Bigfoot

I was down at JB during Chirstmas and hooked into some rats. Lots of people did, I saw them. I can only say that not all boats were putting them back. I even saw a cpl of blokes come back to Murrays, Put the boat on the trailer, then procceed to clean 8 or 9 Kings that were WELL UNDERSIZE right there at the ramp. On telling them that the NEW legal size was 65cm all i got was a gnarly glance, BUT, after turning my back whilst holding my phone to my ear, faking a call to the DPI that was easily loud enough for them to hear, Well, would you believe that they SH!T themselves and litteraly ran to the car and took off in a cloud of dust. Rotten PIGS give the rest of us a bad name. If members like I could shame them right here as I got there rego ( Car and Boat) and Boat name. I reckon it would be worth the death threats because it only takes a couple of bad eggs to ruin everything for the majority of law abiding folk that endevour to do the right thing. To give an example or two: I love Jervis Bay, so much so i have been going back for 20 years or so and used to dive for octopus on the many reefs down there. The first time i took my Girl down ( MANY Years ago) , I caught 2 Bream in the morning, then imeadiately after, I went for a dive and caught a couple of octopus, which were promply cleaned and beaten, then on my arival home, my mornings catch ( Bream included) was then throw onto the BBQ and dished up to my soon to be wife who has never tasted such a fresh seafood meal and has told me, even though i regularily catch fish and cook them straight away as then, it is just not the same without the octopus. When JB was turned into a marine park, to my surprise Octopus became PROTECTED in the bay. Why??? When we would dive and catch a few in the morning, there was a good chance that a new Oci would be occupying the previously removed tennants crevice by the afternoon or next morning. Then I remembered the groups that would plunder particular areas taking everything!!, not caring at all about size ( not that there is a legal size) or Quantity, I'm talking 50+ animals EACH!!!. O.K you say, BUT the methods they used were the biggest problem, you see they use chemicals to force the oci out of its crevice making the capture much easier and rendering the immeadiate area unlivable to anything fishy for the next week at the very least. Then there was the LOW TIDE brigade that would wait till the low, then come to the reef with Crowbars and Sledge Hammers and commence smashing up the soft stone to get to them. Getting the Drift????????? Then there is another example( Not Fishing but still relevant): When Mr Bryant of Port Arthur Fame decided to do his terrible thing, The Prime Minister demanded all Automatic, Semi Automatic, Pump action weapons become outlawed and provided an amnesty for gun owners to hand in there weapons for compensation, GOOD!! I hear you say, BUT, that is where the Problem lies, who handed there weapons in???????? THE HONEST GUY OF COURSE. WHO DIDN'T????????? THE CRIMINALS WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!! I lost some family heirlooms then, I was taught to hunt by my father with my late Grandfathers weapon, and it brought a tear to my eye when i saw it crushed. The moral to my dummy spit is simple, If you know its wrong DON'T DO IT!!!!! And if you see somebody doing wrong, DON"T get into a fight and start throwing punches, but, let them know that they are doing wrong, some people honestly don't know, HOWEVER, far too many just don't Care!!!! What do you think?? Bigfoot

Hey Jeff, Yes you will find the common species,Bream, Whiting, snapper and there can be some BIG Flatties around the Basin so don't go in under gunned. There is also an unpredictability about the Basin, Who knows you might even hook a Jew????? Good Luck Catch Ya Bigfoot

G'day There are some pretty productive artificial reefs (gps points at the DPI website) in the Basin. I'd say, to start with, they would be the best bet, then you could always do some scouting near the Islands and there abouts. In the past, we have had some luck around both areas mentioned. With the weather man saying that it will be fairly blowy, i can foresee a whole heap of anglers wetting a line in the relative peace of the basin, SO, my tip is: Get out there and find a spot all to yourself and get comfortable, away from the sheep. Good luck! Catch Ya Bigfoot

Yes, i realise you can reach the blogs page in other ways BUT c'mon,.. Old habits die hard!!! Just curious more than anything. Catch Ya Bigfoot

Well done!!!! Great to see a report from J.B, first squid ay? Bet at the hookup you thought you were snagged and cursed until it PULLED, when you Gee'ed right up and lost your breath as you realised you were on, heart in your mouth as you got colour...... exstatic as you raised it into the boat when it SPAT IT'S LOAD ALL OVER YOUR FACE!!!!! All lessons are best learnt from experience and I'd say that one won't be forgotten in a hurry. Next time you get a few, why not try livebaiting one? there are PLENTY of GOOD fish that would love a callamari snack. Whether you float, downrig or suspend it just off the bottom, At J.B you've got a top shot at a few PB's! Good luck! Might see you out there sometime ( if i'm lucky) over the break. Catch Ya Bigfoot

Hi all, Having frozen a blackfish and lost it....... then refound it in the back of the freezer, I took it with me as bait, WOW!!!!, even after a while on the ice it was a hot commodity, with many species having no problem sampling the flesh. Got to experiment to learn I guess and I am all about that!!! I know that Mulloway love livies ( Legal of course), but didn't realise how popular Luderick could be as a slab bait. Has anyone had a simillar experience? Any feedback Appreciated! Catch Ya Bigfoot

