beginners on the Central Coast NSW

[scampi]

I have three boys 9,8,6... hmmm and I am an ex Channel Islands fisherman, so I have some experience in general fishing. I am struggling with the how, when and where to on the Central Coast. Have tried the Entrance and Terrigal lagoons but they seem overfished and so far we have had little success. I want to get the kids interested and at this early stage, making sure they catch something. anything is important to make sure they stay enthusiastic.

Anyone who can advise me, or even be brave enough to show me (pushing the friendship thing here!) would be very much appreciated! We are looking at a boat in the next year or two but for now we are stuck as land dwellers.

God this site is good!!!

Iain

[Slider]

Iain, when I was a kid my family would head to Wamberal from Bris for couple of weeks each Xmas to see grandparents and then to Double Island for some real fishing. In the seventies and eighties we were able to get snapper off the beach at the southern end of Forresters Beach at the edge of the submerged reef. Also bream, flathead and tailor anywhere along that beach where the kelp wasn't. Wamberal beach has 2 patches of rocks that protrude out some way and bream, drummer, blue groper and tailor can be caught off these structures using crab (can be found in rock pools) poddy mullet (from wamberal lake or out of large rock pools) or cunjevoi and pilchards. My grandma caught a 12lb groper at the 1st rocks a couple of years ago and she's now 94. These same rock structures have pot holes that can be fished with hand lines using cunjevoi - green eels, perch, dog sharks, occasional bream. These pot holes used to be full of lobsters but they'd be long gone. The beach gutters along Wamberal and Terrigal Beach still produce salmon, flathead and tailor and my aunty often catches mullet on worm there (wouldn't happen in Qld). Used to get a lot of school sharks along this stretch as well. Terrigal headland at The Scillion can produce tailor, mackerel and tuna using spinners - allow spinner to sink for 10 secs or so and fast rtrieve. Last time I was down that way - about April 2003, was able to spin up a number of salmon and trevally - mainly on Forresters Beach and around rocky outcrops on Wamberal Beach. Is a beautiful area but a pity about the population level. Feel free Ian to send email if further info required.

Lindsay

[scampi]

Lindsay
Wow... what a reply, and so quick! May I ask... what on earth are cunjevoi? Ha ha... everything else I can work out!!! Wamberal sounds like a good place given the ease with which we could find live bait.... must head down there soon and check it out!!!

Thanks again.

Iain

[Slider]

Iain, cunjevoi are shape and size of small soft drink can that if were trodden on would squirt water. Tend to grow on rocky outcrops below high tide mark. To extract the flesh use a sharp knife and from the top cut around the circumference and peel back one side to get fingers in and pull contents out with the cap. You would need to check that it is still legal to use cunjevoi in NSW as is 20 years since I last used it there. By the way to fish in pot holes of rocky outcrops on Wam Beach - needs to be low tide which also assists in crab and cunjevoi collection. As kids we loved pot holing and I know that there are still fish there which your boys should enjoy also. Also - we would catch the poddy mullet by using oyster bottles (cylindrical 1 inch diameter) and putting small amount (1/2 slice say) of bread in with water and shaking so that gives milky appearance. Lie them in 2 feet of water in Wamberal, Terrigal, Tuggerah lakes and the poddies can swim in but can't swim back out. Used to take 10 mins or so to get 4 or 5 in each bottle.
Lindsay

[scampi]

Lindsay,

Top advice which is greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks so much

Iain

[INDULGENCE]

Hi Iain
The bottom of end of Forries is safer for your little guys. There is plenty of bait to be gathered off the local rocks but the local platforms are protected and whilst you can gather and use you cannot take away.
Try the flatrocks that face back north right on the beach edge on a dropping tide.
There is also plenty to keep the kids busy safely if you want to get serious about your fishing
The Haven has been fishing well lately but a bit awkward for the kids.
The bream and blackfish are shortly about to move out of their estuaries and start moving up the coast following the mullet.Its a good time now to show the kids how its done and you will see plenty of fish.
There are Tailor on the North Entrance beach on dusk with a riseing tide.
I live at Forries

Wally

[xtosea]

Try Patonga wharf, the Skillion at Terrigal also the HAven there. There are fish to be caught.

Kamil

[scampi]

OK OK ... enough spots!!!! Any advice on tackle, methods and bait to location reference points? Remember... trying to make this fun and easy for kids... don't worry about me... I am a big boy!!! HA HA!!!

Serioulsy, I boughts some light spinning style gear for the kids which they can use for most things but what rigs to use, with which baits in a given location is the key.

You have all been great! Thanks so much.

Iain

[corby1]

years ago we use to fish the inlet side of the power station somewhere near wyong. it was a great spot for bream using mullet gut. Also on the outlet side was good fishing there too off the bridge if all is still there its was a great spot for kids not sure what its like now someone might have recent info.

good luck

[scampi]

Thanks once again.... everything helps.

I will be certain to record our "attempts" as we get into this journey! Probably won't get a chance until after Easter (which is why I am gathering info now... to be READY!!!!

Look out for our posts when we do!

Cheers one and all

Iain