Pommieben

Hi All, I'm based in Manly, I've got a boat license, car, all my own gear and years of land-based fresh and saltwater fishing experience. looking to share fuel costs and fishing experiences with a boat owner. Available weekends or weekdays with a bit of notice. If you're in need of a deck hand please get in touch. Ben

Nanook, If you're thinking of doing a fly session for Luderick, I'd be very interested in learning from you if you've got the time. I've fished for trout for many years and have all my own gear, so don't worry, you won't have to teach me how to cast

Thanks guys. We'll be launching at little manly so will try and hit some bait there. Is there a specific spot or are they all over? I've been reading about various berley mixes and chicken pellets and tuna oil feature quite a lot. Where can you get these around Manly? Should we just hit the head for the kinigies after we get some bait?

Hi All, Myself and a mate have hired a boat for a day next week and are heading out for our first non land based fishing in the harbour. Obviously we'd like to get amongst the kingies and know that fresh bait is the order of the day. First question is, where do we head to pick up some yakkas and what methods do people use for getting them? Are there spots that you can reliably fins yakka shoals? Second question, what rig to use for the kingies? I've read that people use floats, but am unsure what depth you find the kingies at. Is freelining an option or is it best to get the bait down with some lead? Any advice appreciated.

They both went back after the photos. The fight was something else. A lot of surface thrashing punctuated with long hard runs. The speed they peeled line off the reel was quite something.

Had a cracking session last night on Balmoral beach. Landed my first whaler. A major goal of mine has been to land one of these beasts. Done plenty of fishing for them off the northern beaches but no luck so thought I'd give the harbour a go for a change. First time fishing the harbour side and I bagged one. In fact I had 2 in quick succession and my buddy lost one. First One was on a gang hooked pilly and the second on a mackerel fillet. Excellent sport on light gear. My god don't they pull hard!

Cheers for all the info guys. What sort of rig should I be using for these sharks? Should I be using something like a paternoster rig to anchor the bait in place or just freeline a the bait in the gutter? Is it best to use a single or double hook rig? Sorry for all the amateur questions.

Definitely mate! You can show me how to catch those damn worms!

I hear you! I'm going to be heading out of Manly this weekend! Out of interest. which end of the beach did the big whiting turn up at? I'm still hunting for some good leagal sized whiting. They all seem to be around the 20-25cm mark, although I did manage one of 28cm the other day.

Yeah sure. I use an 11ft european style freshwater quiver tip rod, 8lb fluorocarbon straight through to a 1 or 2 running ball sinker and a 1/0 suicide hook. I use uncooked prawns, Peeled and split into 2 or 3 baits. Very simple really. Happy to demonstrate sometime if you like.

Had a couple of hours on Manly beach yesterday evening. Just fishing with the surf with light gear and prawns. Landed 3 bream up to 30cm, 2 flathead around the 30-35cm mark, a couple of undersized whiting and a bag full of dart. Not too bad for a couple of hours. Excellent sport on light tackle. Not much in the way of bigger fish showing at Manly at the moment. The Tailor are all small and I've not seen a salmon for months. I'm looking for some hints and tips on bagging my first Bronze/Dusky whaler. I gather the harbour might be a better bet than the surf beaches? Any advice on locations/methods/baits greatly appraciated.