rickster

Now that we are starting to get some good numbers, it could be an idea if those that may be going alone, or others who want to form small groups, advertise as it's more fun sharing knowledge etc. I know stewy and donna have a foursome organised as have we, including a "dark horse" from the northern beaches. Getting a bit worried about stewy so been scouring far and wide for a winning team(stuff the salary cap). I'll be collecting weed on the saturday so may be able to pass some on if others are struggling to find any. All about sharing. Rick

Well done, is there anything that makes you more fuzzy inside that helping a newbie, that probably already knew that he wasn't going to get anything decent, get himself a couple of nice fish. Bet you couldn't wait to tell the missus. Rick

I seriously don't care who gets the most fish etc. as long as we get good weather and have some laughs. I'm even happy to let you in on a couple of sneaky spots that I've never seen anybody else ever fish and probably don't know exist. Just simply ask and I'll make sure that there explained at the reading of my WILL.

Good to see some size getting back in the river. You would have been fishing the runout so can I assume that it's a certain spot that misses the run that comes around the corner? Rick

Not even slightly concerned about who gets the most fish. Were probably only having some good days because these are spots we've fished a fair bit and know them so well. Just wanna have a fun day, lots of laughs and a chance to meet other raiders. I think the hardest part will be getting the weed but happy to share some if I can find enough. Rick

That's probably what should happen every time but I've still had to net floats out of the harbour. On that, that's why I was so suprised the time Cremorne Wharf sank. I reckon it had enough floats underneath it to stay afloat forever and that's just with Royces, his dads and mine!

Hi Craig, The rig is fairly simple but also fairly important. First you obviously use a running float. Under the float I have my first swivel but NO lead. Then a bit more of your main line of approx.350mm with a sufficient barrel sinker running down to a second swivel. This help as you flick out as the weight of the barrel sinker goes out first and causes less tangles. Then a leader of about 2kg, flourocarbon is a must. We use green weed from the rocks as hard to find in normal places at the moment, but also did get a couple on saturday on the cabbage. Hope this helps, Rick

Sorry, Mort Bay is in Balmain which would be fairly central for the places we'd be fishing. Fairly sure it's down the end of Church Street, very large park area right on the water with swings and things for the kids. Rick

After managing to get some weed Saturday morning off the rocks, my mate Steve and I decided to hit the harbour around Pyrmont for a fish in the arvo. Steve got there a bit earlier than I did, he'd had a few downs but only 1 in the bag. I joined him around 12.30pm and after pumping the burley into, the action soon started. Over the next few hours the fishing was constant. I reckon that the longest we went without getting downs was about 15-20 minutes. We packed up and left them still biting around 4.00pm. By this time we had two swimmers fairly full of good solid blackies. Ended up with 25 in total plus a few dropped pretending to be Popeyes and trying to lift them rather than netting. Steve beat me again nothing unusual there, but there's always the luderick challenge. Wait, I just remembered. Apparently some unknown person has sent Steves wife an invitation to a bogus wedding, to which she accepted almost immediately. Who would do such a thing????? Your guess is as good as mine. By my reckoning, by the time he realises that he's been had, we'll all be swapping yarns about our exploits. Headed back to the same spot on Sunday and arranged for marley (Gav) and his dad Dan to join us. Nowhere nearly as thick as they were the day before but between about 6 of us we still managed over 20 fish plus had a lot of laughs. A bit disappointed in the weather though because it actually stopped drizzling for about 10 minutes . Enclosed photo of Saturdays catch. Cheers Rick

We have had a slight change for our blackfish get together for Sydney Harbour. It will now definetely be Sunday the 6th June. This will be more a get together of raiders than a competition so all are encouraged to come along. As most are fishing west of the bridge, we should limit it to these areas so we can all catch up for a chat afterwards. As suggested earlier, and I'm open to others suggestions, let's look at a "rods down" at 1.00pm and organise our get together for around 1.30pm. Mort Bay on the wharf side would be an ideal spot as there's plenty of parking and only a short walk to the waters edge. Im more than happy to grab some lite beer to refresh out throats. My other suggestion is that as we don't all take all the fish home and I hate to see fish die just because we need to take them to a weigh-in etc. can we just take a photo (maybe put the front page from one of the sundays paper in the pic as sometimes I can't be trusted ) then post it on the site. Please offer your suggestions and let's start getting a list together of starters so we can maybe organise small groups etc. Cheers, Rick ATTENDEES swordfisherman mrsswordfisherman GregL + Daiwa friend rickster smitty luderick59 VietGod stillrockn DGF scrubby Reggie the Rabbit Woodchop Vladimir Marley +Dad Jenno64 Slayer666 Pafisho08 matua bucko48

