Just Started Fishing, Been Out Like 10x And Still Havent Caught Anything

[jdi]

hey guys, i just got back into fishing. i recently went with my mate to the national park and we didnt really catch much. we ended up on his suggestion going to the entrance and had an awesome time and caught heaps of stuff (i live in sydney, near the city.. its a bit of a trek to go to the entrance )

we did so well that we went back the next day at 5 in the morning. excellent fun.

i fished with my father back when i was younger (18 now) and we had two rods, a 7ft one and a telescopic 6ft 6inch one (or 1.95m i dont remember if it was 6'6)

anyway, i ended up snapping the 6ft 6inch one on the second trip to the entrance as i was snagged and pulled on the rod instead of the line. lesson learned. it was an old jarvis walker rod. medium to light action, i kept the reel.

the 7ft had a broken reel so i swapped the reels and now i have one working/old looking back-up rod.

i also purchased (for 65$, so its nothing special) a jarvis walker 7ft 4-6kg rod that came with a reel. i dont know if that is any good or not but i've been considering buying a new one. i think i want to wait a bit and get my feet a little more wet as i haven't caught many fish yet at all and clearly have no experience or idea in what im doing before i fork out 300$

i will be completely land based/rock fishing/wharf fishing

firstly, i want to know what the quality of my rod is and what i can do with it, all i know is its 7ft 4-6kg and the reel is rated at 8lb i think, thats what was written on the side, and it came with line on it. so im guessing its 8lb line

secondly, my tackle box has

-a knife

-rusty pliers

-sinkers, big/little swivels, some wierd swivels with a clip on them

-3 rough sizes of hooks, i have a bunch of size 4 ones, a bunch of tiny ones probably size 2, and a bunch of ones that look to be 1/0 (i think)

-LED headlamp (i love this thing)

i have a small packet of start soft plastic baits and 1 jig head left (i lost the other one because it didnt have a hole to tie the fishing line through, so i did some rough/terrible job of rigging it together with no sinker and just a jig head and it came off after i cast out and retrieved it a few times)

my questions are

-for my purposes, wharf/land based/shore/rock fishing, will my 7ft rod be enough, what exactly is it designed to do and what should i be doing with something like this

-if i buy a 10ft rod/reel for rock/shore fishing, what are some suggestions for a combo, my cousins(they have a big boat and are really good at fishing/been at it for YEARS) lent me their 10ft rod but i really. really. dont know how to use it. it was using some orange braided line (its REALLY hard to cut, even with a knife. it feels like rope) and a baitrunner 6500 on a 10ft rod i think, the fish i caught with it would go like this ->

cast, reel in, cant feel anything, reel in a little more, cant feel anything, wonder if i still have bait, reel it in and realize theres a fish on the hook (seriously happened like 4 times at the entrance when fishing off this rock thing near the shore with my mate, i think i caught a decent sized wrasse or something and threw it back and a big leatherjacket)

i dont really like using it cos when i was catching bream with the 7ft i could feel what was going on, which was pretty awesome. they'd hit and i'd stay patient, then i'd get a big hit and i knew it was hooked on.

-my last question, how do i use hardbodied lures and soft plastics, what should i get, just some basic ones that i can rig up and chuck in and SOMETHING will take. im not targetting anything specific.

thanks for reading

[tan the fisherman]

hey guys, i just got back into fishing. i recently went with my mate to the national park and we didnt really catch much. we ended up on his suggestion going to the entrance and had an awesome time and caught heaps of stuff (i live in sydney, near the city.. its a bit of a trek to go to the entrance )

we did so well that we went back the next day at 5 in the morning. excellent fun.

i fished with my father back when i was younger (18 now) and we had two rods, a 7ft one and a telescopic 6ft 6inch one (or 1.95m i dont remember if it was 6'6)

anyway, i ended up snapping the 6ft 6inch one on the second trip to the entrance as i was snagged and pulled on the rod instead of the line. lesson learned. it was an old jarvis walker rod. medium to light action, i kept the reel.

