Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: How to Get Started
Game fishing is one of the most popular types of freshwater angling. If you wish to join in this activity, keep on reading this Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach post to help get you started.
Instead of going to the sea, you try to catch fish in freshwater. And, in some cases, the fish can be taken for food if the fishing venue or owner allows.
Some people may live just a few hours from freshwater where they can practice game fishing. Here now are some Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach tips:
Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: Check for Events Near You
Several websites in Australia list fishing events and tournaments per area. Their main goal is to get more people fishing, more often.
With that, organizations, fisheries, and angling clubs run taster sessions.
These sessions give beginners the chance to try fishing for the first time. Or, if you’re returning after a break, they help brush up your angling skills.
They’re usually free or priced very low and include a bait and tackle. After that, you’ll need your own tackle and ticket or club membership to access more fishing venues.
Fishing magazines or the noticeboard of your local gear shop can also help.
Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: Find the Right Gear
Your local shop can give some advice on which equipment is best for you.
For example, expert anglers may spend hundreds of dollars for reels, lines, and rods. But, a basic fishing setup that costs under $100 may be enough.
If you’re a beginner, always remember to keep things simple. You may even ask a friend or a family member who has fishing experience to come and show you how to begin.
Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: Join a Fishing Club
Joining a fishing club is the best way to learn how to fish and access more fishing venues. Most fishing clubs arrange exclusive fishing sessions for new and young anglers, too!
If you’re into competitive fishing where you can win prizes, your club should be able to help you with that. Just visit their website or ask them directly for more assistance.
Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: Get a Fishing License
You don’t need a fishing license in Queensland as long as it’s for recreational purposes only. But, if fishing in restricted areas, a stocked impoundment permit is needed.
For more information, kindly visit Queensland’s recreational fishing rules and regulations.
Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: Game Fish Species
The most popular game fish targets include Sea trout, Trout, and Salmon. Grayling is a common target, too, and is often caught using fly fishing.
Always remember to follow the laws about the size and type of fish you can keep.
But, although there are general laws, most game fishing venues still have their own rules on the size and number of fish you can keep.
Sometimes, fishing in some places isn’t allowed at all! It may be because the fish are protected and/or the fishery owners want to increase the number of wild fish.
Meanwhile, Sea trout and Salmon are harder to catch. This is because they wait until adulthood before swimming into rivers and only eat very little.
Professional anglers often use different baits just to force them to come out. Salmon are caught during the day while Sea trout during the night.
Game Fishing Whitsundays/Airlie Beach: Common Techniques
There are three common techniques used in game fishing: fly fishing, spinning, and lure fishing.
Each technique uses a different rod, tackle, and reel. Below is a brief explanation of what each type is and what it’s for:
- Fly fishing and lure fishing
This is the most common type of game angling. It has two parts:
- a thick plastic line that acts as a casting weight with a 15 ft. fluorocarbon or nylon line at the end
- an artificial fly that imitates insects either floating on the surface or under the water (often made from animal hair or feathers to attract a fish)
Meanwhile, larger flies are called lures. Lures imitate smaller fish and can be pulled through the water or drifted around river currents.
The thick plastic line (the fly line) can either float on the surface or attached with a weight to sink at varying speeds.
- Spinning
This method involves a plastic or wooden lure or flashing metal spinner to float on the surface or dive at the bottom. It’s then pulled through the water to imitate any fish or creature your target game fish eats or attacks.
Spinning is easy and simple to learn.
You don’t need a lot of time or tackle to use this method. A short spin fishing rod and reel, plus a few spinners are a simple, lightweight, and inexpensive way to get into fishing!
Just keep in mind that most fisheries only allow fly fishing, while spinning is only allowed if the water levels are high or the river isn’t very clear.
