dacosta74

Ah ok, I just put the rod in the holder and trolled around, meaning the rod tip was way up high, maybe that was the problem. Thanks Tasksta.

Hi Raiders. Bit of an odd one. A few weeks ago I tried out my Xmas pressie, at smallish x-rap (either 10ft or 10metre). And I hooked onto 2 rats off my kayak. So, I had some time off and ventured out in a tinnie that I hired. For some reason, just couldn't get the x-rap to dive down, it was just spinning around just under the surface. Really frustrating because I didn't realise until I'd been towing it around for 3 hours!!! Any hints or tips on how to fish it best? I had braid on the reel, then 20lb leader, swivel, and connected to x-rap with split ring. The previous time i was on much lighter gear, maybe 12lb leader and much lighter rod. But due to the success I convinced myself I was going to catch a whopper so beefed everything up. Is that where I failed? Oh and speed wise, it was a 15hp outboard, and i was trying everything from kayaking pace, to a bit faster. Help appreciated. Thanks.

If you're prepared to get wet, pick a warm day and wade out to your waist casting soft plastics into the boats which are moored near the kayak hire place. Good flathead spot. Only problem is if it's too nice you'll be dodging kayakers!

Can I ask what kind of set-ups and bait you were using? Cheers

I take it that's a no then?

I've just move to Seaforth and I'm fed up with catching nothing around Clontarf - land based. Is it worth giving it a go off the rocks that go round from Manly aquarium to Fairlight? Any suggestions on methods and what to expect to catch? cheers

The coffee boat in middle harbour has a massive Vittoria sign on it, around most weekends between Clontarf and Manly. Coffee van at the ramp at Rose Bay. Pull onto the beach at Clontarf, coffee kiosk in the middle of the park Pull onto the beach the other side at Spit and there's a coffee shop on the southern side. Drop someone on Manly wharf - heaps of coffee places Watsons kiosk.

Thanks for the replies, and also the advice Rockett and Richard. I better go get another rod leash!

Been having a bad run with fishing lately, a lot of zeros. Headed out on my kayak at 7.30am from Clontarf, trolling an Xrap slashbait - 6ft diver, paddled all the way to Grotto point and round a bit, nothing. Headed across to Balmoral. Attached myself to bouy in middle, nothing but nibblers. Tried pumpkinseed minnnows, and swimming grubs, and a VX40. Dropped back to the eastern edge by the rocks, by the last boats. Again, nothing but nibblers. The I caught possibly the smallest snapper in the world - it wasn't much bigger than the SP. Funniest thing was just as i'm brining it up a squid grabs it... nearly got him on board with the live bait!. Nothing else happened. Set off, cast the Xrap back out to troll for home - Clontarf. Just as I leave the boats and into open water I hear this noise, turn around and my rod with the Xrap has gone!!! I see it disappearing into the blue...so glad I brought a rod leash and had it attached... I grabbed the rod and bang, the rod goes in two and the force of the fish starts pulling the nose of the kayak round. I'm using a fairly light set up - 15lb braid and 12lb leader... had to tweak the drag to let it take some under control. A couple of cracking runs later, and up comes my first kayak kingie! with a mate! It was only a rat at no more than 45cm. Strong fish bearing in mind the kayak is 40kg, and my fat arse comes in just shy of 100kg and it pulled us around. I unhook him and chuck the xrap over the side. So I'm taking care of the little fella, releasing him, when bang the rod buckles over!! His mate has picked up the lure that's just laying in the water...! This one went even better, aggressive deep diving runs, and a couple of mins later it was also boarded. Marginally larger than the first, it went back to fight another day. With a stupidly large grin and shouting 'yes!' I paddled on (I hope no one saw!). Trolled all the way back for zip.. tried SPs and the VX40 through the bays on the Balgowlah side for nothing. And a last bash amongst the Clontarf boats with SPs and VX40 also drew a blank. Still can't put anything on the table this summer, but it was an awesome trip just for the 10mins of mental action. Tight lines boys and girls.

Great report. Got me excited and now I want to go!