the 7ft had a broken reel so i swapped the reels and now i have one working/old looking back-up rod.

i also purchased (for 65$, so its nothing special) a jarvis walker 7ft 4-6kg rod that came with a reel. i dont know if that is any good or not but i've been considering buying a new one. i think i want to wait a bit and get my feet a little more wet as i haven't caught many fish yet at all and clearly have no experience or idea in what im doing before i fork out 300$

i will be completely land based/rock fishing/wharf fishing

firstly, i want to know what the quality of my rod is and what i can do with it, all i know is its 7ft 4-6kg and the reel is rated at 8lb i think, thats what was written on the side, and it came with line on it. so im guessing its 8lb line

secondly, my tackle box has

-a knife

-rusty pliers

-sinkers, big/little swivels, some wierd swivels with a clip on them

-3 rough sizes of hooks, i have a bunch of size 4 ones, a bunch of tiny ones probably size 2, and a bunch of ones that look to be 1/0 (i think)

-LED headlamp (i love this thing)

i have a small packet of start soft plastic baits and 1 jig head left (i lost the other one because it didnt have a hole to tie the fishing line through, so i did some rough/terrible job of rigging it together with no sinker and just a jig head and it came off after i cast out and retrieved it a few times)

MUSTY THIS IS FOR YOU

my questions are

-for my purposes, wharf/land based/shore/rock fishing, will my 7ft rod be enough, what exactly is it designed to do and what should i be doing with something like this

-if i buy a 10ft rod/reel for rock/shore fishing, what are some suggestions for a combo, my cousins(they have a big boat and are really good at fishing/been at it for YEARS) lent me their 10ft rod but i really. really. dont know how to use it. it was using some orange braided line (its REALLY hard to cut, even with a knife. it feels like rope) and a baitrunner 6500 on a 10ft rod i think, the fish i caught with it would go like this ->

Jewgaffer - This is for you

cast, reel in, cant feel anything, reel in a little more, cant feel anything, wonder if i still have bait, reel it in and realize theres a fish on the hook (seriously happened like 4 times at the entrance when fishing off this rock thing near the shore with my mate, i think i caught a decent sized wrasse or something and threw it back and a big leatherjacket)

SLINKY - THIS IS FOR YOU

i dont really like using it cos when i was catching bream with the 7ft i could feel what was going on, which was pretty awesome. they'd hit and i'd stay patient, then i'd get a big hit and i knew it was hooked on.

-my last question, how do i use hardbodied lures and soft plastics, what should i get, just some basic ones that i can rig up and chuck in and SOMETHING will take. im not targetting anything specific.

thanks for reading

HODGEY _ THIS IS FOR YOU

[jdi]

hey there guys.

i just started fishing. i have a 7ft 4-6kg jarvis walker rod/reel combo i got for 65$ and i think its got 8lb line on it (came spooled)

i live in sydney near the city and im within walking distance of pyrmont point park, which i've tried fishing at and caught -nothing-

im not even certain if there are fish in that damn place. i dont want to eat them i just wanna catch something...

anyway..

a quick summary of my experiences so far, i went to the national park with my mates for his birthday and we went fishing, we didnt catch much but i was pretty hooked. i used to go fishing with my dad when i was younger and i was excited to get back into it. we went to pyrmont and spent the entire day there, 6hours at least fishing off the wharf and between four people caught 2 small snapper.

we recently went to the entrance and caught SOO much stuff. we have a little spot on a big rock that we walk to at low tide and fish off, theres reefs around it (i think) and we pulled up at least 20-25 fish 4 hours on that saturday, we were so into it that hide tide came up and we almost got stuck 20m away from shore on a big rock unable to get back we waddled across though without getting wet (wont make that mistake again)

the next day we went back(very eager to catch more fish) but it wasnt as good (bit windy) BUT!! we saw a MASSIVE blue groper i think, or a bluefish, i dno what it was. it looked at LEAST a meter long in the water, it came RIGHT UP to the rocks we were fishing at/one. it was UNREAL. we went nuts going holy shit! holy shit! look at that thing! and tried to catch it by dropping our prawns next to it in the water. it eventually took my line and when i hooked it it swam away casually and tore my line away. really funny. he pissed off after that

anyway i've been to balmoral a few times on my own and caught

-a rock (i thought it was a fish i was so excited, i managed to pull it out of the water on my hook..)

