Catching fish is relatively easy when compared with the more difficult task of finding feeding fish. In estuaries, weed beds are a good place to start looking because they provide shelter for baitfish and small crustaceans, and good ambush points for predatory species. They can be fished with a range of lures, baits and fly, so there is opportunity for everyone.

Targeting the edges of weed beds is the most productive tactic. This will give you an easy to follow plan of where to fish that can be made more specific if you follow the clues; bird activity, flicking prawns or disturbed surface are good signs of fish. Also look for combinations of fish shelter such as weeds and rocks, or weeds and fallen timber. The idea is to spend more time fishing the most likely areas.

Weed beds generally produce a smaller class of fish, so scale your tackle accordingly—but be prepared for the big surprises!

Weed beds are just one example of the many incarnations of underwater ‘edges’ that all anglers should be aware of. They can all be found easily by observing your surroundings.