ABOUT 40 years ago the spearing of groper in NSW was banned, and a limit of two fish caught on a line was introduced.
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Since then the groper population has exploded along the rocky coastline and this healthy increase in numbers is nowhere more evident than here in Port Stephens.
From Birubi Point to Fingal and around all the headlands and islands north to Seal Rocks, groper swim in reasonably shallow water, constantly searching for a feed of shellfish, urchins and certain sea kelp.
To catch a groper is no easy task. Ideally the sea should be calm - as flat as a flounder - enabling you to fish close to the shoreline and to gather bait.
The preferred bait is rock crabs which again are not easy to catch.
Target the crabs on low tide on any rocky shelf while keeping one eye on the incoming waves.
Run your fingers along the crevasses until you feel the crab then grab him before he grabs you.
Using a berley trail of crushed sea urchins and bread lower the irate crab down on a 5/0 hook.
Once you hook the groper hang on tight as these fish have incredible strength.
Groper weighing about three kilograms are excellent table fish.
The bigger blue groper, which can grow to one metre in length, aren't as desirable and are better returned to the water.