Help with some whiting fishing?

[sandgroper]

Everytime I go crabbing for sandies I like to throw a line over and try my luck for some whiting. Only problem is that it doesn't matter where I am I never seem to catch any! I hardly even get any bites. At least I can be certain I can get a feed of crabs but I never get any whiting. Can neone help us out here, maybe give me a few tips?

[Fishin_Dan]

Look for weed beds surrounded by sand. Drift over them with a lightly weighted bait (Blood worm is the best bait, but peeled prawns do really well also). Just enough weight to get to the bottom. Use a small long shank hook (I use small red chem. sharpened hooks). Some people put red tube beads above the hook as well.... Just run the sinker all the way to the hook. No need for heavy line.

When you find them, you will probably drift with them for a few minutes, then the bite will stop.... Go back and drift again, and you'll find em again.

Depending upon where you are depends on where to start looking. I know of a few spots on the north side of brisbane, and one out at Moreton Island...

[sandgroper]

Cheers Fishin Dan, I'll try that next time i go out!

[Fishin_Dan]

Where do you normally fish?

[sandgroper]

Mainly over the amity banks if I throw a line in for whiting

[Fishin_Dan]

There are some spots over there.... Check your PM's.

[tengals123]

small bead sinker on main line to small swivel. then light leader, with two PINK!!! beads, to a long shank smallish hook. Two pippies on the end. Throw it into weedy/sandy zone and BOBS UR UNCLE.

cheers

[stubbie]

Worms, long shank hooks and beer ;D

[Cheech]

I use sinker to the hook for almost all my fishing, but not for whitng. Not disagreeing with Dan as such, just offering a differnt technique. When chasing whiting I use running rig, which is a sinker on your main line to a swivel, then between .5 and 1 metre of 6lb leader to a #4 long shank for summer whiting, or #6 or #8 for winter whiting.

The benefit of a long shank is that you have half a chance of retrieving the hook. A short hook will be completely swallowed.

As for bait,, the last time I went I caught just as much on thin strips of fresh squid as I did on live worms. If they are there then they are probably going to have a go at anything reasonably yummy. So if it is to kill time then fetting a couple of fresh squid should not e too difficult. Have also had a lot of success on small prawns. Peeled is better, unless they are small and a pain to peel.

If at anchour, I would suggest you don't just cast out and wait. If it is not happening, then cast out to the side or towards the front of the boat and let the current add movement to cover extra area (this is at anchor). Don't think that a still bait is beter.

Cheech

[noodlemantra]

light line, running sinker on to a small long shank hook with fresh green prawns as bait. out of each prawn aim to get 3-4 baits out of.

feel the bite, give him line, and wait for the pull and apply resistance. doesnt have to be a big strike.

also try teasing the fish with the bait, by slowly pulling back on the bait. sometimes, they come back and bit a bit harder.

then throw it out as a livey for a big barra. ;D

[sandgroper]

cheers guys, thanks for the help.