deano336

This morning to my shock I noticed that I had two fishing rods stolen from the side of my house I feel partly to blame, because I usually have them out the back and not up the side (which is viewable from my front lawn) But it got me thinking, more that the few hundred $ it will cost me to replace them , I actually feel saddened of my loss. Those two rods had become a part of my life and one of them was jokingly named "Excalibur" due to previous proven sucesseses. It got me thinking about some of the times I had with those rods Those rods thankfully got me out of a dodgy relationship (destroyed a relationship because I used to go fishing too much). Then the break up (with further fishing). They had bought mates closer in the common pursuit of fish, and was always present for the ridiculous "boys fishing chats". Some of my proudest moment have been with rod in hand, as well as the most frustrating. Over the years of owning them I think I became a little attached to them. Not to mention the countless dinners of fresh fish I know this probably sounds a little ridiculous but I guess it just annoys me that some creep will probably never use them or flog them off to a mate. Does anyone else have some kind of connection with their gear? Seems like it because a "weapon of choice for me". I guess it gives me an excuse to go shopping for new gear????

Very nice looking feed there. Well done!

Hi Raiders, I called a friend to come fishing on Saturday. He was pretty reluctant due to the weather. Windy, cold and raining He told me he would reconsider at 2pm. Surprisingly to me, he agreed to come even though the weather had not improved. The spot that I fish is a little sand flat near Clifton Gardens. Its pretty small and difficult to explain but it seems to always hold flatties around the 35-45cm mark (with my best being 62cms). I really talked this spot up to my mate, and I think he thought I was blowing steam. He will say he wasnt skeptical, but I knew he was. I really love the SPs for flatties and find that this spot is a great spot to have a bit of a hunt for them. Especially when all you catch is what your targeting. As we fished the weather got worse and worse, so we only got an hour in. However we caught 3 decent flatties two were 37cms and one was 39cms. I really love this spot, because I have found it reliable in the past, and I find that the setup I have used have been pretty successful. I usually got for a 1/4 or 1/8 sized jigb with an unscented grub style plastic (high movement in the tails). Generally greens and reds work best. I found greater success with a moderate to fast retrieve keeping the jig pretty low to the sand. I dont know what it is, but there is such a great satisfcation catching fish on plastics. My mate was lucky, and took these three home for the family. He did catch 2 of them afterall (Being outfished in my own spot ) Its always good when you recommend a place to someone and it turns out well. Nothing worse that looking like a idiot with the "they are usually here" talk. Not bad for an hour I guess.

Hi Everyone, I have been going through the forums to find a topics that explains techniques for catching all different types of live/ fresh baits. I couldnt really find one that looks at techniques/ rigs/ places to find good live baits. I had dabbled recently mainly with sp with great success (for flatties, bream etc), but am wanting to chase some of the more prestigious Sydney species (jewies and kingies). I am interested in techniques that would help me to be more successful in catching these kinds of baits. So far, I have caught the VERY odd squid, probably only 2 or 3. I know that members on the forums really rate the yo-zuri jigs. I would like to know the best kinds of techniques and retrievals, or even just spark up some kind of discussion about techniques that have provided success to people in the past. Any other bait captures would also be handy (Yakkas???) My (very limited) contribution: Squid - I agree that every squid has been caught at night time on bright yo-zuri jigs (put a small piece of squid on the barbs for scent). I have only caught them visually i.e. I have seen the squid near the wharf and hovered the jig around them. Good places where I see them is Spit Bridge, Clifton gardens and anywhere where light hits the water at night.

Probably the best post I have read on here. This is like a dream of mine when I catch a decent kingy. Could you possibly ask for more, with a fishing educated audience from the charter. Then you walked home parading to to the drivers recieving honks and cheers. Mate well done.

Well done big fella. You can only have a sip of beer though mate. You got my pb by quite a bit too. (and i dont think im the only one)

Nice shark. Good question, Im keen to hear what you guys did with it too.

In that case might reconsider. Not worth the risk at this stage. Plenty of good safe places to go.

Cheers dicko. Ill send him a line. Cheers. Ray R knows his stuff.

Im planning on taking a few mates up to Avoca for a spin. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice to make the day a little more successful. I notice a lot of raiders hit these waters frequently. I was thinking of squidding the night before to catch some fresh squid to take there? Thanks in advance for anyone wanting to contribute

Great flatty. Nice and fat too

NICE. Awesome looking fish you got there congrats

Liking the format of this report. Nice and clear. Great Whiting . Nice looking fish.

There is a fool proof way of avioding LJs..... Tools: 1. Rod + Reel 2. Bait or Plastics 3. Car 4. Map Take number 1 and 2 in conjunction with 3 and 4 and find a nice freshwater dam. Fish in there HAHA They are such a pain, no way to aviod the buggers

Nice Snapper

Goood mixed bag there.... Looks like a good day

Thanks. Of the three rods I activly use, im considering changing one of them to braided line. Im unsure whether to change my heavy or light rod....HAHA Cheers

This has probably been discussed before. Just wanting to know some opinions. I know is horses for courses situation, but just interested in what everyone thinks i.e versatility, ease of use ect....

Slow day fishing always beats a great day at work....I can tell you what I would rather have done on a nice day like today. Would have been a nice lazy day to sit around with no wind by the looks of it too.

Well done on the catch. It has been firing up there at Avoca, was there two weeks ago, and might head back. Seems like one of the rare places producing at the moment.

Thanks for the kind welcomes. That almost un-pronouncable number scares the hell out of me. The harbour is just plagued by them so badly, they have such sharp teeth and love to cut my hooks and swivels. Lets hope when the weather warms up, the variety come out.

Hi Raiders, Hope the fishing is going well. Im new to the forums. This is my first report, but I have had so much fun reading everyone elses reports. So here is mine to add. While everyone was enjoying work today, I was able to sneek off the the Spit at Mosman for a little bit of LB fishing. Knowing I have to work the rest of the week I wanted to make the most of my weekend. It looked like a good day for fishing, there was barely any current or wind and minimal boats. Very comforable by the water even though it was a little overcast. I had two rods going, an ultra light and a semi-surf rod with fresh southern calimari from the fish markets. Not much action for the first 20 mins, but then I was getting hits but couldnt hook. I changed hook size and once I had hooked what was down there I knew exactly what it was. The familiar Chinaman Leatherjacket . This explained why I had lost 2 or three hooks and a heap of squid. So anyway here is what I ended up with. Not very exciting, BUT I helped everyone out by taking them home. I think I'm becoming an expert at these leatherjackets but cant catch anything decent. (Well not for a while anyway). I caught 6 of the buggers and left with 5, one of them didnt look too good. The largest at 29.5cms Ranging from 23-29.5cms As they say a bad day fishing beats a good day at work. But I still think there is no such thing as a bad day fishing Lets hope my next report has some nice exciting fish.

Good call. There is definitly no such thing. At least I think so. Wharf two gets good reviews as does most of middle harbour. Clifton gardens also should get a mention. But I would definitly not guarantee fish.....

Exellent Carp there! They are great fun to catch, and by shortening their numbers you help the rest of the ecosystems.....