On any given day, more and more women and girls, of all ages and backgrounds, are out enjoying what was certainly once a male-dominated activity. You’d have to agree that women today are far more involved in all arenas of sport, and fishing is no exception. Maybe there are more women fishers these days because of the sheer volume of fishing shows on TV, social media influences, or, like Yasmin, they just love fishing.
Fishing with family
From a very young age, Yasmin used to love going fishing and camping with her dad and brothers. She grew up in central Victoria, where they fished dams, channels, and rivers. They would catch freshwater fish such as Murray cod, redfin, yellowbelly, and carp using both bait and spinners.
They also caught yabbies with a piece of meat tied to a stick by a length of cotton. Catching yabbies is a very fond memory for Yasmin because it was loads of fun and, believe it or not, they’re extremely tasty.
Fishing with kids and family is a great social activity and an awesome way to build childhood memories. Look at the impact it’s had on Yasmin.
Women fishers
These days, she jumps at every window that comes up to go for a fish. You’ll find Yasmin in her boat on Lake Macquarie, out the front (local fisho slang for through the heads into the ocean), off the break wall, the local jetty, or the beach. You’re guaranteed to find plenty of awesome fishing spots around Lake Mac to suit all types of fishing and skill levels.
As a working mum with two boys, the opportunities can be somewhat limited, but if you enjoy it like Yasmin, you find a way.
Fishing in Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie has a huge array of fish species, including tailor, snapper, squid, dusky flathead, bream, sand whiting, mulloway, yellowtail kingfish, and Australian salmon, just to name a few. Yasmin has been lucky enough to catch almost all of these species over the years, except for the elusive mulloway (Jewfish).
Unless you’re targeting a specific fish species, you don’t know what you’re going to bring up on the end of that line.
More than fishing in Lake Macquarie
Yasmin has experienced amazing and breathtaking sights whilst fishing. There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure.
One time, she had a mother and calf humpback whale swim underneath the tinny was pretty amazing. Another time, she was lucky enough to witness and film countless sharks devouring a dead humpback whale just off Blacksmiths beach…I know, right? Check it out below.
Hook, line, and sinker
However, like most hobbies in life, you’re always learning, and things can and do go wrong. Like most fishers, Yasmin has managed to hook herself on numerous occasions. The worst being a lure through her leg while fishing alone and then having to take herself to the emergency department to have it removed….nothing a woman can’t handle, right?
She often hears people say it’s boring, especially when you aren’t getting many bites. However, Yasmin finds these moments the best time to stop and breathe in peace and calm. It helps her rebalance, think through life, solve problems, and clear her head.
Fishing with kids is something every family should try. Check out our guide for the best jetties and gear to get started: Fishing Lake Macquarie with Kids
