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zmk1962

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Posts posted by zmk1962

    First Keeper Red

    in Fishing Reports

    Posted

    Great report @antonywardle!  You'll have to teach me the snapper spots mate - I have been struggling with that species.   The final feed looks delish!

    Regarding rods....man you lucked out... not sure how that happens in one trip - must be a manufacturing problem for sure!  Warranty???

    BTW, I have used Silstar crystal tips (like ugly sticks) and  Penn crystal tip rods... some I have owned since 1990's and they are still going strong... the hypalon rubber grips are starting to harden but the rods and guides solid as.... may not be the fanciest rods around but they get the job done day in day out.

    Cheers

    Zoran

    Broken Bay - spur of the moment

    in Fishing Reports

    Posted

    3 hours ago, saltrix said:

      Were the smaller ones spikey flathead ( Long Spined Flathead) which are sexually mature at a very small size and only grow to 34cm maximum, as they have no legal length they can be kept and are excellent eating but need to be over about 20cm to be worthwhile. If you know your flathead they are easy to distinguish as they have a very long lower spike and the tail has a different marking. 

    Hi Saltrix.... nah... they were all blue spot .... kindy and juveniles....all misbehaving smashing baits far too  big for them and being a general nuisance. We got a few spikeys few trips back but none on this trip.

    Cheers Z

    Broken Bay - spur of the moment

    in Fishing Reports

    Posted · Edited by zmk1962

    7 hours ago, Yowie said:

    Nothing wrong with those flatties (I mean the 50's and 60's  :lol:) Could have been worse, with you not catching a legal one, and the missus really giving you a fishing lesson.

    At least you headed home with some good sized flatties. The whiting may have been a red spot whiting, found in the deeper off shore waters.

    Should get you some brownie points.

    HA HA..... yes, she can give me a lesson in baiting and winding in fish.... 

    And perhaps I might offer her a lesson, in: 

    1. planning an offshore trip based on weather etc

    2. packing the boat and gear 

    3. choosing the fishing spot

    4. preparing the rod, lines and rigs

    etc.

    Or perhaps I just stay quiet and enjoy what I have !!!   

    Seriously we get along really well but waste no opportunities to stir a little.

    But have you ever wondered two fishos - identically rigged rods, with identical line, bait, sinker and set up ... fishing in 50m of water 2m apart ... how does one catch fish and the other doesn't ? What is it? 

    Cheers

    Zoran

     

     

    Broken Bay - spur of the moment

    in Fishing Reports

    Posted

    Hey Raiders,

    I've been busy the last two weeks, but late Friday afternoon the Mrs and I decided on the spur of the moment to go out early Saturday morning in search of some flatties. I'd been monitoring BOM and Seabreeze and the outlook was for 27C, with Southerly winds that were forecast to die down by mid morning and then swing to a gentle Easterly ... all on a 0.8m swell ... so a cool(er) option to sitting at home in the heat and humidity!

    Checked the freezer only 2x200gm squid packs for bait left over from god knows when - but combined with some plastics should be ok for a quick bottom bash sesh,  finished hooking up the trailer hitch and packing the gear in the boat  just before the Friday afternoon thunderstorm - gods were smiling ! ... so all looked good for the trip.

    3.30am departure from home, quick stop to top up boat fuel at Thornleigh,  5am three boats already at Parsley bay ramp infront of us all launched with minimum fuss - experience helps... and 5:30am we're off motoring out in the dark....heading out a few km East of Barrenjoey.

    IMG_8129.thumb.JPG.ed3d31908bc3da3be76621a180008168.JPG

    Tried a few spots, 30m, 40m ... water was a bit sloppy, it was humid and hazy. Mrs was having second thoughts about "agreeing" to come out ---"hey I thought it was a mutual decision!" -- apparently not.

    Breakfast on the boat with the sunrise was just awesome ... (I had to get the rod in the view - thanks for the new reel DINGA!)....still no fish in the esky!

