Sydney Rock

Fish metabolism increasing

SYD ROCK & BEACH Alex Bellissimo

alex@bellissimocharters.com.au

At the time of writing there is a 5km limit on how far you can travel. I am very fortunate to ROCK FISHING

The run of rock blackfish (AKA pigs, black drummer) are biting well. Fish to 50cm have been falling for fresh cunjevoi, peeled Endeavour prawn or a well-presented cabbage weed bait. There have been

Fishing for rock blackfish is generally done during the day, but it is possible to catch them after dark. Rock fishing, especially at night, should only be done on the flatter seas, and with the right safety equipment. If you haven’t tried it before, go with an experienced angler.

live close to the sea, but for the vast majority of Sydneysiders, travelling to their fishing spots is not possible. My report this month is more based on what I have been catching and the occasional client I have been taking out. I feel for all the people of NSW and hope that COVID goes on a permanent holiday out of this world so we can start holidaying ourselves. reports of even bigger pigs from the upper northern beach suburbs rocks like Barrenjoey, North Avalon and South Avalon rocks. These headlands mentioned are open to a southeast swell, and I recommend fishing them when the swell is only up to 1m. You can fish these headlands in a larger swell but you will be more restricted to fishing only some higher ledges or high boulders.

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The spear fishers have also been getting stuck into the pigs. Recently I saw a good fish of at least 55cm amongst the red morwong and other assorted fish they often spear. This was from Dee Why headland.

You may notice when cleaning your rock blackfish that they will be really fat in the belly compartment. That means they are likely cannot catch red crabs.

Also remember that safety is paramount, so wear a life jacket (I like the Hobie AS4758 50+) and steel spike boots when you rock fish or bait collect. In my opinion, bait collecting for crabs is more dangerous than fishing off the rocks because you need to be down close to water level at low tide. That being

Seija Roenneberg, a first-time beach angler, caught four legal whiting on this outing and several more smaller fish returned. Her big smile says it all.

to be in spawn or in milt. I recommend that if you catch enough for a feed to look out for the fat belly fish and maybe release them for future stocks. I’m not saying you should release all your pigs at this time of year, but it’s good to release the bigger fish which are the breeding stock for the future. Besides, the larger fish are not as good on the plate as the smaller fish (i.e. from around 0.75kg to 2kg). Fisheries research has indicated that large pigs around that 55cm mark or 3.5kg are at least 40 years old.

Groper are also prevalent as well, with fish to 8kg+ being landed. One local caught and released a 12kg blue groper, which is an impressive fish. Red crabs are regarded as the best bait for this species, but you have to be practical. The crabs you see above the high tide mark are also a great bait for this species if you This blue was one of several caught on the outing. All fish were released.

the case, you are more vulnerable to waves when collecting in often waveimpact zones whilst bait collecting amongst the red weed beds and cracks. Please take note!

Some plate-size snapper have been caught distance casting off Freshwater Rocks. Fish below the ramp approximately 50m to the north and cast wide out there about 70-90m. There are some trevally and tarwhine amongst the mix as well. The baits used are squid strips, salted mackerel fillet and peeled prawns.

Kings are showing up during their migration run. Some good fish are being speared off this headland and being caught by anglers as well. A good bait is a live yellowtail cast out on the bottom and suspended under a float rig. The Daiwa Power Splash popper and Break Through, both 140mm long, have been catching fish as well.

BEACH FISHING

The Aussie salmon run will continue and you will find that they will be in good volume this month, with fish to 3.5kg and possibly even larger being caught. Ganged pilchards are the go-to bait. You can also tie a leader of about 20cm on the swivel that is tied to your main line, and put on a fly or surf popper with your ganged pilchard below, and cast it out. Sometimes you won’t get a strike on the pilchard but on the fly or popper!

The beginning of the whiting run for 2021-22 is about to start. Generally, October still has chilly water temps off the ocean beaches, although there can be a change in water temp by a tongue of current moving in. A southerly at this time of the year can bring the water temperature up as little as 1-2°C which can make a substantial change from nil to whiting caught on the day.

This month should be good for tarwhine and bream also migrating, but remember that the beginning of this month can be slow. Later in the month can be better, although that can vary