Hit the sand on the south Coast by Kurt Blanksby

From Augusta heading east towards Esperance, the Southern Ocean coastline is truly unspoilt and wild. Rocky granite and limestone headlands and ledges make up a big part of this coast and hold a reputation for being some of the best land-based fishing spots in the state. In this part of the world, it's the beaches that stretch between the rocky sections that are not only much safer to fish, but also turn on the goods when it comes to fishing!
GETTING THERE
Although these beaches can be fished all year round, it's the period from March through to early May that I prefer, as they often provide calmer conditions and clean water, allowing easy identification of fish holding gutters and channels. Beach access to most is via many well-worn 4WD tracks leading off the main roads, and these can be easily found by studying Google Earth or Nearmaps if you have access to it.
If you are precious about getting scratches on your paintwork, then this is probably not for you, but a 4WD is the only way to access these locations, so it is a small price to pay. Once you near the coast and finally descend onto the beach your sand driving skills will be tested, and dropping your tyre pressure down to about 15psi is the go.
GETTING SET
It's best to arrive at the beach during the day so you can easily spot the best gutters and channels running close enough to cast into, as this is where the fish will be feeding. These are easy to spot, as the deeper water will be a darker colour next to the many sand banks where the water will usually be feeding in from one end and funnelling back out to sea at the other. Once located, the car is parked and set up back near the dunes and a basic camp is established.
Thankfully, camping on the South Coast beaches is still permitted, and I must say that rubbish is never a problem as those who fish these spots are smart enough to take it out with them. Keep the place clean and don't give the authorities any reason to ban it.
The next step is a very important one that many don't bother with, and that is establishing a good berley slick to start attracting fish into your casting area. Using a steel or wooden stake and a scaling bag you can set up a berley bag that washes around on the shore with each wave, spreading a good scent back out with every receding wave. Crushed up pilchards, prawn heads, fish scraps and a good splash of fish oil and you will have a mixture that will attract fish into the vicinity.