slam354

Thanks for the reply Charles.Are you tying the hooks properly.Where you using a sliding snell rig or 2 fixed snell rigs.When i was fishing with Alex bellisimo he exclusively used the sliding snell rig and never had any issues using octopus hooks twin 7/O and landing sharks but with biteoffs also.I know if the rig is not tied properly there can be rig failure.thanks for the info.

Good going Charles great effort. I spent last year targeting jew of the northern beaches with a fishing guide did about 10 trips never got even a run .Did you catch the tailor on ganged hooks?. Was your jew rig a double hook rig with a fillet of tailor as bait? cheers steve

Nice catch and scenery looks like you guys had a good time. That location would have to be around mid north coast say between port Macquarie and coffs harbour. The rocks are the volcanic variety which are not the local geography. Where exactly is that spot if you don't mind me asking?

Gooday raiders.I hope everyone had a nice easter break. I was lucky enough to have a free day today so I decided to try for blackfish at one of my old haunts. Got there around 10.am with an expected high tide around 2.00pm.When I arrived I was greeted with a light southwesterly and dead flat seas with minimal wash. I thought to myself the only chance of getting a few fish would be to fish the lowest ledges and burley heavily well that was the idea. Kicked some burley in and saw some large drummer come up and scoff the weed a bit weird I thought they normally don t like flat seas. Anyway threw the float in within seconds bustoff big time drummer for sure I thought .Cast in again float disappears suddenly another bustoff. Third drift low and behold a steady down and the first blackfish of the day .From that moment on it was game on with fish comng in left right and centre until about 2 hours after high tide. All fish today had a preference for weed over cabbage which happens from time to time.I lost count how many fish I lost as the bites were quite timid hence had to use a light rock float. I ended up with 16 fish and kept 10 for the table. Cheers Steve.

That's your problem line class need a minimum 10kg line and a 7 wrap rod alvey reel. Rig small pea sinker running down to strong 1 to 1/0 hook or if over shallow reef perhaps a small bobby cork set around 4 to 5 feet.When you get the tap tap bite and rod starts to load time to strike and hang on.Dont give them an inch show no mercy skull drag them you will get busted off occasionally but you will win most battles.Shoudnt be too long before we see some photos of 2kg plus drummer happy days ahead.Bait cunje or peeled banana prawn.Berley with bread. Cheers Steve

what do you do if you are fishing say 10kg mono would you fish straight through without swivel line twist with lures may be an issue.

You are the flathead king jayson.That windang area seems to produce regularly for you.Are you local to the area.Could you share some details with us as to type of lure and method.Are you fishing out of a boat for these?.Excellent effort. Chers Steve

Yes John I think they can be frustrating at times.As for the sleeper I was fishing the right depth it happens sometimes.By the way I was the bloke in the railway uniform that you met with Royce and company 2 sundays ago at your fishing spot.

Gooday Raiders.I havent posted for a while so here goes.I arrived at my chosen spot first light to fish the last of the runout and beginning of the run in tide.I noticed today that some downs were tentative other downs fish would take off like a rocket gut hooked.In all my years of luderick fishing these fish amaze me at times with their biting patterns.Today it was float goes down 3 foot stays there then comes back up this went on for a while.I was worried that my float was too heavy for the conditions but changed to a lighter float same deal.Quite a few small fish barely legal and the usual nipping the tail trick.The most frustrating thing that happened today was that they were taking the float down out of sight and you would expect to hook up but this went on for a while.I hooked my biggest fish today and the float did not even register these we call sleepers in luderick language.I was wondering if any other luderick fishos can shed some light on why there was no hookups on these fish.I am assuming undersize luderick but can they bite this hard these were rocket downs.I guess thats why we keep coming back for more.I ended up with 8 fish and dropped quite a few with plenty of throwbacks.It was an enjoyable day to be out there.Cheers steve.

Well done mate.i fished clifton gardens the other day for only 4 fish.By the way how deep where you fishing clarkes point?.Where is Howie reserve never heard of it,also depths an any other info would be appreciated.Nice of you to share locations? Regards Steve

Bait fishing with weed is still allowed so i guess thats a good thing.I would imagine fishing with pilchards and prawns is banned but I think it is overkill.I was there the other day looking around and there were fishermen fishing for tailor and drummer so businness as usual.Do you think a fishing inspector is going to walk out to the heaadland wearing rock plates in any sort of swell to check?.In all my years of fishing I have not seen or heard of anyone catching a grey nurse shark of the rocks.Comments any one? Steve

Since you are in Rose bay you can try the drain that feeds into the bay behind the golf course on New South head road.Used to collect heaps many years ago before they started poisoning it in the drain.Let me know if there is any left these days.Weed location is a sensitive subject.We know were to get it but no one is willing to give up there locations.I have asked fellow fishraiders and most of the time you have to look around and work it out for yourself.Tidal drains are the first port of call followed by freshwater drains also.Grab the street directory and start exploring.The ocean rocks are good if you can get down there but not this weekend. Cheers Steve

Good going mate thats a fine fish.Can you tell me what the length was and the weight.You mention that you wete fishing of Manly Wharf.To my knowledge fishing is banned there.Been a while since I fished there.What area of the wharf were you fishing?.With the growth I think it is a type of parasitic worm that is sometimes present usually in the bigger fish.I have encountered the odd fish with this.I just cut out the affected part of the flesh and its okay to cook the rest. Cheers steve

They will fire up again in September and increase in numbers all throughout the summer with the best months being January all through to about end of May.Having said that there is no hard and fast rules as i have experienced poor catches even in the prime months so I guess it depends on the day and the swell conditions.

hey bennoz which ledge were you fishing at North head was it the old mans hat, Little bluey fairy bower or below the treatment plant.They were my old stomping grounds dont worry if you did not get any fish as I have heard that the ocean rocks have started to shut down of late.Was there any swell on the day you were fishing? as this is critical for good catches especially when it is clear.From memory this time of year was always tough of the rocks still a chance on the right day but not consistent.The harbour is the go at the moment.Cheers Steve.

Good one mate.Are they still thick down there or have they slowed down recently? Cheers Steve

Just wondering if anyone has been down to botany bay breakwall fishing and if they were told to leave.I would appreciate if anyone has been challenged by the authorities lately.

Well done mate good catch.Looks like Abbotsford wharf.Good spot if you get there first before the hordes arrive.Using worms no doubt.

After reading the article it sounds like they were fishing just north of mahon pool.I wonder if they were fishing the spot called the stakes thats where I think they were.Pretty dicey spot in anything but flat seas swell was a solid 4 to 5 foot today.At least he can go home to his family tonight and lets hope he has learnt his lesson.

Sad to hear that the carp have invaded these waters royce.Has the appearance of the carp been a recent thing or have the numbers increased steadily over the years.On a brighter note did you at least get better weather up there.The one weekend that I am off and it bloody rains.Will tee up a session soon. steve

I disagree caught a good bag at bilgola last about 2 weeks ago water temp is still around 19 so they are still around however not consistent this time of year.

How big was the swell down there?

At least you will still be able to fish there eventually.I wish we could still fish the breakwall at Molineaux point botany bay.Has anyone heard what the latest is with the no fishing signs there?

Good going mate.Were you fishing clifton gardens jetty or off the rocks there?