swong

One of my mates is getting married in march, and so we're having a bucks party for him in the next few weeks. Atm looking to hire a boat at Brooklyn and looking for suggestions on what to do with the Buck! If it makes any sense, 'clean' suggestions would be appreciated (i.e. nothing dangerous, or disrespectful to his fiance). . .that's not to say by clean i mean things cant get messy tho!

I know that lure clips can be used for hardbodies, but i was wondering it anyone uses them with soft plastics? i tried it today but with no bites to report - but no idea if it was just a bad day, or it genuinely doesnt work. . .when i checked it in the shallow water, it seemed to swim properly so that doesnt seem to be the issue. All the info i've read about plastics point to directly tying the line to the jig, but dont specifically mention NOT to use a lure clip. (obviously the appeal of a lure clip is easily being able to change jig heads quickly)

I was with Dchu yesterday. . unfortunately our day was quite average Picked 3 undersized fish: 2 bream and a tailor (altho the tailor was my first fish using the berkely worm, so that was a small consolation) On one occassion DChu had his reel buzz for a second but it didnt stick :/

Any luck??????? weather was insane. . .hope it paid off!

Cheers for the day out Rikki. . .i know me and Dan were really thankful for sharing your knowledge with us, so even though we didnt land anything, that in and of itself was worth the trip cos without that we'd have zero idea Have to say though, there is something about blackfish fishing that is pretty alluring . . . we'll definitely have to go again so i can try and even the score with the one that got away!!

Heyas, It's been a while since posting - but unfortunately it's been a long time away from fishing until recent. . .spent quite a lot of time "working out SPs" and have finally been able to get on the water (landbased) to put into practise the things i've learned (H/T to Mako for giving me a ton of help at the SP Social last year). . anyways. . thought i'd jot down things i've learned so far and looking for any helpful advice to improve. . . plus maybe it will be of help to other people. Lessons/Observations: 1) Gear means everything Since going out with TidenKnots last year and speaking to Mako I realised that gear needs to match the exact type of fishing you're doing . . .i know this is obvious in hindsight, but hey, I had to start learning from somewhere. So I picked up a rod for SP with 4lb fireline and mono backing underneath. . currently I use a 1m 6lb mono leader. . .(ideally i'd get fluroc but thats pricey). Braid makes all the difference with SPs. 2) Lighter the jighead the better I started out using quite heavy jigheads (I was using 6grammers) cos i had little casting distance on my old setup spooled with mono. . .but after Mako told me to top my reel up with braid (or fireline) i worked out that the jigheads didnt need to be anywhere near as heavy since casting distance was now not a problem. Now I'm on 1.5g jigheads and the hook-up is substantially higher. Lighter the jighead also means better swimming action of your plastic rather than it dropping like a brick all the time. 3) Picking up a flatty is easy street. . bream/whiting on the other hand Pretty self-explanatory . . .flatties will hit anything thrown at them. I feel confident enough about picking up flatties that if i dont get any hookups from a flatty, i'd say that there are ALMOST none there. Aside from that, taking a bream/whiting has proven to be a lot more difficult. From what i've noticed, if you want to take a flatty, use a slightly heavier jighead and just lift and drop it as you want contact on the bottom. For bream what's been working for me has been the lighter jighead + smaller bloodworm wrigglers or gary glitters. It terms of retrieve I still try lift and drop, but on the lift I twitch it twice to keep it swimming that little bit more off the ground. They're much more picky and much more finicky than flatties. Although i've watched a fair few videos about retrieves, personally i think it's all very, very subtle and unfortunately you just have to get out there and work out what works for yourself. What helps a lot is not thinking so much about the retrieve itself, but thinking about what action the lure is taking given the conditions of wind/current etc combined with your setup and retrieve. . .you just want it to swim as naturally as possible. In terms of time, evening/night has caught me more than day. . but perhaps this is cos it's way too hot during daylight recently. Although i've read tide-out is ideal. . .i think whenever you can get out is ideal . . .In fact, on my recent trips out, they were all tide-in and that seemed to work well. 4) Plastics So far i've used gulps and wrigglers and i've caught squat with the gulps (well not squat, but definitely not as much). . .i guess this has to take into consideration that i just use wrigglers more often as it's my 'confidence' lure now. On my last effort i tried some gulp camo worms and although it took some serious bites i just could never manage to hook anything up. . .should i put a stinger hook on the end or something? I did cut about 1/3 of the worm off cos it was so long. I've got a pack of resin heads and some squidgy flickbait . . still trying to work those out, but no luck so far. I'm still trying to up the catch rate of bream as it's such a good fighting fish. . .if anyone else has any pointers/suggestions/corrections that would be awesome!

