The Almighty Gummy Shark

The Gummy Shark otherwise known as the Mustelus Antarcticus has a total bag limit of 2 per person per day.  The minimum size as per the recreational fishing guide 2012 is 45cm, this is measured from the last gill to the start of the tail.  Please check the guide for your state as the regulations may vary from state to state.

The gummy shark is my favorite fish to target from the beach.  The thrill of sitting back with mates on a beach and seeing one of the rods get slammed and buckle over gets the adrenalin pumping.

Preparation is the key when targeting gummy sharks and there are a few factors to consider to increase your chances when fishing for them land based.  Fresh bait is the key as the fresher your bait is the better chance you have to catching this prize fish.   Fresh calamari, Australian salmon, trevally, mackerel and striped tuna are are my preferred baits to use.  Another factor and probably the most important are the tides.  Fishing 2 hours either side of the high or low tide is the best window of opportunity.  This would depend on the location you are fishing as the bays and ocean beaches fish differently to each other. 

My personal preference is to fish the 2 hours either side of the high tide as this is when the gummies utalise the shallows.  After the 4 hour window has passed your chances diminish in hooking up to a quality fish.  Of course there is nothing stopping you doing an all-nighter with mates for a night out of fun and shenanigans. 

When fishing land based, I have found this very simple rig to be effective.  A basic single hook paternoster rig using 80pound line with 6/0 to 8/0 octopus circle hooks and sinker size would depend on the conditions you are fishing in.

The hours you put in preparing your equipment, rigs and your quality fresh baits as well hours spent fishing for these marvelous creatures will eventually result in great reward.  Never give up the dream as that feeling of landing your first gummy is unforgettable.                               

 

Let the dream live on.

Take A Kid Fishing

As a angler I think to myself is there anything better then seeing my kids catch a fish.  The answer to this question is no.  The satisfaction the kids get out of fishing is really amazing.  Size of their catch is not an issue, as long as they get out there and have fun whilst learning the craft we so truly love, that's all that matters.

Getting a fishing rod into a kids hand is the first step and soon enough they will fall in love with fishing for life.  Choose an appropriate size rod based on their size and get them outdoors.

The look on kids faces when they hook up and land even the smallest fish is priceless, plus it makes them feel so proud and so it should.  As a parent myself I couldn't ask for more than watching my kids catching fish and having fun whilst doing so.

Teach kids the basics, teach them it is all about having fun and show them how to retrieve a fish and most importantly teach them that you don't have to keep everything they catch.  Catch and Release is very important as it protects our future stock levels and for these kids we all love so dearly they are the future generation of anglers. 

At the end of a days fishing its also important to teach them how to protect our wildlife and leave our fishing spots how we found them. Cleaning up your rubbish and taking it home if there aren't bins provided is a step in the right direction.

Some generous members from my site have kindly sent some pics through showing their kids having a go and enjoying themselves.

 I believe the message I'm trying to get across here is very simple. TAKE A KID FISHING

Bait Collecting

Piers, beaches and rocks around Victoria have been a very popular way for the recreational anglers to target squid (Sepioteuthis Australis) and other bait fish. 

Flinders Pier for example, is a well known location for regularly producing squid ranging from 500gms to 2kg with the occasional one up to 4kg.   Flicking around your squid jig is always a popular method however you can also have success with the technique of a silver whiting under a float. 

On a recently trip to Flinders,  winds were exactly as we needed, we fished the incoming to outgoing tide. I'm a believer that if you put in the hours eventually you will be rewarded, this was one of those situations as to begin with it was very quiet but it ended up being a successful trip.

Flinders is fast becoming a destination known for catching some great quality fresh bait fish.  Yakkas and Slimy Mackrel have been around in great numbers.  These fish are pretty simple to catch using a Sabiki bait jig under a small float with a little blue bait on each hook.  For those who love to target the Gummy Shark land based this is one great pier to get your fresh bait.

It is very important that you plan your Fishing trips and always use a variety of  fresh baits. Lets say you are fishing with a couple of mates, everyone should be using a different bait, this will increase your chances of a positive outcome.  Sometimes fish are fussy and very temperamental so mix it up and see what works on the night.  

Slimy Mackerel, Yakkas, Australian Salmon, Squid, Trevally and Stripey Tuna are the baits I take out regularly with my mates when we head out.  This would obviously depend on what species we are out to target.

In my view it doesnt matter what you are targeting the fresher your bait the better the chance it gives you to catch your target species.

Visit the site today at www.landbasedaddicts.com to keep up to date with everything happening with land based fishing.

LBA Is Online Now

                                                                                               

www.landbasedaddicts.com was developed by myself about 8 months ago.  I have always been a very keen land based fisherman and his passion for the sport that he loves has driven him to create this site.

The site has grown with over 300 members in this short time.  There is also a Facebook group in which has helped the site grow to what it is today.

Landbased Addicts has been developed for all land based anglers of any age or experience.  Fishing rivers, beaches, off piers or off the stones using live baits or artificial lures it’s all covered on Landbased Addicts.

The aim is to get as many land based anglers on the one site to share their stories, tips and techniques from their fishing trips.  This helps everyone catch that dream fish.   All members can post reports, upload photos, add comments in the forums and let each other know where the fish are biting. Members may also find others members who live locally and organise a session to meet, greet and of course have a fish.  That’s what fishing is all about. 

 

Membership is free so logon to www.landbasedaddicts.com today and become a member.

The site has fantastic sponsors in Campbells Pro Tackle, Hook’Em Fishing, Prestige Fishing, Seaford Signs and Evolution Jig Heads.  They all provide prizes to give away for competitions which are run randomly throughout the year.  Also the support received in the background from “That’s Fishing” and “Young Guns Fishing Adventures” cannot go unsaid. Thank you to you all for your continued support.

Keep Safe land based never fish alone.  Take safety seriously don’t be another statistic.