumb. Bites can be sharp rattles—keep light tension and let the fish find the bait. Avoid heavy surf and coloured water. Most fish are daytime captures in bright, settled conditions. Handle with care: dorsal and gill-cover spines are venomous—use forceps, keep hands clear, wear footwear on the beach, and unhook with the fish pinned gently to the ground or in a shallow tray of water. Return promptly or retain safely if keeping within local bylaws.

Temperature

10–18°C

Depth range

0.5–20 m

Baits

  • White Rag 9.2/10
  • Ragworm 8.5/10
  • Sandeel 7.4/10
  • Soft Plastic (Finesse Minnow) 6.8/10

Rigs

  • Long & Low 9/10

    Excels on clean sand where greater weevers sit. A long, low snood pins small worm or sandeel baits tight to the seabed with natural movement, improving shy bite detection in calm summer seas and short surf.

  • Two-Hook Flapper 8.5/10

    Covers multiple lanes in the surf. Two short droppers fish tight to the sand; use size 4–8 hooks with rag, lug or fish strip. Great for close-range prospecting on clean beaches and shallow bays.

  • Running Ledger 8/10

    Minimal resistance for delicate takes and very natural bait presentation. Ideal for close-in gutters and estuary mouths on clean ground with light leads; lets weevers pick up and hook themselves.

  • Carolina Rig 6.5/10

    LRF option for calm, clear conditions. Crawl a 1–3in soft plastic or isome just above the sand; the sliding weight keeps contact while the lure moves naturally, tempting ambush takes from weevers on open, sandy beaches.