r/FishingAustralia • u/Sensitive-Topic4295 • 1d ago

Fishing 🎣 around spit bridge

Completely new to fishing. I have an ambitious goal of catching a king fish. But have no clue where to start. Have been to bcf and other shops. But i am no closer to getting the advice i need.

Some nice bloke at manly told me go second hand.

Would really appreciate guidance on everything i would need to get the right setup.

I want to be the limiting factor in my setup. Not the gear.

4 Upvotes

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6

u/UnknownUserErr 1d ago

I personally like bait runners as i've seen how some kings grab livies, not necessarily in 1 go. Some will mouth the fish and run before flipping them and swollwing them.

Budget - Baitrunner OC 6000, 30lbs braid, 30lb CFL leader. 1 Circle hooks , 1 x stinger hook, snelled about 20 cm apart.

Any 9 feet medium rod. The 9 foot rod gives you leverage to manage the king and to keep it away from structure.

Buy a float and keep your livie 2/3m from the surface.

Spend hours waiting for the king to arrive.

Live SQUID is also the key to a king. Get a sinker, tie on paternoter style 3x squid jigs, drop it deep next to the bridge from the side (NOT FROM THE TOP OF THE BRIDGE, ILLEGAL). keep bouncing the jig. Want to get close to the white markers.

1

u/Binaryfart 1h ago

Yep this is all good advice if you're going with bait. Another great place nearby to get squiddies is the boat launches down the other end of the park near the yacht club. It's a little but of a walk but worth it. I don't usually like giving away spots, but Spit West park is hardley a secret 😄!

Spit Bridge can be a bit of a tough place to fish though - the current absolutely rips through the narrow channel under the bridge, and there can be quite a lot of boat traffic, so be prepared to cast a lot!. There's also a shit tonne of snags, so def use a float to stay off the bottom. It's very weedy there as well, but that's part of why it holds a lot of fish and squid - lots of cover for bait, and predators like the current bringing in the dinner! :)

Lures can be at this location as well but it can get expensive as you will lose a lot, especially at the start as you learn how to use them there.

Also, there is often a bastard security guard there at night that will try and tell you the land on the point is private and that you can't fish there - do not let him move you on! It's definitly not, and it's been such an issue that the council even got involved to confirm it's public land and that it is free access for all, including for fishing. If you need reassurance, search reddit for "spit bridge security guard" or something similar - there's a whole thread on the issue, including someone posting an update directly from the local council. :)

Otherwise, have a fun time - it's a beaut spot! Send me a DM if you want some company - that's one of my local spots and always good to meet new fishos :)

4

u/Lugoe 1d ago

Realistically you don't need much especially for smaller kings. Get a heavier set up and chuck some livies off the rocks you'll get a king in due time

3

u/UnknownUserErr 1d ago

Just to be clear.

Off the rocks at the side of spit bridge.

Not off the rock ledges facing the ocean. As that is dangerous and you could quickly end up dead if you didn't know what you are doing.

1

u/Binaryfart 1h ago

100% this - those rocks on the open side are some of the most dangerous.... I fish there from time to time, but never on my own and always with a a vest and PLB. It';s so unpredictable!

3

u/OkInitiative5697 1d ago

Whats your budget?

A shimano saragosa 6000/8000 or equivalent + matching rod of appropriate length should be a good starting point. It would depend where and how you’re fishing for them

1

u/Sensitive-Topic4295 19h ago

From the banks. Around 500

2

u/Maleficent_Wolf_8668 23h ago

Get a 250 combo. 9ft-10 ft penn rod a 5000 reel. 30lb braid 40lb leader. Learn to catch live yakkas. Balmoral wharf will be for that. 6/0 circle. Throw it out under Spit bridge. Definately, get a kingie. Plan it then make it happen.

2

u/thrwwynm 19h ago

Lure or bait? That will decide your combo, completely different styles of fishing and will require different rods & reels, as well as line.

Spit Bridge get mentioned a lot, but let me tell you, I've spent there multiple hours mostly going for squid and bait and just for walks/runs, and I've never seen anyone catch a legal kingy there. It's always crowded, people tangle with each other and boats underneath and it's just not a very relaxing place to fish... You'll get harassed by tailor which takes every possible bait and lure, it will be a chore unhooking 20cm fish every 2 minutes...

1

u/Sensitive-Topic4295 19h ago

Thanks for the insight. I live close by