Dropline

Drop lining is an offshore fishing method used to target deep water fish species, primarily shark, morwong and bight redfish. A dropline consists of a length of heavy rope or line which is dropped vertically into the water column, with a desired number of baited hooks and is anchored by a weight at the bottom. A powered winch is often used to retrieve the line.

Fish Trap

Fish traps are weighted traps which are baited and set at the bottom of the seafloor. When set, traps are connected to a downline, which is connected to a buoy on the surface. Fish traps have specific entrance sizes to limit the species targeted. A maximum of 5 or 15 traps can be used at any one time depending on location.

Longline

A longline is a rope or line with baited hooks attached which is held slightly above the seabed or surface. They are anchored and buoyed at both ends of the line, with a haul-in line attached at each end of the mainline, and are set from a moving vessel. A maximum of 400 hooks can be used at any one time.

Rod and Reel/Handline

Standard techniques where one or more baited hooks or lures are attached to a fishing line to capture various species of fish including squid.

Dab Net

A dab net is a conical shaped net which is attached to a hoop or ring which is attached to a rigid handle. These nets are primarily used to catch garfish so are commonly used at night, when garfish come to the surface. They are spotted using a light, then scooped out of the water and onto the boat.

Drop net

A net which consists of one or more hoops in which netting is attached to form a conical shape. The net sits on the ocean floor, and is retrieved using a length of rope which is attached to a buoy.