[Jewfish Spots off Wollongong]

Well I’m heading out over next week not too sure on the sport yet! but will post to let you all know on how I do go!

Been a while since I wet a line so fresh bait is my first plan of attack then pick a spot a hip flask with some Rum to keep me warn throughout the night and hopefully I can report something back at the end of the week

Good luck mate interested to hear how you go. If you head out to stanwell park you'll need that flask I live up the road and it gets damn cold!

[Saragosa 14000]

I've got an 18000 saragosa spooled with 50lb braid which I use for downrigging, popping and lobbing out big baits. Awesome reel.off the rocks I usually match it with my 9 foot 20-40lb azusa, its my favorite rod out of 20 odd rods I own. Definitely worth a look.

thanks for that mate, I'll check it out

[rock hoppers]

hi mate

its up and down at the moment, 3 weeks ago we pulled out 30 in two days...then they went MIA until last friday night when i watched hundreds of them for hours and they were on the bite, this one guy pulled one up with no bait...just the hook lol

As for fishing...yes I've noticed things have slowed right down

Ah ok, least it's not only me! Would have thought with the warm waters creeping back they might be more reliable, but we'll have to wait and see

[rock hoppers]

Is anyone experiencing trouble when catching yakkas recently? Last two weeks we have burlied for about 2-3 hours and not had a single hit on our bait jigs. Talking about bait jigs being put in the middle of burley and coming up with not a touch after 5 min.

Needless to say the fishing have been completely dead all day on both attemtps

[complete and utter dispair.]

Bad luck mate. It's a horrible feeling. All the more reason to get back out there.

[Newport, anyone up for fishing next to the Whale!]

Was also thinking that the shark fishing would be insane! Would of loved to get up there.

[Saragosa 14000]

Can I recommend waiting another month and a half to 2 months for the new shimano t curve revolution series of rods . They are bringing out 10ft 12ft and 13 ft rods at 20kg each so a 10 foot will suit your fishing otherwise I currently hav a gt special to chuck poppers on my saragosa but I don't get to do it too often

Thanks mate, I might wait the extra time, those rods sound the goods! cheers for the info

[Saragosa 14000]

Sorry mate, completely forgot about the land-based use of it! Maybe have a look at the shimano terez 20-50lb rod. Its 8 foot and looks like it would go well with the saragosa. Definitely worth upgrading to a 1800 to as previously mentioned. Might be worth popping into your local tackle store and asking them about suitable rods.

Cheers, Tom

Cheers mate all good ha ha. Yeah I was looking at that or the new line of Live Fibres by Wilson. Yeah planning on going in this week, just wanted a brief idea so I didn't go in blind.

and yeah will definitely get the 18000. the extra line is always welcome.

[Saragosa 14000]

Don't have one personally but a mate does and loves it. Uses it for jigging, casting big poppers/stickbaits and caught small marlin (60kg) using it! Certainly a strong reel and is perfect for what you mentioned. When your fishing off the stones you need plenty of power to stop kings and that running you into the reef. This reel should do the job. I reckon match it up with a Silstar Crystal Blue Powertip of some sort. Wouldn't go lighter than 15-20kg on the rod though.

Cheers, Tom

Thanks for the reply.

SOunds like this reel will be worth it. Regarding that rod, I just did a quick search, couldnt find a rod bigger than 6ft, do they come any bigger? I was thinking 8-9ft, just due to the ledges I fish are pretty high

[Saragosa 14000]

Hey all

Looking for some info on this reel.

I'm looking at using it for poppers/sticks off the stones. Firstly has anyone got this rod/used it and how does it hold up?Also, I'm looking for a rod to go with it if anyone could give me some ideas that would be great.

like I said I'm going to be using it from the stones so something with a long cast range and reliable. I don't really want to spend more than around 250-300.

Thanks guys any info would be great

Edit- Does anyone have any experience with the Wilson Live Fibres? That is the rod I'm currently looking at

[Shimano Baitrunner 4500b]

I got one of these for my old man the other week. The bloke told me to use mono on it as apparently the braid doesn't lay properly and can sometimes slip. It's a pretty nice reel cause some alright sized fish with it. I had it matched with a 12ft heavy surf rod running 20lb mono for fishing from the rocks mainly with some light beach action

[squidding methods]

Thanks mate I tried all that but none were biteing. Could you please tell me where you go out? Thanks

I go out along various rocks in the illawarra. It's been pretty quiet lately the local squidders only getting one or two per long session.

Try from around 3pm onwards

[squidding methods]

After months of trying I've finally had the luck of landing my first few squids with jigs.

Here's what I've learn't

- Let the jig sink depending on the depth of water, I like it to be around a metre from the bottom so I can cover a large portion of the water column - I usually wait maybe 30 seconds with a 2.5 jig in around 10m or less of water.

- Use a flick technique like two flicks, a slow retrieve and let it sink again. - the aim is to imitate that quick erratic flick movement of a prawn

- Smaller jigs work well (if not better in my opinion) than the bigger ones. - Recently I've landed some 30cm size hoods with a small 2.5 jig.

- Bright Pink and White with Orange jigs seem to work best in my (limited) experience.

- When you hook up, keep the rod tip pointed up and don't allow any slack.

- If you need to lift it up a jetty or rock ledge try to do it in one movement to avoid the squid falling off. If it bounces there's a chance the hooks will fall out as they aren't barbed.

