An Epic Day Beach Fishing!

Some mornings in Byron just feel different. You wake up, step outside, and the ocean is calling your name. Out the front of my place on one of Byron’s quiet back beaches, the conditions were absolutely firing: clean lines of swell rolling in, gutters carved out perfectly, and flocks of birds diving hard into bait balls while tuna were busting up out the back. To top it off, a couple of whales cruised past with dolphins riding the waves alongside them. Pure magic.

We kicked things off the old-school way, wriggling a few beach worms out of the sand and grabbing some fresh bait. It’s one of my favourite parts of the day, especially when kids are with us — teaching them how to read the beach, spot where the worms are hiding, and feel that little tug when they latch on. It’s those hands-on skills, the sort you’ll never pick up staring at a screen, that stay with you forever.

Once the bait was sorted, we flicked our lines into a deep gutter close to shore — and it was on! Fish after fish came through, from whiting to flathead, and even a cracking jewfish. Most of our catch went back into the sea, but we kept a few for a fresh dinner with mates. After the rods were packed away, we couldn’t resist a quick dip to wash off the sand and salt, before sitting back to watch Byron put on one of its famous, fiery sunsets.

For me, that’s what beach fishing is all about. It’s not just the thrill of the catch, it’s about sharing yarns on the sand, teaching young ones patience and resilience, and soaking up everything the ocean has to offer. Out here, kids forget about screens, families come together, and everyone walks away with new skills and a fresh spark for the outdoors.

Reconnect with nature, one adventure at a time.