Got given a pack of 4" black sardine Tsunami soft plastics ("secret scent" + paddle T). I'll probably have a go with them next week some time. . . but just wanted to know if anyone's tried them before? I've pretty much just used berkley/squidgies.

Is it possible to get worms from Kelso beach Iceman? or do u buy them? I usually go to fish around East Hills with prawns from Ace's as well. . .if i get anything worth reporting, i'll let everyone know.

I found this which should be of help! http://cnettv.cnet.com/make-your-laptop-hot-spot/9742-1_53-28619.html much easier to follow i think

I found this link which should be of help... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/adhoc.mspx Because you're not using a hub/router you'll be wanting to set up an "Ad Hoc Network". . but dont worry about all the jargon. .there are plenty of pictures and instructions there I've done it a few years ago and it was pretty straight forward (granted computers was my industry so i know it's not everyones cup of tea) So by the sounds of things you want the eeepc to be directly connected to the internet, and the other computers will access the net via the eeepc. . . in that case you'll want to set up "Internet Connection Sharing" on the eeepc and it actually becomes the 'hub/router' of communication. . Obviously if/when you get to the "How to set up additional computers" section in the instructions, you'll be using your mac to search for the network Anyways, lemme know if you're going to go ahead with it. . i can try and give you more help if needed!

We have both macs and netbooks at home. . .both are definitely good and have their place My wife uses an MSI U100 - is there a specific model of EEEpc you have? It's not important to know. . but helpful nonetheless (esp if it has major problems) Are you using Windows? or some other operating system? If you have windows and you havent got an antivirus program, i'd recommend putting one on. . .I'd suggest AVG (it's free). . and make sure windows firewall is on and updates are regularly being updated. Tho not essential, i'd stop using Internet Explorer and download Firefox and if you need a free wordprocessor, OpenOffice is impressive for something u dont have to pay for. When you say your mac cant pick up the wireless signal from your EEEpc . . .are you trying a direct connection? Or both computers are trying to connect to each other via a hub or router?

Gday FR, It was a ball to go out with Pete yesterday. . .i think i've read a ton of articles/books/forum posts - and even youtube - but it doesnt really make any 'sense' until someone shows you how everything fits together on the water! Like with any sport, you can only tell someone so much about how to kick a ball, swing a racquet or how to move. . .u just to see it and do it yourself "on the field". As we got to wisemans Pete said, "I feel likes it's gonna be a good day". . .he proved to be quite the prophet as well as fisherman Sure, it started off a little slow - but after that it was all like running downhill and after taking photos of all our catches Pete decided we'd stop and only take photos of the legal ones. . .which was a good idea cos i think even the digital camera would have run out of film It was huge lesson from hitting the water and fishing, to cleaning the catches (and having a peak at what they were eating!) all the way to parting company when i was still asking questions and he was more than happy to share his wisdom! Tho i still have a long, long way to go, it's definitely worth aspiring towards and only helped me to appreciate fishing even more For Pete, you can see his passion for fishing is more than just fish, rods and lines but a lifes-narrative of stories and people! He clearly has a high respect for FR and an equally high respect for many of the people here who he has received from and given to. . .he's a valuable asset to this community with a gold-mine of knowledge to pass on. . some day down the track hopefully i'll be able to repay the favour to someone else Pete - hope you finally got some well-deserved rest

From what i've heard, poppers are best used in summer when the cicadas are making their noise and fish are eager to make a move while its not cold. . . does that mean it's just going to be a lot harder in winter? or would i just be wasting time?

wow, that's awesome! Thanks Pete (and Mike for your rec ). . it's ok . . not in any hurry at all as i have some things to kill off as well. . but look forward to benefiting from your wisdom cheers Simon

Thanks Mick. . .yeah i see his posts every now and then and im always tempted to have a go. . .unfortunately (as with all things) i had to weigh up the costs of time/money/etc and decided i cant really commit to it atm :/ Having said that, i do hear many good things about it and if/when i can do it ill definitely contact him Sorry, i should clarify my post. . im not hoping for a magic-silver-bullet of an angler to be a one-stop shop for all my questions. . .im happy (and this is my preference actually) to learn all these things over time. . .so even if someone said the only thing they can do is help catch live bait. .then that would be awesome too Or if someone said they're going to fish for bream on bread and am happy for me to tag along . .then that's perfect too Basically, if anyone's willing to teach. . im definitely willing to learn.

