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Estuary fishing is the back bone of our fishing community due to its availability to many fisho’s, and for this reason it’s where many of us cut our teeth and start our obsession. Estuaries are defined as systems connected to the ocean as far up that is affected by the tide, and these are often a network of smaller systems leading into a larger one. While lures are fantastic in these areas, and we will touch on a few must haves, this article will break down the basics of bait fishing and how a fundamental understanding is a great way to teach people to fish and undoubtedly makes us better anglers. What Do I Need? Fishing can be as cheap or as expensive as you like, but here are the bare essentials to a great day on the water targeting Flathead, Whiting, Bream and many other options. A 1000-3000 size reel and a 7 foot rod in 2-4kg will meet pretty much all estuary needs. A big hat and a UPF rated sun shirt like the Samaki long sleeve sunshirts go a long way in preventing day after regrets. A pack or two of size 4 long shank hooks like the Mustad Bloodworm and a range of small sinkers size 0 to size 4 will get you set for most depths and currents. Grab some bait and we are on the water! Fresh is always best, but if you are stuck for time grab some frozen from the local. To keep a few healthy ones for a feed, an iCatch fish ruler and keeper net are a must. What are we looking for? To get the most out of time on the water, it’s integral to be fishing the right area - this can be the difference between a few bites and a great day out. Structure is one way to find congregated fish and it comes in a number of forms. Target areas with physical structure like rocky edges, timber, bridges, pontoons and weed. Tide and flow play a part meaning gutters and drop offs will also hold fish at the right time of the tide. When in the estuary, I also prefer water that isn’t too muddy and isn’t absolutely clear - somewhere in the middle fishes most consistently. Overlapping some structure with the preferred water clarity means good chance you should be onto some fish! Match The Hatch! We’ve all heard it and probably most have said it, but doing this right is probably the most important part of fishing productively. Each estuary will cycle throughout the year with what bait presentations are commonly on offer for fish. A quick snoop down at the river should give you a good idea, or a quick buzz to the tackle shop so you are throwing the right bait out. Bait like nippers and small whitebait are often year round winners. Saltwater yabbies’ can be caught with a pump and sieve on low tide on sand flats covered in yabby holes and very few things beat a fresh nipper especially on Spring/Summer Whiting. When the Herring and Poddy Mullet are thick, you can catch them in an Austiplas Bait Trap. Live baits are unreal on good Flathead, big Bream, Mangrove Jack and even Jewfish. Match what bait is thick in your system when you go out and fish will not be far away. |
Matt Townes - Assistant Manager Mail Order at Motackle & Outdoors - Luderick (Blackfish)
Jordan Stannard - Stock Control at Motackle & Outdoors - Giant Trevally
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No Bait? Try These: Often, we are all time poor, and if you don’t have time to source fresh bait or if you're looking for a challenge, lures are a great option. You can have a handful of soft plastics and hardbodies that will get you amongst most fish in the estuary. I would not leave home without a pack or two of Keitech Easy Shiners 2in, Berkley Gulp Shrimps and 2in ZMan Grub's. If the bait in the system is slightly larger, then the Squidgies 80mm Wriggler's are great and if you have prawns flicking on the surface, then a Bassday Sugapen 70mm is a must have. Lure fishing at its core is about finding the closest representation lure you have in your box to the bait in the system - Match the Hatch! |
Ash Holdsworth - Fishing Purchasing Assistant Manager
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Fish Care for a feed: With the time and effort (and fun) that goes into fishing, if you are keeping fish, it's important to get the best quality fish possible. Although there are many ways to do this, once fish are removed from the water, dispatching and bleeding them will improve flesh quality. When just getting started, the Jarvis Walker Pro Fillet Knife kit will tick all the boxes. How to dispatch a fish varies in species and a look at https://www.ikijime.com/ can be great help. Once dispatched, I like to put them in an esky with ice and saltwater, leave it a few hours and it will be firm and much easier to clean. |
Cameron Hall - Estuarine Specialist at Motackle & Outdoors - Sand Whiting
| Estuary fishing provides a challenge from beginners through to obsessed anglers and nothing is more fun than getting back to those grassroots of where it all began. Although many of us identify as lure fisherman, there is no doubt that a greater understanding of estuary bait fishing makes you a better rounded and productive angler - Matt Townes |
Matt Townes - Assistant Manager Mail Order at Motackle & Outdoors