- Avoid the beak and the ink

Like I've said I've only just started to catch them after months of trial, error and lack of interest due to discouragement. Just keep at it and you'll be enjoying some fresh salt and pepper squid in no time

[Keen for a fish.]

Hey guys

I'm looking to learn the ropes of boating before I dive in a buy my own over the next year. I have my own gear light spin/medium game gear if anyone would be keen to take me under their wing and show me the ropes and catch some fish in the process. Non-smoker located in Helensburgh but willing to go north or south and split the costs. Available most weekdays. I work weekends.

Anyways shoot me through a PM

Cheers.

[Another Rock Hopper lost]

Always sad to see these events occur. You can never be too careful.

The big waters have started around the Illawarra, I was at Coalcliff last night and within half an hour the swell increased by at least a metre and the wind changed to a strong southerly. Be careful everyone.

[Squid heads.]

Thanks guys, works perfect!

[Squid heads.]

Hey all,

So tonight I landed my first set of Squid from the stones with a jig. and I have the heads left over in my fridge. I know these are gun baits for Jews but how do you rig them?

Also, anyone had any luck out at Greys Point? Might try throwing them out there.

Thanks

[How to double Mono line]

Thanks for the replies. Time to practice this plaiting.

I've seen the ifish tutorial but to be honest it doesn't help too much

Would anyone have a good video on how to do it?

Cheers

[How to double Mono line]

Try a plaited double if time permits, but if time is of the the escence the overhand knot

will get you out of trouble.

cheers

zed

Yes the double will provide you some benefit.It will allow you control the fish much better when it is near you. It also gives you much better abrasion resistance if you are fishing near structure as well.

I plait my doubles in 15 KG and have them at least 1.5 times the length of my rod. To that I attach my leader. I use this rig when I am live baiting or trolling. No problem whatsoever.

I have tried the plait a few times and it just ends in a hell of a mess. Does it really provide that much benefit over the Bimini Twist. I seem to have that down ha ha

[How to double Mono line]

not really sure what you are askign here?

do you mean - "can i use 30kg line?"

or "can i use two strands of 15kg line at once?"

Sorry, I was a bit unclear, I'm talking about doubling two strands of 15kg.

You can double mono as a leader by twisting it tight and locking it with tubing, but not in lengths over a few metres. If you mean trying to double it for trolling or bottom bashing then forget it, its going to be one huge snarl on the reel or in the water. Mono has memory - parts of the line have tension in them and this will contract to form loops and twists - which makes it unsuitable for use as other than a single strand. Braid doesn't form a memory.

I see.

I have done some test joins and used a Bimini Twist so I have about a metre of doubled over line to attach to my leader. It will be used for live baiting. So I guess I'm asking if it will provide any benefit?

[How to double Mono line]

Hey guys,

I recently bought a TLD30 off a mate and it was lined with 15kg mono. I want to head down to JB to give it a spin soon and because 15kg is kind of light for that area I wanted to know if it would be worth it to double my line? or if I even can effectively double mono? I've checked out some videos but they all seem to use braid and whenever I try it, they just end up a mess. I want to keep the 15kg line on there because being new to this type of reel it's a lot easier to learn with.

Thanks.

Trent

[Head torch review]

I use the Fenix HP11 150m beam, 4 levels of brightness, good battery life comes with a defuser. Never had any problems with it.

[Kiama Blowhole]

Hi guys,

I've just bought some new gear and wanting to try some new spots out chasing some Kings or really just after a good days fishing in a new spot for me.

I'm looking for anyone to come out for a day over the next couple of weeks to have a fish, seeing as I'm new to the area I would like to head out with someone who is familiar with the area.

Weekdays are the best for me.

Anyways let me know if you are interested.

Thanks,

Trent

[Brown rock La perouse (Botany bay)]

Hey man, thanks for replying! Just did a quick google search on bottom bashing, might give it a go next time.

Yeah mate just a Patenoster Rig with some circle hooks should do the trick with a 3-4oz Snapper Sinker should be fine. I'm not sure how snaggy it is out there though.

[Brown rock La perouse (Botany bay)]

Hey guys,

I've been reading the forums for a long time now, but this is my first time posting.

I went to Brown rock today, started fishing around 11:30am with ganged pilchards. We stayed until about 1:30pm, without a single bite. There were 3 other guys there, and they were fishing with prawns and squid with no success. I'm really new to fishing, so I'm a little uncertain as to what is going wrong haha. I've read on this site and others that brown rock is a good spot to fish but I apparently have very bad luck. Such a long trek for nothing I might try Bare island next time, and I think I'll try go in the morning.

Some people say that tides are more important than time of day, but others say the opposite. What do you guys think?

Cheers!

Being persistent is the key, when I started to get back into it it took me two months to land my first fish. I was going through the same thing, using ganged pillies as well, I wanted to just give up haha. That's fishing though.

It's been a little quiet at my local haunts too - few 5-6 hour sessions over the past two weeks with no more than a nibble - some say it's just the time of year.

Depending on what you are fishing for but morning and afternoon seem to produce good results - especially if either one is on a tide run (I prefer run in tide late afternoon or really early.) I'm not too sure of those spots but maybe you should try bottom bashing for Snapper?

There should be some Salmon around morning and afternoon though.

Hope that helps