boattart

Black spots I'm not sure about. Can you wipe off with a rag? Could be mould or some sort of marine plankton that was caught on the line and put away wet if you pack them in neoprene covers before they dry properly they can sweat but only guessing there. Flat spot are mostly when people are winding the line in loaded on a fish and don't guide the line on neatly and if you don't run the line out and pack into neatly at the end of the day. Because the line has stretch when it's packed away it tries to shrink back to normal size and pinches the strands of line below it. In extreme situations it can blow the side plates off smaller reels or damage the lines breaking strength to where it's near useless.

Had a mate fish the cliffs for kings yesterday and he said the same thing. Not sure where it has come from but hopefully a bit of current will clean it up soon.

It's a great way to spend a couple of hours. In fact yesterday I just spooled a new Samaki 2-6lb outfit and 1000 Symetre with 5lb braid to try the same thing Friday.

Toothpaste can be like a fine cutting compound. I used to know a couple of mates that polished there trolling lures with toothpaste to remove scratches.

I hate it when a 80cm flathead takes my jewfish bait.

Long shots for me this year. Criterion, Red Cadeaux, Who Shot the Barman and Snow Sky. Boxed Trifecta and first 4.

I recently blew a trim motor on mine with oil spraying out everywhere at the marina. What originally appeared simple replacement of the top seal turned out to be a near rebuild as more problems appeared the more you took it apart so depending on your issue its not a big job but parts wise could vary depend on what is wrong. When I was younger we had a trailerboat and my dad used to use a thick dowel rod to prop the motor up and take the pressure off the trim motor while sitting at home or travelling far as well. BTW make sure you remember to remove it before trying to lower the motor.

First tip is don't look at the long range forecast. If it changes and I'm looking for crew I will let you know.

60cm Flathead as a bycatch...don't you hate that.

I don't think Raysway was complaining. I took it as a statement that some are being caught and seen. Although if you are going to take one you could clean up afterwards and not just leave it laying around for the Greenies and do gooders to whinge about.

Been some real big squid near Jibbon Bommie if that interests you and some nice flathead out to the south. Not sure if you are looking for something inside or not but if your interested I can give you some more details.

There are several pre made products on the market mainly for game rods so they are quite heavy duty and longer than you would need for say Snapper fishing. I make my own up to the length I need them and have a couple of different types and lengths depending what type of fishing I am doing. Another option if you aren't talking heavy tackle is a surf board or boogie board leg rope. The pre Coiled ones are out of the road meaning you don't have 5-10 ft of rope around your feet and being plastic they clean easy and wont absorb blood or bait and smells.

Unfortunately Fell Swoop has been scratched today. Going over him early this morning before his truck arrived and he was showing some tenderness in one foot. It doesn't seem anything major but given how well he's been going there is no point risking him. He will be kept in the stables for a few days to monitor wether it turns out to be anything more than a stone bruise and then sent to the paddock for a well deserved break.

While I know not all jetski riders are reckless there certainly are a large number just out to annoy and harass people. Anyone that's been on the water the last few weekends will know the general boat traffic that's around and just takes a bit of extra common sense and courtesy to stay safe. Unfortunately I'm sure there is a Judge just waiting to slap this ski rider with a wet tissue over the wrist.

Fell Swoop is back this weekend at Randwick Race 7 number 5. Bookies opened him at $4 mid afternoon yesterday but quickly into $3.30 this morning. Tough field again and cant control how good they are but happy with our form.

About 7.8 mile from Botany heads depending where you have your mark so even trolling you should make it in an hour.

Burley hard. Live bait. Heavy drag and hang on tight.

They were always a bycatch in winter for us but I rigged a couple as swim baits for marlin and they went well. The flat narrow head had them working like a bibles minnow. Problem is catching and freezing them in winter to run in summer. There are better baits but you can make them work.

No but they are the ones that will decide wether to issue a fine. Your decision after the fact to challenge it is up to you. But asking a desk jockey at RMS wont guarantee they are on the same wavelength as those that enforce the laws either.

Heard lots of old stories of them being great king baits but never caught them when I needed them. They can also be easily rigged as a marlin swim bait.

Interesting one. I have been waiting to bump into one of the Maritime or water police to ask something along those line because they are the ones that enforce the laws. My son is nearly 13 but has his Junior license. Now if he is driving the boat while I'm on it rigging gear or whatever does he need his license on him. He has it in his wallet but doesn't always take his wallet. If I leave the paper one on the boat is that enough proof.

Gurnard or Latchet if you find them in the fish shop. They are a good feed and no legal size limit I can see on DPI website.

I will guess around 40kg. Here is a link to a length weight chart post here previously. http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=31351

The next one will be Unanimously this Saturday at Caulfield. Final fields won't be out till later this morning but looking at nominations so far looks like being a very tough race. As for Fell Swoop Tyronne there may be another race for him over the next couple of weeks before a spell but will be a few days before a decision is made.