    IMG_8131.thumb.JPG.81bcbac97ad75a5fe0fa700778919f05.JPG

    But by 10am... the Mrs has had enough of the sloppy water bumping the boat around and reeling in  juvenile flatties from 40m (we must have released about 100 by then),  I suggested we try 50m but she wanted to head back ... we compromised and headed to the  20-27m ground around Trawleys.  Well here things were quiet.  Nothing. Not even juvenile flatties. NOTHING. So Mrs got bored and decided to hit the bunk and have sleep. 

    A few minutes later, I upped anchor and moved us back out .....to 50m grounds. Dropped a line over the side - to an immediate double hook up of two 30cm flatties -- released those but they were bigger and my spirits lifted. 

    It was now 11.30am. Mrs woke up and decided to join me - no comment about the location or where we were. Then in the next 30min she pulls in 4 flatties: 60cm, 62cm, 50cm, 55cm...and ofcourse the oddball fish of the day - a spotted whiting.  I only manage 2 keepers for the whole day - 2 flatties at 40cm. 

    IMG_8133.thumb.JPG.7089f4c7acf5d7fb4d19ad1795fe16a0.JPG

    Hmmmm.....REALLY !!!!!!!

    Cheers

    Zoran

     

     

     

    Second Battery Suggestions needed

    in Boating

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, TSCTSC said:

    Seems that they are using two hybrids and will connect it in line. Not sure if that matters. 

    As I understand it....

    "In line" means that battery1 -ve is connected to battery2 -ve... and battery1 +ve is connected to battery2  +ve..... so both batteries are in-line with their polarity...delivering a 12V system but with the combined AMP rating of the two batteries (if they are both switched on at the same time) to the electrical system.

    This is as opposed to "in-series" which means that battery1 -ve ( becomes the ground), battery1 +ve is connected to battery2 -ve, and battery2 +ve (is the live).... this delivers 12V+12V=24V system (infact it acts as one big 12plate 24V battery). Most recreational boats, starter motors, accessories etc are 12V so we don't typically have to worry about delivering 24V on our recreational craft.

    Regarding Hybrid batteries. ... they are constructed to be able to consistently service a hi current draw load (eg outboard motor start) and then also service the slow drain load that you get by running lights etc all night. They are more expensive than say just "Start" batteries.

    Personally, I have never bothered having anything on board but start batteries....I have found that as long as you keep them charged, or charge them ASAP...then they will last a long time (10yrs in my case). Consistently draining a start battery to dead flat will reduce its life span significantly... so weigh that against your type of fishing (will you be draining a battery flat consistently)  against the cost extra cost of a hybrid battery. 

    Cheers

    Zoran 

    Light install for deck

    in Boating

    Posted

    I was referring to isolating the positive supply to the LED driver/remote receiver without having to disconnect the battery. 

    If something goes wrong with the LED driver/remote receiver, you'd want to be able to switch it out of the circuit (switch +ve off) and still be able to run your other lights, motor etc. 

    Whether you do that at a switch panel, or with an inline switch that runs just the LED driver/remote receiver is a matter of wiring convenience.

    There should also always be a fuse or breaker in the circuit to handle overload/short circuit scenarios.

    Cheers Z

    Light install for deck

    in Boating

    Posted

    35 minutes ago, Omally said:

    I got mine on key chain remote that's on the boat keys  and it's got a dimmer because on full they are pretty bright ( I've heard the dimmers aren't to good for the LEDs as they actually turn on and off thousands of times but I've had pretty much the same set up on all my boats for years with out a problem, and I think the whole set up with switch panels and stuff was way under a hundred bucks) and very cheap and easy  to replace I think you'll have fun with it 

    Hi Omally... I would still recommend installing an isolator switch so that all power to the LED driver/remote receiver can be switched off.

    Cheers Z

    Light install for deck

    in Boating

    Posted · Edited by zmk1962

    On 11/1/2017 at 10:03 PM, GoingFishing said:

    Hi All

    i would like to install a light on my deck, can i hook onto the circuit for the at anchor light (they will be on at the same time) or should i run a separate circuit? 

