LuckyFil

Great story and pics - they're a couple of stonkers! What plastic were you getting them on? cheers Phil

Thanks for that Antony. I have one that looks a bit similar it's been in my lure box for years without much use. I think it's a Bill Lewis Rat L Trap. I'll make a point of giving it a go on the Barra when I'm in Weipa in a couple of months. cheers Phil

Great report and pics. The lure that did the damage on the Barra looks like it could be a vibe? Am I right and how did you fish it? thanks Fil

Not one but two top class reddies there. Impressive

Cracker mud crab! Big claws so a male I assume

They may not have been huge but 20-30 Barra each is bloody good - especially when the boss is paying!! Yeah I heard it was a lousy 'wet' this year, a mate of mine works on a flash resort over near Shady Camp and they've been offering refunds to their clients if they want to cancel their fishing for this year due to the lack of run off.

Nice catch of pan sized reddies and bream. I see the chinamen jackets are about too did you lose much gear to them?

That's a nice flathead on 1kg line! He must be patient and have a good drag on his reel. Fil

Yep that ones worth a few pics! well done Fil

That's a bloody big bonnie!

Some excellent fish there - three big lizards on top of a good mixed bag. Ive caught my biggest flatties at this time of year up to Easter and always on strip bait. Don't know why that's the case. Did a van trip to the red center last year and had some very pleasant time in the Clare Valley on the way back. We stayed at a beaut park in Auburn. It's small and quiet and very near Taylors winery. There,s lots of good cycle trails in the area if you like a bike ride. They are old rail trails , fairly flat and well off the roads through paddocks and go past many wineries. cheers Fil

Well done with your kids and helping the nearby family by fine tuning their gear! You are dead right about the fish size, kids don't need to catch big fish to be having fun they just need to be catching something. I used to take my guys fishing when they were little and they all remember it as fun times. One of my sons has become a bigger addict than me catching bluefin off the rocks Spanish mackerel and lots more. It's a great way to share a common interest for the rest of your life if your lucky. cheers Fil

The snapper at Broughton get nervous as soon as they hear the sound of the Scratchie boat arriving

Well done getting seven I've tried a few times over the years and got nothing but an aching back!

Yes very true

Good question. I caught at least one 10 pounder in those days but unlike her I don't have a photo to prove it!

Came across this old photo of my wife with a 10lb flathead she caught 32 years ago in Pittwater on handline (we only fished with hand lines those days). She reminds everyone that she was 7 months pregnant at the time. We caught plenty of fish in the 6 to 8lb range at this spot with the occasional bigger one like this. Fish were measured by weight not length then so I've no idea how long this one was but I'd say she's up around 90cm. Thought it might be of interest to other Raiders cheers Fil

Just read disturbing report on the ABC news site about an EPA investigation into water quality in the Lake which said there were high levels of cadmium present in the mud crabs there especially in the southern part of the Lake apparently due to the hot water coming from the old power plants there. It said eating fish was ok but limit amounts each week . Best read the story for the details. Sorry can't get the link to copy across. I know there's Fishraider members up that way so wanted them to know about this Fil

Ok thanks

Sounds like a gear session. Whats a coconut rig?

That float looks like a piece of artwork!

Cobia also turn up in Pittwater occasionally. I caught a small one on a strip bait a few years ago and my Dad got one in the same area a year or two before that. A friend lost a very large one off the Northern Beaches rocks 2 years ago - he was spinning for bonito and didn't have a gaff with him that day ... Fil

Yeah I agree . I've caught plenty of them in summer but most people (including me) tend to target other species in the warmer months than in winter when there isn't much else around so they have a reputation as winter fish. Sorry to hear you've noticed such a drop off in their numbers when you've been diving I've not fished for them around Narooma but I'd heard the rocks around Merimbula were good. ustget down there one day to give em a go.

Thanks guys

Went to Lake Cathie about 44 years ago with a mates family on a camping trip. It was a great place then and we caught heaps of fish - mainly bream and whiting on beach worms - still remember it fondly. Glad to hear it still produces. Great pic of the flatties by the way.