Yeah tell me about it. I recently bought a kayak so I don't know if it's just because I'm paying more attention to it, or if it actually is more windy. At this rate I'll be selling the yak in a month!

Hi Raiders... Does anyone else think that Sydney harbour area has been more windy than usual for the last month? Do the experiences fisho's think i'll back off as we move deeper into summer? Cheers

Thanks Longfish! Yeah I bought an anchor trolly kit before christmas, so yesterday was the first trial out. Great piece of kit hey, I don't have an anchor or sea anchor yet, but just made myself a little buoy rope with a big caribina so I can attache my self to empty markers. I'm looking at getting a sea anchor so I can slow drift. Was going to head out today but it looks a bit showery. I'm keen, but not keen enough for a soaking! I think next step is a cheap sounder so i can see where drop-offs are.

Thanks buddy, every little helps! Tight lines.

Thanks Scratchie. Any tips for SPs from a kayak?

I put my kayak in at the Spit today, starting around midday. Attached myself to some empty bouys around Clontarf, then closer to the Spit Bridge. Absolutely zero, not even a nibble. I was trying a few different things - I had a whole pillie on gang hooks with no weight letting it roll around, even the pickers didn't take a sniff. I also fished a VX40 blade to no avail, and had a 3inch nuclear chicken jerk shad on a different rod, again not a touch. Headed under the bridge and into the boats behind the Spit marina - middle harbour side. Again nothing. Then the wind blew, boy was that a paddle back! So, all around pretty disappointing. Thinking about trying again tomorrow - any feedback would be welcomed! I've got a fair amount of land based and boat experience, new to kayaking. It can't be that different can it?

So, buying a real boat is a long way off, I'm starting to think smaller. I really wanted a Hobie with the pedal, but that's a lot of money for a kayak. Next I was looking at a Jackson Cuda, again, quite a lot of cash, but well made. No pedal power. Brow beaten by the wife and allowing my head to over rule my heart, I'm now looking at my first kayak being one of these ones you can get for around $500 on ebay. Has anyone got any experience with these cheap kayaks? Are they really bad? or would they be good enough for a summer or two until I can warrant a serious investment? Any advice appreciated.

$85 for three years fishing. I think that's still good value considering what you can take home in that time.!

Can anyone give any advice as to whether it's worth trying beach fishing tomorrow evening? I'm thinking either northern beaches or eastern suburbs. Wind is around 12knots southerly, I'd get there about an hour from high tide, and fish to a couple of hours after. Is a southerly too cold and blowy? Thanks guys.

Hi, anyone got any updates on how it's fishing, either northern beaches, or eastern suburbs beaches? Thanks.

So when is the best time to fish the spit? I've tried from the side where the boat sales place is and the tide just pulls your rig right round and into the side, and that's with a heavy sinker. A squid jig would have no hope? Thanks.

I'd love to try and pick up a King but not sure I'll get on the water quick enough. Otherwise, would just like to attract some reasonable sized fish for the table - bream, a decent snapper would be nice. Can I ask what you put into the mincer? Are you talking one of the hand crank one's you attach to the kitchen surface? What is your consistency like, like mince meat? Thanks for replying.

Thanks Mike! Good luck at Newport... what method/bait are you trying! Yeah, I think working out where the gutter is is going to be key to actually finding fish. That and working out which are bites, and which are the bait bouncing around!!!

Hi, I'm after some general advice about burley when fishing from a boat in Sydney harbour and surrounding areas. Don't worry, I'm not after your secret recipe!. I've made it in the past - bread, tuna oil, prawns, pillies, all sorts of everything to make a nice stinky mix. Not sure i'm getting the consistency right. What consistency should the burly be? Deployment - What's best? I've got a burley bucket, and typically put a couple of scoops in, and weight it to send it right to the bottom. Is this best? I've seen people mention burley cubes? Can anyone explain. So in short.. Burley tips? What should it look like? How much and how often? And anything else you can think of!! Thank for your help!

Thanks everyone for your advice, will put it to good use. If anyone's got any golden tips on identifying the gutters, that would be awesome too.