Five Fathom Bank Help
Submitted by stumpie on Tue, 2017-01-24 12:03
hi Folks
I've never driven out to the FFB to fish but planning a virgin trip this week. Hoping I can get some advice from the more experience people on FW.
What I'd like to know is:
1. Do you fish on th eastern side of the shallower bank i.e. the Garden Island side? Or is fishing generally better on the western side?
2. If I venture to the western side are there any exposed reefs along the back of Garden Island I ought to be aware of?
3. Do you suggest anchoring or drift?
The plan is to approach the FFB between the passage of Garden and Carnac Islands. Any help is much appreciated.
Paj man
Posts: 359
Date Joined: 16/09/12
I'm pretty new to FFB myself
But I have caught my fish on the Eastern side of the bank (early mornings and anchor and berley on a lump). Usually find fish before anchoring.
I know with the right wind, people drift over/up and down the bank which seems like the ideal thing to do. I have also seen lots of people anchored on the eastern side of the bank too (the drop off to 30m of water would definitely hold fish)
As far as reef's go - I know of one shallow point just North of Carnac from memory but the whole area needs precaution in a large swell.
aka Nick
stumpie
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 22/07/15
hey nickthanks for the
hey nick
thanks for the reply. could I ask what you normally use for bait?
Paj man
Posts: 359
Date Joined: 16/09/12
No bait on my boat
I use sp's - bait would be dependant on what you're targeting.
aka Nick
Matts123
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 13/11/16
FFB
Hi Stumpie
i have spent a fair bit of time on both sides of the bank. Some with good luck others with next to nothing.
I would suggest starting with a drift and anchor when you find something.
Burley I have found can be good but too much will bring in sharks and rays.
I have found both squid and mullies have worked well and the odd live bait.
I got a 78cm snapper on the garden island side of the back about 8 weeks ago and have lost some good fish on the other side so all comes down to a bit of luck. I am still learning my way around the bank and have more trips that I have got nothing that I can remember so is all a bit of luck. Would love to hear how you go. I will be out there as well this weekend.
Auslobster
Posts: 1901
Date Joined: 03/05/08
Either inside edge or outside edge.
Don't fish right in the guts...you'll end up with lots of snags and crappy fish, like wrasse.
Like paj man, I only use softies and jigs...and sometimes a popper when the rat sambos come to the surface on a calm day! But when bait users come out on my boat, normally a no or lightly weighted mulie on a two hook Snell, or maybe a filet from a jigged up skippy does the trick.
And probably the best bit of advice I can offer is...go as light as possible. You're fishing twenty meters max so 24kg bottom bouncing gear not necessary.
stumpie
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 22/07/15
Awesome info and very
Awesome info and very helpful cheers.
joycey
Posts: 250
Date Joined: 28/05/11
Hi mate,Do you anchor or
Hi mate,
Do you anchor or drift when you fish the Five fathom bank with your jigs/soft plastics?
Cheers
Joycey
Shane O
Posts: 926
Date Joined: 22/01/10
birds
how do u keep the birds away from your bait if you have little to no weight
eziliving
Posts: 865
Date Joined: 30/12/09
Throw a bit of bait the
Throw a bit of bait the opposite way you're going to cast then quickly cast, or just drop the bait beside the boat and let the current take the bait whilst your rod is in freespool or hand feed it out.
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
420casts
Posts: 280
Date Joined: 25/03/13
Deckhose
Shoot them with the hose if you have one.
My YouTube channel, Fishing Rigs & How To's and more:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr9kJWJYyoaOkHRDu1pxszg
@666percentfishing
stumpie
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 22/07/15
Headed out early this morning
Headed out early this morning and spent about 4 hours on the water fishing. We managed to land a dhu fish and port jackson and a few wrasse. The Dhu was a keeper the rest returned to the ocean.
Thanks again for all the tips.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Well done
On your first trip out to the FFB.
SeperateKnob
Posts: 660
Date Joined: 28/11/16
Congrats on the dhu. I’ve
Congrats on the dhu. I’ve caught all sorts there from eels to pinkies and dhu also some i couldn’t identify