My Passion For Fishing

[BillH]

What a great past time fishing is, regardless whether you fish from a boat, a jetty or sitting on the bank of your favourite river.

We have all experienced the feeling of anticipation waiting for that first tug, the twitch of your rod or the sight of your float being sucked under, little indicators that tell us the fish are there and are ready to play.

And play they do, remember the times when you get your first touch of the session, you immediately go into hunter mode, you cock your head slightly as if you can actually hear the fish stalking your bait, you wait…., seconds stretch into minutes then nothing. Now a period of doubt has set in “Have I been baited”? “Should I wind in”? This of course is just a ploy by the fish to undermine our confidence. What the fish don’t realise, we are passionate about what we do we thrive on the challenges they set us. After all we’re smarter than them, aren’t we?

My passion, is fishing the surf, I imagine we have all tried it at same stage in our fishing lives , and sure, I’ve spent my time fishing from a boat, chasing the pelagics in FNQ, hauling big Spaniards over the side, dragging spangled emperor and coral trout from the reefs, and it’s great fun.

To be honest there seems to me, something pure about fishing from the beach. Finding a high point from which you can look down onto the beach to find your gutters or holes, wading out up to your waist trying to get that extra few metres from your cast. What could be better than standing on a beach just before day break watching the sun rise, or late afternoon watching as it slowly fades, and then as if somebody flicked a switch is gone.

I am always amazed at how quickly it happens, when the sun does actually go down, you watch as it slowly disappears behind a hill or mountain, you get a little glow, then nothing, one minute you have no problem seeing your hook at the end of your line while baiting it, the next your holding it up or swinging it into the moonlight or nearest light source to see where it is.

There are just so many good things that can be said about fishing from the beach, but that is only how I feel about it, rock hoppers and boaties no doubt are just as passionate about their style and rightly so. So long as we have fun, be safe and look after our favourite fishing spots so that others can enjoy them as well.

I think Ray R has encapsulated a lot of that essence in his amazing holiday with outstanding photos and the fact that he has been going back to the same place for near on 30 years.

Bill

Ps love to hear from any other passionate beach fishos

[DGF]

well said

Personally ive only tried beach fishing twice and i am no good on the beach haha i love rock fishing and fishing from my boat but i also enjoy going up to the river and sittin on the side im happy to wet a line in any way or form

[tumra]

i think fishing for me has gone from a passion to an obsession...lately i have been dreaming about it!!!

[wannabefisho]

Hi Bill,

I too am a passionate Beach Fisho- I have been fishing Beaches for 25 years and the last 7 have been most weekends from Broken Bay

Grew up fising Harrington/Crowdy Head with my Grandfather and my Dad was a good fisho, I now fish Broken Bay for Jewies, taylor, Salmon and Noah's

I fish beaches to commemorate both of them (my dad passed away when I was 8 and my Grandfather when I was 17)

Grandfather taught me to beach worm, catch pippies and how to read the surf and gutters - even though I was a surfie back in those days and I didnt care where I surfed or how dangerous it was.

I dont fish the beaches often eneough its a long way to go from Lane Cove to Broken Bay to my fav spot, but last weekend was both my G'father and Fathers B'Days (16th and 17th April)- so I went back to their favourite past time and nailed a nice 1m School Shark, then got pinged on a big Jew that took about 200m of line in 2 blistering runs. Both were hooked on fresh slimey slabs on paternoster rigs and 30lb main line and 80lb trace.

I am heading back there this weekend again as now its getting cooler the rivers are starting to shut down, I think I will forever go back to where it all started for me on the beaches, its in my blood to be a beach fisho and I never want to forget where I have come from...

Tight lines all

Edited April 22, 2010 by wannabefisho

[BillH]

Wow, very emotive, sounds like your dad and grandad were watching over you. It is an exhilerating experience losing line at a great rate of knots. Good job, I only hope I'm that lucky this weekend down here.

Bill

[hambo692]

mmmmm my only catch from a beach has been a tiny sand flattie on an HB

[slinkymalinky]

Great post, Bill. Those are the sorts of feelings that are common among those of us afflicted by this wonderful obsession. You either have it or you don't but it's not a problem I ever want to cure. Very evocative mate.

Cheers, Slinky

[Jewhunter]

Great read Bill.

I was an avid beach fisho. Actually before I got my boat I was an avid land based fisho that fished everywhere & anywhere.

I must admit that my fave jew spot is a beach. The biggest jew I have ever caught have been from the sand & suds.

You're right. There is something that is good for the soul fishing a beach. The sunsets & sunrises. The sound of the waves rolling in. Doing the pipi twist, hunting worms & then catching a feed after getting wet & doing it all youself.

I started with my old man when I was 6 & it is still one of my fave forms of fishing.

Time I dusted off the rods & had a few sessions on the sand I reckon!

Thanks for reminding me on what I'm missing.

Cheers,

Grant.