Fishing is a sport that requires patience, skill and a little luck. If you decide to pursue fishing as a hobby you may find that it takes awhile before you are making regular catches, but stick with it; as well as being fulfilling and relaxing, fishing also provides you with a delicious dinner!
There are several different types of fishing. Shore fishing and beach fishing are the easiest, in terms of equipment and skill. Rock fishing can be dangerous but generally produces a payoff, as fish tend to hide from predators in the nooks and crannies created by rock formations. Boat fishing provides more variety and opportunities for catching fish but, of course, you'll need a boat.
Before you begin, you'll need the right equipment. The staff at your local fishing store should be able to help you find the right equipment for your build and intent, but here's a rough idea of what you'll need.
Fishing rod: Length is the most important consideration for beginners. If you are planning on fishing from high ground, such as a jetty, you'll want something longer than if you are fishing from low ground, like beach fishing.
Hooks: Most beginners start with the multi-purpose octopus line. Once you're more experienced, you'll learn about which hooks are best suited for fresh or salt water, for adult or juvenile fish and for different species.
Line: You'll probably need a monofilament line or a braided line. Tying the hook to the line is essential so practice your knot tying – the most common notes are the
polomar,
hangman and
loop knots.
Reel: The simplest reel is the closed face spinning reel, which is operated by a push button and prevents line tangling. The open face spinning reel will help you to cast the line further.
Float/bobber: A float keeps the bait at a certain depth and allows the fisherman to see if the fish are biting. You can buy them at any bait and tackle store, or make your own from cork.
Sinker: The ball, barrel and bean sinkers are good all purpose types.
Once you've got your equipment sorted, you'll need to start your research. Ever fisherman needs a Tide Guide and an Angler's Almanac. These documents will help you to predict the best times for catching fish and can be purchased at any fishing store for about five dollars each.
Next, you'll need to find out which fishing spots in your area yield the best results. You can ask around or check out sites like
Fishing Australia or
FishNTales. You'll also need to know where the green zones are. This is very important, as fishing in a green zone delivers a hefty fine. The rules and regulations for fishing in Queensland can be found
here.
Once you've done your research, you're ready to fish! Sunrise and sunset are the best times of day for catching a bounty – and once you have, serve them using some of
these delicious recipes.
