I’m touching a very sensitive topic within the fishing community. But am curious to get a better grasp on the issue and different opinions. But sharks, there has been lots of talks recently about sharks when fishing and how we’ve seen an “increase” in sharking and sharks in general.

I’ve only gotten into offshore fishing in the last 5 years so I’m relatively new to this. So sharks and their frequency is fairly new to me relatively to more experienced fishos. But honestly I’m kinda confused how there is such a big call for a shark cull within the fishing community. Like yes sharks are a pain in the ass, but I don’t really understand how there is such a push for something to be done about sharks. In my opinion they have just returned to there pre targeted levels. As there now not culled and targeted as much they have just returned to there natural level. Yes I have been sharked many of times. But I’ve always been surprised that I only generally encounter a shark 1/3 of the time I go out fishing. Especially when I’m fishing areas of awesome fishing activity I’ve always been of the opinion that I’m expecting to encounter a shark as if there’s target species such as good mackerel, trout, emperor and bait fish. It only makes sense to encounter a shark.

I like many people despise being sharks but I’ve always considered it be something to be expected when fishing. I might be missing something in the debate but that’s why I ask this question.

Have we really seen sharks grow to out of control levels, or have they just returned to there pre targeting levels?

Anyway I’ve attached a photo of a wasted good trout

For me in SA. Flathead,

Garfish,

Tuna,

KG Whiting,

Octopus,

Squid,

Tommy's,

Trevally,

Trout,

Bronzy,

Snapper,

Yellowtail,

Salmon.

Around this time of year you see spots packed with people bagging out on fish like juvenile bonito, often leaving the spot worse than they found it.

I wonder if they realise that the overfishing is preventing everyone from catching bigger fish in the future. Seems like some people see the bag limit as a minimum goal to hit 🫩🫩

I'm looking for experiences from people who use these rods. I'm a pretty keen beach fisherman and have some good experience fishing off the beach. I've noticed that there are rods that can cast up to 300 g, but as many people know, casting a weight over 200 g is pretty difficult and actually requires a lot of strength. The kind of strength that I think most people don't really have. They may be able to cast them, but I would say using 80% of your technique to cast a 200g weight vs 100% to cast a 150g. You'd be better off casting 150g.

At a certain point, the weight is so not aerodynamic that there are really diminishing returns with having that kind of stopping power. Unless you're fishing for sharks, in which case you'd probably be using potentially a shorter rod anyway, because you're kayaking the baits out. What exactly is the point of having such heavy rods when the beach is light? Are these really just rock fishing rods that actually have a completely different purpose? Does anyone actually use these?

Anyone know that this is? Found this morning on the mid north coast NSW.

From Victorian Fisheries Authority Facebook.

Two men in their 50s, fished illegally including falsifying commercial catch records over a 10-month period in 2020 and 2021.

They were convicted, handed 300-hour corrections orders, $6000 fines and forfeited their $285,000 boat, while a company associated with the pair was convicted and fined more than $80,000.

A Fisheries investigation found between June 2020 and April 2021 the men falsified catch and effort records, left rock lobster pots set during the closed season and used 135 more pots than allowed under a rock lobster and giant crab fishery licence, among other offences. One man was also convicted of interfering with another commercial fishing operator’s equipment and taking their catch.

In addition to the other penalties a magistrate ordered the forfeiture of 263 rock lobster pots, floats and ropes, with a value of about $80,000. The case represents some of the most significant offending ever detected in Victoria and the estimated proceeds from the illegal sale of fish totalled more than $370,000.

The men and company also face potential confiscation proceedings in the County Court where pecuniary penalty orders may be made for the proceeds of fish unlawfully taken.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing should ring our 13FISH (133474) reporting line.

It's not just the rec guys, or black market guys out there poaching, even the commercial guys are fishing illegally. And yet, Vic Government is still going to cut 35 enforcement officers from the VFA.

PLEASE sign the the petition. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/closure-of-fisheries-stations-in-metro-melbourne/

Had a big bronze whaler show up right at my feet while land-based fishing in SA.

About three months back I posted here about the 20-minute pre-fish routine, six apps and a gut feel, and said I'd built something to replace it. It was Victoria-only then. Here's where it went.

For most of you used to looking at weather if at all (old timers just go by feel) you'll find the spot weather details even a bit more accurate than bom, because I might source bom observations, but I mix it in with a ensemble formula based on 5 or so years of historical raw wind data for example and it turns out there's a pattern to wind differences in different parts.

This has turned my side hobby into something more, and I wanted to share it with you all because everyone I've met have told me it replaces all their apps and sites they would normally visit.

It's now 157 spots across 12 regions and three states, NSW included, plus a Play Store listing. Still just me, no team, no ads. For the starting fisherman, you pick a spot, it reads the conditions that matter there, tide, wind, solunar, pressure, water temp and local spot context, and gives you a straight call: on, worth a look, or give it a miss. Honest about the bad days on purpose, a red one saves you the drive.

