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I have always been fishing the rock platforms with 12ft rods spinning for Bonito, Kings and any other pelagics around. Recently and after loosing a few larger kings I have realised it's probably time to downsize to maybe a 9ft rod and more power. In a week I will be going up to QLD to visit my brother and we will be fishing Seventeen Seventy if weather permits so I thought that might be a good start. I currently have a Stella SW 5000 and wondering if that can be matched to a decent 9ft rod to tackle kings back home and mackerel and trevally up north. Any thoughts? Looking to buy something this weekend...

Thanks for the replies. It was in December last time, never really caught a hair tail so not sure how the fight. Caught pike eels and seen the teeth in those... Nasty. Is there any other moorings or locations that are houseboat friendly and produce decent fish?

Speaking to some raiders at the soft plastics workshop, I came to realise that many are experts in this river system and was hoping for some tips / advice. Going out in 2 weeks... Last time I went out in the Hawkesbury on a houseboat I tried some of the recommended spots such as the rail bridge with no luck. I basically ended up spending most of time at the public mooring near Little Jerusalem Bay (photo attached). In the mornings I was into some Tailor (mainly undersized) but at night I was generally live baiting with yellow tails and must have had 5-6 runs a night that would eventually cut me off shortly after setting the hook. I only managed to convert one of these to a 70cm Flathead; till this day I am not sure what kept cutting me off. Any ideas? Public moorings just seemed so much less hassle than anchoring, although I don't mind either for a good fishing spot. This time, it's just me and my wife (her first time). I was just looking forward to some tips from any raiders, good spots, etc. Still chasing that first Jewie and I know this river system still holds a few decent fish. Any tips would basically be great....thanks.

Good size bream there, congrats Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply. Really hanging for a beach fish, but since I moved to Sydney I have barely fished all together. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Maybe no Jew yet, but bream is always good fun to catch. Never fished up that way, is there a place near by to catch poddy's Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Very impressive size for a Tarwhine, congrats. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Look at those mangrove jack..... Great fish all round there, thanks for sharing Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Are they night time species? Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Nice fish there...... If the photos are of the pan sized ones then that's one big pan! Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

I don't know about live baiting sweep but I did hear somewhere that you can strip bait them. Never tried it myself Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

This post is so interesting. A while back in Tassie when I learnt to fish I was catching mullet, ran out of bait and until dad went to the servo and back I used my chewing gum to catch two mullets. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Great report, and what an epic fish. Sorry about it falling just short of being legal but hey I am sure it was a great feeling regardless. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

To be honest, I still rather fishing over squidding. Like this is my 3rd real time to squid and I am still not that phased. Although I must admit, the quality of the catch to take home is always enjoyable to eat. I caught one of these, the bigger one, on the ocean side. And the other harbour side. The kid next to me caught two even larger ones harbour side. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Interesting, I will definitely be looking forward to trying again and maybe grab a green and blue. I only have the orange colour at the moment. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

+1 from me. Had an awesome time and it was great to finally meet some of the raiders. Learnt a great deal and really appreciated the event, thanks for putting it together. Look forward to seeing more raiders in the future...

Definitely worth a try, I might grab some heavier squid jigs myself and try it. Thanks and it wasn't the one directly across from the pub, it's the across from that one. The one that runs along the boat ramp. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Thanks guys and can't wait to eat them. To be honest, that's sort of what I was trying to do however what left me puzzled was what the kid was doing. He would cast his heavy jig in and then a slow and steady retrieve. It's almost like spinning a Tassie devil in freshwater, and the squid would actually attack his jig. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Once again visiting the parents and the in laws down at Shellharbour and as usual packed any rod I can get a hold off - this time it was my 6.8ft, 2-5kg outfit. Got here and with barely any time to spare, I ducked out to the harbour at about 4pm to continue practising squid fishing. Starting with 2.5 Rainbow coloured jig, but soon after changed to a 3.0 orange jig. No action till after sunset, however a kid and his dad turn up at about 4.30pm with what looked from the distance to be a 4.0 jig in blue. They quickly bagged two decent Calamari before sunset and packed up and left. Ocean side and after Sunset I ended up missing my first Calamari due to its weight, my drag was set too tight. Kept casting in the same spot and after another 10 casts or so, brought this guy in measuring 22cm (hood). Kept going, and in another 10mins, harbour side this time I brought in another measuring at 20cm. Packed up at 6.30 and called it quits happy to take home a quick feed. Being my 3rd squid session ever, seems like I am getting the hang of it however still much more to learn. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Sounds like great fun, good effort. Any photos? Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Congrats on the trout. I remember my first one was no where near that size but great fun to catch. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Well done, nice catch. Are they arrow squid? Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

I think one of their names is black trevally. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

All the best today, it seems a bit rough on land Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Your persistence paid off, congrats Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk