Pointers for a Saltwater Newbie

[dnardy]

Hi,

I live a long way inland but going to Murramarang near Bateman's Bay in a few weeks. Plenty of experience with trout, redfin, cod etc in the fresh but have done bugger all salt fishing, so have a few noob questions to get me started:

I have a beach rod - what line and leader should I spool it with for fishing the Durras area, and what bait?

What rod and reel for estuaries/rivers in this area? I have plenty ranging from small trout spinning rods up to big Murray Cod baitcasters. And again, what bait and lures? Pretty keen on having a crack at Bass.

Also considering taking my kayak to try on Durras lake.

Thanks!

[benno573]

Hey mate. Depends on what you expect to catch on the beach but for things like salmon, bream etc I would go with anything less than 20lb, generally the lighter the better. Leader - if the stuff you’re chasing has teeth, maybe 20-30lb, again, the lighter the better.

for the estuary/lake stuff, your trout gear probably won’t be far away. 1-3kg or 2-4kg rods around 7ft, small spinning reels with 6-10lb braid. Small plastics up to 3-3.5”, jigheads around 1/8 or 1/6, up to 1/4 if deeper or a lot of run. This should work on the majority of your estuary species.

would love to see some reports of your cod/trout trips too!

[ellicat]

@KhalidMSyed fishes that area and has posted these reports -

 

 

[ellicat]

PS Like Benno, I would love to hear about your cod and trout trips too. @Bob9863 lives near you and has been doing well chasing the trout and natives in the area. Have a look in his Activity on his Profile...

https://www.australianfishing.com.au/profile/56084-bob9863/content/

[KhalidMSyed]

4 hours ago, ellicat said:

@KhalidMSyed fishes that area and has posted these reports -

 

 

Thanks @ellicat

@dnardy Have a look at the drone photo below of the rocks on the North-East side of North Durras Beach right before Point Upright. These rocks are safe to fish from on low tide. There are three natural rock platforms, numbered #1 to #3. My favorite one is #2 as you are least likely to get snagged here and landing a fish here is not too difficult. Darker areas marked with red X have too many underwater rocks making it too easy to get snagged, avoid these areas especially if you are using sinker. Areas marked with green V have sandy bottom and are the best areas to target when using sinker. Areas marked with orange V have some underwater rocks but not too many. I don't like fishing from platform #1 as fishable area is too shallow and there is a long rocky section that you have to cross before you can land your fish. Similarly, platform #3 is just too rocky, making getting snagged too easy and landing too difficult. The area marked with red line in front of platform #2 is how far you can walk out on low tide which helps with both casting and landing hence why platform #2 is my favorite. I have caught following species here:

- Salmon
- Taylor
- Flathead
- Snapper
- Sole fish
- Banjo Shark
- Wirrah Cod
- Green Eel

People dive in this area too and they report seeing Drummer, Groper and Blackfish too. Although, I have never caught or seen those species myself in this area.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

If fishing a surf beach make sure you are fishing in a gutter, or around some sort of structure like rocks. Good luck!!

[dnardy]

Wow, the info in the replies is really great, thanks everyone. 

I will return the favour with more freshwater reports! @ellicat, I have spotted some of @Bob9863's reports and yes he's getting some rippers, he's doing a lot better than me!

[Bob9863]

21 hours ago, ellicat said:

PS Like Benno, I would love to hear about your cod and trout trips too. @Bob9863 lives near you and has been doing well chasing the trout and natives in the area. Have a look in his Activity on his Profile...

https://www.australianfishing.com.au/profile/56084-bob9863/content/

Actually by the look of it we're neighbours, I'm all too happy to catch up for a fish some time. 

Be good to catch up and trade a little local information and techniques. 

[dnardy]

Sent you a PM Bob 

[dnardy]

Thanks for all these replies again guys. @KhalidMSyedyou've gone to a lot of trouble marking up that photo for me, thankyou. 

I've got young kids so only have a limited time fishing, info like this is really appreciated.

[dnardy]

Hi Guys i never reported back. I had a ball fishing Mill beach right at the eastern end near the rocks. About 3 sessions in late arvo into the early evening got me a good variety - pretty satisfied for someone who only ever fishes fresh. I used pillies and squid. I didn't keep any due to my lack of knowledge on whats good eating but I took photos, got them back in the water and identified them later.

I tried looking for beach worms and pumping for yabbies but no good. Khalid I checked out your spot but didn't get a chance to fish it, but will put it in the bank for next time.

Rock Cod? Caught a few of these.

I actually thought this was a Flathead i'm that inexperienced with Saltwater species - Blind shark?

Banjo

What do you call this one? Saltwater Murray Cod? haha

 

Thanks again for the advice everyone, had great fun!

[KhalidMSyed]

24 minutes ago, dnardy said:

Hi Guys i never reported back. I had a ball fishing Mill beach right at the eastern end near the rocks. About 3 sessions in late arvo into the early evening got me a good variety - pretty satisfied for someone who only ever fishes fresh. I used pillies and squid. I didn't keep any due to my lack of knowledge on whats good eating but I took photos, got them back in the water and identified them later.

I tried looking for beach worms and pumping for yabbies but no good. Khalid I checked out your spot but didn't get a chance to fish it, but will put it in the bank for next time.

Rock Cod? Caught a few of these.

I actually thought this was a Flathead i'm that inexperienced with Saltwater species - Blind shark?

Banjo

What do you call this one? Saltwater Murray Cod? haha

 

Thanks again for the advice everyone, had great fun!

Great, thanks for your report. Good to see that you caught a variety of fish, well done. Looking forward to your next sea fishing adventure.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Nice work, I think that bottom one is a wirrah. 

[ellicat]

Hey @dnardy, Good to hear you had a good time in the salt. There's a great variety available compared to the fresh, so it's hard to keep track of them all.

I'm not getting the photos on my PC or phone, just a bunch of text. Anyone else getting the same ?

[Old Scaley]

I just see a small white square, no photos.

[Kat]

I am getting what you are Brian

[Angry51]

me too.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

They work fine for me on my laptop. 

[ellicat]

What laptop and browser, Hamish ?

[Junky]

I get the text and when I click on text I get a small white square. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

54 minutes ago, ellicat said:

What laptop and browser, Hamish ?

Chrome, and a HP Probook. 

[Bretto77]

4 hours ago, ellicat said:

Hey @dnardy, Good to hear you had a good time in the salt. There's a great variety available compared to the fresh, so it's hard to keep track of them all.

I'm not getting the photos on my PC or phone, just a bunch of text. Anyone else getting the same ?

Can't see photos either 

[dnardy]

I'll try again.

[dnardy]

Rock Cod? Caught a few of these.

I actually thought this was a Flathead i'm that inexperienced with Saltwater species - Blind shark?

Banjo?

What do you call this one? Saltwater Murray Cod? haha