New to WA
Hi everyone. This is my first post so I thought I would introduce myself and give you a bit of background info.
I have recently arrived in Australia from the UK and am living in Joondalup. I am looking to buy some new kit here and try something new. In the uk I fished off the tops of 400 foot cliffs for Cod, Wrass, Bass. My kits consisted of a Ron Thompson Axcellerator 13'6" super stiff rod, a pen 555 multiplyer and a carbon pole 18 foot to allow line clearance. This was the only type of fishing I took part in as there were no decent beach locations. I am looking to try something new and would like to try some lure fishing Orr the beach and rocks around Burns beach, Hillaries, Mindari etc.
Could you recommend some cheap kit that would be suitable for local fish, including rod, reel, lures. Idealy a spin rod but I've seen some light baitcasters such as the Shakespeare Firestorm Baitcast Combo - 5'6" From BCF. Would this be any good? What are the local species to target? Are any dangerous to handle ( like a lot of things in WA) All of my kit is still in storage in the UK and I will not be able to get it for another 11 months until it is shipped so I'm not looking for expensive kit just cheap and cheerful that I can land a few fish with. Thanks in advance.
carnarvonite
Posts: 8671
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Welcome to Oz and Fishwrecked
Welcome to Oz and the site,
No doubt someone from down that way will notice your thread and pick up on it. The boys from any of our site sponsors will be able to set you up with whatever you need and they are right up with local spots and whats being caught so give them a ring or drop in and introduce yourself to them.
Wes F
Posts: 1067
Date Joined: 07/01/12
G'Day
Welcome to West OZ and the site. As Carnarvonite said about site sponsors, get ya gear and head on down to a local beach and enjoy. Be a lot less effort than winding a descent fish up a 400 foot cliff.
Old fishermen never die they just smell that way.
Fossil
Posts: 215
Date Joined: 10/06/12
Welcome to fish wrecked
Welcome to fish wrecked Neo.
A thread line outfit is going to offer you the most flexibility so that is probably the best route for you to go down. A rod about 8ft long matched with a 3000 or 4000 size threadline & 12-15lb line will make for a good all round outfit. I'm a big fan of the Berkley dropshot series of rods & for a little under $100 they are excellent value. The reel is going to be a personal choice of what feels best to you on whatever rod you choose but choose a solid one as we've got some pretty tough fish over here that will soon kill off a poorly made reel. The boys at Oceanside (site sponsor) will be able to help you out with any gear you need as well as some solid advice.
Tailor are one of the most sought after species over here. They are voracious feeders that are happy to take baits or lures & are decent fighters that don't mind getting airborne when hooked. They taste pretty good but only if they are bled & put in an ice slurry as soon as they are caught. Never freeze them as they turn to mush & don't taste real good, only eat them fresh. Tailor have a mouth full of razor sharp teeth that will make a mess of a stray finger so be careful when handling them. If you use the site search feature on the left you will be able to find heaps of info on the best baits, techniques etc.
Hope that helps you put a little, I'm sure others will chime in with more info for you.
Neo
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 17/10/12
Thanks so far guys. Keep the
Thanks so far guys. Keep the advice coming. I will get myself down to a shop soon once I have been paid and get myself some gear.
Wes F - yeah you would struggle to wind up anything over 2lb up the cliffs. Normally wind the cod to the bottom of the cliff and then chuck your rod down, push out your pole ( carbon windsurfing mast with a roller on the end ) and start hand lining your fish up. 40lb mono line due to rubbing on the cliffs still cuts your hands up when you have a 10lb cod on and it's freezing cold below 0 deg.
TheJettyRat
Posts: 733
Date Joined: 02/03/12
Shimano Sonic Pro rod with a
Shimano Sonic Pro rod with a Sienna 2500 or 4000 reel is a great cheap start for around $100.
catchalittle
Posts: 1875
Date Joined: 04/09/08
Welcome to the site mate as
Welcome to the site mate as for a cheap reel that can take some knocks try a spheros as for the store you mentioned go to a real fishing store where you will get some good service and right advice
Nathan
ozmos
Posts: 34
Date Joined: 25/12/11
flathead
Can't offer too much advice on gear as I'm pretty new to this game aswell, but in regard to dangerous fish I'd be a bit careful when handling flathead. They've got some venomous spikes on either side of their head and hard spikes on their dorsal fin. Other than that their easy to catch and excellent eating.
....nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana FISHING!