East coast import
G'day,
Based in Scarborough looking to try a few different things fishing around WA (only recently started fishing over here, from the Eastern states, still only around for 2 weeks a month when my wife is in town).
I am really a bit of a novice when it comes to fishing from shore (outside of fresh water), or indeed using much besides flies (which I haven't brought my rods over for yet). Really interested in prospecting and trying some different techniques and perhaps managing the odd feed. Have a 2-5kg spinning rod and a halfway Beach/Boat rod (older rod) plus a really light spinning rod. Interested in basically any sort of fishing: Bream, flathead, Herring, Tailor, Squid or even Gardies interest me...I am interested in looking for Mulloway but I think I need some practice before I go trying to catch them (I am also not that much of a bait fan unless its necessary).
Anyway, would be interested if anyone wanted to make any suggestions...i've yet to catch a herring despite various attempts (slicers while trying a slick, ive gone the tubing route now with a berley bob...but to be honest not sure when in the day is best, or where as it seems the tides are against me), and the best ive managed is 3 ok sized Squid in the Hillaries marina last full moon. Got a number of slicers, couple of bream lures, few jigs, plus the standard gear. Just really looking to get out a few times in the next couple of weeks, so if anyone wanted to go on a bream session or a herring session or something i'd be really keen.
Also happy to pay my way if you happen to have a boat and looking for some company (though I haven't got a valid ticket atm, have held a Vic BOL (which i need to renew) and have a fair bit of experience driving a Quinnie 5.5m in Tassie and Port Phillip) , have transport so that isn't an issue. So yeah, if anyone is keen for a fish I'd really enjoy some company or advice. Available most of the time as well including during the week. (PhD student so pretty flexible)
Cheers John
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Hi John
Moved up north 3 yrs ago but fished down there almost all my life, but mostly Mandurah.
Herring would almost be the easiest fish to catch with or without bait. But the key is "burley". If you burley up they will come over and they will eat anything. Slices like small Twisties, lumo tubes and my favourite "lure" behind a blob is the humble Crazy Charlie fly. Have about 1-1.5m of line between the blob depending on your rod length, use a hole through the middle blob, shove some burley in there, boof it out, let the blob sit for about 5seconds and then wind in with a steady pace. Change this speed but everyone will tell you any speed will do. I give the blob a "pop" every now and then to let some burley out, and if you have a nice burley trail, bob should be your uncle.
Gardies are much more finicky, and I have yet to hear of anyone catching one on any artificial, but a small long shank hook with thin flouro leader and a small piece of bait like prawn set up in a similar blob configuration but reeled in at a slow pace should do the trick. But the best bait by far is wogs (maggots), best live. You can get ones from tackle shop and put 3-4 off them, hooked through the black (mouth) side. Herring go this to.
Best wogs are live. Get a fish frame. Tie it up in a tree etc away from the house so that it hangs in mid air, and cats and dogs cant get it. Place a bucket with pollard directly under the frame. The fish will get blown, and the wogs fall off into the bucket, and the pollard sort off cleans them. Just wait about a week or as long as the neighbours dont beat you up through the smell and you have live bait.
Everything that frequent the shallows like herring, gardies, whiting, bloody blowies all love them, and just use 3-4 hooked as above on the hook and the blighters should jump on.
That will get you started but feel free to ask any questions as there is always answers on this fantastic site.
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Raining Fish
Posts: 13
Date Joined: 25/11/10
Thanks Neels Any suggestions
Thanks Neels
Any suggestions on when to try fishing for them? Like is tide, wind and time of day an important aspect (similar to species like Tailor?)
Cheers
John
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Not as much as Tailor at all
You will be able to catch herring and gardies all day, but as always dawn and dusk. I think but have never seen a true pattern that a outgoing high near weed banks (ie weed on the shore) would be best because the maggots in the weed get washed out and act as a natural burley.
As said if you burley they will come, all day long.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
lurcha
Posts: 455
Date Joined: 29/12/09
if you bring your fly gear
if you bring your fly gear over the flats in the swan river are worth a wade for flathead (not as big as the east coast ones) and the odd flounder. point walter is a good area to start. you could use your spinning gear as well. just beware of the blowie plague! they destroy soft plastics and love chewing your toes!