Since being introduced to rock fishing in my teens, I have found it to be the purest and most challenging form of fishing that any angler can do. Whether it’s chasing a G.T in Oman or catching yellowfin in QLD, there is no better sense of achievement than catching pelagics and landing that fish of a lifetime from the rocks.
Catching pelagics off the rocks
Catching pelagics off the rocks can be pretty deadly, so there needs to be a fair bit of planning into each trip, from having the proper footwear to the right-sized rod for the weather conditions.
Safety tips and clothing
Having the proper footwear is integral for a safe and successful day of rock hopping, too. A grippy pair can save you from a lot of cuts, scrapes, bruises, and possibly even death, so a lot of guys like to use the rock fishing shoes/cleats with the spikes on them. I like to settle for something a little lighter and less fancy, like the old roofers’ shoes, Dunlop volleys. It’s a personal preference and only because if I were to be swept into the water, I wouldn’t want to be weighed down.
I also highly recommend wearing a wetsuit for two reasons. One, for protection, in case you do fall over on the rocks, and two, as a bit of flotation, if you do end up in the water.
Gearing up
With rock fishing, the general rule is the longer the rod, the better. Every angler will have their preferences, and it could be different from one to the other. However, I like to change things up a bit depending on the spot I am fishing and the conditions.
Say, if I were to go fishing on a ledge and there is a bit of swell, I’d opt for my 10-feet Zenaq Defi Muthos Sonio 100M. The reason for this: You will have to be further back from the water’s edge, so you will need to have that little extra bit of leverage to get your lure into the strike zone.
On the flip side, when the weather is a little more cooperative and I can stand at the water’s edge, I generally use a shorter rod. The reasoning behind this is it makes it a lot easier to land the fish right on the water’s edge.
Picking a fishing spot
When you are trying to pick a spot, a lot depends on the fish you are targeting. Generally, you’d want any prominent headland with current, deeper water, reef/bombies in casting range, and of course, bait is a pretty good place to start. If you’re only getting started in rock fishing, then take your time doing a bit of recon while picking spots. For this, you can use Google Earth while looking for all of the above or try using apps like Fishtrack or Ripcharts for when you want to look for onshore currents and upwelling and downwelling.
If you need more information on these things, we’ve got them covered in a previously published article, Understanding your Barometer. Top 5 tips to catch you more fish!
Rock fishing: Going solo or with a team?
When rock fishing, I don’t endorse, condone, or even encourage going solo for obvious safety issues. Also, good luck landing a fish over 15kg on your own. Fishing with a team is not only good fun, but it also makes the work a lot easier. Everyone can play a role when landing a fish. So, with a bit of swell around, and if your aim of the day is only catch-and-release, then you’re definitely going to need a good bunch of mates to help you land that fish.
How many people do you need?
Everyone has a part to play on the team. You need a guy watching the swell, the angler who is generally in charge of the timing, and then you’ll need someone who has a bit of an experience in landing fish in a bit of a whitewash. Timing with waves is quite critical, and it takes an excellent team to get it done without smashing the fish on the rocks and without getting hurt, too.
For more tips on how to keep yourself from getting hurt while on the water, check out Water Safety Tips for Anglers: How to Stay Safe While Fishing
Tips for successful rock fishing
Catching a marlin off the rocks would be amazing, but it doesn’t always happen in reality. Regardless of how well you plan for it, the truth is, any big fish weighing 20kg and over can be really wild off the rocks. It isn’t easy.
So, one of the best tips I can offer when attempting to fight a pelagic running parallel to the shore is to loosen off your drag while still keeping some tension on the line to keep the hooks in. Ninety-nine percent of the time, that fish will make a 90-degree turn and head back out to the deeper water, allowing for a much easier fight.
You may also go for the more difficult but still doable trick of lowering the rod tip to make the fish turn. I say it’s difficult because it is risky, particularly against a stubborn fish that might not turn straight away. But, as far as tricks go, it helps reduce the time you spend in the fish-fight if done right.
Checkout Jonny’s Youtube Channel
Watch out for his next fishing adventure on his Youtube channel Brooksy or his Instagram @frothcafe2
If you wish to learn more about pelagics, then check out Our Top 3 Favorite Fishing Techniques for Catching Mahi-mahi.
After watching Jonny and the boys catch good fish off the stones over the years, I purchased a new 10 foot setup and have spun many headlands and river mouth rock walls with no luck. Last weekend all the stars aligned and I was hooked up to my first longtail. After a few good runs and a couple of close calls into the rocks I had it beaten and on the surface. Finding the best spot to land it was the hardest, anyway the 60lb leader popped as I grabbed the leader for the final haul up out of the waves. I’m still pumped from the fight and will be back out again soon, this time with a mate and a gaff. Thanks for the tips and inspiration fellas ??
counts as landed if you touched the leader, send us a photo when you do land that fish mate!