Rock and beach fishing advice

[elferoz777]

Hi Guys,

Have been fortunate enough to move to Woonona (north or Wollongong) recently and have been introduced the the wonderful art of rock/beach fishing. Prior to this my fishing experience was totally within lake Illawarra and mullet creek (dont laugh).

So far at my "spot" I have been able to catch black fish, bream (mostly over 45 cms), some form of cod (olive with blue spots)and the odd shark.

It has taken me from Jan this year to pick it all up but still having fun learning.

I was fishing with some tourists recently who went on a Bonito and salmon catching spree. I think between them they all would have pulled about 30 fish.

I would like to hook a few up myself but have thus far been unsuccessful ( despite casting within a one metre radius of their lines).

Can anyone give me some basic hints on types of rigs, lures, and methods to catch Aust salmon and in particular Bonito?

Fishing at Sandon Point it is not uncommon to see schools of salmon and Bonito just off the reef in the swell however I still struggle to land them.

Heavy sinkers equals stuck on rocks and reef whilst a light set up is harder for me to cast out to them.

Thanks in advance for your help!

El Feroz

[Robertos87]

I find metal spinning lures work a treat. It'll give you that extra casting distance to. A very fast retrieve is best, especially on those bonito. I like to troll bibbed minnows out on the boat as that brings me great results, but won't let you cast that far. Let the metal sink a bit before you start you retrieve to cover a bit more water, and so you're not just fishing the surface. Also don't be scared to buy big metals for bonito, being an aggressive fish they wont hesitate to hit a bigger lure. Good luck!!!

[Jew Stalker]

I agree with Roberto, the other thing you could do is put a live yakka or slimey out under a float which accounts for many salmon and bonito but more importantly you will also catch a wandering kingy on it. Basically I have a 4/0 to 6/0 hook (4/0-6/0 for salmon and bonnies and 6/0+ for kings) connected to about a 3 metre leader with 50lb fluoro (minimum) leader with a float stopper at the knot where your line joins your leader to stop the float and not do damage to your knot. It gives you the top 3 metres of water to play in and works a treat.

Good luck!

Luc.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Jew Stalker

[aeb870]

The guys are spot on with their methods, just another quick simple one that will work is a suspended Pilchard under a float. Very similar to the live bait rig just described, however you can use gang hooks or a 2 hook set up.

If using lures, as also mentioned, don't hesitate to retrieve as fast as you can. Bonitos have incredible acceleration and will not struggle to catch your lure.

[brettmann86]

Off the rocks I wouldn't bother too much bottom bashing unless you want to target the washes with a really lightly or unweighted bait, using peeled prawns and some burley in that sort of set up can set you up for some impressive catches like drummer and good bags of bream, if your going to live bait then I wouldn't really go anything lighter than 40lb leader even though it's beginning to be out of king season the odd one may still show up a simple 5/0 or 6/0 hook pinned above the lateral line in front of the dorSal fin on the back will do the trick place this set up under a float i (I prefer the mirrored floats that are used for squidding just adds that bit extra flash) as far as spinning goes usually a 40g slug style lure will get you into the action and on a good set up that will get you plenty of distance too, for Bonnie's you can't really soon too fast but for salmon slow it down a bit they will still hit at full speed but if you slow down just a bit you'll get more results on the sambos, I've figured this out while trolling for them in my boat but have also adapted the technique when rock hopping and I get a good catch rate from it, just remember to mix your spinning depths up some days they hit it down deep as to other days a flat out retrieve on the surface is what will fire them up.

Tight lines mate

[The Incredible Hull]

I find metal spinning lures work a treat. It'll give you that extra casting distance to. A very fast retrieve is best, especially on those bonito. I like to troll bibbed minnows out on the boat as that brings me great results, but won't let you cast that far. Let the metal sink a bit before you start you retrieve to cover a bit more water, and so you're not just fishing the surface. Also don't be scared to buy big metals for bonito, being an aggressive fish they wont hesitate to hit a bigger lure. Good luck!!!

+1

I see guys, do it slightly different. They have a swivel, then float (which is stationary), then a really long trace (at least 3 meters) with something on the end I couldn't see from a distance, not sure if it was a lure. I think the float gets the attention of the bonnito as it skips on the surface, when the bonnies chase it they see the bait\lure which is just under the surface and go for it. I see this technique work every weekend.

gl

[Spooooled]

Rapala Xrap's in size 12 or lively lures always seem to work!

[aeb870]

+1

I see guys, do it slightly different. They have a swivel, then float (which is stationary), then a really long trace (at least 3 meters) with something on the end I couldn't see from a distance, not sure if it was a lure. I think the float gets the attention of the bonnito as it skips on the surface, when the bonnies chase it they see the bait\lure which is just under the surface and go for it. I see this technique work every weekend.

gl

This is a method I regularly use, I was taught by the Bonito fishermen around Wollongong.

