ANGLERS who fish from rock ledges do so for reasons as wide ranging as the piscine rewards, the thrill and just because it is a cosmic place to be.
Many anglers make rocks their speciality. Some chase game fish such as tuna, marlin, yellowtail kingfish and sharks; others prefer salmon, trevally, garfish, King George whiting, barracouta and snapper.
Depending on the game, the methods and tackle requirements vary.
Basic methods employed include bottom fishing, float fishing, unweighted baits and spinning.
When fishing the bottom the usual outfit is a three to four-metre surf rod suited to about 7-9kg lines but heavier if chasing bigger fare, with a paternoster terminal rig, the same as you would use in the surf.
A paternoster rig is a couple of leaders running off the main line tied directly to a sinker.
To avoid tangles with leaders becoming wrapped around the main line some anglers prefer to fish just the single leader.
Regardless of method, hook size depends on bait, which in turn depends on species.
Moreover, it is important when fishing the bottom to avoid fishing on reefs, as this results in snagging on rocks and weed.
Instead, cast your bait into sand holes alongside the reef.
These are the feeding lanes for fish and you will encounter fewer problems.
Float fishing covers many species.
The technique can account for almost everything except perhaps whiting, which fossick on the bottom for food.
Mussel or pipi, set one to two metres under a float and kept in close to the wash will attract sweep and garfish.
Fish fillets cast further out and set deeper may attract snapper. Large bait put out beneath a balloon and allowed to drift well offshore attracts shark.
Free-floating baits in a wash spiced with berley is one of the most effective techniques.
This method will account for a range of fish including snapper, salmon and trevally.
It's simple and effective, but the key is the berley, usually made up of pilchard pieces mixed with chook pellets and tuna oil.
When the berley stops, so to do the fish.
Spinning is also popular.
In Victoria the most common species caught is salmon and, to a lesser extent, barracouta.
There is no need for highly geared reels; a retrieve ratio of about 4:1 is adequate and you can use your standard surf rod and reel for this.
SAFETY
ROCK fishing is dangerous and safety is paramount.
Never fish the rocks alone and always check the way the sea is running before venturing down to a ledge.
I chased big fish off the rocks for more than 20 years.
Many accidents happened on days when experienced rock anglers stayed away due to the dangerous, big seas running.
In Tasmania recently, I caught up with John Nascawan, sales manager for Stormy Australia, manufacturers of life jacket apparel.
This company's latest device is the Stormy Rescue Grenade, and I believe it should be compulsory for all rock anglers.
I have thrown ropes to anglers washed off rocks, and watched them struggle to hold on.
On some rock ledges, the Australian National Sportfishing Association has installed Angel Rings, but there are not enough of them.
The Stormy Rescue Grenade is an inflatable life ring.
It throws well and within five seconds of hitting the water, the casing falls away as a gas cylinder automatically inflates a life ring. The victim takes hold and waits for help.
The Rescue Grenade costs $60. For details, go to Stormy Australia.
- Steve Cooper can be heard on the Casting Off program on Radio Sport927 between 4.30am and 6.30am on Saturdays.
