retrieve protocol e.g. one side is for 
launching and the other side is for 
retrieving. Many ramps are unusable 
at dead low tide and have a steep 
drop off trapping trailers that fall off 
the edge so plan this beforehand.
WHERE TO GO?
The east coast is safer than the 
west coast. Harbours can be 
better options, but the current 
can sometimes be fast and almost 
violent when the wind and tide 
oppose each other so check 
the tide and wind direction and 
strength before you go out.
In shore shallow reefs are usually 
a great place to trial first with rocky 
and kelpy habitat where you will 
often find a thriving ecosystem that 
attract snapper, trevally, kahawai 
and often kingfish. Bait fishing down 
a berley trail in 3-12m of water 
can be one of the easiest ways to 
catch a feed. There are numerous 
navigation chart apps that show 
rocks and structure that hold fish 
close to shore so check those out.
	• Lifejackets for all onboard.
	• Oars.
	• Anchor (take an anchor 
suitable for the sea floor you 
are fishing - a different anchor 
is required for sand or rocks).
	• Enough fuel for your trip 
plus extra for emergencies.
	• Two forms of communication 
(flare kit, either a phone 
in waterproof bag/
container or a VHF).
	• Bailer (half a plastic coke/
milk bottle to scoop 
water out of boat).
Check List
 /FISHINGINGODZONE  25
Shore anglers at some stage realise that 
a boat is going to help increase their 
chances of more fish more often.
Happy angler Peter 
Thompson with his first 
ever snapper caught just 
200m from shore in a 
small inflatable (RIB).

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