    Hi Sam... many cabin/deck lights come with their own integrated switch and just have a twin wire tail (+ve and -ve) for connection . ... you could certainly hook something like that to your at rest light circuit (the deck lights do not draw much current and the at rest circuit fuse/breaker should be able to carry the extra load).  My deck light is an Red-White LED model and the switch has 3 settings, Red/off/White. The red light gives you plenty to see by but preserves night vision. The white can be quite blinding on the water.

    You have a choice of where to attach into the existing circuit... 

    i) run a twin cable to the existing circuit fuse/breaker or the existing switch (doing this lets you run the deck light independent of the at rest light - I do that often packing my boat etc)

    ii) splice into the wiring somewhere near the existing at rest light or  solder to the light's terminal connections.  (Ideally somewhere you can effectively solder and waterproof the joints).

    Cheers

    Zoran

    I have something like this installed:

    BoatLight.png.7073f1301f76b9f3eb852e8f0893c28d.png

    This is the light it throws:

    BoatLitUp.png.c65790366644b7bd80a76d947a33a7eb.png

    • Like 1

    Alvey 650BE1 “Rockhopper” Sytem diagram?

    in Tackle Talk

    Posted

    51 minutes ago, l2oBiN said:

    Anyone have a sense stem diagram for an Alvey 650BE1 Rockhopper? I can’t seem to find one even on Alveys site. 

     

    I bought a second hand hand reel and I am suspect that a few parts are missing or not correct....

    Mate its on their website.... https://alvey.com.au/products/650be1/

    Look down the page and you will see this... select spare parts... there is a PDF to download with the exploded parts list.

    image.png.6b98890442f5ed146c23d8f2547c85b5.png

    Here's the link to directly get it....

    https://alvey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/650BE.pdf

    ......partial screen shot below...

    image.png.84e9978929f8fe893685a9eb1c1b5591.png

    Cheers

    Zoran

    Hawkesbury help! - Brooklyn

    in Fishing Chat

    Posted · Edited by zmk1962

    Hi Gigs,

    I'll have a go at giving you some answers and perhaps some of the more local anglers can chip in. Your post reminds me of my very first trips to the Hawkesbury as a 9yo with my dad hiring single cylinder diesel driven wooden "put put" boats from Brooklyn.

    Since you're only planning to fish the 4hrs between 8-Noon... realistically you have missed the typical dawn fishing peak and now your biggest obstacle will be distance and the speed of "skinny" to try and find some viable spots. 

    I suggest the that you study some maps - even google maps to get a sense of the general layout of the river near your boat pickup, and the distances of surrounding structures and features from the H/Afloat pickup.  Perhaps also call H/Afloat and ask them about "skinny's" realistic cruising speed so that you get a sense of how long it will take to get to one of those features and hence how much time you have to allow for travel there and back. They will be familiar with the river landmarks and be able to tell you how long it would take skinny to get there.

    Here is a quick google maps view of where H/Afloat is located. To get into the river, you have to get around the top of Long Island and head toward the road bridge.

    IMG_8057.thumb.PNG.a36a15ddcb3142f82983548007ac45c5.PNG

    You can see from my snap above that its about 1km to the road bridge ( and at least another 0.5km to the northern pylons which have a hole and hold good fish - but in my experience this is a night spot - I have not heard of good catches during the day). ...and if fishing here you should  be anchored so the tide will carry your baits towards the bridge. 

    Generally I wouldn't recommend you try and fish around what looks like a little island under the letters "EY" of Mooney ... this area is a very shallow mud flat - but it really depends on what the tides are doing, what the lighting is like and what your level of experience is with throwing softplastics around mudflats for flathead. Also you don't want to run "skinny" aground.

    Turning left under the road bridge and heading further up river another 2-3km across from Milsons island there is an area called the "Vines" - this is a known spot for bream / flathead etc. Its sheltered in a Northerly wind and can be pleasant.

    Turning right, away from the road bridge, you start to head down stream and 2-3km down you will see another bridge and set of pylons - this is the rail bridge. Again there are holes on both sides of the northern pylons. 

