Shore fishing Manly, Sydney

[hampus]

Hi all!

I'm new here and been in Australia for about 3 years now (originally swedish) and I'm totally lost when it comes to shore fishing methods, rigs, baits etc...

I've been fishing a few times both from the shore in Manly as well as from the cliffs around Collins beach but with no luck. I'm using a bottom rig with three hooks and prawn as bait. Prob round 1 m between each hook. I used the same rig and bait for shore fishing. I did catch 2 flatheads and 1 leatherjacket from the cliffs but that's not very much considering how much I've tried...

Is there any times or conditions you should avoid when shore fishing? Read somewhere that the best times is 1 hour before tide. I realized that tonight was prob a bit windy because the rig just kept sweeping up a couple 100 m next to me by the waves. Or am I doing something wrong?

Very very thankful for answers!


Cheers,
Lost suede

[sleepygreg]

I would be reducing the rig to two hooks. I presume you are fishing the ocean beaches when you say shore based. I also assume you are using a paternoster style rig with the sinker on thebottom of the rig. You are on the money with those style of rigs, though I would suggest you are not reading the beach well if your rig is ending up on the beach beside you. Also I would suggest using a variety of baits and changing until you figure out what is the 'gun' bait on the day. In the area you are fishing I would be trying mullet strips, live beach worms, pillies(whole or cut), tailor strips, or salted tuna strips. You have some prime beach fishing spots all along the peninsula, my pick being Narrabeen beach - especially near the mouth of the lake, queenscliffe lagoon itself, collaroy beach and quite a few others. Choose the gutters that drain out to sea in the middle of the sand bank, and dont use a really heavy sinker, as the secret is to let your bait move with the current. Also night fishing produces the best results in these areas.

Its been a few years since I fished the area (I moved to Qld), but I am sure someone else could bring you up to speed on the local scene more recently.

Cheers
Greg

[hampus]

Thank you so much for your reply! Really helped a lot!

Yes, I'm using a paternoster style rig with a lighter sinker and let it go with the current, only in my case the current was not working for my benefit :)
I understand now that reading the beach and currents is vital for successful ocean beach fishing. I also didn't really try different bait which I definitely will for my next session!

How big influence does the tides, winds, and waves have on my fishing techniques? Can I still go fishing if it's windy and 6ft waves or should I just use another method then? Is the best time really 1 h before and 1 h after high tide and 3 h after dawn and 3 h before dawn?

One last question would be what the most common fish is this time of the year? What fish should I be targeting?

Thank you so much for your help! Truly appreciated!

[sleepygreg]

Still should be a few Salmon around, and some tailor. Whiting should be starting to make an appearance (beachworms), some flathead should be about also, though not in any great size, Jewfish in the deeper gutters....but need big baits and an all night session (a whole new story). Its not the most prolific time of year, sort of between seasons....there should be some bream around though (they are there all year). Ideal tide is a run up to a high around sunup...that is high tide as the sky is lightening...and start fishing about an hour or two before this (you need to scout the area in daylight the day prior to identify the gutters). Would also be a good idea for you to talk to some of the local tackle shops there (they have probably all changed since I was there...so let your fingers do the walking).

Greg

[hampus]

Just a little update...

Been out a couple of times after work around 8-11 (I know it's not the ideal times) but with no luck at all. Maybe I should just go for a early morning session before work instead. What's the ultimate waves and winds? Smaller or bigger waves? Messy or still?
I also still have some troubles defining the gutters I think. It's the deeper areas where the water is going back into the sea right? So pretty much between sandbanks where more waves break?

Been throwing quite far and been letting the line go with the current for quite a bit to get it out a bit further. But the rig always seem to end up next to me even though I've tried several spots which I've thought was gutters. Haven't got a huge spool either, using a ambassadeur no5000:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lane/4448/images/abu_5000_4screw.jpg

Might need to upgrade for more line?

Spoke to the guys at Fish Outta Water and they told me to use a ganghook attached to about a meter of line and then having the sinker on the other side of a swivel (which the ganghook line is attached to) so that the line can move freely through the sinker. Tried this tonight with some beach worm (but with a with worm hook) and salted pillies but still no luck... After my whole line got cought in some kind of jelly sea grass which made me cut it off, I went back home with no line, no bait and no fish.

[swabio]

Hey Mate,

You could also head over to middle head and give clifton gardens a go too. There are a couple of Sydney based forums that would also help you out for more localised fishing locations and knowledge, such as sydney angler and sydney fishfinder.

I lived in sydney last year and had an awesome time ;)

Good luck, try and nail some of those awesome Sydney YTK's ;)

[sleepygreg]

How about getting in contact with one of the local Sportfishing clubs.....both have some renowned beach fishing gurus in their ranks and are a great bunch to be around. Barrenjoey Sportfishing Club.....Ross Kerr
9918 8769, Manly Warringah Sportfishing Club .....Bruce Olsen
0409 487 214. They can put you onto the people that know the area, and are very good at fishing it. They meet at Bilgola and Manly Vale.....close to you.

It is getting very close to the "beach season" so it would be worthwhile talking to these guys.

Greg