sharknett

Snapper will eat a live bait so always worth having one on the bottom.

The gear you mention is sufficient to land one but keep in mind they are a not take species. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/375966/Wobbegong-Sharks.pdf

Is your swivel actually working? If the bait spins and the swivel doesn't the leader will eventually start to twist back over itself. As mentioned above, find non offset hooks are also better for trolling baits. I usually tie the sinker to a snap swivel with maybe 5cm of line between. I then clip the sinker to the top loop (closest to the rod) of the swivel connecting the trace to the leader. Seems to work.

What ever head unit you go with, you can either go with an SLA battery or save weight by going with Lithium Ion. As long as you put them in a waterproof case neither will present any safety issues. I have been using one of the old blue wrapped LiIon CCTV batteries for a number of years but most now seem to go with the 18650 batteries & make up a battery pack to run in series. Google search will give you plenty of info re wiring, box etc.

Have seen people using green bags as a sea anchor. Bit of coathanger wire inside the top edge to hold it open and tie rope to both handles.

Used a C-Tug back when I paddled a Stealth BFS. Worked pretty well, comes apart and not much you can break on them.

Similar but mine does not fold down. Was made for me by a family member. Allows me to put the nose of the yak up & slide on. Main reason I got it was the racks that came with the car flex while driving which loosens the straps. The bar gives me a 3rd, more secure tie down point.

I usually carry 3-4 rods (2 light and 2 heavier). Never had an anchor.

You can also get devices to help you slide the yak on from the rear instead of lifting. I have a custom made T bar that bolts into the towbar but you can also get wheels that sit on the back window of a hatch or wagon.

Depending on load requirements for other activities I would say anything from a medium hatch or wagon up. Makes it easier to carry & load yak gear, esky, rods etc than a sedan. Throw a waterproof tarp or similar in the back & no problems with damp or sand.

Kings will start to be more prevalent soon as well. I have not been to Pittwater but all the usual haunts in the harbour will hold fish at times. Just a matter of finding them. Fresh squid and live slimy macks are usually the best baits.

Have seen reports from some who swear by them for snapper & shark baits.

Depends what you are targeting at the time. If you are after demersals like snapper, then you are looking for structure. Reef edges, gravel patchesetc and then figuring out how the current is likely to affect fish movement. If you are after pelagics like kings then you want to find bait schools and hang around. If you find a bait school that is tightly packed, has a more vertical shape or has larger arches around it, then it is more likely to have larger fish harassing it. You don't need to stay right on top of the bait school as the predators will often be picking off the individuals that get separated or move differently to the rest. Jew I have no practical experience but my understanding is they will hang out of the flow behind a reef or in a deeper hole when the current is running then move out to actively feed when it slows.

"If you could only take 4 outfits per trip, what would they be" may be an easier question.

Depends on your settings. Could be a bait school or just be clutter/noise. There are a few good videos on youtube to help get the best performance.

Excellent result. First Sydney samson I have seen much over 50cm in quite a while.

Have had a few tangles from trolled lures on the yak. The lures are fairly close together so if one doesn't run straight result is as you describe. making sure they are not at the same distance and/or one close to the surface and one deep diver will help. I resolved the problem with Scotty holders and the rod tips pointed out wide. At least you got a nice day on the water and covered some ground.

Cajun spice mix

The state now own the M4 but tolls are being reinstated and on every exit

Also cut the hood into strips and rig on a jig head same as a plastic

The anchor trolley is usually rope and pulleys. The bungy is usually just a short length or loop between the anchor trolley tie off point & the rope attached to the anchor. It is also a good idea to incorporate a float (in case you have to move away from the anchor) and quick release such as a cleat. If you need to chase a large fish or release the anchor in an unforeseen emergency you don't want to be stuck pulling the anchor all the way in.

Sounds like a pretty good day. Make sure you figure out where the water is getting in. Too much and you will start to notice the yak starts to become unstable and difficult to paddle. If its the hatch (quite common) a visit to Clarke Rubber or similar should get you some rubber strip to make a seal.

Approximately where I placed the red dot below. Have seen Raptor and a couple of other guides dropping jigs there as well as pulling a few ourselves.

Not a bad day out on the yak. In case you are not aware, it can be worth trying for squid in close on the Balmoral end of Middle Head.

Looks like a great design. My only question would be can you get the yak back over the right way on off chance you flip?