Twinfisher 4.9

This reminds me of a recipe I was once given by a wonderful dear old lady, long departed: "Firstly fill your largest saucepan with" the main ingredient and the following specific measurements. At the time my largest saucepan could boil a maximum of 6 eggs and her largets saucepan could hold 6 full sized muddies. So yes, I guess, size does matter....and it is relative

Yes time has moved on.....and we need to keep up with it. No swivels, absolutely not - with a straight, properly rigged soft plastic they will swim straight without any line twist - unless you are using a side-cast and then you shouldn't be using soft-pastics. Yes tie the leader to the braid mainline and with light line, a double Uni knot is fine.

Hi Bookwa, this is a mystery that has me intrigued. Do you know where he is based or launches from? We need to get to the bottom of this. How frequently do you see him? Cheers, Steve

Hi Mcgoo, if I can throw my two bobs worth in, a centre pin is (in my opinion) the best for blackfish. The Alvey, whilst a great reel doesn't have the feel and smooth line feed and control that is important. I have an Avon Royal (made in the UK) for 40 years and is still the smoothest and best reel for blackfish. With the Alvey, line-twist will likely be an issue as you most likely wouldn't have a swivel between you and the float. Please dont use a threadline though.

I dip my Hat to you sir. Kings on a fly is great and especially at this time of year when they are usually deep. You should be very pleased. Cheers, Steve

Well done and great photos, they tell the story. Keep it up.

Hi Brudus. can I just say thank you to both Marine Rescue and Water Police. You all do a fantastic job and is reassuring that you are around. Who knows how many people you have saved. Good on you. Steve

Mermaids perhaps......

It is a top fishing spot at the right times. Get there 2 hours before dusk, catch some tailor and keep them in the rock pools and then put them out under a balloon. You will catch Jews but 9 out of 10 will be sharks But hey good fun anyway. A top spot.

Sunday at the earliest, not tomorrow I would suggest.

Well done to you, this could start a whole new trend in blackfish and overcome the problem with finding good cabbage or weed. Have you tried in estuaries or rivers where they tend to be more timid? Great concept.

No you are not losing your luck and talent. Was out there on Monday - water temp 15.7 degrees in places and the water green and dirty. Give it another 4 weeks or head offshore a few kms.

This morning - holiday Monday - at Bayview (Rawsons Reserve) in Pittwater a Maritime Inspector was on duty checking out each boat before launching. He was very amiable but also took everything in. I was all in order and he even checked my bungs - I jokingly said I have only ever done that once and never again. And then he let me down badly - he failed to tell me that I had not disconnected my safety chain and he could have saved me making an utter Goose of myself! No matter how many hundreds of times you have launched a boat you can still forget something. My only excuse is it was my first venture out for months after the winter lay-up.......but I won't do that again either! Later in the day, near Little Mackerel Beach, a boat had engine problems and was drifting towards the rocks at the southern end. I was just about to head over but the boat that does the garbage collection for the Mackerel Beach resident's garbage bins headed over and took a tow rope. Minutes later a Waterways Rescue vessel pulled up but the guys in the garbage collection boat said, "no problem, we'll look after it". How lucky are we on the water around Sydney and you gotta love that attitude. Well done all.

I only just heard of the sudden death of Jack Erskine whilst in the US at the age of 71, an absolute legend of the fishing industry in Australia and more lately, widely recognised and respected worldwide. I first met Jack in 1973 when he was recognised as one of the best rod designers and builders in Oz. He spent no end of time with me as an 18 year old as to the basics of crafting a blank into a beautiful fishing tool and physics behind the design. Jack was running a very successful business in Sydney but still had so much time for an enthusiastic but ignorant youngster and I will never forget him for that. He was a pioneer of LBG in NSW, particularly at Devils Gorge, which encouraged me to fish that (very dangerous) place many times. A true legend and will be truly missed. Vale Jack.

