theres nothing tricky about catching fish , although it might seem like that at first. Number 1 .... you have to be where the fish are, once on a good spot if u drop a bait down, or jig ,or placcy you should catch something ...So next question ... do you have a sounder ? If not, you really need one, nothing fancy ..i wouldnt even contemplate going out with one. Maybe some one will take you out and show you the ropes    good luck

yeah I've got a sounder

If you are bait fishing always use fresh bait . I fish straight out from mindaries in 27 to 30m and pretty much just drift with a few rigs out. As soon as i catch a wrasse it gets filleted and sent down, also fresh squid and sand whitting.

I use one standard large dropper rig, one smaller dropper rig and a floater bait.( yes i usualy have 2 to 3 rods out ) Most of my best fish have come on the smaller rig with fresh squid tenticles.

We don't always get a heap of fish but usualy get 1 or 2 big ones for the esky .

Patience mate , which by the sound of it, you have already mastered, is a great tool

to get you fishing. If you have lasted this long, then why not stick with it and get a result.

Sounds like you just need a small leg up and your there, so heres my advise , for what its worth.

Me personally never did like or catch much in 30 metres , esp out from the northern suburbs, its like a

billard table out there in spots, so can the 30 metres if poss.

If your fishing around rotto it must be a reasonable sized boat ( I hope!) so buy a marine chart

and start looking for 40 plus, theres plenty to the north and south of rotto , even into the 50,s .

Fish up and over the rising tide, using fresh bait , with smaller circles , snooded up

over a decent moon ( do some research) and keep moving during the day , sounding

for some ( any ) activety on your sounder.

good luck and remember to post when you get that first metro prize.

It sounds to me as though you are trying to do too many things. Choose 1 species in one general area. I'd recommend targeting snapper at 3-Mile. They are good fighting, good eating, common and you'll get bycatch of skippy, the odd dhuie and others. Focus all your attention on this and once you feel you have it sorted, try something else.

Step 1: get to your fishing location 1 hour before peak period, whether that be sunrise, sunset or high tide and anchor up.

Step 2: throw in a lightly weighted mulie. cast it out the back a fair distance and let it slowly sink. Check the drag is reasonably light and put it in the rod holder. The fish will hook itself. Check it every 10-15 minutes to make sure the bait hasn't been pinched. Hooks: 2 snooded 4/0 gamakatsu octopus.

Step 3: burley up. Cubes of mulie, a scaling bag full of fish frames, those oil block things are all good. A little bit regularly.

Step 4: try a more heavily weight bait fished directly under the boat. Use a lightish paternoster with a variety of baits; squid, occie, fesh fish, prawns etc. Put it in your rod holder and check regularly. Single 4/0's should be fine.

Step 5: work your plastics. I used to buy every plastic under the sun, I have found a pink minnow style in 4-6 inches on 1/4 to 1/2 oz head works reliably for most species I encounter.

Do not move until 1 hour after peak time. You will most likely second guess yourself, if you don't catch anything, but have faith that you are doing the right thing. Give your burley time to work.

Step 6: once you have finished fishing, go sounding for other spots. You're looking for changes in depth, ideally with fish holding on  them. If you find something interesting, mark it on your GPS and fish it the next time your othe spots aren't producing.

If you do this 5 times, Iguarantee you'll catch skippy, snapper and at least one other quality species. You'll also  have 10-20 spots worth trying and you'll start to work out some theories of your own.

 Ok thanks guys that info really help a lota lot

Do you have a GPS Tim?

 Yes

i have a GPS 

 mate go speak to tim at gunmart and tackle in midland, hes the sp king and has caught released over 300 pinkies last year alone, not including dhuies etc, he goes out real early morning and is back in while others are just getting to the boat ramp, and he doesnt go out very far at all.

 Yeh ok thanks for all the tips guy

Sound advice there from Geoff. I'm gona give that a crack

cheers