| Angler |
Person using a fishing rod and reel, Alvey reel or hand spool to catch fish. |
| Artificial Reef |
As the title suggests – these are man-made structures on the ocean floor. Similar to wrecks however these are purposefully placed in strategic locations. |
| Bag Limit |
Restriction in the number of fish an angler may keep, generally on a daily basis or in possession. |
| Bait |
Can be live bait (yellowtail, slimy mackerel or squid), dead bait (salted pilchards, squid or prawns) or artificial bait (lure, soft plastic, jig, fly … etc) |
| Bobber |
A float attached to the line under which a hook and sometimes a sinker hang. The bobber holds the bait or lure at a predetermined depth and also signals the strike of a fish (strike indicator) |
| Bottom feeder OR Bottom Fish |
A bottom-feeding fish, such as a Snapper or Flathead. Refers to a fish that feeds predominantly on the bottom, not just one that is sometimes caught on the bottom, such as a Yellowtail Kingfish or Mahi Mahi. |
| Burley |
A fish attracting method by using chopped up bait or other food or liquids to get fish in to the area you’re fishing – thus increasing catch rate. |
| Catch-and-release |
Refers to catching a fish and immediately releasing it. Many anglers practice catch-and-release as a way to help conserve the fish numbers (or if they’re not wanting to take it home). |
| Depth Sounder / depth recorder / depth finder / Fish finder |
A sonar device utilising sound signals used to read the bottom structure, determine depth, and in some cases actually locate fish. Also called a Fish Finder. |
| Drag |
Device on fishing reels that allows line to come out without straining the line so it doesn’t break when reeling in a fish. |
| Drift Fishing |
Technique used to fish by drifting with the wind or current. |
| Drop Off |
A sudden decrease or increase in depth, often natural contours of the sea floor or other submerged topographic features. |
| Feeding times |
Certain times of day when fish are most active. These are often associated with the position of the sun and moon and are referred to as solunar tables. |
| Fish Aggregating Device ( FAD ) |
Simply a balloon in the ocean surface – the attracting feature is that there’s a rope to a large ball on the surface which attracts smaller fish to it for shelter. Larger species congregate to feed on these smaller species. Great for fishing. |
| Fish finder |
A sonar device utilising sound signals used to read the bottom structure, determine depth, and in some cases actually locate fish. Also called a fish finder. |
| Fisherman / Angler |
One who engages in fishing for recreation, sport, occupation or for food. |
| Foul Hook |
To hook a fish other than in the mouth. |
| Free spool |
A reel that allows line to feed freely to the fish or current, or the method of feeding line without drag or resistance to fish or current. |
| Gear |
Any tools used to catch fish, such as rod and reel, hook and line, nets, traps and baits |
| Hook |
A barbed or barbless hook used for catching fish. For fish hook sizes, always use numerals: No. 2, No. 4 etc. |
| Habitat |
In an aquatic environment, it includes the water, topography, structure where fish live. |
| Hard Bottom |
Usually a rocky, gravel type of ocean floor. |
| Honey hole |
A slang term describing a specific hole, spot, or area containing big fish or lots of catchable fish |
| Inactive fish |
Fish that are not in a feeding mood. Examples of inactive times can be following a cold front, during a major weather change that causes a sudden rise or fall in the barometer (air pressure) |
| Jig / Jigging |
The practice of using a jig to catch fish. |
| Line guides |
The eyelets or rings on a rod through which fishing line is passed (from reel to rod tip then on to a fishing rig) |
| Live bait |
The act of using live bait (fish, squid …etc.) is called live-bait fishing. |
| Long Reef |
A span of large reef located approximately 20km north of Sydney city. Great fishing grounds abound with a wide variety of fish species. It’s worth the trip heading up to Long Reef as there are numerous locations to try and catch the fish of the day. |
| Lure / Lures |
An artificial bait mimicking fish. These can either be trolling lures, soft plastic or skirts that look like fish. |
| Mono / monofilament |
A single, untwisted, synthetic filament line used for fishing. |
| Pelagic Species |
Predator fish that generally target their prey on or near the surface of the ocean. They’re also found in all depths depending on sea bed and structure. |
| PFD |
A Personal Flotation Device or life jacket. |
| Reef Fishing |
Technique by which anglers target fish species congregating around reef and sandy bottom habitats. It’s also commonly referred to as bottom bashing |
| Reel |
Device with a spool (holding fishing line), internal gears and a handle to turn the spool and retrieve the fishing line |
| Rigs |
Terminal tackle which comprises of (and not limited to) fishing line, hooks and a sinker. There are many variations on fishing rigs depending on the angler’s technique, location and bait used. |
| Rod |
Length of rod (pole) with line guides and seat to affix a fishing reel. |
| Size limit |
The legal length of a fish that you can keep |
| Soft bottom |
Comprising of soft material, such as sand or mud. |
| Sonar |
An acronym derived from the expression “sound navigation and ranging.” Refers to the method or equipment for determining by underwater sound techniques the presence, location or nature of objects in the water. Fish finders use artificial sonar. |
| Sports Fishing |
Targeting pelagic species such as Yellowtail Kingfish, Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish), Sharks etc. It’s a hunt with great rewards. |
| Structure |
Changes in the shape of the bottom, especially those that influence fish behaviour. Examples include humps, ledges and drop-offs. |
| Transducer |
A device that converts electrical energy to sound energy, or the reverse. Typically associated with depth finders or fish finders. |
| Trolling |
Towing a lure or several lures behind a boat. When a fish is caught on the trolled lure, the boat is typically stopped and the fish is reeled in. |
