26/07/2024
Catching fish like herring, tailor, mulloway, and snapper from rock walls in Perth requires specific strategies tailored to each species and location. Here’s an in-depth analysis for each of these fish, focusing on the rock walls at North Mole, South Mole, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Mindarie Marina, and Dawesville Cut Groyne.
# # # General Tips for Rock Wall Fishing
1. **Safety First**: Wear appropriate footwear, stay aware of the waves, and fish with a buddy if possible.
2. **Tackle and Gear**: Use a sturdy rod and reel combo suitable for rock fishing. A rod length of 9-12 feet is ideal to cast further and handle larger fish.
3. **Bait**: Fresh bait is always more effective. Popular choices include pilchards, mulies, squid, and live bait.
4. **Tides and Times**: Fishing during high tide, dawn, or dusk increases your chances. Night fishing is particularly effective for mulloway.
# # # Herring
**Tackle and Technique**:
- **Rigs**: A simple running sinker rig with a size 6-10 long shank hook works well.
- **Bait**: Small pieces of prawn, squid, or whitebait.
- **Lures**: Small metal lures or soft plastics can be effective.
**Locations**:
- **North Mole and South Mole**: Cast out towards the channel. The outer edges where the water is deeper are productive.
- **Hillarys Boat Harbour**: Fish off the rocks near the marina entrance.
- **Mindarie Marina**: Try near the breakwalls.
- **Dawesville Cut Groyne**: Fish near the channel where the water is moving.
**Technique**: Cast out, let the bait sink, and retrieve slowly with a few jerks to mimic a wounded fish.
# # # Tailor
**Tackle and Technique**:
- **Rigs**: A gang hook rig with a running sinker or a paternoster rig with pilchards as bait.
- **Lures**: Metal slices, poppers, and surface lures.
- **Bait**: Whole pilchards or mulies.
**Locations**:
- **North Mole and South Mole**: Target the deeper water near the end of the moles.
- **Hillarys Boat Harbour**: The marina entrance and breakwalls are good spots.
- **Mindarie Marina**: Fish the outer breakwalls.
- **Dawesville Cut Groyne**: Cast into the channel where the current is stronger.
**Technique**: Cast and retrieve lures quickly. When using bait, allow it to drift naturally with the current.
# # # Mulloway
**Tackle and Technique**:
- **Rigs**: A running sinker rig with a large circle or octopus hook (6/0-8/0).
- **Bait**: Large baits like whole squid, live herring, or mullet strips.
**Locations**:
- **North Mole and South Mole**: Deeper channels and near the end of the moles.
- **Hillarys Boat Harbour**: The deeper sections near the marina entrance.
- **Mindarie Marina**: Outer breakwalls, especially during high tide.
- **Dawesville Cut Groyne**: Near the channel where there's plenty of movement.
**Technique**: Fish during the night or twilight hours. Let the bait sit on the bottom and be patient, as mulloway are often caught after a long wait.
# # # Snapper
**Tackle and Technique**:
- **Rigs**: A running sinker rig or a paternoster rig with large hooks (4/0-6/0).
- **Bait**: Whole squid, pilchards, or large fish fillets.
- **Lures**: Soft plastics and large jigs can also be effective.
**Locations**:
- **North Mole and South Mole**: Deep water near the end of the moles.
- **Hillarys Boat Harbour**: Deep sections and breakwalls.
- **Mindarie Marina**: Outer breakwalls.
- **Dawesville Cut Groyne**: Near the deeper channel sections.
**Technique**: Fish during dawn or dusk, especially after a storm when the water is stirred up. Allow your bait to sit on the bottom and be patient.
# # # Specific Location Insights
- **North Mole and South Mole**: Both moles are excellent for a variety of species due to their deep channels and access to open water. Night fishing here can be very productive, especially for mulloway and snapper.
- **Hillarys Boat Harbour**: Offers sheltered areas but also deep water access near the marina entrance. Great for tailor and herring.
- **Mindarie Marina**: Similar to Hillarys, but with less boat traffic, which can sometimes make it more productive.
- **Dawesville Cut Groyne**: Known for strong currents, making it ideal for larger species like mulloway and tailor. The moving water brings in a lot of baitfish, attracting predators.
# # # Final Tips
1. **Check Local Regulations**: Ensure you’re aware of the local fishing rules and regulations, including bag and size limits.
2. **Weather Conditions**: Always check the weather and tide reports before heading out. Rough seas can be dangerous on rock walls.
3. **Use Burley**: A good burley trail can attract fish to your area, increasing your chances of a catch.
By tailoring your approach to the specific species and locations, you can significantly improve your chances of success when fishing from Perth’s rock walls.
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