Monday
Monday morning was my last session, land-based fishing at Woody Head. The weather had improved and we had clear skies and no swell. I started fishing around 9.30 am at ‘the Barnacles’ area, again. Low tide would be around 11.30 am.
The first cast produced a small Trevally, who fell for the GULP 4” Minnow soft plastic in the Lime Tiger colour. I then caught a few snags and then a small Bream. Over the next hour or so I caught six or seven more Bream – all between 25 and 35cm.
I moved all along the front of the rock platform, casting at any fishy looking water. There were plenty of people around – taking advantage of the excellent conditions. One guy had caught a nice looking 50cm Tailor on a slug. It was the only Tailor I had seen caught in the whole weekend. Further along I saw another fisherman with a 50cm school jewfish, which he caught on some fresh mullet strips.
I caught more Bream as I walked along the rocks, down to the area at the southern end of the platform, known as ‘Mossies’. I caught more fish on the smaller 3” GULP minnows on light jigheads – 1/6th and 1/8th oz. Another fisherman was catching plenty of Bream on unweighted squid pieces.
By about 12.30pm it was time to go. It had been another great few days of land-based fishing, from the rocks in Northern New South Wales. The big Jewfish had been the highlight but there were plenty of Trevally and Bream, as well. I had not been fishing at dawn, but I was a little surprised by the lack of Tailor – maybe next time.
Hey Landangler
Do you reckon the barnicals are fishable at low tide with a 1.5 meter swell?
Thanks
Yes – but be very careful and watch the surf for half an hour or so before you mover further out – Leave all you gear well back from the edge and watch for the slippery green and black weed – it can be like ice underfoot. Be prepared to lose a fair amount of gear – make sure you take all sensible rock fishing precautions – life vest, good grip shoes and fish with a mate
Thanks so much.
Two quick questions.
Do you where a life jacket and how many jig heads do you lose to the rock per hour?
Thanks
Yes, a small self inflating one – I lose jigheads at the rate of about 6 an hour, sometimes more – you need deep pockets
Thanks