Scratchie

Yes yes yes!!! Shhhhhh but it's my wife. Everytime I take her fishing I catch very little or lots of undersized fish. She catches all the big ones or target fish! She wonders why I never invite her. Cheers scratchie!!!

Either apple tree bay or parsley bay are better ramps. Parsley bay is right near danger island and a shorter distance to west head. Good luck. Haven't heard of too many good reports! Cheers scratchie!!!

Nice flattys there. Great feed to take home. Sure is great to get out on the water. Wish it wasn't so windy today! Cheers scratchie!!!

What a great fish! And best of all you targeted it with extreme patience and got your rewards! Congrats!!! Cheers scratchie!!!

Always good to see the smile on a kids face when they catche a fish! Well done, the memories last a life-time Cheers scratchie!!!

Hey there, Was wondering if there are any fellow raiders that live in port stephens??? I'm really looking to chase some kingies this season but the only place I know up here is around broughton island and V, m21 & Air Force reef. Are there any other spots in the bay or not far from the headlands? Cheers scratchie!!!

Nice fish. Still looking for my first kingly of the season, so really jealous on you feed there! Cheers scratchie!

Here's my 142cm and 26kg beast

Nice catch!!! Make sure you bring the hats with you to Nelson. There's some good crabbing up here too! Cheers scratchie!!!

Great work!!! nice mahi mahi!!!

Hi fellow raiders, My name is Jeff, aka scratchie and I have been using this site for about three months now. Wow what a website for tragic fishos like me. I live in port stephens but originally come from the blue mountains. The mtns were just to far away from the water. I've loved fishing ever since I can remember but only really got into it when I was 27. I am now 38yo. Over the past year living up here in gods country I've really put some hours on the boat. (680 engine hrs) It's a fantastic place to fish from whiting to marlin! I have 4 kids aged between 3-12 and my two eldest boys are my deckys. They can tell you what fish is coming on board by the way it fights. I love sharing my passion for fishing with them and the experiences we encounter on our journeys!!! My wife also enjoys fishing, boating etc, although often looks after our 3yo so we can go. She's very understanding. I really really enjoy reading everyone's posts and yes I read everyone's. So thanks for having me and hope you look forward to reading my posts too!!! Tight lines, Jeff aka scratchie

Soapy: small jewfish

To be honest, it is a fantastic site for all types of fishos. The content is improving in reports which helps us all learn a bit more about the sport we all love. My wife hates it because I'm always on it. However I wish I had have joined years ago! Tight lines, Cheers scratchie!!!

I'm no expert at all but after listening, reading,researching and chasing these beautiful fish for the last year, I have learnt may things. Everytime I go out targeting jewfish I learn something new. From my experiences, they are as elusive as everyone has mentioned but I have studied the area I fish and it does improve your chances. My last 4 outings has yealed 5 Jews ranging from 4kg to one monster weighing in at 26kg. My tactics to add to this forum are: Tide: all my fish were caught on the ebb tide 2hrs before low during the day or night. Gear: big fish= big gear.... If u do catch that monster you don't want to loose it! Area: most common report is that big Jew live in deep holes. All mine were caught in 12m of water. However it was the deepest point but near structure. So find structure, find fish. Bait: the size of the bait doesn't appear to matter. Squid seems to work the most consistant.But I would agree that fresh is best. I have caught 1 with a hole squid that went 5kg and the latest 26kg on just a squid head about 5cm long. So for me, I apply the 7 P theory! Proper preparation prevents poor performance as long as you have patience and persistence! Tight lines, Cheers scratchie!!!

Awesome report! Loved reading it! Cheers scratchie!!

Hey!!! I've added some new photos I think you might like!

Not sure on protocol. Common sense I think. However, during school holidays priority should be locals, Visitors, jetskis and yachts in that order! Cheers scratchie.

Dont start simmo!!! When you finally get your butt up here I'll show you!

Nice fish.

Yeah mate I do. One of my eldest son laying beside it and its bigger than him and another with my hand in its mouth up to my elbow. However I am having trouble uploading them from my ipad. Any ideas?

Hi raiders, After a trip to Coffs Harbour that provided donuts, I was keen to get home and get amongst the fish. So last last I headed out with my two eldest boys and thought we'd drop some crap pots and spend a bit of time fishing for jewy in between. Trouble was the wind didn't play ball and was blowing gusts upto 50km an hour. So we decided to drop the pots, head home and return in the morning. Knowing the tide was pretty good in the morning, we headed out, checked our pots for 1 nice blue swimmer, rebaited and went to my favourite jewy spot and play the tide. What a good decision that was. Within 10mins zzzzzzz the line peeling off. After a 15min fight, up comes a 1.5m school shark, damn it! In the next 20mins my wife and two boys also sharked. Then zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz probably a run of 150m, wow, now this was a big shark. The fight goes on for another 25mins every now and then a 50m run or so. Then we see it, OMG! It's not a shark but the biggest jewy we have ever seen. Not wanting to lose it, out came the gaff and with adrenalin pumping, the gaff did its job and I did mine on to the deck!! The feeling was overwhelming for us all and a big family hug was in order!! What an awesome way to spend a Sunday morning!!! Jewy: 142cm and 26kg Location: port stephens Rod: 24kg penn Line: 50lb braid 80lb leader single 4/0 Bait: sorry but servo squid very small Tide: 2hrs before low Time: 9:15am Cheers scratchie!!!!

Yeah mate. Live there in gods country!!! The warm water still hasn't pushed down just yet! If you stuck to the headlands or reefs around fingal on the 20m mark plenty of snapper and kings around. Surprised about broughton cause I've never not come back without a feed. The sisters there are the best bet. Just means you'll have to come back up againand give it another go. Next time drop me a line. Regards scratchie

Nice.... Deep fried in beer batter yummm!!! Best tasting fish going. Jealous!

If your looking for squid, you can't go past shoal bay. As for Jew, middle rock is the best place at the moment on the ebb to low tide. The breakwall at Nelson fishes well on this part of the tide too. And if you can pick up a boat, the wreck at corlette is worth a go! Wanda Wanda headland is good for whiting and bream and you can pump nippers at corlette beach. Happy fishing, Cheers scratchie