DeanFish

Fellow Raiders, After spending a heap of time on this site the knowledge to be gained/shared is outstanding. So with that in mind I want to share an issue I have that I am sure you will be able to solve. I have a fishing spot that produces constantly for me at the mouth of the Hawkesbury at a depth of 10 meters which is great. However i have an issue with it.... The tide is very strong and it requires a 4oz snapper sinker cast way behind the boat just to hold bottom. This works well and i catch fish but i really want to be able to fish the spot with lures (hard body and soft plastic). I have gone as far as throwing out a 2oz jighead with a 5 inch soft plastic. not only does it not look right but does not feel right and as fishing is all about confidence i pull it back in and just retreat to my 4oz sinker with bait as i feel like throwing the 2oz jighead it a waste of time. Can anyone suggest a solution to my problem? I was considering a small 8m deep diver, casting it out and letting it float way back then retrieving is back 2m off the bottom. Any thoughts guys?

Nice. Most of my fishing is done in the Hawkesbury/Broken Bay/Pittwater area. I will give the TN60 a try.

Adventureman, is that the Jackal TN60 your referring to? Also has there been a stand out colour? Dhype, do you find the 50 better that the 35s and 40s in the Ecogear for flatties?

If I was you I would look for an older Markham 4.3m dominator. I have one on a trailer with a swing away draw bar and I manage to get it into my garage with about 10cm to spare. No issue taking it outside on the right days and they are very stable. I have a triple garage and back it in then just maneuver it across. Leaves room for both mine and my wife's car.

Hi Mate, I just went through the research process myself. Dexter Ressell is the one you want. Retail around $50-$60. My local butcher uses one and spoke very highly of them. Apparently the bulk of knives used at the fish markets are Dexter Russell. That was good enough for me.

No problem at all! Iv learnt plenty from talking to you at the Hairtail Social (you helped me with some spots to try) and reading your posts. If I find a reliable location or two to catch them and they result in some level of success ill be sure to let you know.

Hi Scratchie, My other motivation for using a live bait is to catch a big Jew. I have seen some footage recently of people catching big Jewies with Poddy Mullet. I'm having good success with prawns (more so Bannana prawns from Woolies/Coles), pilchards, squid strips etc but must have caught over 100 undersize Jew over the last 18 months. I caught a solid 64cm Flatty on a small live Yakka on the weekend and its fueled my interest in using live baits more often. I know people will suggest squid also but find them too inconsistent in that area and don't want to rely on live squid alone. I like te yakkas because I can always get them easily and quickly, I'm hopping Poddys may be similar...

Hi Guys, Im keen to try live Poddy Mullet in an attempt to catch some big flathead at the mouth of the Hawkesbury (Juno Point, Flint & Steel, Patonga area) I'm hopping someone could assist with potential locations for catching Poddy Mullet in this area. I plan on trying both a home made trap (cordial bottle style) and the cylinder type traps you can buy at most tackle stores. And advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the note Harold. I'm actually going to camp overnight so can you see and issues with me leaving the boat tied up to a vacant one?

Hi Testlab, Really appreciate the feedback but am i looking as the wrong thing? Im looking at 2 locations on the maritime website and neither shows me this detail. Location 1 - Boating Maps : http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/docs/maps/pittwater.pdf Location 2 - Mooring Maps : http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/docs/recboat/mooringmap-pittwater.pdf Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Good read Scratchie, Did you get the Squid at Hungry Bay? Keen to find some reliable squid spots in the area without having to head out to Barrenjoey.

Thanks guys, Sorry I should have been clearer. It is the courtesy moorings I am after. Looking at the charts they are pink. The waterways charts only appear to show where moorings are, the don't distinguish between the private (yellow) and the courtesy (pink)

Hi guys, Just wanted to know if there are any public moorings at The Basin - Pittwater? If not do you know where the closet public moorings would be? Cheers

Hi mate, Shimano Raider 762 5-8kg, stradic 4000 with 14lb braid. I use it and its one of my favourites.

Check out the Markham Dominators or Markham Whalers. Sounds like they may fit the bill? I have one and find them good for exactly what you hav mentioned.

x2 for the Totally water-tight wheel bearings

Hi Guys, I just wanted to say it was nice meeting you today on the mother ship and a i really appreciated the warm hospitality. As discussed today I have not been fishing that long and find the forum has been a big help in picking up hints, techniques and locations to fish. Thanks for the chat and the bacon and egg roll this morning, I look forward to seeing you guys out on the water. Thanks to Scratchie who was great to talk to and gave us some good advise (and some Hairtail) this morning. The result was 8 flathead. 4 tailor a nice Bream that was tasty on the plate. Cheers, Dean

I have a few thoughts 1. Trailer bearings that don't have to be replaced so regularly. 2. A bolt on / ready made /plug and play style live bait tank (circulating water) for a reasonable price

Have found Club Marine to be reasonable. When you take out the premium you can save 5% paying online and you can save a little more opting out of the magazine subscription. I had a significant issue towing my boat when I first got it. The policy covered my for one free tow annually which was handy at the time.

Sure, just inside Juno Point.

Hi Guys, Just spent 2 days fishing the Hawkesbury/Pittwater area with some mates. We caught 20 Jew (2 legal), 2 Trevally, 1 Bream, and 4 Flathead so all in all a good 2 days on the water. This monster flatty was the best catch of the trip. It went 88cm and was caught on 12lb fire line using the trusty full pilchard for bait. See the pic attached. (The box the fish is sitting on is 81cmx49cm). Think i will submit this one in the catch of the month comp. Cheers

Hi Mulloway Man, As a new comer (last 18 months) to fishing I have to start by saying I thoroughly enjoy your posts. The spot where you are holding the bream that took the sugarpen looks awesome. I don't suppose you would consider sharing it via PM or I would even love to tag along with you one day. I have a 4.3m twin hull boat but you look to be land based or in a Yak there?. I understand the work it takes to find good spots so all good if you want to keep it to yourself. Cheers

Thanks Geoff, I recently had it serviced but i had already planned to take it to Huey given the trouble he has gone to with the previous advice.I will take your advice onboard and will take it him for sure. Regards.

Dunc333. I know the Markham 4.3 is rated to 1x70hp or 2x 40hp.

Really appreciate the FB. I'm out this weekend so I will keep any eye on a few things. I will look to cruise at lower Revs to see if this makes a significant difference.