FOR those keen to fish off the rocks, this is the time of the year to chase one of the meanest, toughest fish that you are likely to encounter.

The rock blackfish, commonly called a black drummer, doesn’t know when to give up.

There are a few tips that will come in handy if you decide to target drummer over the coming months.

Firstly, what is needed is white water, breaking waves crashing into the rocky headlands or outcrops.

If the sea is calm, forget it.

This wave activity fires up the drummer to move in really close, in search of any shellfish or kelp that has been washed into the sea.

Bread berley, ladled into the surge, drives the drummer crackers.

Time to introduce a well-weighted bait of cunjevoi or prawn on a 2/0 hook on a 12kg line.

The lead sinker that you choose is vital to success – too light and your bait washes around on the surface and
too heavy you will sink to the bottom and hook Australia, which takes some moving.

Once hooked the drummer will take off like the last bus to Bob’s Farm, that is fast!

The fish is remarkably strong and there is no margin for releasing the pressure.

Lean back and keep winding.

There is a simple technique when targeting drummer and that is – when the drummer pulls, you pull harder.
When fishing off the rocks a life vest is essential.

If you are washed in, you will have a far better chance of survival on the surface than under it.

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE