Ken A

There was a post here a while back asking what else people are interested in besides fishing. I was wondering what non-fishing web sites people visit regularly. I still follow the progress of the Mars Rovers at the Nasa Site here's a link Mars Rovers I also check out daily astronomy pics at this site Astronomy Pic of the day

Just a reminder guys that its a fishing site NOT a spearfishing site. I gave the OK for the pic but that's it. If you want to chat spearfishing do it elsewhere thanks. There will be NO promotion of spearfishing here.

After months of meetings with stakeholders, many hours of discussion and ongoing negotiations, a draft zoning plan for the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park is now available and will be open to public comment for the next three months. The plan, which was officially launched today, will now be available for public comment until 21 August 2006. Over the next three months copies of the plan can be obtained and viewed at the MPA website, the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park office, Taylors Beach, the Department of Primary Industries and National Parks offices, public libraries, selected fishing tackle outlets and local council offices. There will also be several public information sessions. The Marine Park Authority’s draft zoning plan has been developed in close consultation with the 21 member advisory committee, which consists of representatives from the local community, local councils, commercial and recreational fishers, Indigenous interest groups, conservationists, scuba divers and other community groups. After much consultation and debate, the MPA has come up with a good balance between competing interests. Each of the 21 members of the advisory committee dedicated many hours of their time to this process. Their contribution has been invaluable. The declaration of this multi-use marine park is based on scientific information on the marine life found in the Manning Shelf Marine Bioregion. The zoning plan represents a balance between preservation of our natural assets and human use. The intention is to protect a variety of marine ecosystems, habitats and species within one large marine park. The Park includes a stunning natural coastline, important oceanic islands and major estuarine wetlands, including Myall Lakes. We know from our experience with the Solitary Islands Marine Park in the waters off Coffs Harbour that marine parks are good for recreational fishing and good for conservation. In just four years we are now seeing larger fish, a stronger tourism industry and more jobs in coastal communities. Further information and full list of locations can be fund at www.mpa.nsw.gov.au. Media officer: Kelly Stevens 02 8289 3949, 0438 247 571

The participation of anglers has greatly contributed to the success of a study on the migration patterns of fish along the Murray River system and they are being asked to keep up the good work. NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said angler reports of tagged fish and release of tagged fish since the start of fish tagging in the Murray River system in 2001 had proved very valuable. “Fish tagging is providing vital information on the movement patterns of native fish, which will help manage their populations. It will also provide important biological information on introduced species, which can be used to develop better methods for their control,” he said. Freshwater Fish Ecologist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries, Dr Lee Baumgartner said NSW DPI aquatic ecosystems scientists, together with their counterparts from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and the South Australian Research and Development Institute, have tagged fish along the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers with microchip tags similar to those used to tag pets. "Automated tracking stations that record the movement of fish through fishways are being progressively installed along the Murray River. "Unlike previous tagging studies that relied on recapturing the fish, the tracking stations automatically record the location of the fish as they swim through the fishway. "The fish have also been externally tagged with yellow tags that can be easily recognised by anglers. Contact details to report the recapture of tagged fish are printed on each tag,” he said. NSW anglers who catch a tagged fish in the region are asked to freecall 1800 185 027 to report the date of the catch, tag number, place of catch, length and species of fish. Alternatively, anglers can report their catch online at http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/science/Freshwater_Tagging During peak fishing periods, scientists have been receiving more than 100 tag returns in a week. Dr Baumgartner said that although receiving so many responses can slow down the processing of tag replies, anglers could rest assured that all reported captures would receive a response. “Anglers are being asked to keep up the good work and if they report their catch, they will be posted the details of the original tagging location and rewarded with a 75 millimetre ‘Oar-Gee’ plow lure, which is a Murray cod specialist,” he said. Since the tagging of fish began in 2001 more than 10,000 fish have been tagged and released into the main channel of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers. A further 500 fish have been tagged in the Shoalhaven catchment. “This large scale tagging of fish will be ongoing at numerous rivers within NSW for a number of years,” Dr Baumgartner said. Species to be tagged include native fish such as Murray cod, silver perch, golden perch, Australian bass, catfish, mullet and bony bream, and introduced fish such as carp, goldfish and redfin perch. Anglers who clean their catch may also find a microchip in the shoulder of these species. Each microchip contains a unique number and fish can be identified if anglers are able to return the tag. Automatic tracking stations have been installed at Euston Weir, funded by the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust, and at locks seven, eight and nine, near Wentworth, funded by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. The installation of automatic tracking stations will continue until they are installed at all weirs along the Murray River, and also at some sites within the Murrumbidgee and Shoalhaven Rivers. Dr Baumgartner said initial results showed that some fish have moved more than 500 kilometres along the Murray River in as little as three months and as far as 1700 kilometres during a two-year period. “Fish are also moving between different river systems, and have even ventured up the Darling River,” he said. Photos are available. Contact: Media officer: Sarah Chester 02 6036 2110, 0417 207 669

