iMick

Do you wanna swap houses? you'll be closer to more Fishraiders. Northern NSW is where I'd like to retire, it'll be a while 'cause I'm only 29 Nice Jack. Mick

Thanks mate. Get a Hobie sooner rather that later, they suit all the fishing you like to do from chasing Jewies and Flathead to Ep and Bass. There is very little to them, very reliable bit of kit. You'll never regret the decision to buy one. Get an Outback or Pro Angler. Thanks mate. The Georges and Nepean hold very nice Bass, I live between both rivers so both are fairly local to me. Mick

I got a message from my mate Che (Cheder) a couple of night ago that said "just quietly, these Bass don't stand a chance with my new arsenal". With the prospect of an early finish at work due to Melbourne Cup day, we were left with 2 options, either watch the race with a beer, or chase Bass. I don't think it takes too much common sense to work out which option we took. River was defiantly slower than a few days before but we got about 10 on spinnerbaits and a couple on the surface to about 35cm.

Thanks again guys. Bass around that 40cm size are insane on 4lb bream gear. I thought that big one done me over three times before she was landed... but she was just sitting low sulking. Nothing finesse about our style of bass fishing... wind wind wind wind BANG ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Mick

Nice work fellas, some very fat fish. Mick

Getting there is half the fun. Mick

It was fun, very muggy day though..., tonight will be great on the surface. thanks... I didn't bring enough water too. I forgot to add, the Stinger on my spinnerbait accounted for at least 5 fish... Must do I reckon. Love BIG bass on light tackle. Mick

Had a great day on the yaks today with Che (Cheder), hit the river just after lunch, the target species was Aussie Bass. I thought with all the cloud cover I'd have more luck on the surface but it wasn't to be. So down went the Betts spinners and Spinnerbaits. Medium to Fast roll down deep done the trick, I even fished a 1/2oz Spinnerbait in 12 foot of water burnt fast down low, very effective combination. Must have caught 20 or more fish between us to about 39cms, stopped taking photos. Had to turn our backs on the bite as we both had family commitments. All fish caught on 4lb gear. Sorry crappy photos due to phone cam. Mick

Just reading the fisheries website, and was surprised to see that Mangrove Jack have been caught in southern NSW, see extract from fisheries website: Distribution - Mangrove jack inhabit coastal waters and rivers from Shark Bay in Western Australia through Torres Straight and Queensland, south to Lake Illawarra in NSW. They are occasionally found in more southern estuaries of NSW. Anyone ever caught one near Sydney? I've been smoked in tight against structure in Chippo Lakes but that was probably a really big Bass. Mick

Most of the waterways, fisheries or water police officers are just doing there job, and are fair and reasonable people. Except for these two clowns from Fisheries that decided to storm up to me while I was downrigging between the moored boats and in the process nearly snapped one of my rods, they were very embarrassed by their incompetence, and apologised. The Waterways officer that come up to me in the Hawkesbury warning me that the bridge to bridge race was going to start was really polite, and wasn't forceful but genuinely was concerned for my safety, and told me it's best to steer clear of the main channel. Spend enough time on the water and you'll meet polite and rude officers. I just wish they would stop looking to fine people for not carrying their fishing licence (what a joke), and get out there and focus on educating the novice fisher-people on bag and size limits. Lets face it what serious fisho is interested in keeping undersize fish, yet fisheries waste their time pulling up a 5.5m bass boat just to flex their muscles. Regarding your situation Kurt, mate I'm just not sure of the level of discretion the officers can use with regards to moving you on. I personally like knowing where I legally stand, and it does get annoying if the officers appears to be just giving you a hard time, and making it up as they go along... but if you were in a transit zone... you were fair game. Mick

I wouldn't mind a soaking a slab of that for a big jew. Mick

Nice trip mate. I too just got back from Vegas, and had no chance of being allowed to fish (Honeymoon).... I did go to Bass Pro, and got some new toys. How I wish i went to Lake Mead.

My apologies for burning you with a jewie pic while you were at work... you didn't have to burn me back with two pics.... do you know how hard it is to concentrate at work knowing your mates are onto a school of jew? sorry that's right you do Big boy coming soon. Mick

Unreal mate, good times

Good fun as always Nick, we tried very hard for that little jewie, and you come good in the end, there are some cracker fish in the system. Can't wait to get there again! Surprise hariry too. I'm gonna claim a raider record Mick

Hey mate, those schools of fish were probably Hairys, we found a big school today, and I got one on a lure. A couple of other guys did too. Mick

Bream: SP: 2" Powerbait Grub. HB: Chubby, SX40 and Ghostblades Flathead: SP: Powerbait 3" Bass Minnow or 3" Powerbait Grub. HB: Anything that dives near the bottom. Jews: 2" Powerbait Grub (small but they love 'em), 5" & 7" Jerkshad worked fast off the bottom. HB: Have caught on SX40 look-a-like StrikePro Pigmy Bream by-catch. I hear blades and other Vibes work too. Yellowbelly: Cast TN50-TN70 and Maskvibes, and Small AC invaders and Oargee Plows on the troll. Cod: Cast TN70 or Dozzers, and troll any large deep diver with a wide wobble eg. AC invaders and Oargee Plows Bass: Surface: Sammys or Jitterbug. Vibes: Blades, TN50-TN60, Maskvibes. HB and SP: They'll hit anything if they're there. My lures of choice. Mick

Thanks you

Thanks mate. You just never know when it's gonna happen. Get as much fishing in now mate.... don't say I didn't warn ya Thanks Nathan, that was a very special moment, I'll never forget the mixed emotions: fear/happy/fatigue/worried that now I'll never be able to afford a Stella/pride/achievement/responsibility. Happy days, I've now gotta work out how I'm gonna sneak off fishing. Mick

Thanks guys. Nick, your turn will come soon enough, until then there is plenty of fishing to be done

Good on ya mate for having a good time. My family gave me heaps for loving house and techno growing up. These days I'd take fishing or being stabbed with a blunt spoon over partying all night long. Enjoy it while it still is fun. Mick

Thanks everyone. Mick

Fantastic mate, I've got the same down rigger on my moss outback. Mick

Weighing in at 6lb 14oz, introducing my precious little daughter Amelia. It was the most intense, marathon like experience I've ever experienced. I never once feared for the safety of my baby or my , I just trusted the experienced and expert hospital staff, and everything work out well. We have it great here in Australia, world class medical facilities and expert doctors..... what a country! and baby are doing fine. I had arranged my squid jigs and screwed on my downrigger but something a little more important come up Mick

Wow, coincidentally I done that to the entry roller on my trailer about three days ago. The pin seized in, but got it out bashing it through the holes in two bricks, had to bash the metal frame work on the trailer first the get it off. Tried it the other day and seems ok, Mick