    Another 2km and you will be around Dangar Island - the locals have reported good fishing along the channel that runs between Dangar and the SE headland ("Wobbly") where there are 16m deep holes - I am not sure how they fish late morning though as boat traffic will be high(er)! If you keep going  another 4km down stream you get to Juno Pt or across from it Gunyah Pt and these spots are also known good fishing spots especially on a run out tides. Now you are 9-10km away from your launch point, and if skinny can cruise at 10km/h its going to take you 1hr to get here, at least 1hr to get back (depending on wind and tides) so that leaves you a 2hr fishing window.

    My second suggestions is that you study the tide charts for the day you plan to fish to help you decide if you will fish the upper or lower stretches.... given the 4hr window you have,  the ideal would be that you are fishing both ends of a tide changeover, and that you are travelling with the tide on the way to the spot and on the way back. Perhaps book your trip based on the day the tides work in your favour in that 8-12 period. 

    Best of Luck!

    Cheers

    Zoran

    PS - in the old days, the folks hiring boats were prepared to get one ready for 6am pickup if asked.... I think your fishing prospects would be a lot better if you were fishing the 6-10am period.

    IMG_8056.PNG

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    Black plastic block

    in The Workshop

    Posted

    1 hour ago, raging said:

    Just an update. I took the old finder off, then pulled apart the base (held together with plastic glue). Then with the square black plastic, I cut a round disc to fit inside which the new finder screws into.

    Happy with the result of using the old screw holes

     

    IMG_2217.JPG

    Nice job ?!

    cheers Z

    Kingfish Round 2

    in Fishing Reports

    Posted

    54 minutes ago, Scratchie said:

    Haha.....enough fancy fishing! I was going to see if JonD was right and take a banana but just couldn’t bring myself to do it!!! Karma lasts for a long time! ;)

    Hahaha ... reminds me of a song: "very superstitious ... writing on the wall !"

    Well the Mrs and I put that to test on our previous bottom bashing trip together, we brought bananas on the boat, ate bananas for lunch and went home with 3.6kg of cleaned flattie fillets.

    But on the last trip chasing spears - we took no bananas and ended with no fish !

    HMMMMMM ... for me that Myth is BUSTED !

    I know what will be in my lunch bag on the boat in the future !

    Cheers

    Zoran

    Starting an old outboard

    in The Workshop

    Posted

    Sorry buddy... I'm not familiar with Johnno/Evinrude dealers or mechanics.  Perhaps you could PM our site sponsor @1stMateMobileMarine.

    ===> Charlie and Nathan from 1st Mate Mobile Marine Services.

    CONTACT: Nathan Struck

    MOBILE: 0416 542 243

    FISHRAIDER name 1stMateMobileMarine

    WEBSITE:  www.1stmatemarine.com.au

    Also, if you browse around the link that @raging shared earlier ... you can see links to schematics and part numbers for the whole engine. 

    If it was me, iI would browse through that site to get the most current part number (sometimes there is also an aftermarket compatible part) ... then I would search eBay for those parts, or start ringing Evinrude and/or outboard wreckers for a 2nd hand part.  

    http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1981&hp=50&model=E50BECIC

    image.thumb.png.f96ab50468595c42c29e3809eb90466e.png

    Cheers

    Zoran

    Sydney Wide 21.01.2018 - (un)Forgettable day !

    in Fishing Reports

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Smasher said:

    Sounds like a carbon copy of my last day out. Only I went south and ended up at least pulling up a couple of rats trolling around Coogee.

    Plan b for me next time I have a day like that is to do a flatty drift. That day I met a guy at the ramp who bagged out while we came home with donuts.

    Yeah.... I've done well on flatties last few trips so I didn't bring any bottom bash bait (still have enough flattie fillet packs in the freezer for 6 meals for Mrs and me). We had some plastics on board so I guess we could have tried but for this trip I was keen to stick to plan A and target a spear or other pelagics given all the reports.  

    That's fishing! ... 

    Cheers

    Zoran

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