Top winter fishing tips and winter boat maintenance tips

Winter fishing © Yamaha Outboards Australia

Winter is a great time to go fishing in Sydney - right up and down our coastline. With the right gear, fish on the bite and less competition, they'll be jumping into your boat!

While it can be chilly on the water, these cooler months can actually present calmer and more predictable weather in Sydney so it's well worth planning a fishing trip - you'll have less competition for boat ramps and your favourite fishing spot too. Off the beaches right along the NSW coast there are plenty of Snapper, Trevally, Luderick and even some Tarwhine. Fish the wash of the boat for lovesick Bream and keep an eye out for schools of Australian Salmon moving up the coast. Whether you're fishing in a bay, behind Sydney or South Coast beaches or offshore, there are also still some Tailor around for some light gear fun - and the kids will love seeing them chop and the thrill of the chase!

While river & estuary fishing in the Hawkesbury, Georges River, Port Hacking and Shoalhaven may be a bit quieter, head out when the fish are feeding at dawn or dusk or on overcast days for Flathead, Bream, Leatherjackets and Luderick. Good sized Jewfish can be found in deeper holes in the Hawkesbury and Sydney Harbour and along rocky shorelines.

There are lots of great fishing spots up and down the South Coast and Winter is the perfect time to explore them. If you're planning to fish on the South Coast, there are Salmon, Tailor and even Bonito around Crookhaven Heads, with Tailor, Bream and even Mulloway at Shoalhaven Heads and Winter can be a great time to land some Kingfish in Jervis Bay. Remember that it's closed season for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in NSW waters in June, July and August to help protect them and build up numbers, so release it straight away if you do land one.

Offshore the water may be colder, but Winter is the best time to fish for Gemfish, Pink Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna and Silver Trevally. Switch to lighter gear to make the most of fewer bites and head out early if you can brave the cold for a great day of fishing! While you're out there, keep an eye out for whales as Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales make their way up the coast to warmer waters from May to August. Just ensure you stay 100m clear if you do come across whales, or 300m away if a whale calf is present.

The cool clear winter waters can be a winter wonderland for anglers, and Fish Finders and Depth or Echo Sounders can make the world of difference to your day. Using sonar, they send out sound waves which bounce differently off fish, water and solid objects like reefs so you can more easily find fish, gauge how deep the water is and they often include water temperature sensors as well. It's relatively easy to learn how to use an electronic fish finder and our team are happy to help! We have a great range of Garmin, Lowrance, Furuno and Humminbird LCD and colour fish finders, hand held GPS units and mapping products to lead you to more fish - so you can make a decision to keep moving or drop anchor. Our full range is available on our website HuntsMarine.com.au or head into one of our stores in Carlton, Batemans Bay or Wollongong to find out which fish finder is best for you and your boat.

With your target catch in mind, rug up, take some extra layers to guard against the cold and enjoy your time on the water. For more advice on boating over winter or to request a service to make sure your vessel is ready for winter waters, get in touch with our team at Hunts Marine today!

Winter boat maintenance - photo © Hunts Marine

Must read: winter boat maintenance

Wondering if you need to maintain your boat? Keeping your boat in good condition means more days on the water, fewer mechanical issues and lower costs over the long run.

Winter is the perfect time to undertake some general boat maintenance and keep your boat looking and working like new. Here are our top five maintenance checks for your boat:

1. Check your battery. Most marine batteries are fairly low maintenance, but we do recommend you check the water levels and terminals every six months or so, ensuring that the terminals are clean and are all fastened tightly;

2. Keep an eye on the engine's oil level, regularly check for water in the fuel and replace the marine spark plugs as needed;

3. Test your electronics to make sure they're in good working order, including your radio, fish finder, downrigger, GPS, Stereo and lights;

4. Check your boat for general wear and tear. Inspect the fuel lines for cracks and wear, and replace any damaged fuel hoses. Winter is also a great time to run your eyes over the propeller and engine belts for wear, and replace them if you need to;

5. Examine your Safety Gear including all of your life jackets, anchors and distress flares as well as medical kits and to ensure they're in good condition and within the expiration date. Winter is the perfect time to make sure you have everything you need on board to keep yourself and your passengers safe & if you need a refresher, Transport NSW has a complete list of safety equipment you must carry on board.

For any spare parts, you can use our online shopping cart at HuntsMarine.com.au or call our team on (02) 9546-1324.

Transport for NSW recommends that powered vessels are professionally serviced every year, so give us a call at Hunts Marine. All of our mechanics are factory trained and we have all the latest tools and software. We offer quality servicing and marine repairs with genuine spare parts for Evinrude, Johnson, Yamaha, Mercury, Mariner and Mercruiser - or ask about our 50 point safety check for peace of mind and trouble free fun on the water.

Hunts Marine supplies, tests and services marine batteries, can check and service your trailer as well as issue your Service NSW pink slip, install, check & repair your steering and electronics. Our team can help with vinyl repair and rejuvenation for torn or work upholstery, provide welded repairs to your aluminium, and gelcoat repairs and restoration to fibreglass. We even take care of your annual PFD servicing.

With over 75 years of experience, Hunts Marine is a third generation, family-owned business with extensive experience in recreational boating - and boat maintenance! Find out more at HuntsMarine.com.au, call Sydney on 9546-1324, Wollongong on 4284-0444, or Batemans Bay on 4472-2612.