When we travel to new places, we use a step-by-step approach to exploring a new fishing location.
Often, we are only in the area for a day or two, so it helps to systematically check out the area.
During a recent trip to Shoalwater Bay, we did some reconnaissance before fishing both inshore and offshore.
Exploring a new fishing location – inshore
The first step when sussing out a new creek or river is to head for the low-hanging fruit.
Estuary fish like barramundi and threadfin salmon in the tropics tend to aggregate in the deeper holes when the tide slows down.
Yes, you can certainly target both of these species when the run is greater.
And some of my most memorable catches are casting shallow divers to big barra in open water.
But the low-hanging fruit, especially on neap tides, is to find the deep holes.
Junctions and bends
You want to take a look at Google Earth before heading out for junctions and bends.
In these areas, the banks get scoured away and can create a deeper area.
If you are not there at the right time, however, you will miss the mark.
Our Barra Strategies Workshop has more detail on how to assess an area for fish and when to be there at the “right time.”
Understanding how fish move around the creek is critical to fishing success.
If you are land-based, low tide can reveal structures and rocks to cast on. Opportunities that you may not have taken into account when the tide is high.
Barra and Threadfin
So the typical targets when exploring a new fishing location are barra and threadfin in the creeks.
Generally, my plan of attack is to head up the creek, assessing areas where I suspect there are holes for any fish schools.
Often, the two species hang together.
When they are both present, you can tell the difference on your 2D screen by the depth of the fish.
Exploring a new fishing location – offshore
A lot of fishing reconnaissance in a new area comes down to chart work.
I use the chart on my Garmin GPS or you can use Navionics on your home computer.
Like Google Earth for creeks, chart work offshore allows you to do some homework before you go.
Charts give away anomalies in the underwater landscape that might hold good fish.
Alternatively, you can scan wide of islands, reefs, and headlands for any detachments.
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