Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to locate, attract and catch fish using methods suited to targeted species. Recreational fishing activities are diverse and this unit is relevant to any type of fishing completed in any region or locality within different types of waters.
It applies to leaders, guides or instructors, who use these skills when leading participants during fishing activities. Leadership skills are provided in complementary units. The unit can also apply to assistants and support staff.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
Recreational fishing is regulated by specific laws in each Australian state and territory with variable rules. All training and assessment activities must comply with the local, state or territory and international requirements.
No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
• for the particular region or locality in which recreational fishing activities are delivered:
• source, collect and present information in a portfolio or verbal report covering six different species of fish found in the region
• for each of the six species, include information on:
• basic anatomical features and linkages to preferred habitat, location and behaviour of fish
• environmental factors that affect preferred habitat and location of fish
• breeding patterns, spawning cycles and effects on fish behaviour, migration and location
• migration patterns and during which seasons the species would be found in the local region
• predator and prey relationships and how they affect fish activity and location
• food sources and feeding habits
• preferred bait for catching the species
• types of lure or fly, where applicable, suited to the species
• different mixes of berley, as appropriate, for attracting the species, equipment and methods used to disperse
• complete four recreational fishing sessions each in a different location:
• use a rod reel for at least two of those activities and cast using two different techniques
• use any other chosen method of fishing for the remaining two sessions
• during each session consistently:
• follow safety procedures
• comply with local regulations for recreational fishing activities
• utilise effective techniques suited to the target species, equipment and location to:
• locate and attract fish
• manage the rig, respond to bites and retrieve and land fish
• humanely de-hook the catch
• handle and release unwanted fish to the water without damage
• humanely despatch fish.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
• organisational safety and emergency response procedures for fishing activities
• specific to the local Australian state or territory, or international waters, and particular locality, how to source and interpret regulations and permission requirements for recreational fishing:
• licensing and fee requirements
• bag and size limits, and how to measure these
• areas closed to fishing
• protected fish
• prohibited fishing methods
• permissions required from Indigenous communities
• personal protective equipment requirements
• the key contents of recreational fishing codes of practice, issued by industry associations, land management or other authorities
• clothing and footwear suitable for fishing activities:
• types of clothing and fabrics that protect against the effects of weather including sun, temperatures, winds and precipitation of different levels
• reasons for layering clothes
• effective design and construction features of waterproof gear, including fishing waders
• types of footwear for fishing including specialist aqua shoes and booties and their advantages over other types of footwear
• features and uses of specialist fishing gloves and mittens, and advantages and disadvantages
• polarised sunglasses
• features and functions of life jackets suitable for fishing activities in different types of waters and how to fit and adjust these for comfort and safety
• for different species of fish found in saltwater, freshwater or brackish habitats within the particular region or locality in which recreational fishing activities are delivered:
• basic anatomical features and how these are linked to preferred habitat, location and behaviour of fish:
• size and body shape
• colouration
• size and position of eyes
• position, size and shape of mouth
• teeth
• fins, spines and venomous parts
• dangerous fish species, their defining features and methods for safe handling
• how environmental factors affect preferred habitat, feeding behaviour and location of fish:
• temperature
• weather conditions
• oxygen
• structure, cover and vegetation
• pH
• air and water pressure
• water depth
• water clarity
• currents, waves, and wash
• tides and moon phases
• time of day and light levels
• algal blooms
• breeding patterns, spawning cycles and effects on fish behaviour, migration and location
• migration patterns and during which seasons the species would be found in the local region
• predator and prey relationships and how they affect fish activity and location
• food sources and feeding habits
• preferred bait for catching the species
• design features of lures and flies and types suited to the species
• when berley would be used and when it is inappropriate
• different mixes of berley, equipment and methods used to disperse
• basic biosecurity measures for using bait to limit the spread of pests and diseases
• for the particular region or locality in which recreational fishing activities are delivered, fishing locations and best times to target fish species to include optimum:
• season
• tide
• time of day - evening, dawn etc.
• stage of lunar, breeding and migration cycle
• signs within rivers, lakes and ocean waters that indicate the location of fish:
• hydrological features that indicate fish habitat
• fish feeding activity
• insect and bird activity
• surface activity
• principles of reading the water for fish location – cover, food and margins
• aids used to locate fish and how these are used:
• charts, maps, charts, satellite imagery
• binoculars and polarised glasses
• sonar (depth fish finders)
• global positioning systems
• radar
• underwater cameras and microphones
• thermometers
• fish aggregating devices
• visual markers
• how sight, tactile, taste and olfactory senses of fish can be used to attract fish:
• how fish use sound, light, vision and smell to locate food
• extent of vision and what attracts fish visually
• ability of fish to distinguish taste and touch
• hand line and fishing rod designs and features suitable for the type of fishing and target species
• for both handlining and line fishing with a rod and reel:
• deployment techniques to present bait, lures and flies to the target species in the most advantageous manner
• techniques used to manage rig to minimise snagging and knots
• how to identify bites and set the hook
• catch retrieval techniques which minimise stress to the fish and damage to the rig
• equipment and techniques used to land and humanely de-hook the catch, appropriate to the species of fish
• different casting techniques relevant to type of fishing and tackle outfit:
• handline casts
• closed faced
• threadline
• overhead
• side cast
• centre pin
• fly – roll cast
• fly – pickup laydown cast
• fly – forward shooting cast
• a range of common casting faults and errors and suitable fixes for each
• techniques used to handle and release unwanted fish to the water without damage
• methods for safely handling and de-hooking non-dangerous species
• techniques used to humanely despatch fish quickly and decisively
• methods used to:
• handle and store live catch humanely
• store live and despatched catch in optimum condition, including appropriate environmental conditions.

Assessment Conditions

Fishing skills can be demonstrated in any type of water found within the particular region or locality including saltwater, freshwater and brackish fish habitats.
The following resources must be available to replicate industry conditions of operation:
• first aid equipment
• communication equipment for emergency response.
Assessment must ensure use of:
• clothing and footwear suitable for the conditions
• Australian Standard, or equivalent, compliant lifejackets, as required for the location
• rods, reels and line
• terminal tackle to suit the location, target species and type of fishing, and as permitted by regulations for the location
• fishing knives
• bait, lures and flies, as relevant to fishing style utilised
• recreational fishing guides describing regulations for the locality
• recreational fishing codes of practice, issued by industry associations, land management or other authorities
• organisational safety and emergency response procedures for fishing activities.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:
• have a collective period of at least three years’ experience as a fishing leader, guide or instructor, where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency; the three years’ experience can incorporate full and or part time experience.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Reading skills to:', 'description': 'interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures; interpret unfamiliar and potentially complex regulatory information within plain English guides'}
• {'skill': 'Writing skills to:', 'description': 'record basic factual data about fish sightings and locations.'}
• {'skill': 'Numeracy skills to:', 'description': 'measure length and weights of fish.'}

Related Units

• SISOCLM009 — Lead single pitch climbing activities on natural surfaces, top rope climbing
  Same training package
• SISOSKT001 — Ski on easy cross country terrain
  Same training package
• SISXPLD004 — Facilitate groups
  Same training package
• SISOPWC004 — Lead personal water craft activities in slight water conditions
  Same training package
• SISOFSH003 — Select and rig tackle outfits
  Same training package
• SISSTOU001 — Participate in touch at an intermediate level
  Same training package