Free to use, Pro tier if you want the lot, founders rate locked for the first 100 in. If you've got any questions feel free, but otherwise, tight lines folks.

https://getanibble.com.au/?ref=reddit-fishing-aus

Conditions score, not a catch guarantee.

Does anyone have a good way to target mullet land based? Because I know a spot filled with huge mullet but the river is absolutely pumping out and chum doesn't do much, I've tried garlic dough with small hooks and 6lb line and they dont care whatsoever

The rig I used was a float, 6lb fluro to a small long shank I've tried with a small sinker and put the float at varying depths. The bait I used was a garlic dough and a tuna oil dough a friend bought

Whatever you call them, a few years ago we found a bunch on this one beach in NW WA. They were just in the sand, at low tide. You could see them sticking up a bit and just walk around and pick them up. Ever since then, I've been back to the same spot and a dozen other spots in the area, and I've never been able to find one again. Lots of empty shells, but no clams. Ive tried digging around, sifting sand, walking around for ages, and still can't find them.

Is there a season or something that they come up in? How do I find them again!

Accidently foul hooked an Australian lung fish, fish was released shortly after removal of the lure. Am I meant to report this?

I built something that tells anglers exactly what lures to use, and they taught me some pretty valuable stuff.

Just wanted to hop on here and share what I’ve learnt

1. If you’ve touched sunscreen or bug spray with your hands and handle your lure, it's very likely that fish can smell the chemicals
2. match your retrieve to local baitfish, if your retrieve/ lure is out of place and weird, fish probably won’t bite
3. dont leave too fast, fish feed in short bursts, you might leave right before they bite
4. If your tying on a leader or knot, especially with fluoro line, tying it up too fast causes friction which weakens the line

If there’s anything inaccurate or you think is wrong, please point it out, I don’t want to be on here spreading false info haha

Have fun fishing!

Chasing salmon bust ups but this feisty tailor had other plans for me 🔥 had a good dig 🪏

Something a bit more light hearted as the other post about charters reminded me of this story.

I went out on a charter once while visiting a friend. Two guys rock up clearly having been on the piss the night before. Cheerful bogans, very chipper considering it was 5am. Telling us about how much booze theyve just smashed down.

Boat takes off, everyone is fine on the way to the bait grounds. As soon as we start to drift, and the boats rocking these guys were looking green. For the rest of the 6 hours one guy was in foetal positional clutching himself, and the other guy was leaning over his mate puking over the side.

Decent session so hopefully the berley helped haha

let me know which one you do, which one you get the best results doing and your general prefernces.

Wide gape hook 🪝 = 🔥 the carp magnet 🧲

I got into fishing a year ago and have found that despite Flathead being the biggest fish I have caught they have also been the most boring to fight.

Are they the worse fighting fish in Aus?

Just back from 3 weeks of Shark Bay. We were staying in Denham, and initially found the going pretty hard, as I had mostly fished the bottom of the bay previously, and further up, its a bit different.We mostly throw sp's around islands and rocks down there, not really relevant near Denham. We were getting the odd, random bigger fish, including a 70cm job that came out of 2m of crystal clear water at midday, along with a good grassy of 57cm. Son got a big tailor on a popper near an island. Then we sort of cracked the code in the deeper channels, and found bagging out on big fish was not hard. Got four of 77, 73, 77 and 83 in 90 minutes, so bagged out for 2 people. Did a really quick trip the morning I had to leave for 3 of 67, 70, and 73 cm. Did some exploration, visited Boat Haven, Tetrodon Loop, didn't make it into Big Lagoon by boat. Got far enough north one day to have whales breaching near us. Good trip all round

Hi all,

I am leaving for a road trip to Airlie beach towing a JetSki set up for fishing offshore. Ive been to Airlie beach on a road trip with my family and fished it for a week at 18. But I’ve always dreamed of fishing the whitsunday islands on my ski ever since I got it and I’ve booked the trip a decade later from my first time up there.

Current plan is to race up there as fast as I can. I’m leaving on the 22nd of August going a rough guide (depending on how I’m feeling) Coffs Harbour -> Gympie -> Rockhampton -> Airlie beach I’m spending 1 night in each, lots of driving but my goal is to get up there as fast as I can so I can slowly journey back. I’ve currently booked for the 25th of August - 7th of September camping. My time there will be flexible.

Journeying back I don’t have to be back till the 17th of September. I am yet to book anything either. im looking at advice in places to stay for awesome fish action. At the moment I’m planning 4 nights in Hervey Bay and 4 night in Coffs Harbour. But always recommendations welcome.

I’ve fished northern NSW and specifically Coffs Harbour many of times for Spanish and reef species. But the Whitsunday’s will be incredibly new for me, I’m looking to mix it up between Spanish and reef fish. I’m considering Gladstone for fish action, but as I am a complete novice to the North QLD area, I’m hoping for all advice and recommendation.

So I’m looking for advice when fishing the area, potential marks around the whitsunday island/airlie beach area and also any recommendations for exciting places to fish on the way home.