I would like to be more Angler rather than Dangler! Bigfoot

I reckon they are just like any other animal: If they Want It, They will get it ( or try to ) by any means neccessary! Catch Ya Bigfoot

Thanks for the back up! Cheers Bigfoot

Mate, In my humble oppinion, the only way to do this is to Broadcast a time and place, when YOU will be fishing Preferably with a friend or two and invite the masses along. That way you know that you will have company to put in a real effort and try catch some GOOD fish. When I tried to set up a session at the 'Bra the site collapsed, (Sorry Mod's, but it's true) and whilst I thought I might find a few of the Raiders who replied in the thread that were wanting to give it a go, I felt compelled to show, even though I wasn't too optomistic of anyone else turning up. Mind you I was fortunate enough to meet The JewGaffers Jnr and Snr ( G'day Byrons, Both of you), unfortunatly they were here for business not pleasure that time and had no gear with them. I say this because, if you go alone expecting people to show, you might be the lone angler out there with bucket loads of bait and burley and no one to help you use it. PLUS!!! You get your gear ready, Make time, put yourself out, all in the hope SOMEONE will show. I got so Psyced I even went and caught livies last time. I don't want to sound sceptical, I just reckon if you go to the trouble you might as well have a serious shot at the fish and that could be hard if the conditions are tedious and your all alone. With that said, please post a time and I for one will try to be there if at all possible as I cannot resist a Session at the 'Bra. Good Luck Catch Ya Bigfoot

I reckon your on the money Pelican!!! However, if you decide to Cut:............. MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE!!!!! It is not overly expensive to redip a trailer and if I was cutting, I would re-gal for sure.

Check out the smile on his face!! Oh Well, looks like another ADDICT!!!!!! Good to have you onboard. Catch Ya Bigfoot

Something is better than nothing!!! At the very least you got home before the Shallacking a few copped in the storm. Bilge pump overload!!!!! Better luck next time Catch Ya Bigfoot

DANILLO, WHERE ARE YOU????? Has you brain shut down after all those exams??????? Hope you have been wetting a line because DIE HARDS Don't Give UP! Anyhow is this Beach session going to eventuate???? I know there are many who would like to do this, and yes it is a hectic time of year, HOWEVER, I for one would love to target some cruisers at the 'BRA with a few of you. Please P.M or just reply to this thread if you want in. Catch Ya's Biggfoot

Thanks Byron, I can only say how shocked i was to see the activity that an "Oversupply " of burley could cause, absolute Chaos!!! I'm learning more and more that if you can get the bait part of the food chain active the progression to bigger species turning on is inevitable. I am looking forward to getting onto the sand with a Bunch of Keen Raiders as you say, but , as you well know that is easier said than done. On a more personal note how is that sounder of yours??? got to organise some time to have a play with it!!! How's Little Jewgaffer?, Chomping at the bit no doubt for your next outing. Anyhow Back to work. Catch Ya Vass

BOOM!! OHHHHHHH....... HOW I LOOOOOOOVE THE BAY!!!!!! Well done, Wish i was there NOW, Guess i just have to wait till Christmas Catch Ya Bigfoot

