Call Of Duty - Black Ops

The holiday period between Christmas and January is a time every fisho looks forward to. The working year is mostly over, Christmas family responsibilities are done, and you’ve earned some time to get out on the water. But what happens when the weather won’t play ball? Let’s roll the clock back a few weeks. Here’s the forecast for the week between Christmas and New Year, in Sydney:

That’s right. 15 to 20 knots on Saturday and Sunday – and that’s in the morning. And here’s the forecast for the first weekend *after* New Year. And wouldn't you know, in both cases, the weather settles down first thing Monday:

20 knots makes offshore fishing difficult. You drift too fast for jigging, or deep dropping. And too fast, for fishing the FADs. Too fast – in most cases – for using soft plastics, for snapper. It’s really frustrating. Especially since, over the past few months, the wind and rain has been pretty much relentless. But if you want to get out fishing and bring home a feed without too much expense or effort, here’s a good option. It’s certainly working, for us:

Blackfishing – inside the Heads. No boat, no launching, no boat ramp parking fees, no boat washing down. Just because you can’t go boating doesn’t mean you can’t go fishing. We’ve been trying it during this recent windy weather and it’s been working like a dream. We’ve taken a few people along who’ve never been rock fishing before - and they’ve had a ball:

Before we get into the how-to, there’s one important topic to cover. That is, safety. Plenty of blackfish can be caught from wharves, rock walls, and other spots which are perfectly safe to fish. But we have found that they are in better numbers and bigger size along the rocks. Especially under the white water – which they use for protection – waiting for weed to be washed in:

You’ll be standing on rocks washed by waves and often covered in slippery marine growth. It’s crucial to put safety first and the best way to do that is to invest in either rock plates, or studded boots. I recommend the neoprene boots:

Let’s talk about where to fish. Blackfish are one of the most widespread and numerous species in Australia and New Zealand. Here’s a map of Sydney Harbour showing some good spots, if that area works for you:

If you’re outside the Sydney region and want to try chasing them – but don’t know where to start – send me an email? Got a couple of excellent fishing map books here. In most cases I can take a pic of the map near your area and send it through. This is what you’re looking for. See behind Oscar? A long ledge covered in weed washed by the ocean swell. Which drains to one point, creating a white water wash. There were dozens if not hundreds of blackfish under that white water:

Once you’ve decided on a spot and got your safety gear sorted it’s usually best to fish for blackfish on a rising tide. Make sure you go with a friend for safety. Take a couple of bags of cheap breadcrumbs from Coles? They can really make a difference. Pour them – in intervals – onto a ledge, that’s washed by swell. While that works its magic, select a fresh green cabbage leaf about as long as the last two joints on your little finger. A clean green one without clear edges and, with the root part attached:

Align the leaf next to your hook so that the top one third is above the ring of your hook. Put the point of your hook through the middle of the leaf then rotate the hook and back through the middle again. Hitch the end of your leader – just above the hook – around the tough upper part of the leader. You’re good to go.

About 2.5 metres between the hook and the float is a good depth to start. Cast out into the wash - or to one side of it - so that your float and bait is steadily drawn out into deeper water. Watch the float carefully. Make sure there’s not too much loose line, between your rod tip and the float. If you see it bounce, or being steadily pulled under, count to 3 and lift the rod tip.

Don’t skull drag the fish in. Tire it out, so that it’s easier to manage. Wait until a wave raises the water level and wash it up onto the rocks – keeping the line tight, so that it can’t go back down, with the surge. Keep your fish in a mesh bag or rock pool until you’re going to leave. At that point, bleed them, scale them, and remove their intestines. Last but not least scrape off the black lining on the inside of their stomach walls. With a bit of extra care these fish make a delicious meal:

Here’s the tackle we’ve been using. Shameless plug I know, but our 802 Blue blackfish combo is just perfect for the job:

Comes complete with:

8 feet 2-piece 3-6 kilo rod – which also works great for bream and flathead;

3000 size Lesson reel, fitted with carbontex drags and a full size reel knob;

Full spool of 3 kilo colour change braid, with floatant added above the leader:

When you strike, you want the line to lift off the water smooth and straight, to sink the hook home cleanly. Floatant makes that happen. The floating braid is mated to 3 kilo fluoro carbon leader, using an FG knot. And at the business end, a float with correctly weighted removable split shot and hook – pre-balanced perfectly, in our water tank:

The whole package ready to go at just $140 including delivery in Australia:

BLACKFISH COMBO

I should also mention it’s a pretty social affair at the regular spots! When we’re going, we do a ring around to see who wants to come along. There’s plenty of fish and, plenty of room to fish:

So if you decide to give it a try and want to join us, please get in touch. Thanks for reading
Andrew Hestelow

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