Offshore Fishing

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Category: Fishing Tricks

Published on Friday, 07 October 2011 11:41

Written by KC

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Some people seem to have a bit more 'luck' than others when fishing, and just understanding a few simple tips can make you one of them.
Offshore fishing seems to have certain 'bite times' these are usually right on daybreak, about 10.00am and again about 3.00pm and the best times are several days before the full moon and several days after the new moon.
A lot of anglers move about 'looking for fish' until finally finding fish at these times.
Reef fishing can be a bit tricky at times because fish can actually hide in and under the reef, therefore not actually showing on your sounder, or they will be on the up current side, the seaward side, the down current side or the lee side and quite often the fish won’t show until the bite times.
Drift fishing is one of the most productive methods used as you can cover more ground and catch different species.
The use of a GPS unit is almost essential these days, you can mark a good show or go straight to a favourite spot.
Once you have found the fish or the favourite spot, the next thing to do is get the drift. This can be done by watching the track the boat makes after you stop and start drifting. You must use this line or a parallel to it to set your vessel up so it drifts right over or passed the fish or the target.
So once you have your line travel back to the spot in a parallel line to the drift line, go past the spot and start your drift up current from your target, this will ensure your baits are near the fish when the boat gets to the spot.
The other thing is to control your drift rate or speed so that the lines can get to the bottom with as little weight as possible. This can be done by using the motors to hold against the drift, or with the aid of a sea anchor. Remember not to tie the anchor (any anchor for that matter) off on the stern of the boat, if you do and it drifts below the boat or holds as the swell passes if will hold the transom down and could sink the vessel.
Anchoring to the bottom is another method usually used in shallower waters. Be sure you go past your spot using a parallel course and anchor up current from the reef and fish back to it allowing enough distance for the lines to drift back to it. Don’t anchor on the reef and fish away from it, as some people I have seen do.
Watch your sounder and note any fish you see, after a while you will be able to guess what type they are by the location, depth, size of the echo and colour (if you have colour).
Set different rods and baits at different levels, bottom, just off the bottom, mid water and surface for instance. Use some live baits as well as your dead baits, even use a float or balloon to hold a bait just below the surface.
Get a burley trail going (not too much or sharks will gather) or try cubing, little pieces drifting down at regular intervals.
Remember - Hook size is relative to the bait you use, not the size of fish you hope to catch.

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