Scratchie

Hmm, not true. Very stressful! But a few decent snapper in the end made a difference!

I think so! Oh well, that means I'll have to go out again next weekend! and the one after that (social)

Thanks mate! Yes, we were expecting a bit more than what we got. Almark is a long long way to go for nothing. Normally you can guarantee a good king or snapper there but not today!

G'day raiders, Just a quick report from port stephens. Started out at 6am on a much anticipated trip with fellow raider dom. The plan was to load up with livies and head to almark. Well, this is where the tough day started. We struggled to get them, in fact it took us about an hour to get 12 yakkas. Then we set out for the long drive there. Throughout the whole way we did not see a whale, dolphin, bird, baitfish, nothing! Arrived to see we were the only boat there. We dropped live baits, jigs and fresh squid for not even a touch. We were there an hour either side of the tide change, nothing but disappointment. So we headed back to broughton island and fish about 5 usually productive marks for zip! By now time was against us so we tried drifting one last spot. Dom was throwing sp's and was fishing bait with a livie in tow, needless to say we wasted time trying to catch them, I only needed one! Anyway, in the last hour of light dom casts out and comes up tight, finally a nice pan snapper! Right time to tie up an sp, while I was doing this dom was on again to a decent one this time and net required! For the next hour we managed 4 keepers and at least a feed but it was a tough day in the office! Back at the ramp we run in to the gurus from the local tackle store and they had been out since lunch and didn't turn a reel all day! But for 12hrs fishing, hmmmm very quiet! Thanks for the day dom, your a legend! Cheers scratchie!!!

Nice report joe! You didn't get your jew but still sounds like a productive session. It's definitely eerie being on a yak without much light. At least the jetskis weren't out there! Well done Cheers scratchie!!!

+1. As well as the other requirements (v sheet, compass etc)

I would use bakers delight bread! Freshest bread you can get. No pun intended!

Garfield has called me and he's home! Just so you know he's safe and well. Cheers scratchie!!!

Lol. I can't believe it went on for a year!

Great write up Ashley. Any holiday with the family is good when you can sneak a bit of fishing time in! Well done Cheers scratchie!!!

Yes mate! I'm at the social and several planned trips for the tuna! Bring it on!

Have sent you a pm mate!

Geez, how could you forget vic! I still remember your arms locking up saying, how long has it been! Lol Good luck on plan B mate. Hope you nail a few this year! Cheers scratchie!!!

Lol Ian, sorry I meant I went offshore during the social. It 'twas a great day, especially the drive back. All 5 of us, beer in hand, sunset and Sydney in the background with a fish on the deck!

Sounds like a great trip! Do you have any photos to share with us? I would love to fight a 13kg snapper Cheers scratchie!!!

Lol. No not at all bit he asked so I guessed! Plus they were running around that time last year! We got a nice YFT in the middle of the hairtail social.

It's a blank fish. Lol no photo chris!

On the 17th of July @07:42am 2015

Hey jim, You were 100% correct with the predicted ground swell. Just viewing from my window the past 2 days, the sea is flat but inshore is pumping! Just thought I'd give some feedback! Thanks for the heads up. Cheers scratchie!!!

Sorry mate, looking at it from my phone. They are a bit quiet especially the yakkas. They were everywhere 2 weeks ago and couldn't find them on Saturday. Bring on summer I say!

Agh the mystery fish! It's what makes us keep going back for more! If I had a big one on like that, I'm not giving the rod to anyone! Cheers scratchie!!!

The hawkesbury can do that to you sometimes. I've had many a trip there scratching my head as to where the fish are. I find the best method when fishing a new area is drifting. You find some fish then drop anchor and lightly burley. Good luck next time! Cheers scratchie!!!

Not the usual smorgasbord yowie! But still a few decent fish. Do you eat the Sargent baker or give them to the inlaws? Cheers scratchie!!!

Two got thrown out by a rogue wave and one didn't make it. I can't work out how as the conditions were very good. They must have been fishing a bommy! Im hearing there boat is wedged on the rocks up there.

It's ok mate, I'm a local. I've seen quite a few idiots get caught there, even after all the warnings! Lol I'm all seriousness, a fisherman died there on Saturday when we were out. No life jacket, very sad.