As the sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon I let my gaze wander across the expanse of the ocean, which is taking on a silvery sheen. The sound of the waves breaking and the smell of the salty air fill my senses. This is my happy place. Everyday worries are a world away. I tighten the tension on my line and wait.
We have probably caught enough fish for dinner but one more would be nice. Before too long I feel a tentative nibble. Yes! My heart beats faster with anticipation. The next bite is stronger, and I set the hook and reel the fish in. I look over at my husband Martin and see that he has also caught one. We compare our fish – both are good-sized Mullet. We will be feasting tonight!
We are so lucky being able to spend afternoons like this on the beach. Living in South Australia, there are many excellent fishing locations within easy reach. We live in the southern suburbs and can walk to the beach, rod in hand. The ease of this adds an extra element of relaxation to the experience. There is nothing I enjoy more than fishing off the land, with sand under my feet.
There is so much to love about fishing.
Unlike Martin who grew up fishing while on family holidays, I discovered fishing around four years ago. At fifty-five, I was a late starter! Thinking about it now, it makes sense that I enjoy fishing as I have always loved the beach regardless of the weather, and seafood is a staple in my diet. Fishing gives me a steady supply of both!
There are so many good things that come from fishing. Fishing keeps us healthy mentally and physically which is important as we move towards retirement. Tramping up and down beaches (why do the good fishing beaches always have such soft sand!) and climbing steep staircases keeps us fit. Running from the approaching water after casting in, flicking lures, and pulling in fish is also great exercise, not to mention totally exhilarating. Of course, there is also the laid-back kind of fishing with deck chairs and an esky – maybe even fishing out of the back of the car which is the ultimate hassle free fishing. This style of fishing is also particularly good if health problems limit mobility.
The best thing about fishing though is that it’s something that Martin and I can do together. We are working less as we transition to retirement, so have more leisure time. We have always loved camping, but discovering new fishing locations has added a new dimension to our trips away, and has enriched the time we spend together.
Unlike Martin who grew up fishing while on family holidays, I discovered fishing around four years ago. At fifty-five, I was a late starter! Thinking about it now, it makes sense that I enjoy fishing as I have always loved the beach regardless of the weather, and seafood is a staple in my diet. Fishing gives me a steady supply of both!
Where have we been fishing?
Over the last few years, we have travelled to some beautiful places in South Australia. We stayed in camping grounds close to the ocean and spent our time discovering pristine beaches, catching fish and turning them into delicious meals.
Kangaroo Island
We did a circuit of the Island fishing for two weeks straight. The diversity of fishing experiences was unexpected and the fish were plentiful. It was magnificent. Kangaroo Island is very underrated as a fishing and camping destination
Eyre Peninsula
We spent a winter fishing around Streaky Bay and the beaches around Elliston. We visited some of the best ocean beaches we have seen and also caught our biggest fish. Although size is not everything when it comes to good eating fish, there is nothing like the thrill of catching a big Salmon that is leaping out of the water as you reel it in. It is totally addictive! Although it was cold at that time of the year and fishing conditions were challenging, the wild beauty of this coastline in winter was an unforgettable experience
Fleurieu Peninsula
As we live in the southern suburbs of Adelaide we have fished around the Fleurieu for the last four years. There are plenty of options to choose from – jetties, rock fishing, beach fishing and reservoirs. We can usually find somewhere to catch dinner.
Yorke Peninsula
We fished around the bottom end of Yorke Peninsula. The scenery was breathtaking and the fishing did not disappoint. There were a lot of stairs at some of those beaches though!
Our top fishing locations
Yorke Peninsula Marion Bay Jetty – the squid are legendary
Fleurieu Peninsula Goolwa Beach – cockles to eat and use for bait
Eyre Peninsula Tahlia Beach – huge Australian salmon right at your feet
Kangaroo Island Red Banks– flathead, whiting and amazing scenerty
What fish do we catch around SA?
Australian Salmon
Blue Swimmer Crabs
Flathead
Gummy Shark
Mullet
Mulloway
Squid
Tommy Ruff (Australian Herring)
Watch fishing sister and discover some great fishing locations
If you would like to learn more about the amazing SA locations we have visited then watch our fishing sister You Tube channel which has over 90 fishing videos that show where we fished, what we caught, and what rigs and bait we used. Our videos are informative and fun, and our motto is íf we can do it, so can you!’
We use maps to show exactly where we are, and we talk about facilities and beach access (if there are stairs, and if you need a 4wheel drive to get there). Watching our videos will give you a realistic idea of whether the beach is worth travelling to, which could potentially save you time!
We also have a fishing sister group on Facebook where members ask questions and share stories with other like-minded fishers. Martin and I post where we are going fishing so members can come along if they like. It is a friendly, respectful community.
So if you have never been fishing but think you might enjoy it, why not step out of your comfort zone and give it a try. It’s never too late to learn something new and like me, you might discover a passion for fishing that has lain dormant your whole life!
