Using Your RodKits Fishing Rod – PDF

The UBR RodKits blank was designed with Australian estuarine fishing as its purpose. It is manufactured from Toray Carbon and is rated at 4-10lb or 2 to 5 kilogram. With all carbon rods, there is an advantage of high strength and sensitivity. The down side of this comes with being brittle. When using this type of rod it is more effective to use small lifts when playing a fish. Rods can break if they are “high sticked”. This means when the rod passes the 12 o’clock position.

The blank was made for fishing for species such as Whiting, Bream, Flathead, Javelin etc. as it fits into the weight range needed for these species.

Sustainable Fishing:

Sustainable fishing is important to the future of recreational fishing in Australia. As fishermen and women, we need to practice and promote a sustainable fishing culture to help protect our oceans and waterways for ourselves and future generations to enjoy. Please see our Simple Guide to Sustainable Recreational Fishing.

The environment is one of our most valuables assets. Please take care of it. When you have finished fishing remember to take all your waste with you and dispose of it appropriately.

Disposal and Preparation of Catch:

Fish are a valuable resource as such we should look after our catch, it will make a significant difference to the eating quality of the flesh. When iky spiking (piercing the brain) using a sharp pointed tool follow the gill cage to just above the eye and insert. This will make sure the fish doesn’t suffer a long death. Cut the section between the gill plate, this makes sure it bleeds out correctly. Place the fish in an esky with ice and salt water.

Fishing Rules and Regulations:

Please adhere to regulations in each state and release excess catch.

Queensland – https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/rules/limits-tidal

New South Wales – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs

Victoria – https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-guide

South Australia – https://pir.sa.gov.au/fishing/recreational_fishing

Northern Territories – https://nt.gov.au/marine/recreational-fishing

Western Australia – https://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Fishing-and-Aquaculture/Recreational-Fishing/Recreational-Fishing-Rules/Pages/default.aspx

Tasmania – https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/publications-and-products/recreational-sea-fishing-guide

Target Species

Whiting

Where: Found in sandy areas with broken weed patches. Hunting for prawns/crabs that hide in the weed or sea grass.

Tide: Fishing best around high tide.

Bait: Ideal baits are Nippers, prawns, worms or other small crustaceans. Can be caught on small poppers (sugar pens) in low light situations. Also effective are 2cm imitation plastic prawns affixed to 1/8oz jig heads.

Rig: The trace can be 70cm long, size #6 long shank hook, with a red bead directly above the hook. The sinker needs to be small & sitting above the swivel 70cm from the hook. Whiting inhale the bait so it is important to give them some time feeding before striking.

Rule: Whiting has a size and possession limit please refer to the above State regulations.

Flathead

Where: Found where estuaries drop into deeper water. At the base of these banks, the Flathead wait for small baitfish protected by the shallow water. Also found around the sandy bottom with broken weed patches. Hunting for prawns/crabs/worms/small fish that hide in the weed or sea grass.

Bait: prawns/crabs/worms/small fish. Flathead are also prone to taking hardbody lures in a small shad patterm (3cm) particular if pink in colour. Soft plastic such as 2″ prawn crab pattern work well on a 1/4oz jig head with 2/0 hook.

Tide: Flathead are most responsive on a run out tide.

Rig: Leader 70 to 100cm tied to a swivel, place sinker (size 3 ball) above the swivel. Remember they are a bottom feeder so if the tide run is strong you may need to increase the weight of the sinker to keep the bait on the bottom.

Rules: Remember Flathead have both a minimum and maximum length. Please refer to the above State regulations.

Bream

Where: Bream prefer structure such as pontoons, rocky bottoms, jetties, rock walls etc. They hunt for food in these areas and generally will stay close to structure in schools for protection.

Tide: Feeding is predominately around slack water, high and low tide.

Bait: As a scavenger, bream have a wide diet. Food includes molluscs, crustaceans, worms and small fish. Lures work well with small minnows 2-3cm being popular. Soft plastics such as 2″ prawn and crab patterns also work well. Fish them on Jigs with #1 hook and 1/8oz jig head.

Rig: Common rig for bream is 50cm fluorocarbon leader from swivel with a size 2 sinker above to a #1 hook.

Rule: Whiting has a size and possession limit please refer to the above State regulations.

Disposal: Bream aren’t regarded as a prize table fish. They are extremely slow growing species and take around 7 years to maturity.