Oversized stripping guides for Alveys are a thing of the past & as far as not throwing as far as an eggbeater & being hard to use I could not disagree more. We'll have to agree to diagree on this one.

For best casting results you need a rod with the guides set up for a sidecast reel. Most models have anti reverse & a drag system & can be fished in a rod holder if that's what you want to do.

The model I got is not the fast retreive. No need for that when bait fishing. I can't see the point in a high speed retreive side cast myself , if I want a fast retreive for using lures I'll use an overhead I wasn't happy when I found I could not get a lightweight model with the handles on the spool.

There are hopeful signs that the dietary advice on some pelagic species of fish in some parts of Sydney Harbour could be changed with dioxin tests on some species continuing to return relatively low results. With almost 20% of tests on species of fish completed, dioxin levels appear to be well below the elevated levels found in bream and prawns, although the figures in other bottom feeders like mullet and squid continue to be high. Early batches of preliminary test samples indicate that species of fish like Yellowtail, Kingfish and Trumpeter Whiting have much lower levels of dioxin. Of 70 fish samples taken so far, 11 had dioxin levels higher than those recommended by the expert panel. Early results from tests on a range of species in Port Jackson, east of the Bridge, including Sand Whiting, Kingfish, Luderick and Flounder have levels below the 6 picograms per gram recommended by experts. All Yellowtail tested at Balmoral, Roseville Bridge and Manly were below 3 picograms (a picogram equals a trillionth of a gram). All Trumpeter Whiting were below 4pg/g, at Bantry Bay all Trumpeter Whiting samples were below 0.69 pg/g. All Sand Whiting tested at Rose Bay and Chowder Bay were below 3.79 pg/g while Trevally tested at Quarantine Bay were below 2.52 pg/g. The dioxin problem in the Harbour comes from sediment in areas like Homebush Bay, a legacy of 100 years of industrial pollution by companies like Union Carbide. As a result, the dioxin levels remain high in travelling 'bottom feeders' like bream, prawns, mullet and squid. For comparison with the most recent tests, bream caught at Balmoral in the December round before the Harbour was closed averaged 14.7 pg/g, bream caught at Clifton Gardens averaged 25.5 pg/g. Bream caught further west, at Homebush Bay (which has been closed to commercial fishing since 1989) had an average reading of 95.6. These readings are well above the panel recommendation of 6 pg/g – and that’s why the harbour was closed to commercial fishing in January. The tests are not complete – and some of the pelagic fish caught have higher levels, for example two Yellowtail samples from Rushcutters Bay had readings of 9.8 and 9.5. The results for bottom feeders like squid and mullet continue to be high – not surprisingly mullet from areas west of the Bridge like Brays Bay and Homebush have readings of 192, 182 and 147. Fishing bans have been in place in problem areas in the upper Parramatta River for many years to protect the health of the general community. This is good news for recreational fishermen but it is the “bottom feeders” that make up the vast bulk of the commercial catch so it can make no difference to the ban on commercial fishing in the Harbour. The highest results are in bream, prawns, mullet and squid – bottom-feeders and the bulk of commercial catches. Commercial fishers had been offered a $5 million buyout package for their industry – which had an annual value totalling just $217 000 a year. Twenty-eight commercial fishers have accepted the Government’s offer – discussions are continuing with others. The Government has been more than fair with its package – and if, in future the Harbour is re-opened to commercial fishing these fishermen will get the first option. The dietary advice provided to recreational fishers will be reviewed once the final results are in and DPI receives advice from the Food Authority’s Expert Panel charged with assessing the data. The State Government is currently conducting remediation works to clean up the former Union Carbide site at Homebush Bay. Sydney Harbour was closed to commercial prawn fishing on December 3 and commercial fishing on January 24 after expert tests revealed high levels of dioxin in bream and prawns. Areas of the Harbour west of the Bridge including Homebush Bay have been closed to commercial fishing for more than a decade. Almost seventy signs have been placed around the Harbour warning recreational fishers of the current dietary advice.

