Why cannot find any bait fish and squid?

[Armpits]

I have been reading up alot on where good spots for bait fishing and squid and I see alot of people been saying Balmoral. So decided to go check it out and it was packed at the wharf at night but had a look around there was no sight of any bait fish as people have claimed. 

Also another place people mentioned was Kirribilli wharf. Went there at night and no bait fish around either. Also threw the squid jig in to see if any squid and not even one. 

Why are people saying these places are good when I have not seen anything there? People make a big hype so I had to check it out and couldn’t see one in sight?

Besides the above, does anyone know a good spot around Sydney for bait fish and squid? That you are bound to atleast see and not end up wasting time for a no show.

[raging]

I'm at balmoral now catching livies. They are there, all part of the challenge of fishing I guess.

[Hooked-Up]

Buddy they are good spots to catch bait.

there is no secret spot you can go to and catch anything whenever you want.

your fishing in the wild.

fish move, if your not enjoying the hunt then head to the fish markets lol.

[Hooked-Up]

Gotta say though there is usually some baitfish around as you can see from ragings reply.

how are you trying to catch them?

Edited December 30, 2017 by Hooked-Up
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[rickmarlin62]

just standing there looking for them doesn't mean they aren't there..my local jetty holds squid..some nights you catch heaps some none..daytime never..bait can hide under jetties or they may be 40mtrs out over reef..if you want instant bait head for a shop or look around and fish for them like everyone else has to...none of us has been handed spots that work all the time..we have to try different spots at different times..its called learning and is part of fishing...rick

[Armpits]

So if you guys cannot see the bait fish how do you make them appear? I am new to this so don’t know much.

[Hooked-Up]

Research berleying up and fish baits very lightly weighted in the trail, you’ll usually hook up when baits just deep enough not to see it.

[PaddyT]

1 hour ago, Armpits said:

So if you guys cannot see the bait fish how do you make them appear? I am new to this so don’t know much.

Berley - start mushing up a small amount of bread and feed it into the water in small amounts- watch what comes up- give it 30 minutes- if no go -move

[rickmarlin62]

spot on  a mix of wet bread pillies and tuna oil mashed in a bucket then thrown in water in small enough quantities to attract but not overfeed fish...if that doesn't raise something..theres nothing there...rick

[Piss'n'Broke]

Bait will always hold near, or close to structure for protection. Armpits, usually baitfish like to feed on dawn or dusk to avoid being eaten by predators during daylight hours or at night when the toothies come out. So at night it will be nearly impossible to spot baitfish.

My advice try the hour before and after sunset/sunrise for baitfish, i.e. yakka's, slimies, gar's. As for squid, good luck,, they may be there, they may not be, but they might only switch on for a hour to feed, then shut down. I have squidded at Balmoral 100's if not 1000's of times for the last 20 years for countless hours for not even a single grab, or a pulled tentacle. Move around as others have mentioned, but don't be surprised if they come on the chew after you leave,,,, this is the worst!!!!!

Dan