-a tiny flounder

-a crab (i think it grabbed my line and let go as soon as i got him onto the wharf.. dumb crab)

-a couple of small snapper i threw back

i've been to pyrmont trying to fish in the harbour a few times at night/dusk and not even gotten bites. i tried to berley with bread but nothing came. except when the bread floated out a bit further and i think big bream where coming and taking it off the surface (hard to tell with just an LED headlamp if they were big or not) but i couldnt get them to take my frozen prawns. i couldnt catch live bait either.. i tried but there was nothing to catch.

also if your keen to help me, which i would really really! appreciate, i posted this in the tackle forum, i need some direction with that stuff too. THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN MERGED.

my questions are

-how come i cant get anything to bite half the time

-where can i go to fish land based that is at least a little bit consistent so i can just learn some fishing and get experience. i was thinking i'd try shell cove and la perouse on bare island as my next spots early in the morning till dusk and see how i go

-if you have any tips in general or can point me in the right direction i would appreciate that alot

heres a picture of what i caught, i think its a wrasse. i have no idea. you can see the rock we're on at the entrance. such a cool spot. i wish i could go back there every weekend..

Edited July 30, 2009 by mrsswordfisherman

[mrsswordfisherman]

Hi and welcome to fishraider. I have fixed up your pic there - we would all love to see your face next time !!!!!

There is much information stored on this website.

Take a look in our ARTICLES section (up top of site on right) and there you will find many tips. There is a search feature here too.

Cheers mrsswordfisherman

[trungie]

....

my questions are

-for my purposes, wharf/land based/shore/rock fishing, will my 7ft rod be enough, what exactly is it designed to do and what should i be doing with something like this

-if i buy a 10ft rod/reel for rock/shore fishing, what are some suggestions for a combo, my cousins(they have a big boat and are really good at fishing/been at it for YEARS) lent me their 10ft rod but i really. really. dont know how to use it. it was using some orange braided line (its REALLY hard to cut, even with a knife. it feels like rope) and a baitrunner 6500 on a 10ft rod i think, the fish i caught with it would go like this ->

cast, reel in, cant feel anything, reel in a little more, cant feel anything, wonder if i still have bait, reel it in and realize theres a fish on the hook (seriously happened like 4 times at the entrance when fishing off this rock thing near the shore with my mate, i think i caught a decent sized wrasse or something and threw it back and a big leatherjacket)

i dont really like using it cos when i was catching bream with the 7ft i could feel what was going on, which was pretty awesome. they'd hit and i'd stay patient, then i'd get a big hit and i knew it was hooked on.

-my last question, how do i use hardbodied lures and soft plastics, what should i get, just some basic ones that i can rig up and chuck in and SOMETHING will take. im not targetting anything specific.

thanks for reading

Mate, when your starting out any rod will do with the type of fishing your doing. Don't be going blowing your money until you get heaps more hook ups - trust me, u can buy new gear forever!!!

Regarding bites, if you can't feel it on your line, it's probably small fish anyway, u dont care about them right But if your like me, i want to feel everything, then get some braid, as it doesnt stretch and u can feel anything. Just dont over do it and buy a really expensive one.. because u wanna match it with ur jarvis walker.. just like u dont go buy a datsun and then put forumla one wheels on it - it just doesnt match..

What i recommend, is go out with someone else who has experience, that way, its more fun and u can pick up experience more than them. And if you dont catch anything, u got someone to share it with you.

But lastly, whatever you do, don't let your nil catches bring you down. Chin up! That 1m blue groper is callin your name.

Cheers mate

[jewiehaven]

jdi,

Firsty, yes the fish in the piccie is in fact a Wrasse.

