Hi, Brizzy fishing enthusiasts! My family and I just moved to Brisbane a couple weeks ago from San Diego, CA, USA! We live in Westlake right on the river and my two little guys are anxious to get fishing off our dock..as am I =) I haven't fished since I was a kid, but I totally LOVE it, fresh water and salt water! Definitely want to take advantage of our location. Was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on what we can expect to catch off the dock (seeing as we don't have any water crafts...yet). What should we use for bait, what time of day/night is best, line, poles, tackle, etc.? I really want to give cast net fishing a go... I love prawns and when I heard I can catch some off my own backyard I was very excited!! We don't really know anyone here in Australia (except for a few of my husband's co-workers) so I am looking forward to meeting some great people in this community! Would love to meet some experienced anglers and learn all that I can! Thanks so much!

Hi Ashley

Welcome to fishingreminder.
Great move to Brisbane. I think you'll love it there

Looks like you can catch pretty much everything from bream to shark in the river.
But I think fishing from a pier or shore would produce mostly smaller fish. But then - you never know...

I would start with a nice lightweight softbait rod and braided line. I find that much easier for casting.
And it's more fun to catch fish on light tackle. If you check with a local fishing shop, they should be able to
sort you out with a nice softbait setup.

You can then use softbaits (berkley gulp are my favorites) and cast them around the pier and shore which is more of an active fishing style. It requires you to cast a lot and try to get some action into the lures.

Or you can buy some bait, like prawns or pilchards. Even better if you can catch some bait yourself.
They sell those sabiki rigs in fishing shops. They got a bunch of small hooks to catch bait.

Hope that helps a bit

Thank you! Was planning a trip with the kids to a tackle shop today. Helpful to know what to ask for now! Thanks again!

Sounds good

Hi Ashley,

So many questions...Way to many questions to answer in one post...

As Mark says, Welcome to the Forum.

I did read your post a couple of days ago. But did not respond because I just didn't know which question to answer first.

I am a house sitter. Started house sitting about 2 years ago. I am sitting a house in Warwick which is about 90 minute drive from you. I will be here until early Sep. So about another 6 or 7 weeks.

It is all fresh water fishing around here and you need a SIP ( stocked impoundment permit ) to fish in the dams. But river is free. I have tried the rivers and I reckon the SIP is good value cos the dams are where the fish are !!

The dams are stocked with catfish, silver perch, golden perch (yellow belly) and murray cod. Some of the locals tell me that carp are also in the dams, but I see no evidence of carp.

You might think Murray cod is an odd one out...Well not so. Just west of you over them hills, is the starting point of the Murray / Darling basin. So Murray cod are quite native to this area, even though the Murray River is 1000 km away.

There are two caravan / camping grounds at the local dam. But I see many people camping on the banks of the dam. If you wanted to drag your husband along (most likely kicking and screaming in protest) and your couple of kids, for a day trip or maybe an over-nighter. I would be more than happy to meet up and give you some pointers.