Basically they fix the float with a sinker underneath it, then 3m of leader and at the end of that is a skirted squid (white normally works well). The whole concept of the float (with weight attached) is to get your unweighted skirted squid out as far as possible.

Lethal method when fishing for Bonito, and you always get the by catches such as Salmon, Frigate, Slimies, Kingfish (never really got a legal one using this). The only problem is it's very tiring after a little why as you will find that you must use a 12ft rod for this method....the trace is just simply too long to cast out with any other rod and achieve distance.

[The Incredible Hull]

Yer I see heaps of people do this every weekend I go fishing, they catch bonnies all the time. I'm simply too lazy and use a pillie under a float and hope for it to sink

[fisholb]

Squid skirt on float is probably d best n cheapest rig u can use when targeting pelagics eg bonito salmon kingys. A pack of 5 cost around $5 from a good tackle shop. We normally bagged out on the bonito n salmon using this type of rig at hill60 or bass pt during summer. My mate also caught a 90cm kingy at hill60 using this rig. Good luck. The rig consist of a large float big ball sinker 30lb 3m trace 2.5in squid skirt 2/0 hook.

[user1829]

Squid skirt on float is probably d best n cheapest rig u can use when targeting pelagics eg bonito salmon kingys.

so do you just let teh skirted lure move around of its own accord, or do you have to retrieve it each cast?

BTW - great info guys!

[aeb870]

so do you just let teh skirted lure move around of its own accord, or do you have to retrieve it each cast?

BTW - great info guys!

You will need to retrieve it like a lure. And once again, the faster the better. It's a good workout but the adrenaline of excitement when the fish takes the skirted squid is priceless.

[hottyscotty]

during warmer currents, cast a stick bait like they use for catching gt's. although a little bit smaller, 15-20cm range. kings love stickbaits.

[benm]

Squid skirt on float is probably d best n cheapest rig u can use when targeting pelagics eg bonito salmon kingys. A pack of 5 cost around $5 from a good tackle shop. We normally bagged out on the bonito n salmon using this type of rig at hill60 or bass pt during summer. My mate also caught a 90cm kingy at hill60 using this rig. Good luck. The rig consist of a large float big ball sinker 30lb 3m trace 2.5in squid skirt 2/0 hook.

Do you put a bean sinker inside the squid skirt or leave it unweighted (just a hook)?

[fisholb]

I put a bead in front of the hook so the hook wont go thru the hole on d squid skirt...

[elferoz777]

Thanks guys!

I Really appreciate all the information you have given me.

I am looking to try this out this Saturday morning at Port Kembla, Bulli or Stanwell Park beaches.

[aeb870]

As mentioned, you definitely need a bead so the hook won't got through the squid. Unweighted is the key to this method as your squid will skip across the surface of the water.

Where in Port Kembla are you thinking? I always used this method on the southern breakwall, never tried this time of the year so let us know how you go.

[elferoz777]

As mentioned, you definitely need a bead so the hook won't got through the squid. Unweighted is the key to this method as your squid will skip across the surface of the water.

Where in Port Kembla are you thinking? I always used this method on the southern breakwall, never tried this time of the year so let us know how you go.

Ill try the southern break wall or of the rocks nearby.

Feel free to say g day if anyone sees me...Ill be the slightly awkward looking guy trying to implement all this new found knowledge

[fisholb]

Goodluck this sat. im not sure if the bonito r still around. u probably catch salmon n kingy if u r lucky. the last time i heard someone caught a bonito was around anzac day. the last time i caught some bonito was around march. We always target salmon tailor jew this time of the yr off the beach using pilchards as bait.

[aeb870]

I hear people say that Bonito is present all year round, especially with Bass Point and Port Kembla. However, I have never caught one after March or so.

Can anyone actually confirm catching them through winter?

[fisholb]

I never caught a bonito during winter at either hill60 or bass pt. we go fishing all year round and we usually catch sambos and tailor on the rocks and beaches during winter. i heard you can catch bonito during winter when u r on a boat n go outside in d open seas.

[The Incredible Hull]

I hear people say that Bonito is present all year round, especially with Bass Point and Port Kembla. However, I have never caught one after March or so.

Can anyone actually confirm catching them through winter?

I'm at Port Kembla every weekend, and yes people do still catch bonnito & salmon there. Note I said people and not ME!

[aeb870]

If they are still around through winter, I would love to cast a line out (hopefully this weekend) and see if I can hook one.

[fisholb]

Salmon n bonito r always fun to catch...its very addictive specially when u catch them on lure...they really fight hard specially d bonito...my mates became addicts when they start catching them...just like me...all we think about all the time is catching our next bonito/salmon...

[SCOTTYB]

Great topic and great info - I'm still jealous of the "bream (mostly over 45 cms)"!!