No 20 did take a little while but i got no 21 before you hopped in your car. Have to see if we can get definete numbers and commitment for sunday the 30th Rick

Hit the harbour westside again on sunday. Through the site organised to pick up "the phantom"-Aaron DGF and to be joined by "Netboy" Daniel once he gets out of be. Aaron and I started at a spot at Abbotsford, very confident of getting a few here but alas left after about 1 1/2 hours with hardle a bite. Plan B- headed over to Hunters Hill to a previously relatively unknown spot to join about 8 others already there. Got onto a few but tide started running a little and we were a bit cramped for room. Left there with 9 solid fish. Plan C- one last spot before we called it a day. Pyrmont to a spot that nobody really knows about. Gave it a good hour or so for only two fish from two downs. Seemed as good a time to start packing up, Got the fish out for a couple of quick pics, had 11 at this stage. Ready to take photos when bang, I found another unlucky fish. Snapped pics and Daniel puts away the rod to start cleaning a few. Aaron and I thought this a great opportunity while Daniels busy, so we pumped in a good bit of burley and on they came. In the next we got downs after downs, managing to land another 9 fish before leaving them biting. You can't always explain while bugga all and then they decide to come on. (At least I can't) Ended the day with 21 quality fish, biggest at 40cm and a lot around the 35-38cm mark. Long enjoyable day, had lots of laughs at each other expense the way it should be. Picture of the dozen we caught before putting the cameras away below.

Hi Steze, Thank you for taking my comments the way they were intended and as not picking on a certain culture. I think it's a great idea about the licences, even if they just provide a booklet to everyone explaining the possible dangers of rock fishing. My only concern is - do we all have a fishing licence. I've never been asked to show my licence yet and fish basically every weekend. Rick

You're a funny so and so Daniel. OK I admit that once while walking thru woolies, I couldn't stop looking at the parsley and thinking, I wonder if......................? Then I thought how silly an idea and how ridiculous would I look putting bloody parsley on my hook. Nobody's that stupid. Bought some parsley and left woolies. Anyway found a secluded spot, disguised myself accordingly just in case and put plan A into action. Had been getting a fair few fish here and no better place to try. If this works I'll be telling everyone(eventually). Spot was only about 6-8ft deep but couldn't see that being a problem. Did I also mention that I like to use a fairly long leader? Anyway, baited up, threw in, bit of burley, standing in the strike position, rod in one hand, landing net in the other. It was then that I noticed something green about 3-4ft below the surface right beside my float. Again did I mention that I like to use a fairly long leader. This was the day I discovered that parsley floats!!! Will definetely try it again (alone) in a deeper spot with a shorter leader and IF it does work, you'll all be the last to know.

Firstly, my condolences to the family and friends. It is indeed tragic, especially with a baby along the way. Sometimes life is just so unfair. It's extremely sad that one weekends disaster is followed two weeks later by another. We all need to help in any way we can to prevent further loss of live and trauma to families associated. I know that we are again going to inundated with "ban rock fishing" and "compulsory life vests" etc. but I think it's worth having a read of todays telegraph and looking at some of the facts involved. Those of us that are regular rock fisherman know that these sorts of tragedies are just waiting to happen. Consider the following: This poor chap had just recently taken to rock fishing. He decided to fish at Bondi Murk: * Only second time he had been there * Went alone * Mid morning high tide * 2-3 metre swell Let me point out emphatically that I am not racist in any shape or form. I work in a very multicultural environment and all get on exceptionally well. Of the recent deaths of rock fisherman this year, the telegraph tells us that over 90% are Asian. Surely this is telling us that we need better education in the warnings of the possible perils of this sport. You would hope that most comprehend and we stop losing unnecessary lives. It's about time we become proactive and push more towards "prevention" rather than "protection". All it takes is a bit more commonsense. Rick

Thinking back what spinach did to Popeye, you'd never be able to pull the buggers in!!!!!

