Land-based game fishing is a form of fishing where anglers attempt to catch game fish, that are generally caught from ocean going boats, off the shore. Commonly targeted species include marlin, tuna, kingfish, mackerel, cobia and sharks. The locations for such activities are generally rock platforms, though wharfs, jetties and beaches are also common. Some species such as sharks can be targeted in shallow water, however most other species prefer deep water, and this often dictates the areas suitable for land based game fishing. Tackle used is usually comparable to that used for these species from boats, but some differences are necessary such as rod length. Different tackle is used according to location and species targeted.
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So far the best land based game fishing has been restricted to very few areas around the world. The best known spots are in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and the Andaman Islands, of which Barren Island and Narcondum volcano have produced Marlin from the rocks.
Along the east coast of Australia, land based game fishing can be divided into two fairly distinct geographic regions. On the north coast of New South Wales, from approximately Sydney north, light tackle is generally used, with smaller target species such as longtail tuna, Spanish mackerel and cobia. South of Sydney, heavier tackle is used as the target species are generally much larger, with the main targets being black marlin, yellowfin tuna, kingfish and sharks.
The rock platforms of Jervis Bay in New South Wales are the best known. Black marlin of up to 200 lbs have been caught here by anglers floating out baits on balloons.
The billfish (marlin and sailfish) and the larger tunas (bluefin, yellowfin) are the main species recognized as big-game fish.
Smaller game fish, such as Spanish mackerel, dolphinfish, wahoo, smaller tuna species such as albacore and skipjack tuna, Australian longtail.
Land based shark fishing has had some popularity since the early 1900s. Like other big game fish, sharks were initially fished from big game boats, and the activity was expensive. Some of the more sought species include large tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks, with sizes exceeding 500 lbs. Many land based shark fishermen use catch and release techniques to return sharks to the water after capture.
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