ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to fish.

1.1. Determine target recreational species, identify their local habitat and select fishing locations suited to species.

1.2. Determine appropriate fishing technique for target species.

1.3. Select appropriate fishing rig, equipment and terminal tackle for target species and check working order.

1.4. Select appropriate bait, lure or fly according to feeding preference of target species.

1.5. Determine need for berley and select mix, as required.

1.6. Assemble and balance fishing rig to suit target species, habitat and the fishing environment.

1.7. Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for conditions; fit and adjust for comfort and safety.

1.8. Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.

2. Locate fish.

2.1. Read the water and hydrological features indicating fish habitat, identify signs of feeding activity and other indictors to determine likely location of fish.

2.2. Identify fishing spots by use of visual marks.

2.3. Use locator aids according to type of fishing and targeted species to assist with location of fishing spots.

2.4. Record visual sightings and other data for future use in relocating fishing spots.

3. Attract and approach fish.

3.1. Attract target fish using methods that utilise fish sight, tactile, taste and olfactory senses.

3.2. Approach fish without alerting them.

3.3. Disperse berley, as required, at appropriate intervals using methods suitable for attracting target species.

3.4. Rig and present bait alive, dead, whole or in pieces to attract and catch fish, according to feeding preference of target species.

3.5. Rig and present lure or fly to attract and catch target species.

4. Catch and land fish.

4.1. Deploy fishing rig using appropriate technique to present bait, lure or fly to target species.

4.2. Survey area for people present before casting to avoid injury.

4.3. Hold rod and reel securely and use casting technique suited to type of outfit to achieve accuracy and distance.

4.4. Identify own casting errors and adjust technique.

4.5. Monitor and evaluate performance of fishing rig, bait, lure or fly, and make adjustments to optimise outcomes.

4.6. Manage rig using species specific techniques; respond to bites and retrieve and land fish.

4.7. Comply with permissions, recreational fishing and other regulations and codes of practice applicable to location.

5. Handle fish.

5.1. Identify dangerous species of fish and handle to minimise risk to self and others.

5.2. De-hook fish humanely using techniques appropriate to species.

5.3. Handle and return undersized and unwanted fish to water humanely.

5.4. Despatch retained fish humanely and use methods to keep catch in optimum condition.

5.5. Handle and store live catch humanely and maintain in appropriate environmental conditions.

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures

interpret unfamiliar and potentially complex regulatory information within plain English guides

Writing skills to:

record basic factual data about fish sightings and locations.

Numeracy skills to:

measure length and weights of fish.