sydangler

Got a call from a mate around midday seeing if was keen for a fish. So headed down to middle harbour with some pillies and some squid I had in my freezer. For the out part a slow day apart from something boiling up on the surface every now and then but had no interest in our baits or any lures. Had a good burly trail going and to our suprise a very solid 85-90cm king followed it all the way up to the wharf. If sprung into gear scattering some pilchards cubes to keep him around and went for my first rod loaded with 30lb went to bring it in only to find it was snagged so back in the rod holder and grabbed my 15lb outfit a few more cubes. And sent one down one the 2/0 that was on it and he came up and inhaled it. After about 10 minutes he was starting to tire and was coming in but he was still taking line at will me and my mate were laughing cos I had left the net in the back of the ute. He came into site and then another run and just as he came back into view the hooked pulled. This was followed by large amounts of swearing and cursing. Not long after it was the it was time to go. I'm on the water tomorrow so hopefully have some better luck.

Nice work mate. I agree with the fish watching us. I snagged up to day just in time to watch a very solid king swim up the burly trail.

Yer that will do the job. A longer rod is handy but not always needed. Where about do you usually fish?

Mate your not completely wrong. I use to do the same but after some reading and a lot of knot testing I found that its better with out the double. In saying that most knots are improved with a double so you were on the right track. Rock fishing is great fun and can produce some great fish and so serious heart ache when the big ones blow you away. You are definitely on track for a fish of a life time putting out baits like live bonito but I reckon you look into getting some heavier gear to put you in with a better chance but in the mean time keep doing it. Good luck tomorrow.

Nice work. I do love it when you get a second chance while bring in lure swearing and cursing that u just lost a good fish. But doesn't happen often.

Mate I've found switching jigs can bring them back on the bite particularly down sizing the jig. Also adding scent to them can help. Squid can spook easily when you hook them in a tight school. When I spot a school of squid I cast well away from them and get closer with each cast till they start to come out of the school to hit the jig. If u can get them coming out one at a time they shouldn't get timid.

Trent just wondering when you say 30 doubled are you tying a double in your main line before the fg knot?

Fishing off the stone I always like having a TLD even for live baiting yakkas. Especially fishing a spot like beacroft some seriously mega kings turn up around there a mate got a 30kg one a few years ago (chasing marlin). Quintrex I always use the fg knot down to 15lb and once you get it down it very rarely fails its also one of the strongest knots you can tie.

Nice fish mate. On the fly would have been awesome.

If you up your leader to a very heavy mono or fluro carbon to 150lb and use big circle hooks you'll have a better chance of not getting biten off if another mako turns up. Do you have any heavier gear? An 8000 sized reel it going to struggle to stop most things that are going to eat a live bonnie. We use TLDs with 24kg mono and big stella's with 37kg braid for live baiting bonnies and I've been blown away by some great fish. But what ever you use keep fishing mate your using the right bait for some really cracking fish.

Nice bonnie mate. Couldn't tell you what ate the bonnie. My money is on another shark. I think a big king would have got you in the reef. But a tuna or a marlin could have taken it.

Nice work I'm keen to get out and chase some snapper soon.

Nice work mate. Its funny how often kings smash baits intended for a yakka. Where did you find the slimies if u don't mind me asking?

Nice work mate a 12kg Jew is one of the best by catches I've ever heard of. I'm up on the river Tuesdays Wednesday chasing Jews might have to get in there once the tide in the main river starts running to hard.

Yer wriggler that snood is what I use it is also called a Snell I tie all my hooks using it not just for twin hook rigs. I've found I don't miss as many fish as I did with regular knots. I'm currently recovering from a knee reconstruction so one thing I've used to kill time is learning and practicing knots. But I'm always interested in what other people use and I'm always happy to help people out with what knots to use when and how to tie them properly.

Sounds like a good day out. Did you try having a live slimie out around the schools of them something would have come looking for them

FG knot is by far my favorite leader knot. Its similar to the PR knot. Flies through the guides even casting big baits and lures a long way. It is rated to 100% if tied correctly and I've tested it heaps of time and it will not break. But is a little tricky to tie at first and it will never be a fast knot.

About a year ago I started looking into how to improve my rigs. I was already using quality tackle line ect so the next thing looked at was my knots all I used was the basic uni knot to all terminal and a double unit for leader knots. After testing every knot I could find I've come come up with my favourites from leader to hook. Leader knot: FG knot for anything from 15lb braid and up. Best casting knot I've used and super strong. Improved albright if I need a new leader in a hurry. Double uni for light line. Terminal tackle knots: Nail knot for heavy mono to swivel uni knot for lighter or when in a rush Snell knot for all hooks, if you run the line thought the eye with the lower tag end coming out the back of the eye of the hook it will always roll the hook into the corner of the fishes mouth. I'm interested in what everyone else uses. I've seen way to many good fish lost to poorly tied knots. When you hook that fish of a life time you want to be confident in you knots as well as you gear. Good luck. Tight lines. Ollie.

Nice fish mate. I love the sight of that silver slab coming to the surface.

By memory the fastest fish in the sea go sailfish, marlin, wahoo then mako

Nice work mate. Shame about the sea sickness I copped it for he first time a few months ago (snapper fishing as well) after 10 years on the water including plenty in horrific conditions.

I'm calling it for a spangled emperor they are more common in Sydney then most people think. I've never caught one but I've seen lots diving and a few friends have landed then snapper fishing.

Gday everyone, Just joined this site. Thought I might introduce my self. My name Ollie, I mostly fish Sydney harbour chasing Jews, kings and anything else that will pull some line from my reel. I'm mostly land based but get out on mates boats when ever I can. I'm hoping to be putting up some good reports soon. With the weather is its current way fishings been slow. Managed a couple small Jews in middle harbour on fresh squid baits but it wa the result of 7 solid days fishing hard lol.

Gday Bruce. I'm only new to this site but this section caught my eye. I fish the harbour regularly (3-5 times a week) mostly chasing kings. I Dont have my own boat yet. But i am more then happy to come out with you and put you onto some fish and teach you everything I can. Let me know if your interested.