Twinfisher 4.9

Admire you for not taking bait.......but could you bend the rules a bit and take a block of pillies? For burley only, just to stir them up. Also making noise gets them excited - no, not singing, drop an anchor, rattle your chain, splash the water.......and then there are days when nothing works!

Hey sbf1....shhhhh! Yes it is a great spot for very good bream, high tide near dusk is the go, very light weight.

I fished Winney Bay for many years back in the 70's and 80's when you could could drive down to the bottom of the track from the water tower. If I now had to walk it.....I wouldn't. Yes it is a great fishing spot on it's day but doesn't handle too many - 6 or 7 fishermen would be maximum. Have caught some great fish from there. Dangerous - I wouldn't say so - if the swells are breaking over South Avoca, then no, don't go there. Yes if you were to go in, the only spot to get out is the "Rat Trap" - see below. In a howling Southerly, there is a spot heading around to Winnie called the "Coal Seam" - it's dolomite not coal but is black but you can safely fish and can be an incredibly productive spot. If you do walk to Winney Bay proper, as far as you can go, I high location ( 3mtrs above water) facing south-east - called the "Rat Trap" - can be incredibly productive for tailor at last light (though has a lower ledge). But if I had to walk back up the road, I would rather not.

The North end rocks are a better bet. They can be prolific at times for tailor, salmon, kingfish, bonito and I know of a number of 20kg plus Longtail Tuna caught of the rocks there. Also rock blackfish (drummer) with bread burley are good there and on the southern facing side, squid and you can get live bait there. Yes it is quite a walk!

I admit it.....I was a sceptic for quite some time and was always a strong advocate of fresh or preferably, live bait. But I finally surrendered to the soft plastics and they are the way to go, Not sure if there is anything you cannot catch on these things. Still remember my first fish on the plastics, thought it might have been a fluke, but it certainly wasn't and the boat is so much cleaner these days!

Had to double check......thought that might have been a typo and my answer would have been quite inappropriate!

Thank you Grant, have checked out the Cross x Country - my question would be glass vs aluminium for tough conditions? They are around 30% heavier and recommend more hp. Not ruling it out but having owned both glass and aluminium, yes would choose glass any day for comfort of ride but was always very careful where I took it & handled it.

I am planning an extensive trip next year around the top end and WA and cannot tow my larger trailer boat so was thinking of buying a small tinny to carry on the roof. I would appreciate anyone's experience with these or are they more trouble than they are worth? Am a really keen fisho so it would certainly get used but am thinking of the hassles of getting it on and off the roof & given its small size, obviously safety is important. Has anyone used the boat loaders for getting on and off the roof-racks? I do have a fold-up trailer so when camped for a few days I can tow it around locally without having to constantly put it on the 4wd roof and already have an 8hp outboard. Would much appreciate any thoughts, advice or general guidance. Cheers, Steve

If you can tie an Albright in 4lb braid......I want the name of your optician.

Agreed, a threadline would be best for you. Throwing light soft plastic jigs and squid jigs is not in the realm of the baitcaster.

Hi Whiting, this is the challenge that we all face every day when we are planning on venturing out. No easy answer but checking all of the popular weather websites especially those featured on this site, is a good start. To me the major factor, apart from the obvious forecast that rules it out in the first place, I look at is what is going to happen later in the day when I'm likely to be heading home. A lot of this only comes from experience and this only comes with time on the water and some unpleasant trips back. Whilst your boat isn't that large it should be fine for the FAD's in the right conditions. Heading back into a 20 knot westerly from offshore is not going to be pleasant. There is no easy answer, but when you go out, keep you radio on and regularly check the latest forecast.

Beaches can be a challenge as often what you see on the surface, is, as you say, not necessarily what happens below. Agree, smaller sized baits like worms help but if you want to use say, pillies, salted are good or use the bait twine - an elasticised material that you wrap around the bait and will hold things in place and doesn't seem to affect the presentation as fish seem to still go for it .

Thank you Paikea, had the good fortune to meet the late Jack Erskine who gave me the guide placements for the aluminium extended butt. It is a magic blank, can cast unweighted prawns off the rocks or a 4oz snapper lead - neither a problem. Once dead lifted a 13lb tuna onto the rocks with mine. Can't see a current blank matching all that! I'll keep searching.

My take on this is, if coming from Brisbane Water and you remain in Broken Bay heading towards Pittwater then you would not be required to have flares.

Hi David, Fish oil is usually Tuna oil (saltwater fish) which would be a bit unusual for Glenbawn inhabitants and is very potent. So probably would advise against that. If you have a boat or can hire one I would suggest that is the way to go and to troll lures or cast into likely looking spots (snags) with lures or live bait. Speak to a local or the tackle shop, they will assist you (for a Guiness or two!)

The law is quite clear, you are entitled to fish from the shore anywhere - providing it is public land and it is not a proscribed no fish zone. Wharves are another matter and it could be be banned by the owning authority. From what you are saying, it would appear to be local with nothing better to do. Slashed tyres should be referred to the police.

Looking for a Silaflex FT70 (made by Brownings in the US) either rod or blank. There were thousnads imported into Oz, so hopefully one or two still around. Please let me know via PM if you know where there may be one hiding.

Just checking "the centreline of the transducer is on the centreline of the hull" does that mean it is mounted directly adjacent to the motor? It should be as far away from the outboard as possible. Also as suggested, play around with the Sensitivity - from your screen shot it is nearly there but is picking up interference and clutter. They can be tricky little devils!

Just confirming if it is the 6 or 6 and 1/2 inch. Would purchase the 6.5? Thanks, Steve

So many years ago when I used to fish for Bass, the Jitterbug (single) was my favourite. Delighted they are still on the market so I would go with those, and yes in a darker colour (but not always black!).

my vote for lighter line, up to 6kgs of the leader is the double uni knot and over that line, the improved Albright attached to a Bimini Twist Loop.

Being an older gentleman myself, I will go with his advice. A wipe over with a damp fresh water cloth & then a dry is the better option. I have 2 Seascapes from over 40 years ago and they are still corrosion free - and that is pretty good with those reels given the use, the fish and dunkings they had - and they still run as well as when bought (not that I would ever use them nowadays). Then, a regular full service and you wont have problems.

My bit on this, agree they must be serviced ASAP after a dunking. Do not continue to use the reel on that trip and if you have fresh water available and a suitable container, dunk it again......... and keep it in fresh water until it can be serviced.

Unfortunately with the early reels with level drags, cork was the standard. I think you will have to resort to to manual removal but try a good soak in solvent (with acetone) first. I'm not sure what you would replace it with as not sure you could get Carbontex in the thickness you need so will need to build it up it with a number of washers.

Sorry Mike, I didn't think anyone would read this! Yes it is a magic spot, aren't we are spoiled around Sydney & the Central Coast.