Your name: Simon Your Location: Campsie Availability: Mon-Wed during the day Preferred location: Landbased on Georges River (along henry lawson dr if possible?) Provide your own gear? Yes Provide your own boat? N/A I left out 'technique' as I would just like to learn about anything (quite literally) about fishing. I go out regularly by myself on mondays and tuesdays to the Georges (East Hills area and sometimes Chipping Norton) using store bought bait and there's just a lot of basics i'd like to learn - so not just technique but i'd like to just be able to talk to an experienced angler. Given that, im happy to not even go fishing at all. . .i can meet someone at a Maccas or something and i'd have a bunch of questions and would like to share about what i've been doing and get some pointers on what i could do to improve. . . or conversely if you'd prefer not to come out, you can let me know when/where you'll be and if the time works i can come and sit and chat with you (and dont have to cramp your space by fishing with you) In terms of what i'd like to be as an angler: im not chasing after records or hitting the jackpot with a humungous fish. . .i enjoy catching bream/flatty/whiting and i'd like to know how to enjoy it more so to speak I have posted a few questions on the board but it's hard to get a 'flow' of discussion on a web forum - especially when i have so many questions. Anyways here are some of the topics im hoping to discuss with someone or if possible, learn in person at a fishing spot: - how to tell when to fish? - how to tell where (not like 'in the Georges', but specifically what makes a good spot) - how to tell where to cast - how to 'read' the water and tides (e.g. how do i know where fish are likely to be given currents, shallows, structures etc) - how to present bait on a hook - how to know what hooks to use and what lines - how to burley - how to trap poddy mullet and hook it up (or just catching live bait in general). - how to fish using bread as bait - as a bonus im interested to know about SP/BH lures but i know i need some basic lessons first! Thanks - appreciate any help with this at all

I know im showing my ignorance here, but just wanted to know what specifically sets a cheap rod apart from a decent rod? I guess why im asking is cos my wife is looking to come with me fishing every now and then since we both get mondays off. . .(tho I usually go my myself and if my wife comes we'll borrow a rod off a mate). . .so we just wanted to know what's worth getting for her. . we'll stick to wharfs/shallows/small beaches. . and we'll only be going for bream/whiting/flatties using store bought bait (altho im keen to try and make a poddy mullet trap to see what happens!) - so nothing spectacular. . we just want to enjoy ourselves and arent really into achieving any records or anything . . .she wont be coming too often either, only on the occasions she wants to keep me company. . . we just want something that will do the job with no bells/whistles and yet wont snap in 1/2 after reeling in a couple of fish. i always notice there are really cheap combos out there. . but I presume that as with everything else, the very cheapest really just makes life harder (tho i obviously dont know what that is with respect to fishing tackle). . .or am i wrong, would something really cheap suit our purpose for irregular casual fishing?

Altho im still new to fishing, ive worked out i like fishing off sandflats compared to jetty/wharves. . .so far ive spent most of my time at Kelso Beach and made a few trips to Fig Tree Bridge as well. . . anyways, i was just wondering if it's dangerous to go too far out?? I only have gumboots atm, but i know people on the forum have mentioned using waders. . .the only problem is that even in gumboots ive noticed that if i go too far out i get bogged in the marsh. . . One time i got stuck in the marsh so badly that i had to pull up my feet while gripping the top of my boots because i couldnt make any more steps. . luckily my wife was close enough to help pull me out too. is it just the places im going to? Are there safer places to go to?. . .i would love to invest in some waders to go out further, but i can only see it leading me to more trouble!! Especially as most of the time i fish by myself.

I went yesterday and again had no success on plastics. . .but managed to pull in about 5 on bait. . .i think i'll take the advice of some and bring two rods . . .i fished for about 4 hours and although im keen to practice plastics i rkn i'd go nuts if i spent the whole time with nothing to show. . .i ended up speaking to two locals who regularly fish in the area and they said that no one has had much success with any lures at all at the spot i was in (fyi im fishing at east hills) but suggested a spot or two up shore a little closer to Milperra Bridge. . . i'll have a go at that place next time. Trapper Tom, ive read/watched a fair few things on plastics, but i've never come across 'favourable' conditions for either bait or plastics. . .is there any chance you could give me some pointers on how you determine which conditions are best suited for what method of fishing?

