Tips
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Tips
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The following information is made available to you using the resources of those resident and regulars who have been fishing this area for a number of years. Techniques offered on this page are for advice only and do not represent all available angling techniques on offer to anglers who visit Bemm River. Please do not take issue with any of the tips given here - if they don't work don't be disappointed, the fishing might be off on the particular day or they are simply not there. 1. The number one tip is ASK!! When you arrive in town ask around what is biting; where they are biting and what they are biting on. The shop and the hotel are probably your prime spots but the jetty is also a good source of information. Most anglers are only too happy to let you in on their 'secret spots'. 2. Check the weather. Fishing isn't all about just chucking a line in a hoping a fish will come along and eat it. You need to be aware of what the weather is doing. For example the barometric pressure is an indication on where fish may be present in the water table. If the pressure is rising the fish will be more active in the upper levels but if the pressure is dropping then the fish will be relatively inactive and located closer to the bottom. There is information at the bottom of the home page relating to weather forecasts. 3. If you are using bait then it needs to be the right type and fresh, preferably still alive. A variety of baits is available in town with two outlets - one at the shop the other at Pelican Pt Caravan Park. As the lake is low at the moment, sandworm is available however this does attract all varieties of fish, even the little ones. If you're chasing something a little bigger, give local frozen prawn a go. If it is summer time and the flatties are around then you can't go past live mullet. These can be caught in a bait trap (available at tackle shops) or by using a very small hook with bait on the end. Remember if keeping live bait - mullet, sandworm, shrimp or prawns - change the water often and keep it covered with a wet towel or similar. Don't let it warm up. To keep overnight you will need an aerator to keep the water oxygenated. 4. As Sydenham Inlet is a predominantly shallow lake, big boats are limited to where they can go. Once the entrance closes and the water rises, this does change. A 12-14' tinnie is ideal and don't go overboard on the motor size - it just needs to get you from point A to point B and in this lake that isn't far. When the lake is shallow most people use 'boat poles'. These are lengths of tree saplings, borrowed of course from where-ever you are staying and not cut from our beautiful bush, about 3-4m long which are pushed into the lake bottom at the front and rear of the boat. Place the bow pole in first and tie the boat to it. Let the wind, if there is any, swing you around. Once you are facing into the wind, put in the stern pole and secure the boat. This will give you a steady fishing platform from which you can fish in any direction (I'll post some photos of this soon so you can see what it's all about) Some people only use a front pole and put out a 'weight' from the stern. This weight is usually a big hunk of something heavy, usually lead, that will stop the boat moving. The reason for not using an anchor or anchors is because the bottom of the lake is mostly mud and the anchors tend to slip. One thing to remember is don't push your pole it too far - they are a bugger to get out some times. There are still a few out in the lake so be careful when navigating. 5. Once you've 'poled up' and baited up, cast you're line as far from the boat as possible. This is due to the shallowness of the lake. Most people use a running sinker rig which allows the bait to float around in the water unimpeded by the sinker. If you're using live bait, a running sinker gives it a chance to swim around - a much better bait presentation. That should get you started. There will be more tips over coming weeks and they will include drawings, photos, etc. Good fishing.
Below is a good Bemm setup - small boat, good size outboard and electric on the bow.
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