Victorian Surf Beach Fishing Hot Spots

Surf Fishing Guide

Surf fishing consists of fishing from the shore, most often on beaches or beside open coastlines. For people who are new to it, the following are the basic steps:

1. To find a spot, you should look at features like gutters, holes, and the areas where fish are seen to be active.
2. Take care to set up your equipment correctly by using an appropriate rod, reel, line and bait when fishing on the beach. For those who are new to the activity, a surf rod measuring 10 to 12 feet in length (approximately 3 to 3.6 metres) and rated for use with a 15 to 25 pound line would be a suitable option. Combine this rod with a spinning reel that is between 4000 and 6000 in size and resistant to saltwater. A main line made from 15 to 20 pound monofilament or braid works well in most surf fishing situations. Begin by using simple rigs and basic hooks so that you can concentrate on learning the techniques and reading the beach.
3. Put your bait in places where fish are probably present, such as in the gutters or near the sandbars, and concentrate on the areas where the fish are feeding rather than just aiming to get the bait as far as possible. It is more important to put your bait where the fish are feeding than to try to cast as far as possible.

Read the beach before casting

• Gutters:

Gutters are deep channels situated between the beach and a sandbar, and the darker water and the fewer breaking waves can help you recognise them.

• Holes

Holes are patches which are located further inside the gutter and usually show up as small spots of dark or stagnant water.

• Cuts and rip channels

Cuts and rip channels are gaps through which water flows over a sandbar, and fish usually swim along the edges or stay near the ocean side to feed.

• Points and corners

A change in the shape of the beach could result in stronger currents and a concentration of food, which in turn would attract passing fish.

• Visible activity:

It is generally a sign that fishing conditions are good when you can see baitfish, birds diving, or fish feeding at the surface.

• Low tide reconnaissance

You can see the beach and the gutters most clearly when the tide is low, even if you intend to fish later on when the tide is higher.

• ###- #### Do not cast spells at the maximum range by default. The finest place to go fishing is often the first gutter, since gutters are reached with only a short cast from the beach.

Useful surf-fishing baits

Beach worms and sandworms are simple to use and work well with a wide range of the fish you’ll encounter on the beach. They can generally be obtained directly from the sand at low tide using bait pumps or by digging, particularly on ocean beaches where you can see worm casts. Although many fishing shops offer live or preserved worms for sale, you can collect them yourself or buy them beforehand.

Pipis and prawns are generally useful as bait, especially when smaller fish are feeding near the shore.

• Pilchards

Pilchards are often used for catching Australian salmon, tailor, and other fish that hunt in the surf gutters.

• Squid or fresh fish strips

Squid or thin slices of fresh fish are hard baits that remain on the hook in rough water and are less likely to be picked up by small fish.

• When possible, select local food.

Using bait that the local fish are familiar with is more effective than using bait that they are not used to.

– Freshness is important as well as the way it looks; frozen bait can work very well as long as it is stored properly, hooked firmly, and appears natural.

Three practical surf rigs

• Running sinker rig

This type of sinker rig has a sliding sinker placed above a swivel and the leader, which makes it easier for the fish to take the bait. It works best in calm surf, in shallow gutters, or when the fish are cautious. To attach a running sinker rig, first put the sinker on your main line, then add a small bead to protect your knot. Secure the end of your main line to a swivel, attach a short leader to the other end of the swivel, and then tie your hook to the end of this leader. This way, the sinker can move. A paternoster rig has one or two hooks placed above the sinker at the bottom; this setup keeps the bait clear of the bottom and crabs, which is why it is appropriate for use in deeper gutters, in areas with strong currents, and in rough surf. The bait is kept clear of the bottom and from crabs, which is why it is suitable for deeper gutters, strong currents, and rough surf.

A ganged-hook rig is made up of several hooks linked together to hold a whole pilchard or another type of long bait; this arrangement keeps the bait from bending and ensures it remains straight, which makes it easier to catch quick, aggressive fish like Australian salmon or tailor.

A medium-heavy surf rod, measuring between 3 and 3.6 metres (10 to 12 feet) in length, is useful for casting over a long distance and helps keep the line above the waves. A spinning reel that resists saltwater and has a size ranging from 4000 to 6000 is a good choice for most surf fishing. For most beach fishing, a main line of between 15 and 25 pounds—regardless of whether it is braid or monofilament—is appropriate.

Before you begin fishing, it is important to check the local fishing regulations and ensure that you have any necessary licenses or permits. Since the rules and licensing requirements can differ from one area to another, they may influence which species you are allowed to fish for, what equipment you can use, and where you are permitted to fish. Doing so will help you avoid being fined and fish responsibly.

• Leader:

Choose a leader that is abrasion-resistant and appropriate for the kind of fish you are attempting to catch, the weight of the sinker, and the rocks in the area.

• Hooks

Select the hook based on the kind of bait you are using, not just the size of the fish you are aiming to catch.

• Sinker

Choose the lightest sinker that will still keep your bait in place, as star and breakaway sinkers help keep your rig steady in strong current.

• Bait security

Elastic bait is useful, as it keeps soft baits, such as pilchards, pipis, and worms, on the hook when making strong casts.

Timing and safety

The tide’s arrival usually leads fish to move closer to the shore, but the best time for fishing will depend on the type of beach, the depth of the gutter, the weather conditions, and the kind of fish you are after.

It is usually best to start fishing at dawn or dusk, especially if the tide is favourable. Before setting up, always check the water conditions since large waves, strong rips, or a rising swell can turn a good fishing spot into an unsafe one.

It’s important to check the local conditions and weather forecasts before going out, and to look out for any safety signs or warnings at the beach. If you’re unsure about how to identify a rip, ask the local people or surf lifesavers.

If you find yourself in a rip, remain calm, float and send out a signal for help. Swim parallel to the beach until you’ve got out of the strongest current and then swim back to shore.

Never turn your back on the surf and don’t wade into gutters or channels that are unfamiliar to you. Before wading in, check the depth of the water and judge the strength of the current by using your rod or moving your feet slowly. Start by staying in water only up to your ankles until you are sure that the area is safe and until you feel confident about the conditions.

Although your mobile phone is a useful safety device, for even better security it is advisable to have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). This is a portable emergency beacon that transmits a distress signal together with your position directly to rescue services if you are in difficulty, something that is especially useful in remote areas where phone coverage is not reliable.