Jew Stalker

Cheers Pete. I think it was just lucky that I knew the platform well after having lost a few fish at the same place before from them diving under the ledge and losing many a lure/rig. I was almost expecting it and knew just what to do if it did.

Cheers Syd, I most definitely will. Me and my fly rods are going to have a very happy healthy relationship I think. I make them work, they keep me happy.

Thanks Stewy, I didn't even look there. I might have to put it in I think when I get home and have my computer in front of me. I have to say also... damn they go hard. They had my rod hand in some serious hurt. I think I like them.

This morning I thought I would try a spot I have never tried for some luderick but it is somewhere I have fished many times before for the pelagics. I was down at Tura head as the sun was rising as I know a nice little place down there where there is a bunch of weed but for some reason I had not thought to fish for them there even though it was around. I picked a bunch of the stringy stuff out of one of the pools and threw it in to see if I could get the fish interested. I had quite a bit so there was no shortage of berley and after 5-10 minutes I saw dark ones rising all over the place and even right the way up to the surface to attack it. I had my fly rod ready to go with my green weed fly and as soon as I saw them I swung my fly right into the middle of them. There were so many that they were fighting to get at the weed and my weighted fly lasted about 5 seconds in the water before I saw it get taken. The strike indicator went down and I knew I was on nice and solid with my extra sharp fly hook so I struck well and it was on. The fish that was on my line fought harder than I have experienced on my 5wt and it took me some serious effort to turn it around. I got it to my feet and it dove straight down at the rock face and I knew I was in trouble as there is a little undercut and that is exactly where he was heading. I basically had no drag on my reel and was palming it when fighting but I had to let go of my spool as I was only using 6lb tippet and he would have pinged me off given half a chance. It ripped a bit more line out then stayed still (I knew he was under the crevice so I let it stay with no tension) about a minute later it came back out and started swimming away so I let him go for about 10 meters then put a bit of stick on him again. Once again it was on and it was not giving up without a fight. This time though he didn't go back under the ledge it just tried to go along the platform and get me on the cunji off to my left but I managed to turn his head and bring him back toward me. Thankfully there was another fellow there and he very skillfully netted him on the way through with a little rod work from myself. When I looked in the net it was no luderick... I had landed my very first ever drummer. It came in just a whisker under 40cm so I am calling it a very good 39cm. I was pretty darn stoked as I had never had such an amazing fight on the fly gear and was very surprised that my entry level Sage stood up to the beating it was just given. I have a new found respect and admiration for my lovely long wand. At this stage after all the commotion there were no fish around anymore so I figured I would get the berley going again and once again after several minutes they once again started to rise up but not quite all the way to the surface this time. I once again flicked my fly dead smack into the middle of them again but this time I had to wait a little for it to sink and them again my indicator went down and I struck. Again this thing pulled like a freight train but I seemed to have a bit more control over this one. I picked it for a big luderick as I saw them attacking the weed and after a couple of tense minutes got it to surface and once again saw that it was another drummer! It also did not want to go in the net but I had the better of it after tiring it out for a few minutes. I led it over to the waiting net and landed my second ever drummer. At this point I was pretty knackered and had a nice case of forearm pump so I sat down for a little while to take in what had just happened. After around 20 minutes I had another go. I once again burleyed up but I think I scared them off as I didn't see any but I flicked my flyt into the burley anyway and let it drift down. It was in for a solid 5 minutes and my strike indicator dips under the waves again. I strike again and come up tight. This time it felt much different. I picked it for a luderick straight away and after a short battle he came up as well. He was only a little fellow at about 30cm so I sent him back on his way. At this point I figured I have a feed, I have had my fun, it is time to go home before the missus wakes up and will want to do stuff so I packed up my gear, gave a big thanks to old mate who netted my fish for me and made my way back to the car with a big smile on my face. I know it is a long story but I wanted you all to share my experience so thanks for taking the time to read it. Below is a pic of the 2 drummer I took home. Luc.

Well done mate and welcome to fishraider. Those rigs are not bad but much better when you make them yourself on a lighter leader of better quality. Snelled rigs work quite well on snapper and kings too. I have a feeling we will be hearing more from you soon if your first report is anything to go by. Jews are not the easiest fish to come by so you are definitely doing something right. Luc.

Well done boys, way to show them that raiders are serious competitors. It would have been a full tilt effort landing that horse foul hooked like that so massive cudos to you all. Champion effort. Luc.

Geez... That fish wasn't green at all hehehe.

Good work mate, that is a healthy feed and it is good to see you showing your dad how to catch the big fish hehehe. Well done. Luc.

They don't call it the dark side for nothin'. Welcome Padawan. P.S If you think that was fun wait till you try it on fly. Luc.

Mate it is a 1 piece (so not real good for travel) t-curve bream spin. It is 6'9" 2-4kg 1-9 gram.I use it mostly with hardbodys and small steelies. I use small hardbodys and plastics when chasing bream and trout for the extra action I can impart on my lure as well as small steelies when chasting salmon and tailor on the beach. You don't need a long rod when beach fishing if casting metals. Just a good cast and a quick retrieve. For the 7ft rod you are looking at a 2000 or 2500 would be ideal. Luc.

There are still some on the shelf down here in 3.0, I might have to invest in one.

I'm with James on this... a 2000 is plenty, I love flicking steelies off the beach with my 1000 stradic and 2-4kg t-curve and it is great fun. I haven't been spooled yet and have caught some pearlers. Luc.

Stripey tuna (skipjack) is what is in pretty much every can of tinned tuna you buy. It is ok when bled and left to sit overnight on a bunch of paper towel to absorb as much oil as possible. I usually use it as bait as it is absolutely gun on almost everything and have found if I freeze it it does have a tendency to go a bit mushy but I have never eaten it after freezing so I am no real expert on the subject. Give it a go and see what happens I guess, worst case scenario you will still have some supreme bait. Luc.

Not sure about that but they thought I was pretty fly.

That sounds awesome. I did a job up at Jindabyne last week moving some furniture for a lady who lives right on the lake at Kalkite. She gave me permission to fish the lake from her property any time I like so I am super keen to give that a go. Her son used to fish it about 10 Yeats ago but none have had a go at it since so the fish might not be so wary along there if I am lucky. Good luck Waz and let us know how you go.

Definitely a keeper there mate. Wish mine was like that hehe. Happy mothers day to all mums.

Great work Waz. Looks like Trev gave you some good advice. Bream on SP's are no easy task. It is all down hill from here. The first one is always the hardest. Where are you heading for the trout? Luc.

When you say big how big are you talking? I didn't think you could get away with anything too big due to their mouth size.

Good work Trev, I have been getting onto them myself lately and having heaps of fun with them. I can see how addictive it is going for them... I have been keeping my fly rod in the car in case I get s chance to get out and have a sneaky fish for them hehe. Keep up the good form mate.

Great work Ritchie, did you get him on a pillie or a prawn? Tis quite a healthy specimen. Well done. Luc.

Bollocks of steel Harry! That's all I have to say about that hehe. Luc.

Pure champion Stewy.

Try eBay Jani you can buy them from there.

James I find it better that way. These make it much easier to set the hook and to unhook the fish when in and does much less damage. As much as I don't mind a feed I do not mind them having a fighting chance either. The more I learn the more respect I have for my piscatorial friends and the less harm I mean them unless they are meant for dinner. Luc.

Those are the same singles I use and they work great. Haven't had one straighten and they don't get spat as much. Luc.