I'm more worried that people who probably shouldn't be fishing off the rocks (sorry if that sounds a bit harsh) would feel over confident just because they're wearing a life jacket and take risks they shouldn't. I still compare it to driving a car and saying "I reckon I'm OK to drive faster because I've got airbags and wearing a seatbelt" Think about it. Rick

Seems like a lot of us have been fishing the rocks for 35 years. I've never worn a life jacket/vest, not because i'm arrogant but because i won't fish if it looks a bit hairy. I never like to fish any spot thats side-on to the swell either as you can get blindsided. I agree there's no such thing as a freak wave, maybe just a larger set. Those of us that are experienced off the rocks can relate to the fact that you can actually hear a bigger wave. Sounds stupid but I'm certain others will agree. certainly is a tragedy to lose lives, we only hope it serves as a warning and saves some in the future. Rick

In summer we see it every weekend. Inexperienced fishos with no idea that not every wave nor every day is the same. They see experienced people catching fish one day on a lower ledge and can't understand why no-one is fishing that same spot the next day or next week. Still they give it a go. It's NOT a dangerous sport for those that know what there doing, we don't take chances, just dangerous for those that don't. Compare it to driving on wet roads or driving at night, if you drive safely and within your limits there should be no problem. It's the same off the rocks. Simple rule: if you're not sure-you don't fish! Rick

Harry, the good thing about blackies is tide and conditions is much more important than time of day. As long as the water isn't too clear, you can expect to catch them all through the day. Rick Send you a PM very shortly.

Caught up with Vladimir during the week after contact through the "adopt" section. Vladimir is more into his game/deep sea fishing but was very interested in giving the dark side a go. Picked him up (after getting lost) early saturday and arrived at our spot in the harbour around 7.30am. Got fish straight away and within about 1/2 hour each had 2 fish in the bag. Ideal conditions but from then on it became one of the most frustrating sessions I've experienced. No it wasn't Vladimir, but over the next few hours we had thousands, well a bloody lot, of the best downs you could imagine. Most occassions ended up with no hookups and bait hardly touched. We did well to eventually bag eleven altogether, gave it away around 12.00 and Vladimir ended up with a nice feed and mothers day present for the missus. I forgot the camera but Vladimir took a couple with his phone so may post at a later date. As we were leaving we met up with a couple of fellow raiders, gave them some weed and tips of where to fish, hoping they were able to score a few. Quite a good day, good company and will be heading out together again in the near future. Being a sucker for punishment, back there again with my "nemisis' Steve on sunday. Beats me so often that I should be used to it by now - but I'm not. OK todays gonna be different. I'll show him a thing or two. By 11.00 Steve was "lucky" enough to have 6 nice fish in the bag. I wasn't too far behind him, keeping him honest and using all my expertise. At this stage he was marginally in front at six to nil. Started to get a move on around lunchtime, landing my first, then a couple more, but in the end same old same old. Steve ended up with eight, I got six. Different to yesterday, nowhere near as many downs but better quality fish. Just shows what a difference a day can make.

Starting to take good shape. By my count we already have a dozen or so and 30th May looks acceptable to all. We have: Scrubby Daniel - Woodchuck Greg L Stewy (hopefully if he hasn't chickened out ) DGF Smitty Peter - luderick 59 Big Muskellunge Littledinghy Stephen - Reggie Steve - R C 1 Rickster Possibly Marley and Dan Lets get a few more if possible. I can see the harbour blackfish population being blinded for a week with sand in their eyes. Cheers, Rick

We've got no problems at all if you take the boat. YOU JUST CAN'T FISH OUT OF IT!!!!!!

Great work. You're now officially our "designated bait collector" for our upcoming blackfish sledgeathon.

If you're unable to make it on the 23rd, then how about the following weekend, sunday the 30th. I know it said it's not too late to back out but flying all the way to Fiji!!!! That's taking it a bit far don't ya think.