Twinfisher 4.9

Unfortunately fishingphase, that is what I fear.......more legislation and rules and regulation. That is simply not the answer plus the cost of enforcement. We need to educate people about the potential dangers, but knowing our Government and the NSW Minister responsible for this, I don't hold out much hope.

This is tragic and simply awful news for the family and friends that occurred at Wybung last night, a place I know well and have fished often. Watching the news reports they stress "how dangerous" this place and nearby spots are - presumably including Moonie and Bardie at Catherine Hill Bay. It is the conditions and the experience of the people that make it dangerous. I sincerely hope there are not more imposts on the rockhopper because of this tragedy. It is unfortunate that recent arrivals in our country make up the majority of fatalities on our seashores. Education is the only answer, at the end of the day, you have to be responsible for your own acts but you can only do that if you are aware of the potential dangers. We already pay a fishing licence fee in NSW, I would not object to an increase in this fee if it were to be used in a targeted, well presented project to inform and instruct people (again particularly new comers to the country) of the dangers and how to manage that risk. Let us not allow this continue to happen.

I fished the rocks for many years and found cleats a pain in the you know where. Found plastic sandlels with many nodules and then screw s/s self tappers into them, no worries. Used to chase Tuna along the rocks at Avoca, no way could you run with cleats. These shoes never let you down.

I would suggest replacing the battery after 10 years, thats a good life for a battery in the marine environment. Running the fishfinder for 5 hours could well have drained it to the limit. I would suggest it's not just flat but is close to dead. Just as well you had the second unit, very important.

Absolutely. I fished the Wedding Cakes in the Harbour one Saturday Afternoon (bad move i know). Was anchored no more that 5m from the structure yet had multiple sailboats come between my vessel and the Wedding Cake, several times cutting our lines and they had the nerve to abuse me! Sorry, but that's wrong.

What are you looking to catch? Watts Reef can an offer a lot of possibilities but you need to know what you want to catch. Have used Watts to catch live bait (yellowtail) on the way out to use outside. It is also good for larger species, at times, but suggest you need to have a goal in mind, just going out and hoping for the best rarely works.

Having been catching live bait for many years, have tried the jigs and always revert back to a 3kg handline, small pinched sheet lead 50 cm above a no. 10 longshank hook with a sliver of squid. Burley with pilchards and bread. When you feel the bite, just let them go a little and than retrieve. You will be busier than a one armed bricklayer in Afghanistan.

This may be why I have had only one 'glass boat and 4 aluminium boats. Seriously, hope your repairs go well, I know I spent a lot of time repairing my 'glass but it's worth taking the time to do it properly the first time (now that's my dad speaking through me). Good on you Paikea. Steve

The weight of the boat (unladen) should be easily obtainable from their website. However to be sure, I would put it on a weigh bridge to be sure. The seller should be ok to go along with this. With a 15ft glass you should be just ok but the extras that have been fitted or are carried make the difference. It is not worth the risk of voiding your insurance if not sure. But I think the most important factor, ahead of towing weight, is the tow-ball weight - this will potentially affect you more, especially going downhill - this is where you can seriously run into trouble. I think the tow ball weight should be mandatory measured in the annual boat / trailer rego inspection (and that applies even more to caravans).

Agreed, use of the Gain function is imperative. Go up high until your screen is cluttered with images and then back it down until you see some distinct shapes. Try it over a known reef such as Watts. Keep adjusting to get the best out of it.

As a suggestion, Catherine Hill Bay - the rocks at the south end of the beach or Wybung Head. Both will be less populated as a much tougher walk in than Avoca.

Hi pescator5, you are going to a great location but at not the best time of year. For Longtail and Spanish, March and April would usually be the time. Having said that there is still a lot of warm water still heading down south, so who knows. I have fished Hat Head frequently since the late 70's and have had some great days up there. Re squid, I havent caught any and the terrain doesn't seem to lend it self to squid - lack of kelp and weed beds and the like. You may have some luck with Kingies but again, that time of year they tend to be offshore. HH is good for Cobia but again timing isn't great. If you have a 4WD the beach will be good for tailor. The closet tackle shop is at Southwest Rocks (40 minutes away) and they should be good for local info. Enjoy yourself at a great spot. If you would like any further info, PM me. Steve

I agree, I wouldn't take a graphite rod anywhere near the rocks. graphite is wonderful but so unforgiving. Fibreglass or composite or heartbreak!

Have you considered the Shimano Torsa. Have had one for 6 years and think I could winch my boat out with it. More expensive but a brilliant reel.

I think we may be missing the point, its about fishing in locations - if you want to learn techniques, rigging etc then TV is not the forum. It is shown on TV because it is entertaining, they want viewers, its not intended to be educational other than the locations that he goes to and I must admit I have added a few to my must visit places. I have spoken to a number of people who are not interested in fishing but really like his enthusiasm and the places he travels to. If he wasn't supported by sponsors then the show wouldn't even get to air. Same here I suspect - Fishraider need it's sponsors. If you want to learn, there are other places - such as here on Fishraider. Just my thoughts.

Have had one of those "drown" riggers for years, has now been improved with a better clutch. Good value and after sales support.

Used to fish East Reef regularly and it can be very hot or ice cold but as said on that other link, it is the home of sergeant bakers - even trolling with hard body lures. Be very careful of West Reef, especially towards low tide in a southerly swell. It is very shallow and out of nowhere a 2m breaking wave appears.

Join the club! From past experience, it doesn't work by saying "i'm just going fishing" you need to have a target species or at least a method in mind. You can't be all things to all fish. Given where you live and your water craft, I would say concentrate initially on soft plastics for flathead and bream - it will take time and patience but what you learn from that type of fishing will help you enormously when you target the larger species such as kingfish or mulloway for example. No time on the water fishing is ever wasted. It is true that 90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the fishermen and this doesnt' happen by accident.

We have all done similar or worse......welcome to the club and the knowledge you wont do it again!

Officially 4.9m but actually around 5.2m. Twin Hull.

Oh yes, the electric winch is the best thing on the boat (and that includes me). Have a drum winch and have never had an issue and you don't have to manually secure the anchor, it simple locks into place. No more sore arms and backs, just press the button.

My first boat used offshore was a 14 foot (4.3m) Brooker. You had to pick your days and watch the changing conditions carefully. I would agree that 5m would now be my minimum length even though the boats today are much better craft than they were 40 years ago!

Small bobby cork, crabs, prawn or bread for bait and bread burley, burley and then more burley.

Could I suggest that you invest in a Sarca anchor, more expensive but very unlikely to ever lose it and you will never have to change anchors again.

Kingfish, unlike Tailor, will take your bait head first and the least hardware the better. A second hook isn't really necessary and may scare away strikes. You may lose your odd yellowtail to Tailor but if its Kings you are after, one 6/0 to 8/0 hooked through the nose if trolling / downrigging or through the shoulder if near the bottom or under a balloon.