brad_tate

Hi, Flathead don't actually have any form of sting, it is just that the barbs at the back of their head are razor sharp and coated with an anti-coagulant so that the cut keeps bleeding. A slice from a flathead barb when throwing it's head around can open you up surprisingly deeply. The more common injury is for the barb to just penetrate the hand - colloquially called a sting. The pain from the is not from a toxin it is just the bruising from the penetration. I don't know if there is much infection risk from the 'sting', but would think the combination of the bleeding and the salt water would take care of most of that risk. I'm not sure about the belly rub, perhaps that helps counteract the anticoagulant. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We have had success at 'the suck', East side of Mollineaux Pt near the shore. I'm yet to crack the combination, first time was very productive, twice after that not so much. That's fishing though! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The failure was at the dropper. After the dropper is twisted I double the line and form a loop 4 times, then feed the dropper through and tighten (lubricating of course). It's this knot that failed on my tests. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi Raiders, I'm currently using twisted dropper loops for bottom bashing, and also bottom fishing when anchored. My usual grounds are Botany Bay, so I use these outside the heads and when anchored at the Drums and Mollineaux Point with dead baits. My current rigs are made out of 17lb Berkley flouro, two droppers, with a solid ring on the top for ease of attaching to a snap swivel - makes it easy to switch to a trolling lure on the rods I use these on when I want to. I'm following Geoff Wilson's book as to how to tie them. I was testing some today in the shed and I was surprised by the failure rate I got under load - snapping at the dropper knot at only 7 lb or so. Does anyone else use these knots, and have any tips to share about appropriate material, tying tips etc? I like them as it helps the baits stand out proud, but am now wondering if they are a wise choice. Thanks, Brad. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi Raiders, Took the better half out for a fish this morning in Botany Bay (and outside). We tried a drift off the third runway for 1 reasonable Calamari, but couldn't tempt anything finny. We then headed outside off Maroubra for a Flathead drift that was reasonably productive 2 weeks ago, but dead today. As we came back inside North head (after watching a late Humpback making it's way south) we saw a Salmon school so tried a combination of Prawns and Slices but couldn't tempt a bite. My wife did catch our first ever legal Snapper in the bay, which I guess was hanging around looking for scraps. We then headed to the Drums to anchor and set a berley trail, but apart from a couple of undersize Tailor caught on the bottom, got nothing. Is anyone catching much in the bay at the moment? Is it just a bit early to expect it to fire, or are we in for a slow summer? Brad. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi Raiders, I am looking for a decent quality knife sharpener, and was thinking about getting a Nirey KE3000 unit. Has anyone had any experience with the Nirey range or alternatives they would like to share? I have always sharpened with an aluminium oxide stone, with pretty good results, but my knife angles are probably a little variable. I have been trying to teach myself to use a steel for years, but to be honest I'm still pretty crap! I also have an el cheapo Ozito sharpening grinder I use when the knives really need the surface recut, and with care it's OK but nothing more. It's also pretty easy to damage them if I am not careful. The main reason for the sharpener is to get a more consistent angle, avoid damaging knives on the cheapie grinder and save time. Thanks, Brad Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi all, Like some of the other posters I am a little bit left and right. I am mostly left handed, particularly for anything requiring dexterity (e.g. writing, stirring, whisking) but use my right hand for anything strength related (e.g. batting, bowling, racquet sports, length throwing). Some things I can do equally well with either hand (e.g. Darts, hoop throwing, painting). I have always used a reel right handed, and it certainly feels most comfortable that way. Perhaps because my dexterity favours my left, using my left as the control hand feels comfortable too. I did use a left-handed reel with Poppers in Fiji a year or so ago as the charter boat had more left hand reels than right, and it was easier for me than others, but I did feel uncomfortable doing so. As others have said, whatever works for you! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi Raiders, I'd like to know what you think of split rings on hardbody lures, e.g. Trolling lures. I've been taking off the split ring from the tow point and attaching the lure to the leader with a loop knot direct to the tow loop as I felt that would give a more natural presentation. I am concerned about the noise the ring may make against the tow ring may deter fish. I was also concerned about the leader being cut off if connected directly to the split ring, as it is not a clean round profile. I may of course be completely wrong! I haven't touched the split rings connecting the trebles. Interested in what others think here.

Scratchie, when you say you use a loop knot so you can change jigs easily, are you using it as a dropper and looping the Squid jig through overhand? Any issues losing jigs if the dropper loop opens up? Thanks!

Red rock cod are described as the poor man's Lobster. Having eaten a few I wholeheartedly agree, and I would describe them as 'lobster on the fin'. You only get two small fillets but they are delicious!

