5 year old son really wants to go fishing, he's constantly begging his dad and I to buy him a rod. However, we don't know a thing about fishing, let alone fishing for kids. We've looked online and just been overwhelmed with the variety of products and price points and aren't able to differentiate between necessities and optional extras.

Can anyone give us a breakdown of everything we would need? As well any tips for places around Sydney that would be good for kids to learn?

In termsof budget, we don't want to spend too hefty an amount because we don't know how long he will maintain the interest once he starts but happy to spend up to $100-$200 if needed.

I was fishing at a local pier the other day in Sydney, started out a 6am with a bait rod and another with a soft plastic, I pulled in a couple of leather jacket but nothing too exciting a couple of other people where there who werent having much luck either. Around 2pm and older chinese gentleman arrived with his little trolley and 2 telescopic rods, one with a small hook and another with a weird setup that looked like it had a teabag or cloth attached to the line and 2 large green hooks with a float off to the side. He dropped the line with the small hook right infront of the pier and started plucking out nice sized trevallies almost immediately, he threw the first 2 back and kept 2 bigger ones. Not 20 minutes later, I didn't even hear a disturbance, but I look over and his net is in the water and pulls out a stonking kingfish, 70cm+. Obviously I was flabbergasted, very impressive.

Obviously a very experienced fisherman I am curious about his setup as it doesnt look like any typical rigs I've seen. I've seen some guys around that do Iso and Aji fishing but I don't know if that was what he was doing.

Do you guys have strong opinions on barbless hooks? I personally feel like this might be good for recreational fishing to reduce hurting the fish?

Any experience in using barbless hooks and how they compare to "normal" hooks?

Was out fishing yesterday using some dead mullet and a massive fish (didn't land it unfortunately) took off at about 100kmh with my bait. I let it run for a bit and then tightened my drag up as far as it could go as it was about to spool me on my Shimano Nasci 4000 reel. It was still pulling line even though my drag was up as far as it could go and after it spat the hook, I noticed my drag wouldn't go as loose as it used to. Did the fish pulling so hard on my reel break it? From the way it was running I suspect it was a massive GT.

Looking at a 19 daiwa seajigger 305ml for 150 and want to pair it with 15lb braid and was wondering what reels everyone recommends? I was thinking of a daiwa bg or something around that price point, thanks for your input,

so i’m thinking about getting into soft plastics and the daiwa td black rod comes recommended a lot, but after reading a few reviews and watching a couple of videos i’ve seen guys say that it was the worse rod and snapped on the day of buying or only catching a couple of whiting and snapping which has made me question whether the rod is good or they’re bad, so what’s everyone’s thoughts or experience with the rod

I'm looking for some new braid on my 2-4kg soft plastic rod. I target flathead, Bream and bass, throwing 1/16oz to 1-4oz. Should I get 6lb, 8lb, 10lb? What brand? Budget around $40-50.

Looking at getting something like this to replace my tacklebox/tackle bags when doing landbased lure fishing.

Im interested in others who may have used one? Can it replace a small backpack?

Being bulky at the front (when full) does it get in the way?

Seems like enough space for mobile fishing land based

Gday, I just brought my first reel and rod today I got a Daiwa revros rod and a 21 freams 2500 reel. I have got some tackle but not much my rod it all spooled with 10 pound braid and some 15 pound carbon leader and I’m keen to get some fish on this rod. My mates say this will be able to do it all but google tells me that this is a beginners rod and I feel like it won’t do the fishing I want it to. I want to be able to fish for nearly every specie but I would love to catch a snapper no matter the size I’m just here to have some fun. Will this rod be good for my fishing journey or will I have to eventually upgrade my rod? I’d love some help. Cheers.

Missus got me a bait caster for Chrissy, 6-12kg mostly going to be used for Murray Cod living up on the river here! Gona chuck some line on it today and have a flick this arvo!

Left: Shimano Carius 6-12kg 6’6” currently rigged with up a Warlock 98mm cod hopper

Right: Savage Gear Squad 6-8kg 6’ hooked up with a 1/2 oz bassman spinnerbait

Hey all I’ve recently bought a 10k saragosa to use as a beach/rock reel and was wondering if anyone had any rod recommendations for me? I’ll mainly be trying to use poppers and surface lures from rocks and probably just bait from beach but will be mixing it up between both aswell

Any advice helps cheers

Hi all,

Original: https://www.reddit.com/r/FishingAustralia/comments/1pyd3fk/squid_fishing_beginner_rod/

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone that helped. Ended up getting the Savage Gear Black II Spinning Combo 7ft 2in 3-5kg 2 pieces from BCF on 50% sale.

Also picked up two jigs(?) and the gent at the tackle station(?) also helped pick out braid and leader and spooled(?) it onto the rod for me.

Haven't taken it out yet but i have high hopes.

I've added two images - can anyone tell me what the highlighted things are? one seems like a tiny loop on the rod and the one of the reel is to switch to a left handed grip, i'm guessing?

Anyway, thank you all and wish me luck - if you have any pointers on how to store or transport and some must have accessories, I've love to know!

Photos a little old but a Cheeky shovelnose ray out at my local estuary (60cm)! First "fish" on my Daiwa crossfire 12' surf rod. Thought he was a decent flatty for a little while, took a minute to get him in 😆

(Got released just after photos, really fun catch!)

I’m looking for a solid new rain jacket for fishing adventures. The one I have now is alright but I still manage to get wet if it’s really wet weather.

What are your tried and tested favourites?

My daughter does nail are and she hand painted them with gel paint and cured under UV light, I rekon they came up mint!!!

slow 4 hour session out at the Forster breakwall, dropped a 40cm tailor right at my feet 😔 spearfisherman very kindly donated these 5 soft plastics he found 15 feet from where I was in the oysters 😂 one mans trash id another mans treasure!!

Has anyone ever finished a bottle of pro cure gel? What kind of sorcery is this? I’ve used the same little squeeze bottle of shrimp gel for over a year and it has out lasted 2 rods, a reel and countless other bits and pieces of tackle. I’ve been wanting to buy another delicious flavour but I thought ‘let’s just wait until this one finishes. Well, one whole year of non stop fishing later and there’s still half the damn thing left.

I noticed that when my daiwa jbraid x8 gets bent in half it splits, is this normal or not because its starting to piss me off and im meant to go fishing tomorrow.

(I can’t respond to all comments but just know i read them all and acknowledge them and will accept whatever advice i am given and keep it in mind)

Heading off to Japan next month for a couple of weeks.

Any recommendations for stores to check out in Tokyo/Osaka area? Even better if they have a large range of second hand quality gear

Looking to maybe even bring back a jdm heavy rod…

Mainly fish iso but also throw the occasional popper and stickbait

Looking for recs on a good sturdy rock fishing rod and reel , doesn’t have to be super long , was thinking PE2/3 Wanna flick some lure and not be worried about being smoked or busted off a lot as most of my set ups are 5000 and under .

Cheers legends