big Neil

[Hi Craig, Prawns, mullet or mullet gut are good baits to start with. Try to fish close to structures such as wharves or moored boats. Use a sinker that is just heavy enough to hold the bottom and baitholder hooks work well. Hope you catch a few, Neil.

Hope everyone has a safe Xmas and 2012 and we r all able to keep doing what we love so much. A special thanks to the administration for keeping this magnificent forum going, for us all to enjoy. Cheers, Big Neil.

No big surprise, it's a gr8 site. Well done to everyone for their contribution. Neil.

Fab 1 ,how lucky were they that nobody was killed. Still time to buy the Lottery ticket. I hope u and they have a great Xmas and New Year...bet u all will. Big Neil.

A very well documented story Keflapod. Glad u ended up with a feed, u deserved it. Well done, Big Neil.

Hey Mad Mullet,you've got the life. A missus, a girlfriend and Bream like that...u've got it made, lol. Big Neil.

congratulations on a job well done (by all). Obviously a future fishraider. Neil.

Hi Fishnatic, you have the best of intentions but need to do 1 of 2 things. If it's really important that u catch fish (never guaranteed) then do a test run so u'll have an improved chance of success (still no guarantees) or simply go and enjoy yourselves TRYING to catch a few fish. Even with the best of preparation fishing is pot luck. It's this uncertainty that "hooks" us in the first place. Good luck, go enjoy yourselves. Big Neil.

Hi Martin, gr8 fun catchin snapper on s/p's. 5 and 7 inch jerk shads work well. Jig head needs to be just heavy enough to get to the bottom and stay there. Current and depth need accounting for. Get a few different colours and u'll catch more than 1 fish usually before the s/p is shredded. U should be able to get info on reefs from local Maritime charts and I'm sure others will help with info, too. Good luck, Big Neil.

Pindari Dam near Ashford fishes well 4 yellas earlymorn or dusk. Big scrub worms are good and yabbies if u can get some. If u have a boat the road bridge at Maclean is good in Summer for school Jewies and flatties. Near the Grafton bridge usually holds good bream and flatties( Clarence River.) If u want to spend a bit more time up there, go to Yamba where the middle wall always produces fish. Good luck. Big Neil.

Slinky, what an informative article that takes away most of the misunderstandings we fishos have concerning a vital element of our sport. I've learned from experience that you get what you pay for and find that mid price ranged braid suits my needs well. Thanx, Big Neil.

Gr8 report, gr8 fun. Obviously in the right place at the right time, well done.

Hi Jazz, replying to ur intro cos we're neighbours. I live in Leeton and am retired. I'm not very good with computers and like to think I'm better at fishing. I have a small tinnie which I use in the Bidgee but have been thinking about a trip to Windamere (central west). I love reef fishing but don't have a suitable boat so rely on charters. Maybe we should get our heads together and arrange something. Look fwd to hearing from you. Big Neil .

Hi Gabba, can't help you with locations in Sydney but seems you've got plenty of location advice to go on with. I can say that carp, of which there are numerous types, are good fun and do put up a reasonable fight. I can tell you that various baits work well and it's fairly easy to get a school to hang around. Worms, maggots and freshwater shrimp are great live baits. Easiest and best is bread. I've used plain white, wholemeal and multigrain and all work well. Get 2 pcs of bread, wet 1 of them and blend between the fingers with the dry piece. This makes a dough that stays on the hook for a while. Carp are top and bottom feeders so i either use a float with a few split shot or a light sinker to hold the bottom. I prefer a larger hook with a wide gape and this can be covered easily with the bread dough.Carp have large rubbery mouths and hooks need to be sharp. Make sure you have a gaff or decent landing net as a large carp will be hard to drag out of the water. Good luck.