johnk

Guys many thanks - will do

Many thanks. seeing as though she has invseted significantly in the rods would like a qualtity reel also. Cheers

Hi, my wife recently purchased for my birthday two live fibre fishing rods a RLF32 - 7' 1 piece 2-4kg rod and a live fibre RLF12 6'6" 1 piece 4-6kg rod. Was wondering what would be the best reel to match with these two rods - usually prefer Shimano reels. Any help would be appreciated. Will be using on mates baot predomiantely on Pittwater. Many thanks.

Guys thanks for the advice and I am sure I will get the hang of it though you think by now I would have given I have been fishing for about 42 years but alas one aspect I cant get the handle of. To answer your question Mackerel no it wasn't me on the jetty on Wednesday. Cheers and thanks again.

Well done - I caught a 70cm off Balmoral yesterday and was pretty stoked - but yours is an absolute monster - well done.

Appreciate all the tips and feedback. Thought my flathead was big until I saw the post of a 92cm one re Botany Bay

Fished on the drift this morning at Balmoral with a mate - pretty slow - lot of small pickers. That is until I landed a 70cm flathead. Caught on 4lb lin using squid. Took a while to land but well worth it. Given has been a long while for a decent fish I kept this one - fish and chips tonight. The fish had its revenge though as I nearly cut my finger off taking off fillets. I can catch fish most days but for the lifeof me cant fillet. I am self taught, trial and error, with everything to do with fishing - reading, watching other people, videos etc. But cant get the hang of filleting. Does anyone know where one can go to learn how to do this - be grateful for help. Cheers.

Hi Mousse, great report. I have been fishing since I was 7, now 54, have have always used Alveys, rock and beach. I laned sharks and big Jewies with them from the brack, breakwalls and rocks. One thing I have learnt using them over the years is their durability if you look after them. I still have one of the reels I ourchased back in the early 80's and use it regularly - doesn't seem to wear- feels like new. Over theyears it has been drenched in saltwater, had sand and mud through it - but a good wash and it performs like it is out of the box. So mate keep with it and as you master it you will find it is a great reel and extemely well wearing and reliable. Cheers

Doesn't get any better than children with smiles on their faces - well done a day to remember for a lifetime. Also good to see they are wearing life jackets - water, fun, fish and safety hand in hand. Cheers.

Fished off Clontarf beach on Saturday with baech worms - on bite - one good size bream. Was out on the boat on Wednesday - zero

I have read this as well on fisheries site but how far west of the Sydney Harbour bridge does this begin to apply too? This statement implies that fish don't move east to west or west to east of the bridge - are they like people on the northern side of the bridge and wont travel over it?? I would have thought that this statement needs to be elbarated upon regarding how far west of the bridge do the toxins rise to a level that eating fish from that area could cause health issues. Would be interested in knowing the number of people over the past 10-20yrs that have suffered ill health as a direct result of eating fish west of the bridge. I am not for one moment doubting that eating fish from deep up in the Parramatta river increases considerably the possiblity of consuming fish that may have toxins present and could adversely affect our health but would like to have more information on various areas west of the bridge - eg is Ball's Head ok, Greenwich - what about further up -Drummoyne etc. We now have new residential developments along the foreshores further up the river systems and I think it would be prudent if various areas were tested so that people were more informed that just saying west of the harbour bridge. I dont know if I would be eating fish caught from Meadowbank Wharf as I would suspect that the toxin leves could be high - but we need fisheries to test fish from these areas and give us informed feedback. Cheers

Thanks for your great reply. I have fished for these beauties for over 40 years - started as a 13 year out on Stockton breakwall with a few mates. As the times went by it wasnothing to start around 3pm and catch the live bait and fish all through the night for zero - but when I caught my first I couldn't stop shaking. Over the years up in Newcastle landed a number of very solid fish up arounf 20kgs from the breakwall and some good sized fish from the beaches - but it takes a lot of patience and dedication. Since moving to Sydney about 10yrs ago haven't ben chasing them until recently. Have the bug again so will continue with the effort in the hope of landing my first Sydney based jew fish. But as you said 3 table fish isn't something to complain about as have been out on too many occassions to remember not to even get a bite. Cheers and good luck

