With the great West Aussie salmon run underway, experienced South Coast angler Chris Dixon is urging fishers to hit the beaches this Easter for safer and crucially more successful fishing.
Known for his popular Dixon’s Fishing videos, Chris says in the video below that beach fishing gives fishers the best chance of success when chasing salmon on their annual migration run.
“The beaches are just a more enjoyable way to fish for salmon,” he said.
“You can move along the coast, find the schools and cast at them – it’s much easier than trying to land big fish off the rocks.”
With thousands of fishers expected to head to the South Coast and South-West over the Easter break, Recfishwest is encouraging fishers to “keep the sand between your toes”.
Western Angler Editor and Recfishwest safe fishing ambassador Scott Coghlan said many fishers still head for the rocks thinking it improves their chances, but the opposite is often true.
A fantastic way to fish
“You’ve actually got more chance of catching salmon from the beach than the rocks and it’s a whole lot safer,” said Scott.
“It’s a fantastic way to fish, driving along the beach, spotting schools and casting lures, or working gutters with bait – that will certainly work when the salmon are around.”
Check out Scotty’s salmon fishing tips here.
Even well-known rock fishing enthusiast and Fish and Survive ambassador Gideon Mettam agrees the sand is the better option for salmon.
“You’ll catch more fish with less hassle and it’s a much safer, easier way to go off the beach. You won’t have to stress worrying about if the conditions are appropriate and all the safety measures that need to go in place if rock fishing,” he said.
Recfishwest Fish and Survive Coordinator Levi De Boni said safety should be front of mind during one of WA’s most popular fishing events.
“We want everyone to enjoy the salmon run and come home safe,” he said.
“If you’re not experienced or fishing somewhere unfamiliar, we strongly encourage you to stay on the beach, where you’ll have a better chance of finding more schools anyway.”
If you do choose to fish from the rocks – take these precautions
- Check weather, swell and tides before you go and observe conditions on arrival.
- Look out for Recfishwest/Bureau of Meteorology hazardous fishing alerts on our channels –if there’s an active on where you’re planning on fishing, don’t fish off the rocks.
- Never fish alone and always tell someone your plans.
- Wear appropriate footwear and light clothing.
- Wear a lifejacket – loan lifejackets are available for free at locations from Esperance to Quobba.
- If you’re not a confident swimmer, stick to the beach.
Check out Gido’s rock fishing safety tips on the video below.
