Gear and how to fish

Bring

• DFMR license and ID
• float, feeder, or bottom tackle matched to the spot and target fish
• a small set of lines/leaders, hooks, sinkers, and feeders without forcing one exact rig
• bread, corn, worms, dough, and light groundbait
• landing net, water for hands, trash bag

How to fish

1. 1.Choose a safe bank and check that the reservoir is open.
2. 2.Feed lightly and fish one spot for 20-30 minutes.
3. 3.If quiet, change depth or move to the next drop-off.

Avoid

• do not use a boat on freshwater
• do not leave line or trash

Bring

• light or medium-light spinning rod: match it to lure, wind, and spot
• braid or mono plus leader; choose thickness by snags and fish size
• soft plastics, wobblers, spoons, jig heads
• polarized glasses and long pliers

How to fish

1. 1.Fish rocks, shade, weed, dam walls, and sharp drops.
2. 2.Make 3-5 casts from different angles.
3. 3.Change retrieve speed: steady, pauses, jig steps.

Avoid

• avoid dangerous wet rocks
• do not grab fish by the gills

Bring

• shore tackle matched to method: float, bottom, feeder, or light rockfishing
• leaders, sinkers, and hooks in several sizes to adapt to swell and bottom
• shrimp, squid, mussel, bread for mullet
• rock shoes, light, towel, pliers

How to fish

1. 1.Check swell, wind, swimmers, and no-fishing areas.
2. 2.Fish sunrise, sunset, or coloured water after wind.
3. 3.Keep distance from people and do not block access.

Avoid

• do not hand-handle scorpionfish, lionfish, weever, or unknown fish
• no nets for recreational fishing

Bring

• sea spinning rod matched to style: ultralight/light for rockfishing or stronger for distance and larger predators
• braid, fluorocarbon, and leader matched to lure, rocks, and toothy fish
• metal jigs, minnows, stickbaits, poppers, bite leader for toothy fish
• sunglasses, cap, water, first aid, and long pliers

How to fish

1. 1.Look for birds, baitfish, current, harbour mouths, and breakwater edges.
2. 2.Start with fast searching, then slow down around contacts.
3. 3.Check drag: big predators hit hard.

Avoid

• avoid storms and slippery breakwaters
• do not handle toothy fish without pliers

Bring

• long pliers, cutters, gloves with caution
• small first-aid kit and phone
• container/bucket if fish must be moved safely

How to fish

1. 1.Do not pick up unknown fish barehanded.
2. 2.If it has spines or teeth, unhook with pliers.
3. 3.Do not eat silver-cheeked toadfish/pufferfish at all.

Avoid

• do not step on fish in sand
• do not let children touch unknown catches

Bring

• long pliers or a dehooker for fast unhooking
• wet landing net or wet hands if the fish must be supported
• cutters: if the hook is deep, cutting the leader can be safer

How to fish

1. 1.Do not target, retain, land, or keep sharks and rays; release incidental bycatch as quickly as possible.
2. 2.Keep fish low, wet, and in the water where possible; avoid hot rocks or dry sand.
3. 3.Release juveniles, undersized fish, and protected species immediately, without extra photos or handling.

Avoid

• do not hold fish by the gills, eyes, or tail if you plan to release it
• do not keep protected or unwanted bycatch on shore longer than necessary
• do not use catch-and-release as a reason to target prohibited species