I'll do the standard reply if you like. Read the site rules & abide by them & you won't have any problems. The rules are enforced here. Is that a standard enough reply for you? err which trend is that?The rules are here Site Rules

Yes mate you can disengage the anti reverse which as you know is very handy. Another suprise to me was the drag is pretty good straight out of the box.

I'm a died in the wool Alvey man for rock & beach bait fishing. If you use a suitable size swivel for your line & change it each session line twist is not a problem. I just purchased a 6500BCV (lightweight) for beach fishing & I'm very happy with it

Big reds are very spooky when surface feeding on cuttlies. Staying as far away as possible & getting a good long cast in helps as does letting the bait go well down before retreiving it. It's really impoortant not to let the boat drift close to them also as the boat shadow sends them packing quick smart.

I prefer to use a petrol free liquid whipper snipper called Roundup

Casting an unweighted bait at a dead floating cuttlefish & letting it sink well down under it can produce some great Snapper. Well worth the effort to do it Just remember to get downwind of the dead cuttley & cast into the wind. You don't want to drift in on top of it. Use a big bait of cuttlefish with HEAPS of hook exposed. The easiest way of finding them is look for birds picking them. Taken some great snapper using this method & trust me a 5 kg red hooked on the surface power dives big time. It's great sport.

Who am I to argue with a comment like that like. I would suggest looking at a tide chart & changing the periods you are fishing. Or maybe asking the "experts"

The Modern Fishing Catch of the Month for May is this Jewfish taken by Owzat Jnr

I enjoy a feed of fish myself. I really enjoy Coral Trout , Red Emporer & Jacks. I love eating Dollies over 10kg & I'm very partial to big Whiting & Sea Garfish. I don't like eating fish that has been frozen so I keep enough for a feed & that's it.

The annual four-month Murray crayfish open season begins on Monday May 1 and fishers should ensure they know the rules for catching this prized native species. NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director Paul O’Connor of Compliance Operations said regular patrols would be conducted to check that fishers were following the rules, which aim to ensure Murray crayfish are harvested sustainably. “The species is found mainly in the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Edward Rivers and needs to be protected from over-fishing because of its slow growth rate,” Mr O’Connor said. He said fishers should remember that they need a NSW Fishing Licence to fish in the Murray and all other NSW waters. “Our officers in southern NSW will again be out in force during the Murray crayfish season to ensure the rules are being followed,” Mr O’Connor said. “People are generally taking note of the rules and we are pleased with their cooperative approach and consideration for a highly valued native species. “Last year, a NSW DPI Murray crayfish operation saw 610 fishers checked in south west NSW with 62 fishers detected for not complying with the legislation.” Some key rules include: * A daily bag limit of five applies to Murray crayfish with a total of 10 in possession. They must have a carapace (head) length of at least nine centimetres long, but only one crayfish greater than 12 centimetres may be kept. * Murray crayfish can only be taken during the months of May, June, July and August. * A ban applies to taking Murray crayfish in trout waters. * Any female crayfish taken that are carrying eggs must be returned to the water immediately. Removing claws, head or tail in, on or adjacent to water, is also banned. * Five hoop nets per person are permitted with the user’s name and address on the float except in waters closed to the use of hoop nets. Mr O’Connor also advised anglers that Blowering Dam near Tumut would be open to fishing for Murray crayfish this season after several years of low water levels. “The dam level is much higher this year and Blowering Dam will be open to Murray cray fishing but it will be closely monitored by fisheries officers,” he said. Murray crayfish measuring devices and brochures, which also provide details of areas closed to Murray cray fishing, are available free from NSW DPI Fisheries offices. MEDIA CONTACT: SARAH CHESTER on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.

