Yellowtail, slimy mackerel, tailor, trevally, pike, sweep, whiptail or anything else under 250 grams in weight. Live baits can also be set on the surface for anything that might happen to swim past. The live bait rig is usually fished straight under the boat to stop it snagging and to keep it away from the other gear. This gear is lowered to the bottom and set with the sinker about 2 m off the ocean floor. A number of specialised fish species also live in the wash areas and while the general tactics work well, a few extra rigs and tricks may be needed to land leatherjacket, drummer, groper and others.
Leatherjackets are hard to catch because of their very small mouths and beak-like teeth.
The rig for them is No 4 longshank hooks, rigged on droppers with the sinker right on the bottom. Best baits are prawn and squid. The rig is fished right on the bottom with plenty of lead. As soon as the grating bite of the leatherjacket is felt, the line is lifted sharply hooking the fish. This style of fishing is most effective with a handline.