A Young Angler's Guide to Mastering Bream Fishing - ReproBaits Tackle

Fishing does not have to begin with a boat, an expensive tackle box or a long trip. A small rod, a simple bait rig and a safe place beside calm water are enough.

The best first fishing session is not about catching the biggest fish. It is about learning how to cast, watching the line and feeling that first bite. If you catch something, even better.

This guide is written for young anglers and the adults helping them get started.

Start somewhere easy

For a first trip, choose a calm and easy-to-reach location such as:

• a public wharf with a railing;
• a quiet jetty;
• the edge of a calm estuary;
• a lake or pond where fishing is allowed; or
• a flat section of riverbank with plenty of room behind you.

Avoid strong currents, slippery banks, boat ramps and crowded swimming areas. Ocean rock platforms are not suitable for a child fishing alone. If a family chooses to fish from the rocks, an experienced adult should supervise closely, check the conditions and make sure everyone has the proper safety equipment.

A short trip is best. One or two enjoyable hours will teach you more than an entire day spent cold, hungry and frustrated.

The basic fishing gear you need

You do not need much tackle to catch your first fish. Begin with:

• a light spinning rod and reel;
• 6–10 lb monofilament fishing line;
• small hooks, around sizes 6 to 10;
• a few small ball sinkers;
• a small swivel;
• long-nose pliers;
• a line cutter;
• bait in a sealed container; and
• a ruler for checking fish size.

Monofilament line is a good place to start. It is inexpensive, forgiving and easier for many beginners to untangle and knot than very fine braid.

A 2500- or 3000-size spinning reel is a useful general-purpose size for estuary, lake and harbour fishing. Pair it with a light rod that is comfortable to hold. The rod does not need to be heavy or unusually long. 

A simple first bait rig

A small running-sinker rig works in many calm estuary locations.

Put it together in this order:

1. Slide a small ball sinker onto the main line.
2. Tie the line to a small swivel.
3. Tie 40–60 cm of leader to the other side of the swivel.
4. Tie a size 6, 8 or 10 hook to the leader.

Ask an adult to help with knots and hooks until you are confident. Use the smallest sinker that keeps the bait where you want it. Too much weight makes bites harder to feel and creates more trouble when the rig snags.

A small hook can catch both small and surprisingly large fish. An oversized hook does not automatically catch a bigger fish; it may simply make the bait difficult for common fish to take.

Easy bait for a first fishing trip

Fresh bait is often the easiest way to get a bite while learning. Good options include:

• a small piece of peeled prawn;
• a short piece of marine worm;
• a thin strip of squid;
• bread dough for species that feed on it; or
• bait gathered legally with an adult.

Use a small piece rather than covering the hook with a large lump. Push the bait onto the hook securely but leave the hook point showing. This makes it easier to hook a fish when it bites.

Keep bait cool and take unused bait home. Do not leave packets, fishing line or old bait around the water.

How to make your first cast

You do not need to cast a long way. Fish often feed around wharf pylons, weed edges, drop-offs and shaded water close to shore.

1. Check that nobody is standing behind or beside you.
2. Hold the rod with your casting hand and trap the line gently against the rod with your index finger.
3. Open the reel’s bail arm.
4. Bring the rod back slowly.
5. Swing it forward smoothly and let the line go when the rod points towards the water.
6. Close the bail arm by hand and wind in the loose line.

Practise the movement gently. Trying to cast as hard as possible usually creates tangles and sends the bait in the wrong direction.

How to tell when a fish is biting

Hold the rod comfortably and keep a slight bend in the line. You may feel a tap through the rod or see the line twitch, move sideways or become suddenly loose.

Do not strike wildly at every movement. Wind until the line is firm, then lift the rod smoothly. If nothing is there, check the bait and cast again.

When a fish is hooked, keep the rod bent and wind steadily. If the fish pulls hard, let the reel’s drag give out some line. Do not tighten everything until the line cannot move; that is how light line breaks.

Trying lures after you learn the basics

Lures are reusable and fun, but they require you to cast and retrieve repeatedly. Begin with bait if you want the simplest chance of a first bite. Try a lure once you can cast without frequent tangles.

Small soft plastics can catch bream, flathead, bass and other species. A Bottom Bug or Sea Bug can be worked slowly near the bottom with small lifts of the rod.

Ask an adult to help select a suitable jig head and show you how to rig the plastic straight. If it sits crooked on the hook, it may spin and twist the line.

What to do when you catch a fish

Some fish have sharp spines, teeth or venomous parts. If you do not recognise the fish, do not grab it. Keep it near the water and ask an experienced adult for help.

For a fish that will be released:

• wet your hands before touching it;
• support its body rather than holding it by the line;
• use pliers to remove the hook carefully;
• keep it out of the water for as little time as possible; and
• return it gently rather than throwing it.

If a fish has swallowed the hook deeply, cutting the line close to the mouth may cause less damage than digging for the hook. Ask an adult to make that decision.

Only keep a fish when you can identify it and know that it is legal. Check the current size limits, bag limits, closed seasons and fishing zones for your location.

Fishing rules for young anglers

Fishing rules differ between Australian states and can change, so check the official rules before every trip to a new area.

In NSW, people under 18 are exempt from paying the recreational fishing fee. An adult helping a person under 18 to take a fish with a single rod is also exempt under the conditions explained by NSW fisheries. The exemption does not remove the need to follow size limits, bag limits, closures and other fishing rules. Read the current NSW recreational fishing fee exemptions before relying on them.

Safety rules that matter

• Fish with a responsible adult.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Check the weather before leaving.
• Wear closed shoes with good grip.
• Keep hooks in a tackle box until they are needed.
• Always look behind you before casting.
• Stay away from slippery edges and fast-moving water.
• Never enter the water to retrieve snagged tackle.
• Wear a correctly fitted, approved lifejacket whenever the location or activity requires one.

NSW strongly recommends that children wear a lifejacket whenever they are on the water, with specific legal requirements applying to children on boats. Check the current NSW children and lifejackets guidance.

Rock fishing needs additional preparation and is one of Australia’s most dangerous recreational activities. Children should never fish ocean rocks alone. In declared NSW rock-fishing areas, adults and children taking part must wear an appropriate lifejacket.

Look after your fishing spot

Bring every piece of fishing line, packaging and leftover bait home. Discarded line can trap birds, fish and other animals. If it is safe to do so, pick up a little extra litter before leaving.

Respect other people using the water. Give nearby anglers room, keep paths clear and do not cast near swimmers, boats or wildlife.

Your first-trip checklist

The best first fish is the one you remember

Your first catch may be a tiny bream, a yellowtail scad, a flathead or something you have never seen before. Its size does not matter. Learning to identify it, handle it correctly and return it safely is part of becoming a good angler.

Start with simple gear, fish somewhere safe and ask questions. Every experienced angler began with a first cast that did not go exactly as planned.