Scratchie

Sounds like a great trip with the family! It's always good to get the wife interested and more importantly let her catch some fish. It doesn't matter the size, as long as there's some action! It was great weather on the weekend, glad you made the most of it. Cheers scratchie!!!

No worries Geoff. Next time we'll go up to broughton island. Some great fishing up there and there should be a snapper or two about. Talk soon! Cheers scratchie!!!

What is wrong with his bag limit? I suggest you read the whole post! Scratchie mod team

Oh yeah! I think you just got a few people excited there stevefish! Congrats and well done Cheers scratchie!!!

I got one photo........ And we could of taken a thousand, I guess you sometimes get caught up in the moment! I would loved a video of how long it took to hook up! Barely got the boat in gear! Lol

It was a great arvo on the water! The story goes...... I contacted Garfield28 as I knew he was sort of local and new to the forum and seemed very keen to get out. With the beautiful weather this weekend and with many other commitments, there was only a small window of 4hrs Saturday arvo that I could make. So with Geoff and his son Ryan we headed off from shoal bay. As they said they had never trolled before I thought it might be a good way to start and then we'll anchor up for an hour or two and try and find some snapper. As Geoff said, the first hour trolling was crap, no bait, cold water and no takers. So with my spot already taken we anchored up and set out the burley! We caught a fair few fish and many different species. I dropped probably 2 good fish, on unweighted pillies down the trail and Geoff got snapped on 50lb wow! With light fading and commitments calling I thought bugger it, once last troll. Within seconds the boys were on single, double, single, doubled whilst clearing the other line. In actual fact, they landed 6 bonito in 5 minutes! Then I thought one last fish before we decide to go again and tied the rapala on some silly string and we gave it to the young fella. On again in seconds and it was great watching Ryan try to get this thing to the boat. He did really well and with that end the trip! Not a bad 4 session, with all fish released. Sorry I didn't help clean the boat but I had to fly! It was great to meet you and your son. I hope I helped you with a thing or two and until next time! Tight lines! Cheers scratchie!!!

Oh yeah Trevor! Land based jew, don't get much better than that. It shouldn't be underestimated how hard it is to catch a jew LB especially on a sp! Well done Cheers scratchie!!!

Have just checked with a fisheries officer and they are allowed to sell a certain quota of there bycatch being undersized fish. It will equate to a portion of there catch. Most are returned to the water, however their mortality rate is high so they are allowed to sell them! Cheers scratchie!!!

Not sure on the crabs but if you throw a few sp's on the next bay up from hungry bay I'm sure you'll find a few flatty there! Cheers scratchie!!!

Cheers Ed. If not I could always talk him to death! I've spoke with Geoff today and we are trying to tee something up for the weekend if possible.

Anytime! Just let me know when your up this way!

Nice work fellas and great series of photos too! Thanks for using all my download credit! Lol Cheers scratchie!!!

Hey Geoff, I'm happy to jump on board and show you the area if your looking for a decky? The info about the southerly is incorrect. During winter you will get south or westerly winds. A strong westerly is the more difficult to negotiate especially at any ramp in the bay. During the summer we generally cop a n/e wind most afternoons, so if it's blowing hard in the morning I usually don't bother going offshore because it's only going to get worse in the afternoon. All the websites vary and I don't think any are very accurate for this area. The best way to gauge the swell offshore is how the waves break on yaccaba headland. I'm they are breaking hard, then stay in the bay! Cheers scratchie!!! Pm sent

Solid kings there! It's always rewarding to fish a new spot and come up trumps. With those conditions too, even better! Well done Cheers scratchie!!!

My son was using the artificial weed up at the entrance on our social. From my observations, he did quite well considering most of the experienced blackfish gurus were only nailing small ones also. I did notice that he had many downs before a conversion. This maybe due to his technique or just small fish. I know his setup was solid because stapo rigged his rod for him but overall I would say that these artificial weeds can be successful. Cheers scratchie!!!

That's a great result ken. Stewy is definitely the person to give advice on that area or anything for that matter. And you came home with a feed, solid! Cheers scratchie!!!

Good stuff Neil. At least your rugged up and prepared! That's a great fish. Hope your coastal trip is a success and you get your arms stretched a bit! Cheers scratchie!!!

It's also important to set the hook. If the fish swims away with the lure then it's in it's mouth. Strike and keep pressure. We are not always successful so when this happens I usually revert to what macman said! Cheers scratchie!!!

Great first report there gagafush and welcome to Fishraider! You could have sat on the lounge but those who dare win! Cheers scratchie!!!

From the dpi site...... Australian Bass and Estuary Perch Legal length: Only 1 over 35cm. Bag limit: 2 in total*, 4 in possession. Closure: Zero bag limit for Australian Bass and Estuary Perch in rivers and estuaries from 1 May to 31 August each year. Any Australian Bass or Estuary Perch caught during this period must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

I'm pretty sure bass has a closed season as well.

Good to see them out there in numbers! The more the better I say! Cheers scratchie!!!

Harold, If you can put up a map with a mark on it I'll tell you where it is! If it's not far from waratah bay on the right, that is the entrance to smiths creek. Good chance of hairtail there and some good deep drop offs. Further up is cottage point or yeamans bay. If you can get some live squid, rig them up and throw em out, chance of a jew there too! Good luck, Cheers scratchie!!!

Happy birthday champ! Cheers scratchie!!!

Great read. It's always an enjoyable day when conditions are good taking the family out on the water! Coming home with a feed a bonus! Then the kids thinks dads a fishing god! Smiles all round, doesn't get much better! Cheers scratchie!!!