Fishing How-To Guides
Practical fishing guides covering downrigging, jigging, offshore techniques, bait rigging and equipment setup. Browse the topics below for step-by-step advice built from years of Australian fishing experience.
Downrigging
Start with the basics, learn the current setup, or find instructions for the older Vector model.
How to Use a Downrigger
Set up and fish a downrigger, including weights, releases, bait setback, depth control and practical trolling tips.
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What Is a Downrigger?
Learn how controlled-depth trolling works, what the weight and release do, and why anglers use downriggers.
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Vector Downrigger Setup Guide
Original step-by-step setup instructions for owners of the discontinued Vector electric downrigger.
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Born Again Downriggers
Andrew Hestelow's original Boat Mag downrigging article, preserved with the original scans and PDF.
View original article →Jigging & bait rigging
Practical techniques for jigging and preparing live or dead baits for offshore fishing.
Getting Started with Jigging
Learn the basic technique, tackle choices and how to work knife jigs for kingfish and other pelagic species.
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How to Rig Pacific Sauries
Prepare and rig Pacific sauries with wire, trebles and a Head Start for offshore trolling.
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How to Rig Live Bait
A practical method for rigging yellowtail and other live baits for trolling and downrigging.
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How to Rig Head Start Lures
Use Head Start rigs to prepare garfish and other dead baits for stable, higher-speed offshore trolling.
Read the guide →Deepwater & offshore fishing
Techniques and stories for fishing deeper water, offshore structure and seasonal game fish.
Deepwater Fishing with Electric Reels
See how electric reels make deepwater fishing more accessible, with practical offshore advice.
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Fishing 400m at Brown's Mountain
Andrew Hestelow's original deepwater fishing article covering the tackle and techniques used off Sydney.
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How to Catch Squid
Practical squid-catching and rigging techniques for producing fresh bait and targeting larger fish.
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Winter Game Fishing
Target yellowfin tuna, mako sharks, kingfish and other game fish through the cooler months.
Read the guide →Sydney & general fishing
Local fishing techniques, accessible species and a simple way to turn the catch into dinner.
Carp Fishing in Sydney
Find accessible carp fishing around Sydney and learn the simple tackle needed to target them.
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How to Catch Blackfish
Find bait, choose simple tackle and target blackfish from Sydney's wharves and waterways.
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How to Cook Kingfish
A straightforward way to prepare kingfish medallions with panko breadcrumbs for an easy seafood meal.
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Catching Snapper on Soft Plastics
A future guide to targeting snapper with soft plastics.
Equipment guides
Get more from sounders, reels, line counters and offshore rod setups.
How to Read Your Lowrance Sounder
Identify fish, bait schools, reefs and underwater structure on a Lowrance depth sounder.
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How to Upgrade to Carbontex
Replace standard reel drag washers with Carbontex for smoother, more dependable drag performance.
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How to Use a Fishing Line Counter
Use a clip-on line counter for deep dropping, jigging, downrigging and accurate reel spooling.
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Bent Butt vs Straight Butt Rods
Compare bent and straight rod butts for deepwater fishing, rod holders and fighting fish under load.
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