night_rider

Keen to join me for a flick Mr King whisperer? haha So I'm thinking a big squid strip out from the end of the pier, should I float or bottom bash it? Thanks Kareem!

My guess is a decent Jewie or similar grabbed it off an poorly adjusted drag, unsuspecting fisho. Good spotting Stan!

Hey Raiders, After an unsuccessful trip on Friday afternoon out on the boat in MH, I've still got an itch to wet a line post weekend... I had a few missed hookups of some kings that were cruising around the boat enjoying my burly trail and I'm in desperate need to hear my drag scream.. Any suggestions for a good landbased location you've had recent success at that I could hit the 7pm low tide ?? (the boats packed up and don't want to waste time getting her ready after work) I was thinking I could head to rose bay and flick a few baits off the sand flats? or possibly head south to the Georges and hit a wharf near the bridges? Located in the InnerWest. Thanks in advance guys!

Awesome read thanks Pete + Kareem! What livies were you guys using? I was out in Middle Harbour on Friday and watched a few decent kings cruise passed fresh squid strips with next to no interest... It was devastating!

Thanks guys. Great info. I'll have a look for the sensitivity settings and play around with them. I think I drove my mate nuts on the maiden voyage, couldn't find the volume adjustment and the beeping was non stop hahah As far as I can see, my transducer is located in the same spot the images recommend... I'll post up a photo and see what you think.

Hey Guys, After getting a few BCF vouchers for Chrissy, I did a fair bit of reading and made what I think was an educated decision on a new sounder. I ended up with the Lowrance Hooked 4 Combo. I got it $50 off and considering it was brand new at the time I was pretty happy. It suits my boat dash space well and seems to work well. It's my first fish finder, so probably wouldn't know any better...! Although it should be plug and play, it seems to do weird things when I get over ~10 knots, it drops out and gives me a shallow warning alarm from time to time and the image also goes all fuzzy. I've mounted the transducer on the right side of the transom as per the instructions provided... Any suggestions? I am enjoying being able to find drop offs and changes in depth... Hasn't really converted into dinner on the table yet, but I'll get there I guess... Another question, how do I read the thing? For example the below image, am I looking at a bait ball and squid? or are they fish... It appeared after burleying up in what I hope to be a well producing bait grounds. Any direction on how to setup and read the finder would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Thanks for sharing Julian! I love reading that newsletter, there are always such monsters in it! I've only ever caught baby jews by comparison, but it certainly makes me want to check the weather for the weekend ahead!

Mate what a top day out! Sounds like you managed a few screamers! Really impressive to the leave the hot bite of kings in search of a Jew and managing to find one! Hope you enjoyed the Kingfish for tea.

Awesome read Dan, thanks for sharing. There is something realllly rewarding about scoping out a new spot and being successful on the first wetting of your line! Especially with a massive slab of silver like that one.

Top feed indeed! I had a very similar outing just the other week, but I returned to the boat ramp at about 10pm with a very wet donut... Most auto pumps have a simple float switch which you can test by lifting it to simulate water being in the hull, however I'm not familiar with your hull design regardless of this I'd assume you can access the pump?

It's a pike eel is it not?

Steve, I'm looking to give my 4.4 runabout a little bit of a refresh so I might tag along on your post. Sounds like we have a similar paint condition... I was going to rub it back till it was smooth(not necessarily bare metal), etch primer and top coat it. I was advised by the guy at my local auto shop against rolling on the paint, and that I would get a better finish out of a can... Happy to hear our Raiders' thoughts..

Thanks guys appreciate the quick replies! Sounds like a good idea to avoid Mooney Mooney. It's a real shame in this day and age we have to worry so much about this sort of bs!

Hey guys I might be heading up the coast next week over night, is Mooney Mooney any safer these days or an I best going in at Apple Tree ? Cheers, Mark

Welcome to FishRaider Hellcorner. Awesome to hear you had a few good hours. The first run from a kingfish is always a great feeling! Glad you got to see it, running light gear we often loose it after the first run. Keep at it with fresh squid and you're bound to land a table sized fish sooner rather than later. Cheers, Mark

Interesting thought about the male/ female colour differences. I'd say they are on the rarer side of catches, on 40+ trips out in the harbour in similar spots I've only caught 2 of them.. Is there a way to donate these fish to the DPI or a museum for research?

Yowie, Here's the one I caught late last year, I've actually caught two of these now. Will have to track down the size of the other one! Looks like you can see the black spots on it's tail. It actually tried to bite my mate when we landed it, pretty funny... So I called it for 43.5cm are we sharing this record? Haha

Didn't realise there were baby great white's swimming around the Hacking. :/ Interesting that the condition of that model differs from albinism...

That Whiting is sooo fat! Well done mate. Glad Jnr got in on the madness too!

Wow David, you must have a big vessel! That's like a persons weight in batteries if not heavier! I recently purchased a c-tek trickle that also has a restore setting. It charges my dual setup really well. In terms of setup, I would certainly recommend the dual battery with isolator switch, this means if you do get into trouble you can isolate your starter to ensure your accessory battery doesn't draw power from your starter if it's gone flat.

I have a boat this time! Hopefully I can make it I've never caught a Hairtail before, so I'm pretty excited.

Thanks Welst, I actually went to Whitties over the weekend and bought a few meters of clear plastic, some plastic studs and clips... Just waiting on the zippers from the e-marketplace... A friends dad has a sail making setup and I'm getting some help from him! Failing that another friend who is an upholsterer by trade said he could knock them out for a case of stubbies... Good lad! I'll put up a progress post when I've finally got everything and getting stuck into it.

Hey Raiders, First post for the new year. I hope you all enjoyed the silly season and got some solid family and/or fishing time in! After a few large 'splashes' in rougher water in the harbour on my last trip I think I want to look into getting covers.. Watching the Sydney to Hobart start was pretty amazing, the drenching on the way back to the ramp was not. Hahaha My bimini has a zip and button studs on the windscreen ready to go, I'm told the previous owner lost them on the freeway... Is there a cheap option to sourcing these? Maybe getting the material somewhere or am best to bite the bullet and get somewhere to custom fit them? I had a look on the online market place sites, but couldn't find any at all.. I don't really care if they're not a perfect fit, just a little protection would be great.. On another note, this rain in Sydney is ridiculous!!! I had hoped to do some maintenance and paint refreshing this week whilst off work, but that looks to be out the window! Cheers, M

Sorry to hear your bad luck. Could have been worse, your line could of caught on their rib and taken your rod for a long swim! I know that fresh bait is key, but sometimes if you have the gutter right and by the sound of it you did, the blue boxed cali squid can bring the goods. I've also had first hand experience with our site sponsor, bait n go's squid is pretty good! Caught a soapie off the boat a fortnight ago on it... Tight lines mate, hopefully you get that silver ghost for Chrissy this year!

Bill I saw the aftermath of this on the water! Sorry to say we didn't see the incident or those responsible.- Really glad to read you're ok. We were motoring over to Balmoral, we saw a number of police + maritime boat. My gf and I were very concerned there had been a fatality. Speedy recovery to you! I think someone else offered, but there's a seat on the Striker for you if you want to hit the Harbour, just drop me a Direct Message. Cheers, Mark