Cam fishing - Hungry Point

Blackfish: Hungry Point, Port Hacking -

Shore based spots abound within Port Hacking but one of the best and most accessible for Blackfish (or Luderick) is Hungry Point at Cronulla. You can park in nearby Cowra Place that runs off Nicholson Parade. Walk down the steps, turn right and follow the 100m path that’ll lead you to a 15m dirt track down to the rocks.

Blackfish will be found right along this stretch of shoreline but I’ve had most success closer to the point, especially off the large sloping rock right near the tip. I like to fish a falling tide, especially the bottom 3 hours. This area is well protected and the swell is minimal but all care should still be taken at all times. Look for the area that has the most surge and white-water as blackfish will be attracted by the
feed that is dislodged from the rocks. Target these areas first.

I use green cabbage as bait (the seaweed kind, not the vegetable kind!) but you’ll need to collect it from other places as there is a minimal amount (bugger-all most days) at Hungrys Point. I collect mine from the rocks at nearby Shelley Beach, ensuring that I collect enough for burley, too. Half a bucket of sand with a couple of handfuls of torn up weed takes care of the burley and I also add a capful of garlic scent to spice it up.

Once you’ve chosen your spot, get a few handfuls of burley into the water before rigging up.Now what gear should you use? There’s a multitude of different outfits that’ll work, ranging from specialised blackfish centerpin reels on curved tip rods (to stop the float from twirling around the rod) to general purpose rods matched with threadline reels.

I use a light/medium action 10 ft rod combined with a 2000 size threadline reel spooled with 10lb line. This is rigged with a running float with the depth set between 4ft and 9ft, depending at what depth the fish are feeding at. Ensure that you weigh your float down so just the tip is above water. That way the fish will feel as little resistance as possible. Split shot are great for fine tuning the float and the business end of the line is finished off with a size 8 hook.

The fish will be right near the rocks or the edge of the weed beds, so you won’t need to cast out a great distance. As you fish, keep adding a handful or two of the burley every few minutes. Watch your float and when you get a ‘down’, don’t strike straight away. Count to 5 then lift the rod and set the hook. The rest is up to you!