Distribution
Tailor are amongst the world's most widely distributed fish, being found in waters from Australia  to north east Africa, throughout the Mediterranean to the east coasts of North and South america  In South Africa tailor are called elfs or shads and in the United States, bluefish.  In Australia the largest catches of tailor have been recorded in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, but generally its range extends south from the 25th parallel.  In New South Wales and Queensland tailor are regarded as one of the best surf angling species. In Western Australia specimens weighing 95 kg (211b) have been caught, and particularly good catches have been reported from Rottnest Island. Tailor can be taken in Victoria, but very few are seen around Tasmania
  Little is known of the migration pattern of tailor, but it is believed to be very complex. Scientists believe there may be a number of different groups or stocks of tailor that have overlapping ranges but rarely mix These fish make an annual run north and this is very keenly followed by both amateur anglers and commercial netters. Results from tagging have suggested that tailor return south after spawning in warmer northern waters.  In separate experiments, the New South Wales State Fisheries; Queensland Fisheries Services and   Terri Bade, a post-graduate student from the University of Queensland, have tagged more than 1400 tailor and already some of the recaptured have produced interesting results With further recaptures, biologists hope to begin to understand the complex migration pattern of these fish.

Bait and lures for tailor
As mentioned, tailor are by nature voracious feeders and fierce hunters, ready to tackle almost anything but feeding primarily on schooling fish such as garfish and pilchards. Tailor are themselves a meal for bigger fish, seals and dolphins. Tailor follow the schools of bait fish on which they feed and will often indulge in feeding frenzies, to the point where they will regurgitate partly digested food in order to strike another victim.
   The three most productive methods of capturing Tailor are trolling lures or bait behind a boat, particularly at the mouths of estuaries, spinning a lure or bait from ocean rocks, and bait fishing from the beach. When really excited, tailor will strike at almost any bait or lure, but the best whole baits are small fish: silver and blue pilchards, sea garfish and frog mouth pilchards. River garfish, yellowtail, slimy mackerel and fillets of mullet, tuna and even tailor will also entice them to bite. For small tailor, tiny white pilchards and frogmouth pilchards are best.
Spinning from a boat or ocean rocks will often yield large tailor. They have been known to stay on the bite longer during overcast conditions.
  Lures up to 70g (2.502) can be used successfully for tailor. ABU Toby lures are excellent for trolling and spinning, and even sinkers with rags and a couple of hooks attached or the ring pull tab from an aluminium can will catch tailor.
  When spinning with light lures, it is sometimes necessary to use a shock leader, about 6-9m (20-30ft) of heavy monofilament with a breaking strain of 13.6kg (301b). Spinning is excellent from the rocks but care must be taken not to drop a lure
into the middle of a school of feeding tailor as they can frighten easily and quickly disperse. Anglers spinning for tailor should use a normal rate of retrieve: tailor do not require the high speed of retrieve of other pelagics.
  When fishing for tailor the initial bite feels something like a whiting nibble but stronger, and the angler should resist trying to set the hook too quickly, the rod is gently lifted and the retrieve started slowly. The tailor will follow the bait for a while before striking. When the hook is set, take your time as it is better to tire tailor in deep water rather than bring them into shallow water where their struggles can throw a hook.
Tackle
Tailor grow to a maximum length of im (3.3ft) and 13.5kg(301b) in weight in Australian waters and are widely recognised as one of the best fighters for their size in the sea. A tailor over 9kg (201b) is extremely rare in most areas and a specimen weighing over 4.5kg (101b) is a good size. Tailor half that size are closer to the average, and anglers outfitting themselves for tailor should be content to suit their gear for specimens weighing an average of 1.4kg (31b).
  A good rod for taking tailor from the beaches and rocks should be 3-3.6m (10-12ft) in length and a popular reel choice is the Alvey side cast 650 or 700. This reel is simple to use, sturdy and, if dropped in the sand can be washed in the surf, but should be thoroughly washed again in freshwater as soon as possible. The Alvey throws a light bait well, while thread lines and overhead reels require a heavier lure or bait to maximize the cast.
  The breaking strain of lines should be 5.4-9kg (12-201b): 5.4-6.6kg (12-151b) line when fishing from the beach and 8.2-9kg(18-201b) when fishing from the rocks. All lines should be checked for nicks or abrasions before fishing.
  Because tailor prefer a whole bait, the standard rig is a gang of three or four offset point hooks between 3/0 and 6/0 in size. Hook size and gang pattern will vary depending on the size of the bait and expected catch. For the smaller tailor, two No. 1/0 size hooks and a small bait are sufficient. Mustad 4200 and 4202 tinned hooks have open eyes, which makes ganging easier. Because these hooks can be brittle, care should be taken when closing the eyes. When storing these hooks, keep them on a pad of whale oil or dust them with baby powder. Stainless steel hooks, which will not rust but are more expensive than tinned hooks, are usually easier to gang as the eye is already bent forward and, when linked, the hooks hang well, very rarely jamming up.
  The use of added sinkers to the line is optional but they can be handy when fishing on windy days when they will help the cast, or when fishing in the surf when there is a savage sweep. A good rig is a ball sinker matched to the line used behind a 30-46cm (12-18in) trace. Swivels should be used, particularly when using Alvey side cast reels which are prone to line twist. A second small but strong swivel is often employed with these reels, just above the hook.
  The breaking strain of lines should be 5.4-9kg (12-201b): 5.4-6.6kg (12-151b) line when fishing from the beach and 8.2-9kg(18-i01b) when fishing from the rocks. All lines should be checked for nicks or abrasions before fishing.
Blackened swivels are preferable when fishing for tailor, as these fish are strongly attracted to any shiny moving thing, and will often strike at a swivel and cut the line. Makers such as Pompanette produce blackened swivels, but it is easy to blacken your own with gun blue solution, light acid or by holding them over a candle.

