I decided last year that I should learn to fish so I could catch and eat when sailing. You know, like a real sailor.

So I watched a bunch of episodes of iFish and the others on the tele, a few YouTube videos for different species, bought a few rods (KMart and Aldi) and started having a go.
I surprised myself by catching lots of different species from the boat: flathead, bream, snapper, leather jacket, silver trevally, tailor, whiting, aust salmon, kingfish, mahi mahi (trolling out of the Heads), estuary catfish, squid, octopus and blue swimmer crabs.
I found that I became quite addicted to it this last summer, probably because Sydney Harbour was boiling with fish. I went beyond catching to eat and started to become a bit of a catch and release angler, partly due to the recommendations on limiting fish ingestion in the Harbour due to dioxin levels. Came to love the feel of a good fight but wasn't always in the mood for all the mess of gutting and filleting. Sometimes I'd fish rather than go for a sail - I began to worry.

I have had best results with vibe lures and freshly caught bait.
Anyway, I've calmed down now; the warm water has gone and the winter boat jobs are lined up. Glad I've learned a bit about fishing and know I'm in with a chance if I pull the rod out at the right time.