There is a common perception amongst anglers that to catch a good fish, you need a boat. Whilst certainly a valid point to make, there is a portion of the rec fishing community that will argue to the end to say that this isn’t true – with photos and stories to show for their troubles.

Beach fishing, all across Australia, can be one of the most rewarding forms of fishing there is, with the possibility of a monster catch all while having your two feet planted on the sand. 

Being at the mercy of most powerful forces on earth means there are plenty of uncertainties, but the rewards can be bountiful. As we head into summer, which will see plenty of families across the country hit the coastline, here is a short guide to get you geared up for a successful day out fishing.  

Equipment Is Everything 

A bad tradesman may blame his tools but choose the wrong gear on a beach fish and you may as well brush your teeth with Oreos. 

Your rod, reel and line choices will have a massive impact on your catch, with the surf zone proving to be an unforgiving area on cheap or unsuited fishing gear. A rod of around 10-12 feet with a rating of around 5-10kg is a perfect starting point for gearing up for the smaller species in the surf, such as bream, whiting, dart and flathead. 

This can either be a fibreglass or graphite-built rod, depending on your budget. When it comes to picking your reel, a 4000-6000 sized reel spooled with 12-20lb monofilament is a perfect start and will allow you to tangle with almost all species you’re likely to encounter off the sand. 

If you’re just getting into this type of fishing, the best bet is to wonder into your local BCF and speak to a local who knows the type your conditions and species you are likely to encounter in that part of the world.  

Gearing Up For Upsized Fish 

Fishing in the river is like playing the pokies, there’s often a cap on what you can win. Fishing the ocean is playing the jackpot slots at the casino – you can win big. It is not uncommon to come across large fish when surf fishing.

Species such as mulloway, sharks and large stingrays frequent Australia’s sandy coastline giving anglers the opportunity to do battle with some serious monsters of the deep. 

A rod of 10-13 feet of around 10-20kg is a good start when targeting this larger class of fish, match this with an 6000-12000 sized reel and 20-30lb monofilament line and you are on the right track to land a specimen worthy of featuring in your Facebook profile picture.  

Bait Is The Decider 

If you want to win at beach fishing, bait quality is the marker for victory. The best bait? Beach worms are the champion’s choice for all bread-and-butter species in the surf and will often attract those elusive large mulloways.

The cheap and cheerful pilchard will also generate a few bends in your rod, especially when rigged on small suicide or gang hooks. Squid is a solid bait, but the freshest stuff will always out fish the freezer burnt squid-bergs you’re likely to encounter at the local servo.

Honourable mentions must go out to cut mullet baits, prawns and pipis as these have accounted for many solid catches in the past. The golden rule for bait? The fresher the better. If you have any form of live bait, you’re giving yourself the golden ticket that’ll put the odds in your favour. Again, head into your local BCF and ask the locals what best is best suited for the time of year you are fishing.  

 Finding Your Flow  

Fish, like people, tend to congregate around food which means you want to find the beach’s version of Woolworths. Picking a spot within the surf zone can be hit and miss, however once you understand what you should be looking for, then the fish will be flapping on the sand in no time. 

To do this, you need to identify an area that has a prominent “gutter.” This is an area of deeper water surrounded by a shallower sand bank. The bank will generate breaking waves and white water which dislodge small crustaceans and worms beneath the sands surface. This rings the dinner bell for predatory fish and attracts them into the area. 

Bombing your casts in these gutters will likely result in some serious bites, and rod bending action. Like all things, take your time to choose your spot. Once you get on the beach, watch a zone for 10-15 minutes before fishing, and make sure you are seeing those key signs. Generally, shallow water with no ‘entry’ or ‘exit’ zone will be unproductive.  

The When Is Everything 

Like everything, timing is essential when fishing off the beach. The best time to fish is at dusk and dawn, but that is not to say you’ll never catch a fish during the day. 

These early and late periods are key as they offer what we call a ‘low light period’, which can mean that fish don’t necessarily need to shelter in a gutter to seek coverage from the sun.

Rather, they are more likely to be active and out feeding in those areas that we can access with our cast. The other key bite window comes in the form of the tide change, which is that 90-minute transition from low-high or high-low.

Here, the ‘flow’ or ‘current’ slows down and allows the predatory fish to hunt those bait fish which may seem disorientated. As a rule of thumb, fish 90 minutes either side of the change, and do your best to align with dusk or dawn.  

A message on safety  

Surf fishing is an incredibly rewarding and almost primal experience. You’re staring down a horizon where you’re fighting against the elements to get yourself a feed or a fight.

This means it’s best to keep tabs on the swell and wind. Calmer days are not only better but they’re safer. Keep your feet planted on the sand and don’t wade out too deep into rips that could see you become part of the ecosystem.

Pick the right tides, wind and swell using all the advice above and you’ll be rewarded with a fishing experience that’s hard to beat.  

Tight lines…