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! 🎣🌊🐟

Bass Fishing Questions

More Questions

How do I start fishing?

What is TacticalBassin's biggest fish?

How to fish for musky in early August in Northern Wisconsin?

FishGPT

How effective is the Ned rig at Lake Martin?

How do you fish lakes in Cary, NC?

What is naked fishing?

How to catch snakeheads?

How do I start fishing?

What is TacticalBassin's biggest fish?

How to fish for musky in early August in Northern Wisconsin?

FishGPT

How effective is the Ned rig at Lake Martin?

How do you fish lakes in Cary, NC?

What is naked fishing?

How to catch snakeheads?

Bass Fishing Questions

Question is what to fish at Faro Capo San Vito in October?

Question is can you suggest me a few topwater baits

Question is can you suggest me a few topwater baits

Best topwater baits

Question is what to fish at Faro Capo San Vito in October?

Question is can you suggest me a few topwater baits

Question is can you suggest me a few topwater baits

Best topwater baits