They are commonly called pick-handles and you usually find them on or near reef areas (such as where you are fishing).

Mate be aware that Bare Island is very snaggy and you might lose a bit of gear- but on the up side I have heard its a good place to target Squid which you might be able to turn into a nice Jewfish, Snapper or maybe a Kingfish.

Keep the post coming and read as many articles as you can, you cana also get good general info from fishing magazines like "Modern Fishing" and the like from your local newsagent.

Half the fun of fishing is finding your own spots and getting them to produce for you- this can take some time and remember you have to take the bad days when you get no fish to make the ones where you get good fish more worth while.

Good luck with your fishing and locating areas- Sydney has a very diverse fishing environment and there are plenty of good spots it really depends on what kind of fishing you are into- whatever you are into make sure you never fish along from the stones and be safe at all times.

I find Beach Fishing is a great safe palce to start- thats where I learned to fish and I still find real enjoyment from sitting down on a deserted beach and chucking in a whole pillie on some ganged hooks with a tinnie in the hand - its something only a fisherman will ever know and understand.

Again good luck- if you have questions dont be scared to ask- there are many places you can get good info and this is just one of the many.

[jewgaffer]

Jewgaffer - This is for you

cast, reel in, cant feel anything, reel in a little more, cant feel anything, wonder if i still have bait, reel it in and realize theres a fish on the hook (seriously happened like 4 times at the entrance when fishing off this rock thing near the shore with my mate, i think i caught a decent sized wrasse or something and threw it back and a big leatherjacket)

Hi Tan looks like I drew the short straw getting this question... From memory I may have struck that situation before I think, but come to think of it it's happened so often that I still can't remember if I had a fish on or not or a wrasse caught on a leather jacket or what...

Cheers

jewgaffer

[monch]

Jewgaffer i think Tan allocated you the question above the one you tried to answer

Anyway, Jdi, I am by no means a pro but i have been reading fishraider for quite a while and like to hope i have my theory up to scratch even if my practical skills are a little deficient.

I would say that since your cousins seem to be experienced you should try and bug them to go fishing with you more often. If they are dedicated i'm sure they'll agree. Seeing first hand how to tie knots, rig up baits etc and catch livebait really accelerates your learning and i wish i had someone to show me these things.

In regards to your inability to 'feel' the fish on the 10ft rod with 6500 baitrunner, this is because they would be smaller fish nibbling at your bait and i mean small relative to the the strength of the gear you are using. The 10ft rod i am guessing would be rated to be suitable for a higher line weight than what you were using at the entrance (the 4-6kg rod?) and thus comfortable with. That and/or it may just be relatively stiff and thus does not transmit the touches and bumps coming from the end of the line. Braided line helps in this regard as it has zero stretch (unlike monofilament) and transmits vibrations very well, however seeing as how your a beginner, i would not recommend you using braid as it is costly and is prone to more problems eg harder to tie knots, wind knots etc

Musty has given you a good basic rundown of gear and a simple running sinker rig that will get you most species, i would heed his advice. You should also search the forums for some more information for this area.

In regards to soft plastics, hardbodies and lure-fishing in general, i tried to start off with soft plastics a few months ago and to tell you my honest opinion, it may be better off to start with bait fishing. Firstly it is less costly (at least in the beginning) since you need some more specialised gear (such as rods, reels, line, jig heads, lures etc) which is not an absolute necessity but really lets you use the full potential of the style. Also, bait fishing is inherently easier, some fish will hit a smelly dead prawn that is not presented on the hook properly but rarely will fish hit a similarly presented lure. Lures require the right movement and action to entice a strike and most fish around wharves etc have seen many a lure twitched in their faces, they have now grown accustomed to them and on my experiences alone, it is quite hard to get a hit on lures in these overfished areas. You will thus get more hits on bait with less effort which allows you to learn the feeding habits of the fish you are targetting.

