Fishing Australia

How's that for the name of a blog-don't you love it?
 
I got lots of e-mails through this week on what Berley is the best to use and how, so I thought I'd put together some info.
 
For a start I have posted one of the very first columns I did on berley nearly 10 years ago.  The principles are still the same to this day, but I have added in some extra pointers along with some extra special advice at the end.

FISH’N’TIP 0003  BERLEY

I have detailed how to scan for fish in the water, a method known as polaroiding.  Lets say though that the water is not clear or calm enough for polarioding, or for some other reason you need (or would like) the fish to come to you. In this case a little bit of berley can make all the difference.

Berley is basically putting some sort of substance into the water to attract fish by scent.  Berley can be used almost anywhere in Australia and it will usually determine quickly what fish are in the immediate area; it will also guide travelling fish towards your position. In fresh water substances made from flour are a popular choice. All sorts of things are added to enhance performance, with aniseed essence withstanding the test of time. 

The main thing though is to use Berley cunningly to out wit the fish.  Using a day old loaf of bread is a classic example when chasing species like garfish, mullet, carp, trevally, bream etc. Mix up some bread with a little water and mush it up so that when you throw some in it breaks up into fine pieces and “hangs” in the water without dropping straight to the bottom.  This makes fish mad as they can smell the bread but cannot get big enough pieces to fill up. Follow this by throwing out ball of bread on your hook.  This should be cast close by (where you are throwing the berley) on a light line, and should be allowed to drift naturally.  This means using as little weight as possible-often no weight at all is best!

Areas with some current will help draw the fish from further away however be careful to put your bait where the berley is going.  If you suspect that the fish are a little deeper than the mushed up bread is going, throw in some tightly compacted pieces that will sink down deeper and get those fish in the mood.

Tuna of fish oil is the best additive you can add to bread based burlies.

If you spot can a very cunning fish lurking below, it really helps to let the fish eat a few pieces before putting a line in.  This works exceptionally well on educated fish like bream at a popular jetty.

These historic principles that were originally developed for the fresh water also work well in surf, estuary, rock, and offshore scenarios.

In estuaries bread, pilchards, prawns, and others, are popular however any bait cut into fine pieces or mashed up will work.  It is worth noting that sometimes the fish doesn’t want to actually eat your offering, but must feel and taste the bait with its mouth, as fish have no hands to inspect their dinner.  If you feel or see this and react quickly enough, it’s all you need to do hook your quarry.  Using this method I have caught countless amounts of species on baits that they don’t normally eat-what fish eat bread on regular occasions?

In the surf a hand full of pilchard pieces thrown in every few minutes is hard to beat, and this works well of the rocks also.  Other oily red fleshed fish such as tuna, bonito, slimy mackerel, and the like also work very well.

Offshore, using golf ball sized chunks (known as cubing) is a great way to entice reef and game fish. Those fish with silver skin are good when chopped into pieces as the flash from this skin in the sunlight can help trigger them into eating. 

With berley there are a few basic rules that will help guide you along.  A little often is the go, and put on your hook what you are using for berley. Remember also that if you are attracting little fish, bigger ones are likely to be lurking further back out of sight. 

Some times nature is producing its own berley, which the fish may prefer over your offering, eg loads of small tasty bait fish.  In this case you will need to learn a concept known as matching the hatch which I will cover in detail.

Until next time, see you on the water.

Rob Paxevanos

P.S. I would like to add that the stimulate range of berley products has gone one better by adding secret ingredients including pheromones and other goodies which will give you the edge.  Species like garfish, mullet, bream, flathead, carp, flathead, rainbow trout, squid, tailor, trevally, snapper, tommy ruff, salmon and more go nuts over this stuff.  Often I don't realise how good it is until I don't have any handy and results slide down hill.

In the upcoming Conjola episode of Fishing Australia I have some more berley tips I would like to share and you will see by the footage how well it all works.  Check your local TV guide for exact screening times and pop the time slot on your calendar, it will really help you get more results from your precious fishing time.
 

Rob