Hi all, I picked up my boat from the guys at Hunts Marine last week, and on their advice I have connected the live well to the main (crank) battery not the deep cycle. Their view is that a) powering anything else as well as the Minn-Kota from the deep cycle will potentially damage the battery; and incur a lot of extra expense to put in a new circuit, bus etc (est 10 hrs labour). This wasn't what I expected but I am happy to take their expert advice. As always their work was first class, so no complaints there. I am still interested in pursuing the DC-DC charger for my longer trips, installing lighting down the track and making the deep cycle available as an emergency option to start the motor, so will take your advice and measure my normal voltage under power (to assess the current from the alternator) and calculate my current draw so I know what I can expect from my main battery. I will let you know how I go. Thanks, Brad Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks again, great advice. I did speak to the Roadrunner guys today, and they were very helpful. They're a bit out of my way but I will do the k's to support such a good sponsor. They went through the VSR and straight charge options, but what I took away is that they now prefer the DC-DC option. It is more expensive but seems to give better results. I was very interested in the thread about the Yamaha alternator output. My motor is a 2009 model so I am hoping it has a stronger output than the older models - will do some more digging here. I'm pretty comfortable with the Sterling option so will go down that path in the next month or three and will post an update to let you know how it goes. Again, thanks for all the feedback, Brad. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks for the feedback, all very much appreciated. Yes, my boat is normally out of the water on a charger. I typically charge my deep cycle battery fully after each fishing trip, and also charge both the deep cycle and starter battery every 6 months regardless. Once a year I charge each on a Recond cycle. The boat is not in a shed so I don't leave the deep cycle on permanent float charge. I've only just installed the bait well, and am using the deep cycle so it can't affect the starter battery - as you said, first priority is being able to start the motor. We also periodically go away for a week at a time, sometimes unpowered, but even when powered, we leave the boat in the water for the week, so charging from AC is difficult. The intention with the DC-DC charger is to keep the deep cycle topped up continuously when on the water. For the longer trips it will ensure I don't run out of power, and even for the shorter trips it will lessen the amount I draw down from the deep cycle - i.e. always near the top of the charge. My understanding is this will also prolong the life of the battery. I can't charge the deep cycle straight off the alternator or just connect it in series with the starter battery as my understanding is that will damage the deep cycle. Thanks, Brad. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi all, I am planning to install a DC to DC charger in my boat so I can charge my deep cycle battery when on the water and would appreciate any advice your have. I have a single standard 12v Century starter battery and a single 12v deep cycle battery (Besco I think) in my boat. The starter currently powers the 60HP Yamaha 2-stroke, bilge pump, fish finder and navigation lights. The deep cycle powers the Minn-Kota electric and the live bait well. In future I plan to add LED lighting off the deep cycle. Normal battery maintenance is via a Ctek mains charger. The Sterling Pro Charge B BBW1220 looks like a pretty good unit to charge the deep cycle whilst I'm on the water. The Ctek 250S dual is cheaper but doesn't look like it's designed for marine use, so I'm currently leaning to the Sterling. Installation of the Sterling looks very straightforward and pretty much set 'n forget. Does anyone have any feedback on either device above, or an alternate? Any particular tips or gotchas? Should I move the fish finder etc to the deep cycle, or just leave well enough alone there? Thanks, Brad. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I am just using a battery powered aerator in a bucket (designed for nippers etc). Most stayed alive pretty happily (also a couple of water changes helped). The ones that didn't had fillets taken off to be used as bait in the berley trail. Overall it worked pretty good! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fished the bay with my wife, son and daughter-in-law today, trying live bait for the first time. Thanks very much to sydnyfisher12, filthmonger and Gazza for your tips. Part 1 went well - no trouble berlying up Yakkas at the suck. Part 2 (targetting Kingfish) didn't go so well, but it was a great learning exercise regardless. We first dropped the livies down inside Mollineaux point, but didn't have any luck - no takers at all. We did manage a couple of Trevally in the berley trail however. We then tried moving to the eastern artificial reef to see if there was any activity there, but that was extremely quiet. Finished up at the drums, but again didn't have any success with Kingfish. We did have an entertaining session with Snapper, Trevally and Australian Salmon (largest 33 cm). No keepers, but good fun. The livies didn't last either - didn't really feel much, but came up with empty hooks, so assume the smaller predators were picking them off. We tried several depths, but no change. All in all it was a great morning, good weather and I now know 1000% more about live baiting than I did previously!

Thank you very much everyone for the advice. I'll write a report tomorrow to let you know how we go!

Hi all, I'm a long time follower but a first time poster, and would love some expert advice. I'm keen to chase the Kingys in Botany Bay and am planning to head out Sunday morning to give it a shot with the family. The plan is to try and pick up some livies (targetting Yakkas), and possibly squid early and then put them down at Mollineaux Pt. I have a few specific questions I'd love some feedback on. 1. Does anyone have any suggested spots to target Yakkas on Sabiki jigs? Yarra bay is my plan, starting on the north west along the breakwall? 2. Not sure how to rig the livies (assuming we get some!). Through the nose, through the back, through the top lip? If the top lip, should the hook point up or down? Even more basic, should I use a running sunker rig (mainline to swivel, sinker if used above swivel, then trace to hook) and select a sinker size if any depending on the depth I want the livie? 3. How deep in the water column should I target? I do have a sounder, so I guess if I can spot a school it's obvious, but if not, I'd appreciate some guidance whether I should target top/mid/bottom etc. Sorry for the dumb questions! Thanks, Brad

We caught this guy on the drift at the start of Salt Pan Creek in Revesby Heights - just downriver of the large Catamaran moored in the creek there. He had gobbled the prawn and hook so I cut that off - no way I was sticking my hand in that gob to try and get a hook back! Didn't do any real damage to the leader however.

Hi all, Any idea what this fish is? Caught in Salt Pan Creek (George's River) this morning on a prawn (swam away happily after photos). Measured 85 cm. It looks like a Longtom, but according to my books the bigger ones such as the Banded Longtom have dark fins. The only Longtom I can find with yellow fins is a tropical variety that only grows to about 50 cm. My book says they are all good eating but from memory as a kid in Redcliffe QLD, they are absolutely full of bones. We used to catch them off the rock wall but not this big. Thanks!

Great catches of snapper, wel done! I'd love to know what you consider light gear - what's the basic outfit you use ? Thanks!