Hello Raiders,
I've been looking at all of your reports, especially Sydney, and what can I say? It's just getting better and better. I grew up on Middle Harbour and caught my first fish off Killarney wharf (1973), as well as smoked my first smoke, drank my first beer and all that stuff (not 1973). There and Bantry Bay. What I remember though is, as the oysters disappered so did the fish. Now the oysters are back (last time i looked, about 8 years ago) and so are the fish. In the mid 90's I was one of these lucky blokes we all envy who fish mid week and leave the circus to the weekends. The kingfish and salmon were just as full on and we got them regularly on lazers and slugs without a problem. I gave it all up when the boat got sold but, that's marriage, mortgage, kids and a new job. Now things have changed. Got the boat back(bigger and better) but, live 500ks from Sydney and 100ks nw of Tamworth. Split Rock Dam and Lake Keepit are my new playgrounds.
I had one particular experiece in Middle Harbour in 96 when I had a whole school of kings, all about 70cm+, to myself. I was coming in from the Harbour proper and and spotted some birds. Next thing the water was boiling, thick with fish. It was over the sand flat between Castle Rock beach and Balmoral. About 10ft of water and no snags. I decided to have some fun and used a 3kg outfit to give them a fighting chance. A joke that was. I had 2 in the boat and 1 on the hook when a boat pulled up beside me. Thinking it was a fellow reco I thought nothing of it until, to my disgust, the boat took off to the shore. I realised it was a commercial boat. I watched as these blokes anchored a net to the beach at Castle Rock and litterally ran it out from the beach, around my boat and the school and back to shore. I was numb with anger and saw the net go under the boat with all the fish. If only I'd dropped the anchor! So there went about 400 fish and I've never had a really good session since. Rang the NSW Fisheries but all they could say was, they can take the fish but should have let you have your bag.
So having had my winge what I'm interested in is, Are the fish numbers improving since the commercial ban in the Harbour or are there still blokes who can net the Salmon and Kings?? I read about all the kingie reports and using downriggers but, we always used to either spot a school on the surface, or drop over a livie. Sow and Pigs on a rising tide about 8 or 9 in the morning was always a sure bet. Anchor north of the reef about 20-30 mteres out and burley hard. Get the yakkas out and drop one back. You could see the kings fighting fot them! Are they still going off like that?
What colour and size are the squid jigs that are working best? It seems that squid are all the go now.
I am coming to Sydney on Sunday the 05/11/06 and will be fishing Middle Harbour/Sydney for about 3 days and 1 on the Hawks so I'd really like to grab a few tips, since things seem to have changed a bit in the last few years. I'd also like to meet a few of you guys out on the water. I've got the 16ft Clarke Tinnie with the 50 Yammie. I've seen some of your boats on the post so i'll keep and eye out.
Cheers,
Brian P.
PS: I wish there was this type of site about 10 years ago. It's a great way to keep in touch when your water time is limited. I'm struggling with the layout and way to set out these posts so if I've dropped it in the wrong place Sorry. I'll work it out as I go.