Fish usually feed closer to shore in winter...

Don’t let the cold and the wind get you down, rug up and get out for some rock fishing this winter!

 The NSW coastline is going off right now, and even anglers with limited experience can find themselves reeling in a variety of hard fighting fish with just a little preparation.

So, if you’re not afraid of a little frostbite (we’re kidding, rug up!) here’s five tips for Winter Rock Fishing.

Prepare for everything.
You’ve heard the saying, people don’t prepare to fail, they fail to prepare! We hate to sound like your mother too, but seriously, remember to bring warm clothes, plus some extras because there’s nothing worse than being cold. Obviously be sensible about your choices, because one rogue wave can put you in that water, and you need to be able to swim. Also, 30% of your body heat gets lost through your head, so buy a beanie!

Target the fish, and fish the target.
Great anglers make a plan, and fish to the plan. Target a specific type of fish (or at least a style of fishing). Bring everything you need to achieve the goal, for instance if you’re chasing Blackfish and Drummer, then bring some floats and some green cabbage baits. Bream, stick to the usual’s like prawns. Salmon or Tailor? Spinning with metal lures is your best bet.

Use Berley.
Believe it or not, one of the best berleys to use is white bread. Soak it in seawater and mash it into a fine pulp to attract Bream, Drummer, Trevally and Mullet. Add extras like prawn shells or green cabbage to the mix and you’ve got yourself a gourmet offering that no fish could refuse. Remember to throw small lots into the water at regular intervals, not just a bucket full when you first arrive.

Move Regularly.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if it is broke (or you’re just not catching anything). Move. Simple as that, try walking a hundred meters along the rocks, or simply casting in a different direction. You’re bound to run into a fish eventually!

Fish early, or fish late.
Yes it’s cold, yes it’s early, but in the leadup to sunrise you’re going to have a far greater chance of catching something during winter. If you’re not a morning person, settle for the water work shift, an hour before sunset until dark. Those low light periods are when fish seem to be least wary, and will snap up your bait (and hopefully hook!) with no questions asked.

Follow these five tips to fishing in winter, and you’re bound to catch something! Good luck out there, and enjoy the empty foreshores during winter!

One more time– wear warm clothes!