Thanks for the quick replies . . . i guess where i'm coming from is when im fishing with mates we always use locally bought bait. But when im by myself i tend to try and stick to just SP cos it's less hassle plus it's cheaper to just stick with my plastics. unfortunately i always seem to do better with baits (just using prawns for now). . .I've managed to get a couple of throw-backs with SPs but i just cant seem to replicate it consistently or even get better fish - so im tempted to bring bait with me just in case, but that just defeats the whole 'its less hassle and cheaper' angle. . .everyone seems to say that once you have your first you've worked it out! so i figure i must be doing something terribly wrong with plastics. I'll prob hit up the 'adopt a learner' page some time soon after i work out when i have free time. . .(@DGF, i know im a newcomer, but hope you dont mind - ive been keeping an eye for when you go for a SP lesson too).

Not asking the question of bait vs lures. . . but just wondering for you guys who fish with lures, do you bring bait just in case nothing's hitting? Or do you just exclusively fish with lures? Or vice versa does anyone just using bait bring lures in case nothing is hitting as well?

Hope im not hijacking the thread, but any chance you can enlighten me on how to put bread onto a hook? I tried to have a go at it last week (tried hooking it thru the crust) but it just never seemed to stay on long enough [not to mention i had a ton of problems trying to cast with bread unweighted]. . i also tried wetting it in the water but it just kept on falling apart. . .do i just need to wet alot and just 'pack' it on and around the hook and press it together as tight as possible?

I had a decent session of fishing today in the Georges and landed 5 bream (most undersized but all thrown back). Anyways, i've got a couple more questions about fishing. . I'm sure they're all very basic questions with basic answers. . but i know im still working on the fundamentals! 1. After the 5th bream (and many strikes in between) i decided to give my Squidgy a go. . .unfortunately there were only a couple of 'touches' but nothing significant and i didnt land anything. . .since the fish were definitely there, would i be correct in then concluding that the problem(s) are likely due to rig setup and/or squidgy type and/or retrieval? . . . i've read the articles here about soft plastics, and i've watched two dvd's on squidgies plus countless youtube videos....altho i think i've copied the 'instructions' carefully, i cant for the life of my figure out if im doing something drastically different/wrong or just bad luck? From what i've read, it seems like a lot of trial and error e.g. keep switching squidgies if one type doesnt work. . . would berkley gulps be a better start for me since they seem to be simultaneously lure and 'bait'? 2. Before i started fishing (and also in between re-baiting) i was ripping pieces of bread and throwing them into the water. The tide however carries the bread away. . . does that mean it's a waste of time since it doesnt 'stay' where im trying to fish? Nevertheless, fish did manage to take the bread, but they were very small fish and also out of range of casting anyway. 3. Is it safe to eat fish from the Georges? I've done a search but all the answers seem to be different (plus im also aware that different years may have garnered different responses) 4. When cleaning my rod/reel is it ok to just hose the whole darn thing? Or even just dunk it straight into a bucket of clean water? 5. When i used whole prawns on the hook it managed to get more strikes than splitting up the larger prawns into smaller segments. . .is that my imagination or just myth? 6. If you're trying to aim for larger fish. . do you just simply use larger hooks and bait? Does this 'prevent' smaller bream/fish from taking your bait? or they still take your bait, it's just that they wont be able to get hooked on a larger hook? Anyways, the main thing from today was just that i had a great time. . .to be honest i just enjoyed picking up fish regularly as opposed to wanting something huge to land. . .am hoping to find more great spots like these!

if u dont mind me asking, is this going up prospect creek/lennox reserve/orphan school creek? . . . My wife works in Fairfield, and since I work weekends, i get weekdays off so looking for places to fish while she works!

Gday Chris, I was there last weekend fishing the same flats in front of the fairground. . .any chance you might be able to tell me what SPs you were using? Because i got very little - 2 bream. To be specific, I was probably there from 1 - 5pm on the run out tide and spent most of my time fishing into the deeper channel areas (so in reality even tho i was on the flats/land i was closer to the northern shore). . .unfortunately i learned the lesson of not bringing more SPs in a small box with me. . .so i was stuck with using the one i had on it!