iMick

Thanks mate.

I reckon it'll work great on the Bass once the suns up and for trout it's an essential. I was towed around by a 35cm Bream the other day, so imagine how fast a 1m King could move you. Happy days! Mick

I'm in the market for a similar set up myself, I've found the reel I want a Shimano Saragosa 18000 loaded with PE5 , and now for the rod. Considering a Jigging Master but they're not cheap, need something that can be used for downrigging and jigging. I reckon for Sydney PE3 would be fine but I'm going PE5 to suit my Saragosa, lost too many big Kings on PE3 last summer, want to really put the handbrake on some hoodlums with 15-20kgs of drag. Mick

Anyone here use a downrigger on a kayak? Just installed a Scotty Laketroller on my yak. Can't wait to get out there with it, I'm finding it hard to sleep with all the excitement and anticipation ... I keep getting visuals of a 20kg Jew smashing a 7 inch paddletail shad in 40 foot of water Mick

Launching a yak off the beach looks like so much fun. I'm gonna give it a go when I get my shark shield. Mick

I'd have agree with ya Trapper it all happened in about 0.025 of a second, maybe that's why the bloke's looking where he's goin'... he didn't have a chance to turn his head in the 0.025 seconds. I really doubt anybody would anticipated being flattened by a whale. Mick

Video appears real, and well timed photo could be explained by the fact that the photo was taken by a whale watcher. The whale did breach a few times first before landing on the yacht, allowing the photographer time to brace themselves for the shot. I'm a believer. Video: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/07/video-surfaces-of-sailboat-struck-by-breaching-whale.html Mick

I'm like Mick, I can't justify spending too much on a rod, I've got 4 pflueger president series 7 footers from 1-3 up and they are great value from RRP $199, I've seen specials as low as $149. I've got a $500 Loomis that snapped and I'll never pay that much again for a light rod. Reel.... yes spend! Mick

True story Here is the video: http://aso.gov.au/titles/newsreels/australia-today-man-eater/clip2/ Mick

I've got the same TwinPower 2500 and I love it so much I bought a TwinPower 5000. Rock solid mate! Mick

Hi Stewy, Do you mean mount a Bow Mount Terrova on the Transom? 'cause if you do I reckon that would work well providing the 55lb pushes as well as it can pull. The foot pedal would be good to have but I don't think I'd use it, handy to have if the Co-Pilot broke down. Worth having Co-Pilot batteries on the boat too. Mick

Personally, I went with a "Tournament" style boat, (V nose punt) and yes they are very stable at rest. It also handles the chop very well, I find having some weight under the bow hatches and/or a person standing/sitting towards the bow while on the plane helps the V Nose cut the chop really well. I've owned a deeper V tinnie and yes they can get rocky. With a V nose punt, if the chop picks up and it starts to slap a bit, ease up. If your transom and budget allows, go a 40hp on a 4m, she'll fly. Just my thoughts Mick

You may have to cut the bow rail. Mine is a Bow Mount 12v 55lb thrust Minn Kota Terrova, includes Co-pilot (remote control that can go on you wrist) and auto-pilot. Great unit that I'd recommend. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't all the transom mount Minn Kota's tiller steer? Mick

They are true monsters, you'd be mad to ski in the Georges. Anyone know of official statistics of attacks in the NSW rivers?

For me it's Lanox for the boat, and some German made oil spray for the reels, can't remember the name of it. I used Inox for years until I've found Lanox, I think the Lanolin in it is greasy and bonds better with metal.

The hardest thing is trying to justify to the having a boat and a yak..... took some work but I got there. Good luck with it.

I think you're on to something Mick Can't stand skiers, especially when you're trying have a quiet flick and some knucklehead hoons past ya. Give me the word and I'll start rigging the 15/0 snells.

Wow, that would have been interesting to see.

A client of mine that trains horses at Warwick Farm told me of a story that one hit a horse in Chippo back in the days when they used to train the horses in the river. Another story I heard was that a Bull took a dog near Kelso. I've seen from docos that they have been found well upstream well into fresh water, so anything is possible. Anyone ever caught one or heard of one being caught in Chippo or the Georges? Anyone have any true stories of events concerning Bulls in Chippos or the Georges? Mick

Mate... I love my Stessco and would never part will it . The Hobie just fills that void. I care for my boat so much that it's gets a solid clean each and every time it gets used which can be time consuming, therefore I only like taking it out when I have a full day free (once or twice a fortnight). The Hobie will come with me to work and if I finish early or just feel the need, i'll be on the water in a flash. I'm getting married at the end of the year and need to get fit, hopefully the Hobie will get me moving. Mate, you not having one is a crime, do what I did and play the fitness card Worked a treat but something tells me I owe my a DSLR camera, I'd agree to anything to get me over the line. Mick

Hi Roberta, Thank you so much for all the tips. I work 5 minutes for Chipping Norton, so the Georges River is just a round the corner. Most of the time I'll be fishing the river but when the confidence is up probably places like the Colours, just outside of Sydney. I'm really keen to do stuff like full day long distance trips, eg Chipping Norton to Botany Bay, I know the Outback is not fast, but who's in a hurry when you're tight against a snag. My thinking is that if I work the tide to my advantage, it will be an easy run there and back. I will defiantly sing out if I'm up your way it would be nice to check out Wallis. I'll PM you if I have and questions. Thanks again.

Unreal Andrew, I pick up my Outback Friday and I'm very interested in the brand of your shark shield (considering you've personally tested it, and it works). We might bump into each other on the Georges one day. Mick

My Outback is going to live on my car and come to work with me, really looking forward to the fitness side of it, do you get much of a workout?

With mine I always have my AutoPilot on. As stated above, the internal compass helps to hold straight lines, compensating for the wind or current pushing you off track. Less time concentrating on steering and more time on the flick, experiment with having you petrol motor trimmed up or down in the water. Obviously less drag up but I find it holds a better line with less correction needed by the autopilot when the petrol motor is trimmed down. Just my thoughts Mick

I'm absolutely over the moon... I finally got the go ahead from the to buy a Hobie Mirage Outback in Moss fitted with Lowrance 67C Sounder and including the high back life jacket and trolley. I prefer stability over speed so the Outback seems perfect. Can't wait to be towed around by a King. The Pro Angler looks good but I struggled getting the money together for the Outback, plus the weight of the PA worried me getting on to my car, then I discovered Rack and Roll. Friday can't come quick enough. Who here has one? Any tips for a first time Hobie owner? Mick