For the style of fishing that you have indicated (landbased off wharves etc) a 7ft will be a good length, 2-4kg rod will get you most fish you will encounter (ie it is light and sensitive enough to let you feel bites but also strong enough to get a decent sized fish). Since you are just starting out, i reckon it is more important to get the feel of things and fish lighter (ie with lighter line, sinkers etc) to allow you to get hits more often. If you were to purchase a new combo, i would advise you to think of a budget and search these forums for some ideas and then head to a local tackle store and ask for some more advice there.

Also it is winter at the moment and i have found the fishing to have slowed down considerably. You will find that come summer you will start to get much more success comparatively. This does not mean that you should give up and wait until then but it is just a heads up to let you know that you are not alone, a lot of people have also had trouble getting fish recently.

This is just a quick rundown of stuff and even though this seems like an essay, there is considerably more that can be learnt. I hope others will give you some more specific advice in regards to your questions, but if not a search through the forums will really give you an insight into the details of our fantastic hobby.

Hope you have a good time catching fish and Welcome to fishraider

Monch

Edited July 30, 2009 by monch

[Hodgey]

-my last question, how do i use hardbodied lures and soft plastics, what should i get, just some basic ones that i can rig up and chuck in and SOMETHING will take. im not targetting anything specific.

thanks for reading

HODGEY _ THIS IS FOR YOU

Righto Tan ... I'll see what I can do!

GDay Jdi and to the Forum.

My first suggestion (as per mrsswordfisherman) would be to have a look at these:

Fishing articles - click here

In there, you will find a lot of information regarding different types of fishing techniques, how to target different species with bait or lure, and tackle information such as tuning lures and reel drag maintenance. Make yourself comfy mate and read away ... there is a wealth of information in there!

Monch and the others have given you some great general information in the previous responses, so read them carefully .... then go back and re-read them again Without bombarding you further, I will knock up a Personal Message regarding hardbody and soft plastic choice and technique, and send it through to you shortly. Hang in there ... a change in luck is just around the corner!

Cheers

Hodgey

[tan the fisherman]

Gday mate,

I didnt mean to be cheeky in my first post.

The guys I mentioned have strong knowledge in the areas you mentioned and would be better than me in guiding someone getting started.

In saying that all raiders are happy to share their fishing knowledge.

Make sure you check out the 'search' facility of the website as well - you will find heaps of info.

Hope to see you out there sometime!!

[jewgaffer]

Jewgaffer i think Tan allocated you the question above the one you tried to answer

Monch

I see so it's this question ay Monch ..... Jewgaffer - This is for you .....if i buy a 10ft rod/reel for rock/shore fishing, what are some suggestions for a combo, my cousins(they have a big boat and are really good at fishing/been at it for YEARS) lent me their 10ft rod but i really. really. dont know how to use it. it was using some orange braided line (its REALLY hard to cut, even with a knife. it feels like rope) and a baitrunner 6500 on a 10ft rod i think....

Hi jdi Apart from having 7' U.S. Ugly Stik Tiger 10-50lb boat rods and various longer beach rods including a 12' Ugly Stik and a 14'10" Butterworth, I have two 9' Ugly stik 15-30lb U.S. model Bigwater rods and a 10 footer.... Apart from also using the 9 footers as long cast boat rods, I prefer to use the Tigers on jettys and the 9 footers around rocks and landbased spots in estuaries where it is more convenient to use a shorter rod than a longer beach rod.... I prefer using Penn 850ss reels on the 9 footers and also Alvey's with mono.... i.e. the bigwater rods have a large standout 50mil first guide which suits using an Alvey on a long mount profile rod, just as my Snyder 7144 low mount suits the profile of a Penn 850..... I also have a 6500 Shimano and whilst it feels a bit smoother to operate, the Penn 850 is more of a rough and ready work hourse with a powerful drag system...

I think you would be ok with either a nine or a ten footer for your rock and shore fishing and the 850 Penns are much cheaper than the 6500's because Penn have relocated their production to China but still sell thousands of ssm spinfishers worldwide and maintain their reputation and still use strict quality control.

Cheers

jewgaffer

[humkyle]

your certainly in the right place to learn about fishing mate...