JET01

I went out in botany bay yesterday at around 1pm... went for a troll up and down the runway and then around past the cans, sticks, then over to moli. My anchor wasn't heavy enough to hold the boat in close enough to the rock wall... ( i've got 1m of chain on the anchor, looks like i need more, any suggestions?) We started to head in around 4 after not getting a bite, under the cooks river bridge the fishfinder showed some signs of fish (which hadn't happened all day). We drifted from the cooks bridge seaward and before we reached the end of the breakwall we heard what sounded like waves hitting the side of the boat. We had a look over and it was a school of Kingies! We tried putting lures and rigs (squid) in the water and nothing. Frustrating to say the least.

I had the cowl stolen off my outboard 5 days after i bought it... I feel your pain. Moved into secure storage now and had insurance replace the cowl... still don't have my faith in society restored.

Dad was really stoked... He's been nagging me ever since to take him again...

Kept my new boat purchase a secret from my dad for a week and a half. He came over expecting to do some landbased bream fishing. Went out and came back with these 58cm and 46cm Flatties. Both caught on 10lb braid with 12lb mono trace on whole prawns, on the drift.

Huey's spot on with his figures (expert advice as we've come to expect). I was just as flabbergasted as you Pinta. I called my local Mercury dealer and when he said $900 plus GST, then 120 odd for decals, i almost spewed on the spot. 120 bucks for some F'ing stickers... gimme a break. Not to mention the cowling price, they really do have us over a barrel. The boat's now in secure storage, and i'm looking at moving so i can accommodate my boat. If you've ever lived in Kurnell, PM me and let me know what you think. Thanks for your offer Huey i'll definitely be in touch as the only other spare i've been able to find is off a Mariner and i don't really want to have to go through the hassle and expense of dealing with painting and getting decals. Trying to keep the replacement price under the insurance excess of $500.

I bought my boat on wednesday... This morning I woke up to go and fish the oyster leases... No outboard cover... No fishing for me for a while. Police report's been filed. New at this so not sure what a new one's worth. Lining up secure storage in the morning. As the title would suggest. It's a 2008 50hp 2 Stroke Mercury. Last seen at 1030pm 8/3/10 129 Gerrale St. If anyone knows where i can get a cheap secondhand cover please contact me soon. I'm supposed to be taking my Dad fishing on Sunday and my boat purchase was going to be a big surprise for him. I'd really like to be able to get a new cover before then. He's been working really hard lately and needs some time off.

I'd just like to thank everyone for the advice you've all so graciously provided. I'm now the proud owned of a 2008 Stacer Nomad 269 with a 50hp 2stroke Mercury only 10 hours on the clock Went for a fish this arvo in the Hacking with my best mate... Picked up an undersize flathead on a 3" Minnow in nuclear chicken and my mate picked up a few undersize snapper. Boat goes really well and i'm stoked with how stable it was compared to our old tinny on the flat water and how it cut through the chop on the run out tide this arvo. I'm going to need a hell of a lot of practice getting the boat on and off the trailer when i fish alone, as the jump in size is pretty big. The port-bow wind mate it too hard for me today and i eventually gave up and just winched it on. I'm going to head out to botany bay tomorrow. If you're out there tomorrow give me a wave. Thanks again.

I've been into a dealership and had a good look around a 470 Top Ender. I really liked it, but didn't like the small amount of space behind the skippers chair. I'm looking at a 2007 469 Nomad tomorrow, which seems to have the side console situated a little further forward. It seems like a plus to me, as they'd been more space for someone fishing from the stern. With regards to the boat i'm looking at tomorrow... I've had my mind set on getting a 60hp E-Tec, but have found a second hand (bloke quotes 2008 but add says 2007) 469 Stacer Nomad with a rear bench and 3 swivel chairs, with only 20hours on a 50hp Mercury. With 3 80kg blokes in a boat, how much difference is the 10hp difference going to make when in open water? I've only ever experienced a 15hp on the back of a 3.5m tinny, so i understand i'm taking a big step up. I just don't want to settle for something that is going to frustrate me in a few months when it's not doing what i want it to. Having to go through the upgrade process is just a hassle i don't really need. Thanks again

thanks for all your opinions so far... I still haven't made a decision as to exactly what type of boat i'm going to get or if i'm going to go new or second hand. Keep the opinions coming if there are more suggestions out there... I'll be in touch with a few local boat showrooms over the weekend to see where to go from here... I need to see a few in the flesh first before taking the plunge.

