SISOFSH001 — Locate, attract and catch fish

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• source, collect and present information in a portfolio or verbal report covering six different species of fish found in the region
• 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
• 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
• utilise effective techniques suited to the target species, equipment and location to manage the rig, respond to bites and retrieve and land fish
• utilise effective techniques suited to the target species, equipment and location to humanely de-hook the catch
• utilise effective techniques suited to the target species, equipment and location to handle and release unwanted fish to the water without damage
• utilise effective techniques suited to the target species, equipment and location to humanely despatch fish

Knowledge evidence

• 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

Foundation skills

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

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Questions about assessing SISOFSH001