Good fishing isn't always about expensive gear. Checking conditions, choosing tackle for your target species and adjusting your approach can help you make more of each session. These 13 practical tips are a useful starting point, whether you're new to fishing or refining your routine.
1. Check the conditions before you go
Check the weather, wind, swell and tides before leaving home. Rainfall, water temperature and daylight can also affect your plans. If you're taking a boat, check the marine forecast and choose conditions suited to your vessel and experience.
2. Learn to read the water
Look for drop-offs, channels, weed beds, rocky structure, sand flats, current lines and baitfish. Changes in depth, cover and food can help you decide where to cast instead of fishing at random.
3. Match your tackle to your target
Pack for the species you hope to catch rather than carrying everything. Soft plastics and suitable jig heads are useful for flathead; lighter presentations can suit bream; squid call for squid jigs. For snapper or fast-moving pelagic fish, match your hooks, leader, lures and rod to the conditions and target.
4. Change your presentation before changing spots
If you're not getting bites, try a different lure size or colour, retrieve speed, depth, jig head weight, leader or bait. Give each change a fair try before moving on.
5. Try a slower retrieve
When lure fishing, experiment with a cast, sink, lift, pause and drop. Pay attention during the pause and fall, and adjust your retrieve for the species and conditions.
6. Fish at different times
Early morning and late afternoon can be worth trying, but don't rule out the middle of the day. Note the time, tide, weather, location, species and lure or bait after each trip to spot patterns.
7. Look for baitfish
Surface activity, diving birds and small fish around structure may point to feeding predators. Watch what is happening before choosing where to cast.
8. Keep your tackle organised
Separate soft plastics, hard-body lures, hooks, jig heads, squid jigs, leader and other terminal tackle so you can change approaches quickly. A tackle box or bag also makes moving between spots easier.
9. Check leaders and knots
Inspect your line, leader, knots, hooks and split rings for fraying, abrasion or damage, especially after fishing around rocks and pylons. Replace worn tackle before your next cast.
10. Don't be afraid to move
If you've tried a spot without seeing activity, consider another depth, structure or location. Sometimes a short move puts your bait or lure in front of different fish.
11. Prepare for changing weather
Pack suitable layers or wet-weather clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and enough drinking water. Choose a safer plan if conditions turn against you.
12. Keep a fishing log
After each trip, record the date, location, tide, weather, wind, water conditions, species, lure or bait, and time of any catches. Your own notes can reveal what works in the places you fish.
13. Don't forget the basics
- Rod, reel, line and leader
- Hooks, lures or bait, and any jig heads or squid jigs you need
- Tackle box, pliers, line cutters and a landing net where appropriate
- Sunscreen, drinking water and suitable clothing
- Current fishing rules for your location
Keep experimenting
If a technique isn't working, change one thing at a time: presentation, depth, location or timing. The more you observe and record, the more useful each trip becomes.
Getting your kit ready? Explore fishing gear and tackle or browse tackle boxes and bags at Skylark Outdoors.
Important: Check current fishing regulations, size and bag limits, closures and licence requirements for the waterway you're visiting. Rules vary between states and locations.