Scratchie

Nothing wrong with a bit of sledging! You sound very similar to me Luke. If your up for a drive to port Stephens I'll be happy to take you out sometime! Cheers scratchie!!!

Flying fish!

Cheers mate. I'm hoping I can get out too! Caught my biggest ever snapper there. The place is a Mecca for them. Mind you, I'm doing pretty well on them down here to at the moment. If your plans change, let me know and I'm there!

Wow, what an awesome read dave! I did a similar trip to NT last year. Isn't it amazing the variety of species they get in the north. Everything has teeth and pull like a freight train. That's a great effort on that shark. I'm sure your arms were a bit longer after that. You said you wouldn't do it again? I would do it in a heart beat. And yes I had to hang onto the bed while sleeping with the scary prospect on RayR 6ft8 nephew a big chance of falling on me. Talk about living in fear. Experience of a lifetime-definitely!!! And thanks for sharing it with us all. You've insipired me to book another trip! Maybe to the Great Barrier Reef next time! Cheers scratchie!!!

Thanks captain! Yeah I've tried that before with the owner of the resort. That will be another option. Really would like to head offshore if possible.

The 2ft size fellas?

G'day raiders, I am just wondering if there are any raiders in or traveling to coffs around the above dates that may require a decky for some offshore fishing? I'll be up there for the week as my son is playing for a spot in the NSW touch football team. I've fished the area a few times but I don't really want to drag the boat up there for one days fishing. I'm happy to throw in for fuel, bait, wash boat etc. If anyone is able to help me out, please send a pm or post back here. Cheers scratchie!!!

Correct finin! I also thought for their size that they were pale in colour. I've made a few notes, would love to see it again!

Hey mate, Not sure of the farm your talking about but if your staying at nelson bay and plan fishing the breakwall for luderick it's generally packed this time of year. Finding cabbage and weed can be collected on any of the rocky outcrops from Anna bay to boat harbour. The best would probably be at low tide around cemetery point at Anna bay. Or the rocks at fishermans. Artificial weed has been working well too. That's about the best info I have as I don't fish for them. Anything else just ask! Cheers scratchie!!!

Couldn't agree more. Most of the snapper we caught for two days were on the drop but mainly midwater in 20-30m! But this was the first I've ever seen off the surface!

Mate, it was a first for all of us on the boat and I don't envisage it happening again anytime soon. Truly and day not to forget!

Some good fishing there dave! You gotta love stockroom breakwall. You just never know what your going to come up with. Well done Cheers scratchie!!!

Thanks for the replys. It's always a great fun out on the water with Dom. He is very giving of his time, knowledge and gear. And trust me, jnr has more snags than a butchers shop and Dom is always like, "just get other one". Seeing massive snapper smashing the surface is very rare indeed and it's just one of those amazing scenes that being out on the water, throws up different surprises! Dom- mate, I'm sure by the time your young fella turns 2 he'll be into them. Don't put too much pressure on the 3 month old

G'day raiders, After a little success the other day chasing snapper, we gave it another crack today! Leaving early to head north there was myself, jnr, Dom and a mate we now call sgt baker! Today was all about sps, lures, poppers and jigs and we were looking to target some kings and snapper! We arrived at our destination and jnr keen as, drops the jig and is straight on to a small snapper, I'm next and another small. The other boys were throwing stick baits and poppers as we drifted our mark. We did this for a couple of drifts for a few small fish. Then what happen next is a first for me and everyone for that matter. We are drifting along and notice a bust up on the surface. At first we thought it might be kings but then we notice it's not, they are snapper and bloody huge. Dom, with reflexs like a cat, casts his popper straight into the frenzy and he's on! He plays the fish to the boat and OMG it's huge! A snapper on a popper, wow! This fish inhaled his brand new lure and crunched it! It ended up going 82cm on the mat and a great start to the day! After that we couldn't find them again but tried many places and landed many reef species. Doms mate caught some of the biggest sgt bakers I've ever seen, hence his new nickname. As the sun got higher, the bite died off and the wind was playing havoc but we stuck to our plan and kept going. It was now getting later in the day and we started making our way back and tried another spot. A bit shallower, so lighter jigs and away we cast. We all manage a few different fish but sgt baker was still hitting his mark and was now trying to quick release so no one would see him, it was pretty funny. Next minute, Dom comes up tight yet again, thing is peeling line mad we have to head to deeper water because of his 10lb outfit. After a great fight and to prove it's no fluke, another cracker in the net. This one goes 64cm. For the rest of us it was a tough day but for our mate he DOM-inated! That was about it for the day. It was yet another awesome day out of port Stephens with many things to keep us entertained, whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and of course the many sgt bakers Well done DOM, you smashed it! Thanks for reading, Cheers scratchie!!!

Lol. Yeah, you looking like dave off hard merchandise! I'm hanging to try that technique

Great to see you get into the early ones this season boys! Sounds like a great session Ian and great to see Gerry get to reel a fish in too! Well done Cheers scratchie!!!

Great stuff damo and mike! And the excitement builds. Tomorrow's weather looks a treat. Good luck out the guys! Cheers scratchie!!!

Great stuff fellas! The rewards of teaching a youngest that's Fishraider spirit. Nice bag of fish there too! Well done. Cheers scratchie!!!

Mate, I'm not familiar with pity water but just look for shallow water (1-2m) with a bit of weed and sand and a nice drop off, that's where you'll find them! Also, a 1/4oz jig head with an 80-100mm bloody worm wriggler is dynamite! Late arvo on a high tide in winter is something else to look for! Hope that helps! Cheers scratchie!!!

Hey sasha, I only just seen this post. What a great report and quality time with the family! You'll be comfortable on that boat during the social but I would advise you not to take dog! Cheers scratchie!!!

Cheers yowie! 2 of them were good fish the smallest was 35cm. Boy did it save our trip getting them! I've been told the fish should fire back up on Wednesday. Something to do with the moon phases.

Now I've read your report I feel much better. If your struggling on the hacking it must be slow everywhere! You still managed a few mate. Cheers scratchie!!!

Hey Gerry! It's 35nm N/E from the heads. It generally does produce solid kings and bar cod. Just not yesterday