mattyg_16

There are many factors that could contribute to not getting the squid but personally I cannot get past the orange warm jacket Yamashita's in 2.5g, they are yet to fail me on squid. I think they glow in the dark and also have a UV coating. I have given yo-zuri's a go but I get frustrated and go straight back to the Yamashita's. Matt

This is the fishing chat thread, so just wanted to let everyone know that the trawler now here (in case anyone did not know already) and get everyones views on it. I am trying to say that if the Trawler has screwed up baitstocks everywhere else it has operated then why does the Government think that it wont happen in Australia? Matt

There is so much talk going on today, and everyone is fired up, rightly so. I don't know how the Government can sit back and ignore all this. Apparently it is making Port in SA today. The theory is quite simple, everywhere this trawler has operated previously it had done significant damage to the bait stocks and depleted them to the point where it can no longer meet its quota's. How is the situation going to be any different in Australia Waters??? Matt

Thanks Kel, I did have a couple of Squidges on me but I only had light jig heads and found it impossible to cast more then a couple of meters. I will definately give them a try when I head back, I also heard bass minnows are the go there. Does anyone know when the best time of year is for TCD. One guy told me that it fires pretty well at the first signs of spring for the fly fisherman. Matt

Fished TCD today for a change of scenery (from salt) and with the hope of landing my first trout. Got there around 830 and it was blowing a gale but I was trying no matter what. Fished various lures including devils whilst walking up the eastern side for nothing and it was difficult with the wind. Found an area out of the SW wind with quiet water and starting flicking. Changed to a small metal spinner (can't remember what they are called) and hooked up right at my feet and this thing was a behemoth. The rainbow's tail came out of the water as it turned to head back out to deep water and in the same instance my 8lb leader snapped. Ahhhhh I could not believe and I just stood there staring at the spot (<5 m) where I lost the fish. Put about 10000000 casts back out into the same area of water but got a big fat 0. Fished until about 130pm at various spots but did not see a fish. Spoke to a few other people back at the gate and they also had a hard time. So devistated but I'm extremely motivated to go back and get my first trout. Matt

Not sure about the barometer yesterday but it seems fairly low today. Maybe that could have contributed to the donut. Matt

I'd really doubt there would be any in the Penrith Lakes area because that is past the weir. Any areas up stream of the weir is your best chance. They are not a regular fish in the system so this winter (or what's left) would be your only chance of getting one until the next lot of floods come through. I'm not saying you won't get one in summer but I really don't like your chances. There is not really any deep water areas in the Nepean for the trout to hide in cooler water during summer and survive. I reackon they will all die off this summer. Matt

^ agreed, this whole weekend will be a write off for fishing in Sydney

Bread would be fine. Once you get them going they should practically jump into your live bait tank at West Head. Only problem I find with them their is that they tend to be on the large side and a lot of fish won't touch the bigger ones. Matt

Mate, It's not a regular thing, a solid amount of numbers came over the dam wall this year with the floods. Normally they are not in the system because they can't survive the higher summer water temps and if they do they are in really bad condition. If you are going to go I would go very soon as once the water temps slowly increase they will die off. I have had two cracks at them this winter but have had no success. I know a few people that had some good sessions a week or two after the flooding when they were concentrated in the upper areas of the Nepean. I'd say they would be well spread throught the system now so numbers would be thin. I did hear of people getting them land based down at the weir. Matt

Interesting, I always thought the rats head offshore during winter. I would have thought the water temps in the Harbour would be too low to sustain their high metabolism unless the pretty much go into shutdown mode....but I guess there is plenty of food around anyway. Did you get them around structure or were they just sitting in deep water? Matt

Hey guys, I have been fishing Syd Harbour quite regularly this winter, and I have had a few outings trying to target the "big" winter Kings that hang around. I havnt had any trouble finding squid but I am yet to see any signs of Kings. Everytime I target them I end up with Salmon or Tailor. I am mainly targeting the lower Harbour areas including Middle Harbour. Just curious to see if anyone else has had any luck? Matt

