What bait and line size should I use to catch fish off the beach at Two Rocks, Perth?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Hey there! Two Rocks Beach is a classic beach session for shore anglers, and you can dial in a bass-mindset setup to target the common surf species while keeping your tackle simple and effective. Here’s a practical plan that works well for a bass angler chasing beach fish around Two Rocks.

**Bait options**
- *Fresh pilchards or sardines* – great for attracting a variety of surf predators. 
- *Prawns or whole prawns* – versatile and sturdy for offshore schooling species that show up on the beach. 
- *Squid strips* or *calamari* – particularly good when the water is cooler and visibility is lower.
- If you’re chasing mulloway/jewfish opportunities, consider a chunk of pilchard with a squid strip as a longer, heavier bait to entice bigger fish.

**Line size and tackle basics (bass mindset, beach-friendly setups)**
- *Light to medium beach rig (catch-all setup)*: Mainline around **20–30 lb braided line** with a *30–60 lb fluorocarbon leader*. Use a 2–4 oz egg sinker or a slide rig depending on surf height. Hooks in the 2/0–4/0 range (circle hooks preferred for easier, clean hookups) work well for pilchard or prawn baits.
- *Heavier, targeting bigger beach fish or rough ground*: Mainline around **40–60 lb braid or mono** with a **60–80 lb leader**. Go with a heavier hook in the 4/0–6/0 range and consider a 6–8 oz sinker if the wind and swell are strong.

A couple of practical rig concepts you can adapt:
- Dropper/rup with a single large bait: a 1–2 oz weight for moderate surf, with a strong 30–60 lb leader and a 2/0–4/0 circle hook. This is a solid “bass-angling” approach for feeling bites and maintaining control on the strike.
- Paternoster/dropper for bigger targets: heavier weight (4–6 oz) with two shorter leaders, one under the weight and one for the bait, to keep the bait presenting naturally in current.

**Weather and seasonal notes (late summer in Two Rocks)**
- With patchy rain nearby and light to moderate winds (~8–9 mph), the water tends to be cooler and visibility can vary. This often concentrates bait along gutters and edges of the beach.
- Fish tend to hold in gutters and along breaklines during incoming and outgoing tides. Focus on the first and second gutter zones after the beach transforms with each tide cycle.
- Practical tip: cast a bit beyond the breaking waves into the next gutter and retrieve with a slow, steady pace to match any cruising predators feeding in that edge.

You may find these videos helpful to visualize rigs and techniques:
- [Best setup for surf fishing!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-m8iVdTrSA) 🎣
- [Beach Fishing RIG BASICS ✅ My Two PROVEN Rigs!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX2CCx-eFDU) 🧰
- [SURF FISHING TIP: Leader Line Vs Main Line Weight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOU4QlHydtE) ⚖️
- [How to Cast at the Beach – Surf Fishing Tips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn6QIaV6D7E)🌊

Recommended gear links (examples to get you started):
- [Berkley Vanish, Clear Fluorocarbon Line 2 lb, 250 yd](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FPR1JIK?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — a solid leader material option for light-to-mid setups.
- [Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Line, Clear 2 lb](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AV1ID?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Leland’s Lures Trout Magnet Line, 350 yds, 2 lb](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010FL968?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

Short, practical tip: start with a 2/0–4/0 circle hook on a 20–30 lb braid rig, and if you’re not getting bites, switch to a heavier leader (40–60 lb) and a bigger hook to cover bigger fish and rougher ground.

Weather-specific tip: during patchy rain, keep your hands and line drier, check for gutters formed by runoff, and aim for the darker, cooler edge where bass-adjacent species often pool prey. A quick weather summary: late-summer water around Two Rocks is variable with light showers possible, light-to-moderate winds, and tides driving most bites along gutters and edges.

Embrace the tide, stay patient, and enjoy the beach—you’ll fill the bin with a few lively surf-bass or shore fish soon. Tight lines and good reels, mate! 🎣🌊🐟

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