Scienceman

A couple of months ago my battery ran flat and so recently to make sure it is still OK, the night before I go out I have just turned the motor over until it fires and let it run for ~5 sec - without attaching a hose for cooling. Is this a bad thing to do? I know motors can easily overheat but a stone cold motor run for 5 sec should be OK, or am I wrong?

I have been to public meetings and been in touch personally with the DeputyOposition Leader, Duncan Gay, here on the Central Coast and I have received assurance both verbally and in writing that the liberal / coalition is diametrically oposed to the marine parks and when in office will do all it can to minimise their effects on the fishing community. Unfortunatly they will not have contol of the Upper House and so will not have the necessary power to overturn the existance of the parks. They see them clearly for what they are and will instead focus on other issues more relevant to the quality of of the environment and overharvesting. If anybody wants to contact him yourself, here are his details. I can assure you he will reply, sometimes by phone! Hon Duncan Gay MLC Deputy Opposition Leader & Leader of the Nationals in the Legislative Council of New South Wales Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Shadow Minister for Mineral Resources Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Parliament House NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000 P: 02 9230 2329 F: 02 9230 2923 E: duncan.gay@parliament.nsw.gov.au www.duncangay.com

Mate, I have a 2000 475 Bayranger Caprice + 70hp Yamaha (2 stroke) which I bought new. Only wish was that I spent the extra $2,600 and got the millennium hull which had just come out. Don't think I will ever sell it as it is perfect for solo trips and is fine with 2 fishing. The cuddy cabin gives heaps of shelter on cold or wet days or at night. Protected driving position which is higher than the runabout. Add a bimni and rear qtr seats and its perfect for a family of 4. Only issues have been a pretty crappy paint job in places and corrosion under the paint along the gunwals due to salt water getting under the gunwal strip in-between the spot welds. Aparently this is pretty comon and does not cause any problems except a little paint peeling here and there. Fully loaded it would be close or above 500kg so I got a braked trailer. Better safe than sorry. I was told insurance companies will check your weight if you do have a big accident. I think I still have the original catalogue with dimensions etc if you still want these.

A full day out for not a lot. Tried in-close spots around West and East reefs. Then on to the Valiant - no bouy so anchoared. Then along came a dive boat and anchored on top of us, and proceeded to launch divers under our boat. Said sorry but ......Grrrr....... Then to West Head. Back to the Valiant. Had a couple of small yakkas roughed up - dory would be my guess as no hit, just a weight and no tell-tale squid bite mark. On the way home we were waved down by another boat. Wanted a tow back into Brisbane water. Said they were just testing out their new purchase - an 18 ft, 2nd hand glass runabout, and thought the petrol in the tank was off. Any smart person would change the fuel after buying a 2nd hand boat as there is no way to know how old the fuel is. Also dont think they had radio, mobile, etc etc. Anyway, after a 50 min slow tow back, the most they could offer was a "Thanks mate, might be able to do the same for you sometime". I know if I was in their position I would be offering a $20 with profuse thanks. Oh well, it was a good day to accumulate karma for the next trip.

What's even better, I am assured by several Kiwi's I know, is that they are also a much better eating fish than the snapper we get here. I always thought they were the same species so it must be the colder water / diet that makes the difference.

Yeah, don't know why there were so many red rockies about on the weekend (see my fishing report). Usually get the odd one but at one time I was pulling them up one after another. Earlier in the year I got a few small jewies (3 - 5 kg) at F&S on the weekend, but dont bother if there are too many boats. I find everybody waits for the tide turn and the moves on if no fish result. Last time I had to wait ~1 hr after the turn, when the flow really belted out before the fish came by. By that time most other boats had left with only another cluey boat next to me and myself to quietly pull a few over the side. Much better at F&S during the week.

Saturday at 5am with the wind pusing 20 knots on the hill I called my mate and suggested we go on Sunday instead. Sunday at 5am, pretty calm so out we go. Still a 2 m swell running so it must have been at least 3 m on Sat. First tried in close off Putty beach in 18 m of water. Plenty of fish on the sounder but nothing much biting - except red rockies. I recon these guys were schooling under the boat 'cos I caught about 6 in 20 min. Put a 3' minnow SP down near the bottom on my bream gear and stuck the rod in the holder to let the swell work the lure. After 30 min it goes off - a small reddie. Another 20 min and the rod doubles over the real screams. I picked it up and felt a very solid weight. Big but not too big (I hoped). A gained quite a bit of line after the first run and then it took off to the surface - a big tailor? Then again down deep again. It was not too big that I could not gain some line between runs so I thought I was in with a chance. Finally got it to the surface, and as we went to net it - you guessed it, the hook straightens - BUGGER . Got a good look and it was a mac tuna, about 70 - 80 cm (3 - 5 kg??) Wind droped to about 5 knots by mid morning and we decided move on as only 1 small mowie in the esky. Tried a spot on East reef in ~20 m of water. A few fish on the sounder but not a big school. I decided to fish with an estury rig (hook, trace, swivel and small bean sinker) as the fish would be more timid so long after sun-up. Slight current to the south. Tried a variety of baits but it wasnt until I put some fresh, skinned yakka on the hook that I go the first reddie. Over the next 1.5 hours I caught a total of 5 going 32 - 35 cm - not a great catch but better than going home with nothing. All caught on fresh yakka. My mate got zip and I think it was because he continued with a patternoster rig with heavy mono. Cheers, Scienceman

Tis the time to decide where to go tomorrow. Methinks with a big sea forecast, the perch grounds wide off Terigal will be a bit risky. Think I might try in close just north of Broken Bay. A friend did this during the week and with plenty of burley, managed bream, reddies and trevs. Then if the wind does pick up from the SW as it is forecast, we might try around West Head for hairies or dory. Might even drop a livie off Flint and Steel. Anyone else got plans in the Broken Bay / Hawksburry area?

Thanks for the "welcomes". Saqa, let me know if next time you are up this way and I will tell you my spot on Narara Creek and if the blackfish are biting or not. Only go for the blackies in winter when the weather is bad or the kids want to go fishing. Usually I fish from my boat in Brisbane water (summer), around Lion Is (mainly summer), nearby reefs (all seasons) or wider out (all seasons). Also occasionally out wide of Terigal or off North Entrance beach. I dont mind putting in reports and hopefully there will be others from up this way too. Cheers, Scienceman

Greetings and salutations, Just wanted to introduce myself, Scienceman - aka Warren. Fishing fanatic based at Gosford with a 4.75m Quinnie 1/2 cabin +70hp Yamaha (6 yo). I have had Fishraider in my Favourites for the past couple of years but it wasn't until I met Saqa at WoyWoy wharf on the weekend that I found out that it was up an running as a fully functional fishing website. How did it go Saqa, did you get any blackfish? I gave Narara creek a go the next day and got 4, all about 30cm, and left them biting. Not big but about average for inside. I am very happy to find an alternative to fishnet and look forward to meeting you all and taking part in future activities. Cheers, Scienceman