Where to catch tailor
Tailor are constantly on the move and may only stay in a gutter or hole off the beach for a short time before moving on. Holes are pockets of deeper water scooped by waves and tide, while gutters are longer, sometimes running the entire length of a beach. Both formations can be easily distinguished by the darker coloration of the water. Rips can be fished for tailor and can be very profitable as small bait fish are carried out by the water, but they can be difficult because of the fast flowing water.
  Tailor prefer white water and can be found amongst the suds and foam formed as waves break on a bank and swirl over deeper waters. Experienced anglers will tell you that tailor are rarely found in weeds.
  Headlands, rock reef sand break walls are favourite haunts of tailor, especially where there is white water. When fishing from the rocks it is a good idea to berley with a mixture of bread and fish bait. Scatter handfuls in the wash and on the lower rocks, this will keep the tailor biting longer and will often attract other species such as bream, drummer and blackfish. Rock fishermen should wear light but strong clothing and always have rock plates fitted to their shoes. When fishing at night for tailor a head lamp is necessary.
  River mouth break walls are a boon for fishermen as a great variety of species can be found feeding and seeking protection in these areas. Many fishermen expect tailor to be on the move after an offshore wind and often watch for the tailor to move into the shallows with an onshore wind. IF there are strong southeaster lies building up big seas and heavy surf, tailor are likely to return to these protected areas. From break walls it  is possible to use hand lines rigged with strip baits.

Tailor from boats
Casting or trolling From boats For tailor is common and provides some very good fishing. Troll around the edge of the school with feathers, metal spoons and plastic minnows. Trolling the offshore reefs of Cottesloe near Perth, Hastings Point and Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, Scarborough in Moreton Bay and Avouch on the central New South Wales coast has always proved productive. Estuaries like Botany Bay, Coffees Harbour and Tweed Heads in New South Wales have never failed to provide boat anglers some exciting tailor fishing.

When to catch tailor
Tailor can be taken at almost any time of the year and the run on the east coast usually begins in the south in summer and progresses up the coast, appearing in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland waters about May/June. Fraser Island becomes popular with anglers seeking tailor in about October. On the west coast much of the best tailor fishing is concentrated around Perth during summer.
  The best times to drop a line For tailor are dawn and dusk, although night fishing may occasionally produce larger than average size species. Tailor also seem to stay on the bite longer on overcast mornings. Tailor fishing must be described as patchy, no matter how favourable the conditions: it is almost impossible to guarantee where they will be. Some anglers Feel that fishing the ebb tide and the first of the run-in is better, but opinions vary. Tailor can move into an area and stay a week or move on almost immediately.

Bleeding the catch
After unhooking tailor, bleed them by cutting the throat with a knife or breaking the neck. Tailor are soft fleshed and unless bled when caught and then kept in a cool, shaded position will soon spoil. Recipes For tailor are numerous and even the easiest preparation will result in a beautiful meal.

When spinning from the rocks for tailor, anglers should use a normal rate of retrieve. Tailor do not require the high-speed retrieve of other pelagics.