Lures are definitely cheaper and they love their sp's. Fish outa water I think it's called on Georges st in Sydney was pretty good. Only brought back an Alvey, and a load of lures. I bought a floppy cheap beachcaster and FS, line and tackle etc. for about 120 bucks from Target in Bondi Junction. Ended up snapping it trying to stop a big fish that spooled me on 30lb line.

I used to fish at night off Coogee beach in sydney where I was staying with whole or half pilchards/slimey mackerel for sharks, australian salmon etc and a spinning rod off the riocks for all sorts of odd things. You'll probably get better advice, but it's a start
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