SEA FISHING

Recreational fishers usually fish either from a boat or from a shoreline or pier. When fishing from a boat, pretty much any fishing technique can be used, from nets to dynamite, but some form of angling is by far the most common.

Inshore/Shallow Water Boat Fishing:

Inshore fishing is said to be in sight of land and in water less than 30 metres deep. The Angler will either use an uptide road of between 9 and 10 feet in length to cast from the boat or a shorter downtide rod of between 6 and 8 feet. Lines are usually between 18 pounds and 50 pounds breaking strain dependant on species of fish being targeted. Reels are usually multipliers although fixed spool reels are being used more and more. Baits will be similar to the beach and rock but will usually be larger as larger fish are targeted. The species will include all the beach species but now include big conger eels and small sharks like tope and smoothhound.

Offshore / Deep Water Boat Fishing:

Offshore fishing is usually with only downtide rods and lines of 30 to 50 pounds. Usually only multiplier reels will be used. Baits will be the same and include squid and whole mackerel as well as artificial lures such as perks. Fishing will take place over reefs and wrecks for very large cod, ling and congers.