DAIWA FISHING TIPS: Whiting Without Boats by Marc Ainsworth

Catching King George is a serious option for Victorian anglers without a boat.

Yes, it involves planning and yes, the sand can be annoying, but the rewards are worth the effort. Get it right and the family will be kicking you out the door to wet a line and bring home a delicious meal.

Here are a few tips:

1. Fish high tide – Two hours before high tide and two hours after. The slack tide in between often sees the bite subside.
2. Low light – Early morning or dusk. It’s that simple. The bite windows can be really short so go prepared. Pipis shelled. Squid strips cut. Spare rigs and spare rod ready.

1. Circle hooks –helpful if fishing multiple rods in low light when you can’t see everything that’s going on. Keep a tight line to get them working best and don’t overload the hook with the pipi/squid cocktail.
2. Bite detection – I have no shame in using bells and light sticks to alert me to bites if using multiples rods. At times though, the bite can be frantic and it pays to use one rod. Cast out, let it sink and the bites can come within ten seconds when the fish are hot to trot!

1. Gear – over a two week holiday recently, I trialled a Daiwa Sensor Wave SW122L, which is a gutsy but lightweight two piece surf rod. It easily cast a paternoster rig with a 2oz lead. I also had the heavier SW122M model, but didn’t need the extra beef. A Freams 3000 spooled with 20lb multicolour J-braid completed the package and easily accounted for small gummy sharks in between the whiting.
2. Find the fish – you can get everything else right, but fail because you’re not where the fish are. I’ve enjoyed good hauls in one spot, only to find the school has moved on two weeks later. Don’t be afraid to drive 15 minutes elsewhere at slack tide if the run-in tide has disappointed.