It is the hope that along will come that rare beauty that makes your heart race - the thrill of th rod tip bending, the setting of the hooks and then the fight and that first glimpse of the silver fish - thats what keeps us dedicated and coming back for more. Cheers

Hi, decided to stroll down the road on Friday evening to fish the harbour, under the bridge on the north side. Armed with various fresh baits and some pilchards I was going to fish through until early hours of Saturday morning in the hope of catching some bream and possibly a jew fish or two. Upon arrival there were a number of people fishing with mixed results - nothing too notable but an encouraging sign. After setting up two rods - one with fresh squid and he other with fresh mullet strips I settled down and waited and waited and waited. Checked the baits and both were still intact except for a few small nibbles. The other fishos were starting to head home as the sun had set and the wind was getting up - but not me I was determined to stay until after high tide - around midnight. Time went by - still only pickers decided to change a bait to pilchard and see what happens. After another long wait and pickers taking the bait I finally had a reasonable bite on the pilchard - set the hooks and landed a flathead around 40+cms - . This brightened me up and the time kept ticking by. I checked with the other dedicated fishos - nothing either. The wind was up - the moon was up but no fish. It was nearly midnight and I get a another good strike and this time it was a good sized bream, well over legal limit - taken on the mullet. As the night wears on no more strikes just pickers. The remaining fishos are packing up and they ask me if I wanted the one and only small flathead they had caught - I accepted it and about an hour later I decide that it is time to head home as it was nearing 2am and I was geeting cold and no bites. Felt a bit disappointed given the effort I put in to securing fresh baits and the amount of time spent down there that night but hey could have been worst, at least I ended up with 3 fish for the table compared to others that were fishing. Would be interested in hearing how others fishing down there over the weekend ended up. Cheers.

I wrote about this very tpic numrous months back in reference to the area I live an fish - Milsons Point and in particular the mess left at Balls Head and around the Sydney Harbour bridge. It was a disgrace - also, on saturday morning I went for a walk around the harbour and under the harbour bridge a number of anglers had set up so many rods that it was nearly impossible to pass on the footpath. Compounding the issue was the mess with bait and rubbish impeding local ond visiting pedestrains. There is only one course of action that authorities wiill take - they will ban fishing in these areas unless we all speak up and inform these people that the consequences will be banning fishing . Cheers

Appreciate the information - as it was given to me will give it a go but my research shows so far that something like the Shimano LTD30 or 50 would be the best reel with a live fibre 15-24kg stick - pricey but maybe worth the investment Cheers

Thanks - will definitely be doing that. cheers

I have just been given by a mate of mine, who doesn't fish at all, his deceased father's Shimano Tekota 700 and Angler Rod "Assassin" 10-15kg LBG rod - the rod is 7'. I have never seen this brand of rod before and was wondering if this outfit would be suitable for LBG around Sydney and the Central Coast during the coming months for large fish - kings, tuna sharks etc. I have done plenty of LBG around Newcastle from the breakwalls and up at Port Stephens as well as Hat Head but have never come across this brand. It looks and feels very sturdy and the weight of both rod and reel seem to match but given the stiffness of the rod I doubt you would cast with it at all. Would appreciate peoples feed back as the rod and reel look in perfect condition but don't want to be on the stones with gear failure - been there done that. Many thanks

Hi fellow raiders, Went for a dytime fish on Wednesday this week with a mate of mine to the rock at Balls Head. I arrived about 10.30am to fish the incoming tide. Upon arrival at the rock I was greeted by an absolutely disgusting site. More rubbish than you can imagine. I proceeded to set up and fish and between catching a number of small bream and pinkies tried to clean up asome of the rubbish. Mate arrive about 11.30am and expressed the same concerns I had about the rubbish. However, on his first cast landed a 35cm bream - using bread. We both fished for a few more hours without too much luck - small pickers - had a good day but we were both astounded that people who use this area for fishing continually leave their rubbish, put a little downer on our outing. We both live in the area and seeing empty plastice bait bags, food containers, bottle broken, etc detracted from what should have been a very relaxing and enjoyable days fishing. Over the past months there have been a number of articles concerning fisherman leaving rubbish, hooks, sinkers and fishing line around the Kirribilli, Milsons Point and McMahons Point areas. Knowing what our beloved North Sydney Council is like, unless we all take steps to eradicate the rubbish and challenge people to take home and/or dispose of their rubbish responsibilly it won't be long before we will be banned from fishing theese areas. What I am seeking is for fellow raiders to ensure they take their rubbish with them and dispose of it responsibilly and if they see others not doing the right thing to ask them polietly to clean up after themselves. It onlys takes a few extra minutes. It was absolutely disgusting there on Wednsday and I was ashamed to be a fisherman as people went by and saw the rubbish. Cheers and good fishing