Would love a few opinions on what sort of boat I should get next. I live in the Cronulla area and have been fishing in a small 3.5m tinny and want to upgrade to something that will comfortably fish 3 soft plastics fisherman. I would be doing most of my fishing in Port Hacking, Botany Bay, and on the Georges. On the odd occasion i'd also like to venture outside to the bombie when the conditions are right. I'm thinking about spending $25,000 I've been toying with the idea of a Quintrex 470 Top ender with a 60hp engine, and bowmount electric. I'd like to mainly use it for fishing, but on the odd occasion would like to pull a tube/donut, or ferry friends to sand bars/islands etc. I do a lot of fishing by myself and would like to know how easy a boat this size will be to get on and off the trailer.... obviously not as easy as the 3.5m tinny. But will i bet able to hand winch in on/off or will it be a drive on/off situation? Any suggestions at all would be appreciated.

Caught a 36cm Flatty on my new rig, and a small bonito on my old rig i had on standby with a silver metal slug. Pretty keen to fish somewhere else though... spent a lot of time in the usual areas in the hacking and haven't caught much. Might try somewhere else.

I bought a sedona 2500 and have it on a 2piece 7ft starlo stix. Worked sweet. I've only caught a 36cm flatty on it, but it felt pretty good for the price ($99).

Bought a new setup today for Estuary SP fishing from the tinny. Got a Starlo Stix 702 and a Shimano Sedona 2500 for $165. Got some 4lb fireline crystal. Problem is, I bought it this morning as soon as the shop opened on the way home from work. Have the night shift again tonight and had to sleep all day... Had a lot of trouble getting to sleep because I'm amped that i've got new gear to fish. Good news is, I have monday to thursday off work, and will spend most of the time fishing. Since buying the tinny on the 15th Jan and spending about 9 hours fishing in Port Hacking, we still haven't landed a fish. I'm hoping to break the curse over the next few days.

Am a newbie with a half share in a 3.5m tinny that would comfortably accommodate 2 fisherman (2 fitted swivel chairs and a nice space in the middle for an esky and fishing gear or moving during a hook-up. I get a fair bit of time off work as i do shift work on a rotational basis. 5 on, 5 off, 4 on 5 off, 5 on 4 off. Will be in the rotation until June. No kids or Mrs , so get plenty of time to surf and go fishing . I'm new to fishing and boating, only getting my license on the 16th Jan 10. I live in Cronulla and would like to meet up with a local or two to get a few fishing/boating tips off... Maybe a copper or a firey, in a similar shift working routine. Ideally you'd be a surfer too so would be happy to give the fishing a miss if the surf was pumping. You'd need your own boat just in case my mate got a chance to come with me during the week (other part owner) On the days we have to go in separate boats, i'll pick up some 2-ways just in case we've got a question for our mentor. We only have the appropriate safety gear to remain in enclosed waters and would understand if mid-fish you decided to go outside for a change of approach. (for admins) if this is in the wrong forum thread i'm sure you'll move it for me. Tight lines gents. P.M if anyone's keen.

Thanks for the feedback gents. I've got to head into my local marine shop to get rego sorted out soon and will probably get them to do it all. Unless someone has a better suggestion.

This is my first post on Fishraider, nice to meet you all. Just bought a 3.5m tinny with at 15hp Yamaha and need to get 2 things sorted before I get fishing. Nav lights and electric motor. Being a small boat its primarily to fish with soft plastics in Port Hacking. It doesn't have nav lights at this stage and was looking for some opinions on the best way to fit some. Are there temporary set ups that you can put on in case of bad weather, or for the odd occassion we leave early or get back late? Or would the cost of a temporary set be similar to fitting permanent lights. I'm also of the impression i require a 360 stern light and port and stbd lights. I'm also looking at fitting an electric motor to aid drifting and would like some opinions on what the best options would be. As for the power source for lights and motor, would I need a car battery or is it possible to run it off the outboard motor? How does it all work? Let me know if i should be posting some pics of the boat to help you respond.