Best methods for rock fishing?

[mjc85]

Yesterday 2 mates and i went rock fishing for the 2nd time targetting kingies, jewies etc. The first time we got snapped off my something big and managed some decent bream and trevally.

We went again yesterday and instead of fishing the bottom we used balloons as floats and about 3-4feet of line below wth a pilly on gang hooks. We managed to get at least 30 happy moments on 4/0 gang hooks, and when the kingies were lucky to get the bait before the happys they were only lttle kingies. We also used some squid and got a small snapper and more bloody happy moments.

Is there another method i should try ? Different bait ? or a way to stop those pesky happy moments taking the bait everytime and to be able to attract the bigger fish ?

I know live bait is the way but its a 5.2 km walk to the spot each way, and a bit hectic with a bucket full of live bait plus i don't know how to catch big livies (pike, mullet etc.)

[NeMo84]

mate you should try spinning up some bait with a little metal slug on a light spin outfit, its good fun and like you said you wont have to carry the buggers 5.2km, you can get little mackerel or tailor this way and they work a treat...good luck

[mjc85]

Ok good idea, i might give that a try. So they are usually always hanging around these areas ? Like where the wash is smashing up against the rock wall etc. ? What size slugs ? like 10-20 grams?

[aussiefool]

depends where your fishing, I fish the rocks at hastings point and only use lures .If the tide is high I use use rmg scoripian that dive to 3.5 mt. or at low tide I use a prince lure that only dives to about 1 mt. that way they are heavey enough to cast. I have nailed big jew to 14 kg, jacks to 3kg,tailor,travelly and even saw a knobby nailed all on lures

[land-lubber]

HEY MGC85 i bet ur fishing fairypools??? inthe NP? great spot, i also fish there regularly. the live pike are the way to go at the moment, there are stacks of them around esp at the point at grainte bay. spin little metal slugs or sps around the lace, ur bound to pick up a few. failing that, try a bait jig, you can catch anything on these!! i recently got a 1.5 kg kingie off there on my sp gear designed for bream!!! give some big sp a go or some hardbody lures. bait wise, i use a half pillie on 3 1/0s and flog it out well past the wash. early mornings and evenings seem to be the go for the best fish. btw, heres a local tip the snapper can be caught here after a good northerly blow and decent swell you can get some snorters there at times. send me a pm if you want more info.

[rando]

Take some bread & burley-up what-ever is around then drop your bait jig under a float next to the burley, bingo, livies.
small blow up toddler pool is a good live bait well, easy to carry holds plenty.
rando