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I generally have it shorter, much shorter actually. Just to give you a rough idea, I create my leader (hook line) around 60cm or more and the sinker line around 20cm or less.

I was in a very similar situation when I was desperate for my first Salmon. After many attempts in many places, I find beaches to be the easiest. You will find Salmon present on almost every beach, so I would imagine Northern Beaches to be good. I fish with a 12ft rod (10ft should also be ok) and use the simple rig below (or other variations of it), a size 3/0 or even 4/0 gang hooks with a full pilchard. Other times I will use a double hook with a strip of fish (Mackerel, mullet, stripey, etc) Basically just cast in the gutter, and you should be in luck if there is any Salmon around. My preferred times for beach fishing is a couple of hours before sunset to a couple of hours after, so I usually time the rising tide around this period and fish those days. I think with a bit of luck, it will be a matter of time before you land a Salmon. 2 out of 3 trips to the beach I usually catch Salmon.

I think this is Senator Wrasse, caught one of these recently in Melbourne.

As Gazza just said, it would only be slimy Mackerel from Wollongong. From the Northern Breakwall at Port Kembla (Oilies), your best bet is fishing a suspended pilchard under a float. You will need to fish the last 1/4 of the breakwall into the Ocean. Sometimes, you also get large schools congregating off the the breakwall in Wollongong Harbour (next to the fish market, and Harbour Front restaurant). Hope this helps

Nice fish, and boat too. Welldone again

Issues with uploading a photo? or actual posting issues?

wow, congrats. Nice fish, any photos?

One Armed Fisho is correct, I do remember something like that but I was getting confused whether it was 10hp or knots

In regards to registering the boat, unfortunately I think you will have to register it as it's over 5hp. It sucks because you are just over too

Thanks heaps for the help guys. I also always use Willy Weather but never thought about reading much into the swell and relating it to the beach fishing conditions. Thanks again.

That does sort of make sense. Like at our first spot, we noticed that the waves were crashing from the left to the right, and that was the same direction our line was going. We moved, and it seemed like it was crashing straight towards us but on close inspection they had a slight left to right pattern again. This condition in general made fishing very uncomfortable and not really possible. Is there a way to be able to tell this before you plan a trip to the beach with all your gear, etc? Sorry for the stupid questions.

Long time ago I used to see people catch them under a float in Lake Illawarra, it was your basic black fish rig but instead I think they used pilchards as bait.

Just a general question regarding currents at the beach. Last week, I was fishing the beach and the condition was perfect, almost no current at all. Today I went to the same beach and the current was just not acceptable. I know the conditions change daily and every other hour maybe but my question is if I find current in one gutter at the beach, does this mean all the gutters on the same beach will have the same current? Today I moved gutters, and there was a distance of around 200m from my first location yet the same current existed. I am really curious about this, so any information would be appreciated.

That is definitely strange. I had bench seats that i would imagine provided structural support. Not sure if its worth it but maybe if you can add some bench seats and fibreglass the ends to the hull, this should add some support but will definitely take up all the room. I am not too sure, have you asked anyone at the boat shops?

I never had any hull issues except it was always too light for the ocean but I still ventured with it, the waves would carry it around at times. What exactly do you mean by hull flexing tho?

With all the average size fish, I usually have a wet rag on me which I grab the fish with. I am not sure how correct that is but I always felt that the fish is much more relaxed being handled with a wet rag. Could someone comment on this? Is this considered better than just using my hands?

I just sold my 13ft Pongrass which had a 40hp engine on it, and let me tell you, it flew! In saying that I think around 20hp - 30hp will be more than enough, I always felt that my 40hp was an overkill however I couldn't help but enjoy it.

I never really see many people catching Ling, excellent eating tho and probably a decent fight. Welldone Dave.

Welldone, very impressive tailor

Like user1829 said, It's definitely because they are wet. You will notice that any splash of water next to hot oil will make it splatter.

So it is safe to say that the Rain will only ever effect river/lake systems upto and including the entrance (the mouth of the river)? I was thinking of beach fishing this weekend, and didn't think that rain would effect the fishing conditions in the actual ocean. Is that the correct assumptions?

I am sure someone else probably has more experience, but I keep it simple. Around 2m or so from the float and no sinker.

Likewise with Oilies at Port Kembla, it's a shame that almost all the rock fishing spots suffer the same problem with rubbish. I don't understand people, if you don't litter in your own home why do it where you fish!

I have been only in a boat on the Hawkesbury, but my mates go land based regularly and catch bream at Berowra Waters.

Looks like a pike