G'day again I would like to tell you about a reccent bait gathering sortie that ended up getting me some livies and teaching me a lesson or two as well. The actual reason for going was to clear my freezer of all things Fishy ( meaning Old Bait turned Burley). As this was at my better halves request I wanted to act Asap, so, I IMEADIATLY packed the car with a whippy 7 footer loaded with 4lb, a 10 footer with a fully locked and cocked alvey 650c armed to the teeth with 15lb, some tackle and a bucket FULL TO THE BRIM WITH A WHOLE LOTA FISHY STUFF destined to catch me a few and feed gazzilions more. On arrival to my prefered yacka come mullet spot I introduced my burley slick that seemed larger than The lone star state with enormous quantities of fish offel and stale bread, some thrown into the burley pot but most lobbed into the depths in small amounts fairly regularily. Whilst burley used "correctly" ( like everybody doesn't have an opinion on the correct use of burley) should be beneficial and OVER DOING it is just OVER FEEDING fish and hence filling them up and turning a bite OFF!!!!. I discovered this NOT ALWAYS to be the case. That was "Lesson 1" Fish were smashing anything presented to them and with vigour to say the least, BIG flashes from beneath forcing smaller fodder up and into the air attempting to escape jagged rows of Chopping teeth as the Tailor moved in. Then the bream got into the act, Small to start, but they got bigger. Now, for every Yack I would land ( 2 or 3 casts each being checked after 3 or 4 hits) there would be a plethora of species hooked as a bi-catch, Herring, Bream, Yacka, Tailor, Bream ,Sweep, Tailor, etc..., even Elvis made a few appearances and that's how it went for an hour and a half. Plenty more Burley has been thrown in and i'm barely into shopping bag no.2 and there was still one to go!!!. "Stuff it" I thought " It's all got to go anyway and i'm not going to be here too much longer, so in goes some more. The bite kept going and with so much activity around I assembled the 10' outfit and cast a lively Yacka with a 5/0 pinned through it's back out to where the most reccent caos was evident. Even though the fish hooked so far were fairly small, why not give it a go? More on that later........ On reaching Burley Bag no.3 and discovering a $1.09 ( price tag) bag of bread crumb mix, the decision was quickly made to cut the bag open and empty 1/2 the contents into the drink imeadiately at my feet, WELL, 10 seconds after the crumbs broke the surface tension of the water thousands upon thousands of 1 to 2 inch Whitebait began feasting, breaching and eventually balling up right here at my toes. In a matter of 2 or 3 minutes all the crumbs had gone and so had the Ball!! Having bagged out on Yacka's about 2hrs ago and finding some more bread I made a dough looking for some Mullet. Bream, Bream and MORE BREAM, all just legal or just not! Plenty of them around, BUT, as is often the case NOT ON THE BITE!!!! for me anyway. After dumping the remainder of the contents of said burley bag in one big clump and by the way the splash it made probably started tsumani alerts in New Zealand and most of polynesia, I only had 1/2 a bag of bread crumbs remaining, another guy comes down and starts flicking a 15gm Raider that is a dead spit for the Whitebait running a mock earlier. First cast.......ON......., Tailor, then another Tailor and it continued that way for quite a while longer. That was "lesson no.2 "match the hatch"" I was keen to stay but had had a heap of fun and emptied the Freezer in the proccess, So, as i was packing up to go i dumped the remaining crumbs into the water and it happened all over again....... Whitebait everywhere...... Tailor thrashing after them creating a steaming boil!!! The other guy couldn't believe it, The way his eyes bulged gave that away. When he saw my Cool, matter of fact, haven't you seen this before look, all he could say was " S#@t!!! Bread crumbs for me next time" Now the Yacka on the heavier gear had been in for easily an hour maybe 1 and a 1/2 and it was time to go, Picking up the rod and grabbing hold of one bulbous handle on the Alvey I took up the loose line and felt for weight. Now I know you want me to tell how as soon as I lifted the tip of the rod it pulled me back down, But alas no, the line was twitching all the way back in and on lifting the rig out of the water, there was the yacka still full of life UNTOUCHED!!!!! See Lesson no.2's explanation as when a perticullar type of bait is around in Massive numbers it is difficult to hook up with anything else. Now, all the livies in the bucket wern't anymore and that lead me to "lesson no.3 "DON'T FORGET THE AIR PUMP"" Everything went back except the Yacka's, ( planning a trip soon where i am going to experiment with Butterflied Yackas V'S Live Yacka's, Don't ask me why, I just do stuff like that), so that was that. That brings me to LESSONS No.4 " Always Be Prepared" and, LESSON No.5 "Keep an OPEN Mind" Your fishing and your life in general could go along way taking those last two bits of my Education and adding them to your own. Thanks for reading Here endeth the sermon Bigfoot

You can purchase latex bait holders that fit onto either side of the livie on the actual hook and prevent the bait wriggling off during a cast. If your NOT towing your livies and have to cast with lead or a floating rig then i have found a hook placed in the upper and midddle of the body will still allow movement and keep the bait alive for ages............ and ages. If that fails, Bridle them by passing an elastic band just in front of the eye and then pass one loop through the other ( pull till firm) then loose end is loop tied into the gape of your hook. EASY!!! Catch Ya Bigfoot

Grass, grass, Look for the Sea Grass!!!!!!! I also agree thet J.B is full of squid ( for the time being) Hard to get deccent no.s after a good rain though. Catch Ya Bigfoot

In my humble opinion the biggest enemy of freshly caught SALTWATER fish is FRESHWATER!!!! I don't know? the flesh just tastes "FRESHER ", and seems to last longer if frozen when freshwater is left out of the equasion. If you have a boat Roberta's scaler bag is a better idea but can bruise the flesh a little. There are so many different sized scales on a well eating fish that you really nead different techniques for different fish. Catch Ya Bigfoot

What ever you do DON'T " HOT LAMINATE" your thermal licence!!!! And no I didn't learn the hard way,...... however i do know a few who did. Bigfoot

Breaking any duck is good, BUT, to break your jewie duck, that is something to really remember. Well done and many more to come!!! Catch Ya Bigfoot

Hey Paul, There are a few of us trying to get some time on the Maroubra sand via Danilo's thread in the trips blog. Could be a good time to give it a go and meet a few of the raiders at the same time. Catch Ya Bigfoot

Solid work, Well done, that bream would destroy the bait record for sure. Good to see a few more jews being picked up as well. Exellent!!!! Catch Ya Bigfoot

Kelp fish ( Rock Cale) Mate, about as tasty as a pair of socks after a 50 km run, YUM, next time you get into a few can you save me one?......... PLEASE!!!! see ya on the SAND!!!! Catch Ya Bigfoot