Pier Fishing for Garfish

Pier Fishing for Garfish - Host Paul Worsteling has made the short drive round Port Phillip Bay to Mornington, where the large pier by the harbour provides the ideal location for an easy "rock up and fish" session with the minimal amount of gear. His gear is even more minimal than intended after leaving his tackle bag in the kitchen, but he's able to beg, steal and borrow the bits that he needs from the other anglers. There's a close knit community of regulars fishing off the pier, all looking out for each other. It seems most of them are after the Garfish that move around the harbour in shoals. These Southern Garfish are miniature billfish that can grow to just over 50cms. The ones here are about half that length. Paul tries to attract them to his swim using a basket of stale bread soaked in tuna oil as a burley or chum, he regular throws a handful of dry mix over the top of this and then uses a hook bait of 3 or 4 maggots under a stick float. This simple method proves very effective and he takes home a bagful of Gar that he then shows how to prepare and fry. Delicious.

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