I only just heard of the sudden death of Jack Erskine whilst in the US at the age of 71, an absolute legend of the fishing industry in Australia and more lately, widely recognised and respected worldwide. I first met Jack in 1973 when he was recognised as one of the best rod designers and builders in Oz. He spent no end of time with me as an 18 year old as to the basics of crafting a blank into a beautiful fishing tool and physics behind the deisgn. He was running a very successful business in Sydney but still had so much time for an enthusiastic but ignorant youngster and I will never forget him for that. He was a pioneer of LBG in NSW, particularly at Devils Gorge, which encouraged me to fish that (very dangerous place) place many times. A true legend and will be truly missed. Vale Jack.

Well done Mack. I have been using Reidy's lures for years and many times they out-fish all others. Hard to find in tackle shops but buy mine direct from them now.

I agree, Bova Compounding at Caringbah for the ET pills, they do work with the worst of motion sickness victims......beware they are Blue in colour so don't get them confused with other blue tablets........but then again, if you do, at least you won't fall overboard whilst having a chunder

There is a choice, either salting or freezing - you cannot successfully do both. Salting, done properly, takes a fair bit of effort for a week and unless you have your own "bait fridge" my may cause some domestic issues at home! There wil always be arguments either way.......I spent many years salting and doing the daily draining and salting and re-wrapping in newspaper versus just sticking the fillets in the freezer. I now realise, life is too short to be bothered with salting and the time you save, get out there a bit earlier and catch it live.

I must admit, that initially I was totally opposed to the this "massive seafood processing vessel" but as the facts evolve you need to reconsider, well at least I did. It is not a monstruos net that takes all before it - before it enters the "capture zone" it needs to fit into a 20cm by 20 cm mesh. There are escape hatches prior to the capture net and also cameras monitoring what is going on. The quota of 1800 tonnes will still be filled by other fishing vessels. But what does it say about doing business with Australia - an arrangement that has been years in in arranging and at the 11th hour our Government does a back-flip yet again and introduces what is in effect retrospective legislation. Sorry, but how does that look to the rest of the world who may consider investing in this country - and yes, that 1800 tonne quota will still be harvested. We need to keep things in perspective and obtain the facts. I admire all of the Victorian fishos who protested with their boat convoy, lets not ever allow emotions get in the way of facts. It was a "Balls up" and should have been handled much better - from the company's side they should have told us how they processed and the precautions they take and certainly from Mr. Burke - it embarrases the country.

For what it is worth, having fished for blackfish for many decades, I have never been bitten off by one and on 3 kg leader dont think you would have busted - well you would know of you did. Have been bitten off by tailor, bonito, toad fish and leatherjackets. I think you are safe it is not the blackies that are biting you off.

Good point josamill, I will follow up on this, as this is my territory as well, the pro trawlers just decimate the fishing. I have tried with the State Member, who is "sympathetic" but I guess it comes doen to the money to buy out the pro licences. Lets keep up the fight!

That is great news......finally. The Government were aware of this vessel a long time ago but ignored it. There was a huge protest in Victoria 2 weeks ago with Fishos towing their boats over the Westgate Bridge - hundreds of them.......and guess what the pollies took notice. We must be ever be alert to the threats of our passion fishing and when necessary make a stand. I know the Moderators would like this moved, but congratulations to those who protested. And let it be a reminder to all of us - who are all conservationists if you are are fisher-person - because we want our grandchildren to also enjoy the thrill of fishing. We can make a difference!

That is just appalling, I'm sure AQIS are aware of this.......Not! Well they will be now, I will forward the video to them and request what is their policy on quality and testing of imported seafood. I will post their response......but don't hold your breath. It is just not acceptable.

They certainly are not strictly vegans, up at at Hat Head beach I have caught a number on beach worms and other times off the rocks on bread when fishing for drummer. But still think that cabbage or weed is the better way to go, though they will still surprise you. Gotta love fishing!

When they are hungry, they will grab anything. Once fishing for blackfish at Avoca, was winding in a bait-less rig and was hit by a bonito. On 6ld line and a blackfish rod and centre-pin reel, that was a handful!