Methods

Offshore fisherman need to master 6 methods or styles of fishing. They are Bottom Bashing, Trolling, Drift Fishing, Floating Baits, Spinning and Live Bait Fishing.

Once you have mastered these methods you will have the skilss to catch almost any fish you want. The information on Methods and Rigs should be studied together. As you apply these skilss your practical results will improve out on the water. If you just rely on "theory" from a book, you can expect to achieve less. My advice is simple, practice, practice and practice again.

If your aim is to achieve even greater results then I recommend you contact me and we organise a day out on the reef for intensive tuition. You will be amazed at the results. Some of the fish we have caught appear on this website. Some of my students have gone onto greater things, like winning fishing tournaments.

Bottom Bashing

Bottom bashing uses a rig made up from one or more hooks and a sinker. The aim is to present a bait at or near the bottom of the ocean bed. A heavier sinker is needed in deeper water or a strong current. The rig is periodically raised and lowered to minimise tangles in the line. In doing this, the fisherman feels the bottom. The sea bed received a pounding from the sinker - hence the name.

The method can be used with rod and reel combination or just a handline. It is usually done with a boat at anchor, or when drifting across a reef system. Bottom bashing causes disturbance and some destruction of marine life that exists around the sea bed. The resultant berley from the jigging motion attracts smaller fish, and these are of interest to much larger fish with a predatory nature.

Combine this situation with a tempting bair in the immediate vicinity and it is clear why bottom bashing frequently produces good results.