Appreciate your thoughts and warnings. I have been rock fishing for 38 years and in all that time I have never once ended in the drink as I have a healthy respect for the ocean. In reagrsd to directing more people to certain spots I can appreciate your concerns but being a newcomer to the Sydney region with very few fisho friends down here it makes it abit difficult to find spots. Cheers Appreciate your advice. Cheers

Hi fellow raiders, Went for a fish today at Malabar rocks - first time. Took a variety of bait, pilies, prawns, squid and a few beach worms but all I could manage was an eel and numerous snags. Lost plenty of gear for nill results. But thats the price you pay sometimes. As it was my first time down that way I didn't venture too far seaward on the rocks for a number of reasons - the first being I was by myslef. I know when rock fishing you should always be with someone but I was fishing back into the bay and being a surfer for nearly 40 yaers I have a very good awareness and respect for the sea so was in an area where the waves weren't breaking - safety always first. Also it was neraly flat today. My question is has anyone had much success fishing the sewage treatment works side into the bay - if so what are the best baits, times of the year or do I need to venture further out to the bays entrance. Also, what are the conditions usually like out there as today was water sking water. It looks like a great spot to fish but it wasn't my day. I am not after blackfish had my fill of those from my old stopming ground in Newcastle - after something bigger and need a change. What about the other side of the bay. I don't have many friends that fish so need places that aren't going to get you wet. Look forward to reading some views. cheers

I sympathise with you. Last year I went on two charters - both game fishing with a few friends - one out of Sydney and the other out of Port Stephens - both times was ripped off - more so on the second trip and both of these charters were supposed to have the best of reputations and extremely well known. I also have to say that I have been a numerous charters around Australia and overseas and they were all excellent. Whilst dissappointed with these two it has put me off. I did voice my concerns on both days with the skipper and said that I would expect a refund/reschedule or discount but was pretty much given the brush. I wrote the opeartors a detailed letter and informed them both that I was intending to take the matter further as I didn't get what I paid for. The threat of going to the Department of Fair Trading got their attention and I recevied a full refund. I don't have a problem paying but expect to receive what I apy for - that isn't unreasonable. I think sometimes they make poor judgement calls and for some reason don't feel that the fishos are entitled to a refund/reschedule or discount for their errors. Saddly, as in all professions there are the good bad and down right ugly. I just hope that next time it is far more enjoyable for you and your fishing buddies. best of luck

Friend of mine swears by fresh bread and ahs caught heaps of big bream. I use worms at the same locations and catch twice as many fish but a significant number of those are undersize and the worms do get attached by every picker in the ocean - including starfish. Basically, the two baits catch big bream but he doesn't contend with as many pickers. cheers

I live at Milsons Point and usually walk past there each morning with my lovely partner. There always seems to be a fair number fishing there in the morning but haven't seen many fish landed - though sometimes there are a few scales there of a reasonable size indicating that something must be caught. Maybe will see you one morning - good luck

Yes there is a specific spot and pretty easy to get to from the carpark - just walk along the track - down the first flight of stairs and keep walking - you can't miss it - great big rock, also has hole sdrilled for rod holders. It is about 6 feet above the high water mark so a NET or gaff is useful, just don't leave them at home like I did. The only problem is that is gets packed very early, if you want to fish - early mornings - weekends I don't bother. I think from now until after the hols it will be packed every day so I won't be there until the hols are over. I am lucky that I work for myself and from home so I can schedule my work. The good thing about this place is the parking is free, well for the time being. cheers