A Beginner’s Guide to Deep-Sea Fishing

If you are visiting Sapphire Coast and would like to book a place on a deep-sea fishing trip, this short article will give you all the information you need. The first thing to do is consider what species of fish you would like to catch; the list of species includes kingfish, snapper, tiger and trevally, with huge groper fish that feed on the bottom, off wrecks and reefs.

Online booking

For the best boats and skippers, you can book fishing trips here and the website has all the information you need on how to prepare (what to wear and bring) and the type of fish you are likely to encounter. Merimbula is the top port for deep-sea fishing on Sapphire Coast and the fully equipped boats have everything you need for a successful outing.

Fishing techniques

While the charter boat supplies the fishing tackle and bait, you can choose how you want to fish; some like to trawl a lure on the surface, while others prefer to fish on the bottom, where the huge gropers feed. Talk to the skipper and he can advise you on locations, or just enjoy the view and fish when the boat drops anchor.

Motion sickness

Many people suffer with sea-sickness and we recommend taking medication 1 hour before embarking on the vessel. It would spoil the trip if the seas were choppy and you got sick; unfortunately, the crew are not permitted to dispense medication, so it is best to be safe and take precautions.

What to wear

Of course, you will need a waterproof over-jacket and we advise you to buy one of the plastic suits for motorcyclists. It can be windy so wear a warm jacket and shoes that have good grip. If you are bringing your smartphone, put it in a small waterproof pouch for protection. A hat will protect your head and neck, while sunscreen should be applied to exposed skin. Wear sunglasses to protect against glare and keep the spray from your eyes.

Baiting up & general assistance

If you’re fine with baiting up your own hook, that’s great, but if you would rather, the crew can handle baiting. If you’re new to fishing, someone will teach you the basics and the crew are dedicated to making sure that you have a great time.

Book early as these deep-sea fishing trips are very popular, especially in the summer and we hope you land a monster fish.