Myself if Juno was crowded I would look due south at a certain shoreline

Fish stocks in the north will get a boost with the release today of thousands of fingerlings by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Approximately 6500 mulloway will be released into the Tweed River today (Wednesday 26 April 2006). Another 20 000 are due for release in the river in three months. A similar number of fingerlings will also be stocked into the Richmond River at the same time. This major stocking project is being run by DPI and the University of New South Wales. The project will evaluate the impact of releasing mulloway in estuaries, including their effect on food sources such as other fish and prawns. The fingerlings, which have been bred at the NSW Government hatchery at Port Stephens, are approximately 100 mm in length. NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), recreational fishing manager, John Diplock, said mulloway are a highly prized sport fish. 'This is great news for anglers who can look forward to catching these fish in a couple of years when they reach the minimum legal size of 45cm,' Mr Diplock said. The stocking is part of an ongoing commitment by the Recreational Fishing Trusts to improve fishing in NSW. In total the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust has allocated $395 000 towards this stocking research over a three year period. 'All funds raised from the recreational fishing licence are placed into saltwater and Freshwater Recreational Fishing Trusts and can only be spent on projects to improve recreational fishing,' Mr Diplock said. 'The recreational fishing havens in the Tweed and the Richmond rivers are already providing quality recreational fishing opportunities and this stocking will boost fishing even more. 'The State Government is strongly supportive of these innovative research projects, which support a healthy recreational fishing industry in NSW. 'If the program is successful, we will consider expanding our fish stocking program. In the past, it has been largely limited to freshwater species.' The stocking program began in 2003.

The recent arrest of two men in Sydney highlights the fact that NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries officers not only target illegal divers on the coast but also illegal receivers in local towns and cities. On the evening of Friday 14 April, fisheries officers from the Fisheries Investigation Unit conducting an investigation into an illegal abalone receiver, raided a residential premises at Dundas in Sydney and intercepted a vehicle that had allegedly delivered illegally taken abalone to this premises. More than 93 kilograms of abalone (shucked meat weight) from 602 abalone, which included abalone taken from NSW and Victoria, two freezers, a set of scales, two prohibited size eastern rock lobsters, a Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD with hidden compartments and dive gear were seized. As a result of the raid a 42-year-old man from Dundas and a 35-year-old man from Coogee will face court charged with possessing more than the maximum quantity of fish and possessing fish illegally taken and possessing prohibited size fish. The maximum fine for each offence is $11 000 and/or three months imprisonment. NSW DPI Manager Special Operations (Fisheries) Tony Andrews said illicit abalone receivers paid large amounts of money for illegally taken abalone and fostered a demanding international black market. He said any information relating to illegal diving or fishing activities should immediately be reported to the nearest NSW DPI Fisheries office. Recreational divers are allowed to take and possess two abalone with a size limit of 11.5 centimetres. In relation to eastern rock lobster, recreational divers are allowed to take and possess two per person with a size limit of 10.4 centimetres. 'You must have paid a NSW recreational fishing fee to enable you to take abalone or eastern rock lobster,' Mr Andrews said. Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.

Depending on the water Wahoo & Spanish Mackerel are possible off Sydney & further south. Wahoo have been taken at Narooma. Back in 93 I got a Spaniard around 20 kilos at BB Wide on a Slimey Mackerel skip bait when I was after Marlin. Water temp was around 24 degrees. A very tasty bycatch that was Over the last 15 years Spotted Mackerel have been taken regularly up in Cowan Creek.

Kings & Trevally smoke really well & Salmon are great too as are Bonito

Get in touch with Mick R from our sponsors Australian Bass Angler . You'll get a great price with a members discount as well.

JASON GILLESPIE - 201 NOT OUT Runs: 201 not out. Time: 561 minutes. Balls faced: 425. Strike rate: 47.29. Scoring shots: 103. 0s: 322. 1s: 68. 2s: 6. 3s: 0. 4s: 26. 5s: 1. 6s: 2. HIGHEST SCORES BY NIGHTWATCHMAN 201 no Jason Gillespie (Aus) v Bangladesh, Chittagong 2006. 105 Tony Mann (Aus) v India, Perth 1977/78. 101 Nasim ul-Ghani (Pak) v Eng, Lord's 1962. HIGHEST AUSTRALIAN 4TH-WICKET PARTNERSHIPS 388 Bill Ponsford and Don Bradman v England, Leeds 1934. 336 Bill Lawry and Doug Walters v West Indies, Sydney 1968-69. 320 Jason Gillespie and Mike Hussey v Bangladesh, Chittagong 2006.