If you’re just getting into land-based fishing or you’ve been at it for a while but only catching the odd small fish, this is for you. One of the biggest reasons anglers don’t see consistent results isn’t lack of effort… it’s overlooking the basics. So I’ve put together some Land-Based Fishing tips to make it easier.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential gear choices, rig tweaks, and bait prep techniques that can instantly level up your results (and your enjoyment) without needing a boat or expensive equipment.

Choosing the Best Land Based Fishing Gear

One of the most commonly overlooked factors in land based fishing success is your tackle choices. The gear you use forms the foundation for your experience on the water, affecting both your outcomes and your enjoyment.

Walking into a tackle store can be unnerving, even for fishos who’ve been casting rods for years. The range of brands and options just seems to grow every year. One of the most effective ways to narrow it all down is to first identify what kind of fishing you’re doing. Since your focus is land-based, we’ll look at the essentials specific to that style.

Plan Around Your Budget and Environment

Before you start grabbing gear, think about your budget. You’ll need a rod, reel, line, possibly lures, and some terminal tackle, things like leader line, swivels, hooks, and sinkers. So keep that in mind with your budgeting.

Next, think about where you’re planning to fish. Different environments call for different setups. If you want to ‘fine-tune’ your fishing approach, it is important to bring the right tool for the job. Let’s look at some examples.

Land Based Fishing Gear Recommendations by Environment

Rivers (Saltwater)

• Rod: 2–5kg to 4–7kg, 7’–7’6″
  
• Reel: 2000 to 4000 (8–15lb braid)
  
• Common species: Bream, whiting, flathead, mangrove jack, trevally
  

Rockwalls

• Rod: PE 2–4 (medium) to 8–15kg (heavy), 9’–13′
  
• Reel: 4000 to 10000 (20–40lb mono)
  
• Common species: Luderick, tailor, jewfish, kingfish, pelagics
  

Lakes (Landlocked)

• Rod: 1–4kg, 2–5kg, 4–7kg, up to PE 6–8
  
• Reel: 2000 to 14000 (6–80lb braid)
  
• Common species: Bream, queenfish, giant herring, jacks, milkfish, trevally
  

Beaches

• Rod: 2–4kg to 8–15kg
  
• Reel: 3000 to 10000 (8–40lb braid)
  
• Common species: Whiting, bream, tailor, salmon, dart, jewfish
  

This is a general guide to help you match the right tackle to the terrain. Get it right, and you’ll have a far more enjoyable day, and likely better results, too.

Rigging Tips: Using a Stinger Hook for Smarter Hookups

One of the areas I specialise in is land-locked lake fishing. Landlocked predators can be extremely fussy and, at times, challenging to hook – so choosing the right rig is incredibly important. Over time, I’ve narrowed down my tackle to a few reliable setups, though having said that, a slight variation in my tackle choices doesn’t mean you won’t have success.

One rig that I have been experimenting with recently is a live and dead bait stinger rig. A stinger hook (or treble) can give you the edge on days when fish seem to be smarter than you, by stealing baits, leaving you with empty hooks and slightly frustrated.

The stinger rig is an optional add-on to your traditional running sinker rig. It’s tied to the shank of your main hook with lighter line, so if it gets snagged, it breaks off without losing your full rig. I’ve found this set-up quite helpful when targeting mangrove jacks using mullet strip baits, chicken strips and even medium size live baits.

How to Choose and Maintain Fresh Fishing Bait

One of the most important factors that increases your chances of a bite when land based fishing, is the freshness of your bait. Live baits are my go-to, but if you can’t throw a net, don’t despair, I’ve caught my biggest giant herring on a dead white pilchard straight out of a bait packet.

Dead Bait Selection

The reason I’ve had such success with dead baits really comes down to two reasons: freshness and quality. Choosing dead baits poorly will lead you to catching nothing much at all. I always select bait based on appearance, and it’s gotta pass the “fresh test”.

When you’re looking over your frozen baits at the store, zone in on the condition of that bait.
Some things to consider: Does the bait have an expiry date on it? Does the bait look dry or have freezer burn? Are the eyes white instead of black? If so, look elsewhere.

How Do You Keep Bait Fresh While Fishing? 

Once you’ve located bait that passed your ‘fresh test’, the next thing to consider is where you store it, and how to maintain that freshness as long as possible, or at least for the duration of your fishing trip. Here’s how I manage it:

Firstly, I like to bring a small esky with an ice block in it. A space to keep your bait fresh and cool. Fish like white, frogmouth and W.A. pilchards can go off quickly and become soft and sloppy, especially in warm climates. 

I like to purchase my baits the day before I go fishing, I cut a hole in one corner of the plastic bag and let the bait slowly defrost in the fridge overnight. Yes, I’m that fussy! 

If you’re buying your bait on the way to your fishing spot and need your bait to defrost fast, cut the bait bag and pull out a few baits, pop them in the salt water and allow some defrosting to take place, but pull them out and place them back in your esky before they are entirely defrosted. 

Keeping your baits firm is the key to keeping them on the hook when you cast out. Also, the longer your bait is on your hook, the higher your chances are of a hook up.

When it comes to bait, BE FUSSY. It only takes a small amount of effort and the outcomes can be worth it!

Final Tips for Land-Based Fishing Success

Land-based fishing isn’t about luck, it’s about stacking the odds in your favour. By choosing the right gear for your environment, rigging smart, and being selective with your bait, you’ll not only improve your catch rate but enjoy the process a whole lot more.

Be fussy. Pay attention to the details. Because it’s the little things like a fresher pilchard or the right stinger hook that often make the biggest difference. Hopefully, these land based fishing tips can make a difference to your success on the water!

I’ve created a whole course on the fundamentals of land-based fishing, designed to teach you exactly how to get consistent success on the water and help you target trophy species. Check out the course content here.