Alex Bellisimo

Name:

Alex Bellissimo 

Location (City/State): 

Sydney, NSW

Profession/Job:

Rock and Beach fishing guide 

Favourite angling location?  

Bluefish Headland and Long Reef at Collaroy are a couple of favourites, although I could add a whole lot more. 

Favourite species to chase?  

Hard to go past catching a big slob of a king or snapper. 

Favourite style of angling?  

I do a lot of bait fishing but love catching kings and snapper on lures. 

When did the love of fishing grab you and was there someone that got you into it?

The late Brian Roberts inspired me to really enjoy fishing, and very much become a mentor. He showed me the ropes when I was young and helped me understand how diverse angling can be. Steve Winsor is another who got me more into fishing in those early days.  

What was the style of fishing that you did when your first started fishing?

I cut my teeth chasing yellowtail and John dory off Manly Wharf. I also caught my first snapper and king there as well there. It was mainly bait fishing back then, with the occasional metal thrown for tailor, bonito, and salmon. The rock fishing bug bit when I was 13 and I haven’t looked back when it comes to catching fish from the stones.

What (e.g. escapism, competition, connection with people/nature) does angling give you?

For me it is about having time off, focusing on fishing which enables me to reset and stay grounded. It enables me to connect with, and understand, our coastal environment, and allows me to spend time with friends and water loving people.      

Who or what inspires your angling?

In the early days it was magazines, videos and mentors that inspired my fishing, today however it’s more about my own personal motivation to get out there that drives me.

What has been your favourite moment/memory in fishing?

That is a really difficult question to answer. It is probably my largest land-based king which went 26kg caught on 18kg mono. 

What’s your angling goals for the future?

Continuing teaching for at least another decade. Re-learning some old complex techniques, possibly guiding disabled people, and spending more time with friends and family on fishing trips are just a few future goals.

What advice would you give to new anglers entering the sport?  

I have guided thousands of anglers over nearly two decades as a guide and a common thing I see new anglers do is the pursuit of a species that is hard to catch or perhaps a style of fishing that people can burn out on or can erode their desire to go fishing.

My advice for new anglers is to begin with a species like flathead, whiting, bream, tailor and even mullet fishing. They’re available in larger numbers, can be repeatedly caught, offer more bites, and will keep you enthusiastic, and allow you to learn more and hone your skills as an angler. 

What can we do as anglers to make our sport and the industry better in the future?

Education and understanding of our environment are essential for future generations and the future of fishing. We need our anglers both current and future to understand the threats to our fisheries, and the sport that we love. Overfishing, pollution, being shut out from fishing areas, and fishing seen as a bad thing by some sectors of society are all things that we as anglers need to be aware of and face. Anglers being engaged and coming together is the way to having a positive fishing future.  

What does the Daiwa brand mean to you?

When it comes to my fishing, I want a product that I’m confident in, and Daiwa is the brand that provides me with that confidence. As a guide it’s essential that the gear I give my clients is up to the task, and I know with 100% confidence that the Daiwa tackle I hand to them is not going to let them down. It’s a brand that I believe in, trust, and love deeply.