Maiders

There are plenty of sharks on the all the northern beaches guys. First big oily baits, a little burly with tuna oil and you shouldn't have too many problems finding some.

Also very interested to hear any advice on this matter. I have wondered the same about the burley however I always find that my fishing is better with burley even if bottom fishing. I don't usually fish in particularly deep water though.

Depends on the wind direction as well. The wind can rip down Pittwater at times.

Where did you fish that was choked with weed?

And maybe change the braid to mono - braid has near zero tolerance when it comes to abrasion.

I did see in the paper that Fisherman's beach and the road down from the headland hosts the annual 'Esky-run' on Wednesday. I think it is a homemade go-kart type race. May be a good idea to get there really early and stay out until after it has finished! You should have a good audience if not. It looks like a bitch of a ramp if you ask me. Everyday I walk past it and see people struggling.

Whats the rat to legal kingy ratio in a normal season? It's my first summer in Sydney so I have nothing to compare it to. I hit 25 rats this morning with only 1 keeper and that only scraped into the legal bracket. I couldn't get a bait past them. Resorted to one rod with the biggest baits I could rig up!

I have just received some through online and looking to get it fitted this week. I will let you know as soon as it is in. Can take a few pics as well if you like?

I have owned boats for years and I did this exact same thing around 2 months ago! A mate had used the boat the time before me and he had left the muffs on. Being dark and in a rush to get out I hadn't been as thorough as I should have been with my checks and didn't spot them... I felt like a grade A pr@t.

The old timer got his first yakka smashed by a decent kingie within literally seconds of it hitting the water. I was holding the line ready to pop it in the d/r clip and nearly lost a finger! You should have seen his face priceless - just hanging on for dear life. 30lb braid and 40lb leader + pensioner who hasn't fished for 10 years = no chance. God damn first strike rules. Grabbed a few bonnies on bream gear and headed back in time for breakfast. Bit sloppy out there and too much to drink last night!

I am taking my Dad out tomorrow. It will be his only day on the water before he heads back to the UK next week. Will be trying to put him onto a decent kingie but I know he will love the surface action and throwing some lures at bonnies and rats so I am sure we will have a good day. Just checking the bait and tackle now. We wIll come up with a game plan when we get out there tomorrow morning. I am itching as I haven't fished since the 22nd Dec (I can't cope with the hustle and bustle on the water!) Where are you heading out from Capt Mac?

This topic has gone very quiet...

There is one for sale in the for sale section. Not sure if it is still available or not. Might save you a bit of time. More time saved = more time fishing!

Bonny strips seem to be doing pretty well at the moment. I had 2 on bonito when they wouldn't touch live squid, squid strips or yakkas. Nice work.

I have a Yammy 40hp 4 stroke. What are you putting it on? Mine is only a 4.1m tinny and it pushes it along pretty quickly. I have also have had Yammy 4's back home on heavier glass boats and loved them. If you need any info I can help you with then drop me a pm?

Saw two guys cleaning a couple of kingies at Longy ramp yesterday. Must be a few legals amongst them...

Masses of surface activity out there and loads of bonnies. Anyone hit any decent kings in the last couple of days as it looks like there are a few people struggling? How do you catch gars by the way? Can't find any info about it. Quick answer or pm will do guys as I don't want to hijack the thread!

Good shout on Huss to get the runs!

You will find that Fireline (and similar lines) will need a good few outings to help to loosen it up a little. I was not impressed first time out but after a few weeks of use you will find it a lot more supple and I have come round to its use now. I remember actually speaking to my tackle store about it and he told me to stick with it. Its knot strength is very good.

Great report. Got to love the zander and pike! Great photos by the way...

Some people use 6-10ft drop backs however most people seem to prefer longer drop backs especially if the kingies are a bit shy. I think 15-20ft would allow a fair amount of movement in most live baits. Its important to have confidence in what your doing so choose a distance that you feel happy with. Alter it if your not getting results.

A 7lb bomb should cover most circumstances just fine mate. As for the depth it would depend what your targeting. If your using a sounder it makes it easier as you can see what depth bait schools and fish are holding up at. I am sure some others can help further on this one... I would imagine most would suggest that Kings would be from midwater down and that you should have the bait above the fish.

It will certainly be a good series. TT - I also have tickets to the fifth test with the old man who is coming over from Pomland. Not sure what day yet though.

Hey I have looked up every squid post on this site and every other Oz squid mentioning site, I have read the squid articles over and over, I have tried day and night fishing and I am still struggling to catch squid before (and after) hitting Sydney harbour. I have tried the Spit bridge, Lady Jane bay and some of the other popular spots for jack... If anyone fancies showing me a trick or two then feel free to drop me a PM! I have my own gear and a tinny.

I have just been out to get a radio for the tinny as the Ashes starts in a few days. I can't think of anything better than drifting around Pittwater listening to the Poms whittling through the Ozzy top order... I chose Pittwater in that sentence as it would ensure no untimely interruptions (such as fish). So come on then Raiders, now I have opened this can of worms who feels like posting up their predictions for the series?