Its a reef in middle harbour supposedly made by a couple of old fellas chucking empty VB bottles into the water over many years. Not sure how true it is (about VB bottles), but its a pretty cool story. Matt

I wish I could help but all my squid spots are east of the spit. I'm sure they are up there and I would just focus on any obvious weed beds. Matt

Mack Attack Definitely a decent Mulloway or a big flattie is what im after. I have a few decent holes in the Hawkesbury River I am dying to put a poddy down in. I have seen a few cylindrical ones from the tackle store but there is someing about making it yourself. Like making a blackfish float or a lure and having success on it. Mal Thanks for the advice, I was trying to think of ways to keep the bread secure to the sides as well without having it all float out the top. Matt

Thanks guys, That style of container was the only one avaliable in the shop which was fully clear, others were frosted and or had frosted patches. I got the one with the blue handles because I was really keen on making one ASAP. I have seen the juice bottle trap and have seen it work but I wanted to make something a bit more permanent. I watched a You Tube vid the other day of a guy using the exact same container and it worked for him so I'll just have to wait and see. I will be taking a few different versions out to see which works best. In the end I think if there is a big enough school of them and they get into a frenzy over bread they would go into anything. Matt Juice Bottle Container

Hey guys, I posted a topic about Poddy Mullet traps a few weeks ago now and got some useful information back. I just wanted to share some photos of the first prototype I have put together. It consists of a plastic storage container, a hole in the top, several drainage holes and a mirror. I have herd the mirror helps in attracting the fish into the trap becasue they think there are already others in there. I am hoping to test it in the coming weeks but it will likely get a work out with the return of warmer water temps. Does anyone know if any other baitfish can be caught this way, maybe herring? Matt

Went out into the Harbour on Saturday in search of a Hoodlum. First squid spot landed a big one (30cm to the top of its head) so there was no need for anymore. Had a look at a few spots but settled on Chowder Bay as it was slightly shelted from the wind. Berleyed up plenty of pickers and tried to persist but in the end I had enough of them taking my squid so moved into some deep water in Middle Harbour. After 10 minutes or so of berlying my rod bent over and took a solid run, I was convinced it was a King as it also had the typical tail beats during the fight. But as it came up to the boat I was surprised to see a solid 55cm Salmon and it was fat. Caught another 47cm Salmon and a 43cm Tailor then it went quiet. All the action happened around the slack of low tide. Before heading home I decided to give Blackfish a quick go in Middle Harbour. Tried a few spots but with the current and wind combining it was very hard to keep the float steady. Found a spot where the float had a slow drift and stayed there for a while. Ended up with 6 downs and no hooks ups. Each time my bait was stripped from the hook and it was very frustraighting. I have never had this happen before and I have caught Blackies at that spot as well. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this might be happening? Small fish maybe? I was using a No. 6 Mustard Sneck with stringy weed. Matt

Hey mate, The link does not work on my phone but I am almost certain they are not even close to being a threatened species, I really doubt they are critically endangered otherwise you would hear a lot more about them especially from fisheries. I could be wrong though. Matt

Ha ha, Garlic prawns. Love it!

Hey mate, They are not protected but for some reason everyone thinks they are! Matt

Thanks elferoz777, I have seen those clear tubes your talking about in tackle shops but through research and talking to a lot of people I got the feeling that the clear tube traps dont perform as well becasue they have the entry points on the side. Ive been told to obtain or make a trap with the entry hole ontop. I have no idea if it is in fact true but thats the vibe I have been getting. I have a few places in mind which include some tidal rock areas. I'm just going to have to spend a day putting it in several places on different tides and see what works. Matt

Hey I was also in middle harbour on Sun chasing blackfish from a boat. Only manged one in the morning though and it was on cabbage. It was the first time I had fished middle harbour for blackies so I was flying blind. Can you recommend any areas to target. Cheers Matt

Like any law its vauge and up for interpretation. Best to be safe than sorry.

Thanks user 1829 For anyone else interested: "The maximum dimensions of a bait trap are 450mm length x 350mm diameter with entrance funnel no larger than 60mm in diameter" You also need to be a label with your contact details on it however I'm sure this is not required if you are within visual contact with the trap. Matt