costello

Thanks fella's. Always good to see a fellow Tigers supporter to James, next year .

Hi Raiders. This is my first post on the Fishraider Fishing Report Forum. Took the day off today (love the three day weekend) and with the at work and the day to my self thought i'd set out early to wet a line. Purchased myself a 16ft Carribean half-cabin with a 75hp Merc' on the back a coulpe of months ago but had limited chances to put it in the water so today was my first day solo which i've been looking forward to. Put the boat in at ATB about 5.30am and set off on the journey up Cowan towards the mouth of the Hawkesbuy (great trip at that time of the day) Anchored up round the mouth of the Hawkesbury and dropped the berley bucket and let it do it's work while i prepared some bait. After 20mins of small bites and losing a few baits BANG!! the tip of my rod kisses the boat. After i nice little duel on my light gear i land a fat 34cm bream on a strip of cut up squid. The next hour or so ran hot, bagged another 3 keepers from 27 to 31cm on squid and prawn. Threw back another ten or so fish, even legal size ones (25-26cm)went back in as i'd bagged enough solid fish for a feed. 8am hit and all seemed to go quiet so I marked the spot on the GPS and headed for the sand flats in Cowan to toss some SP's i'd picked up last week, and get rid of the rest of the bait. Not much action on the flats but was sensational all the same kickin back with the radio on the feet up and a couple of sandwiches for breakfast flickin my SP's while sitting on my ass. A couple of bumps but nothing down after an hour or so. Thought it might be time to head back in and get a few things done. Put the SP's away and pick up the rod which i'd attached a small dead squid with the biggest hook i could find in my tackle box. Not even a full rotation into the retreat and BANG my drag lit up (the squid strikes again). It's like the fish was just sitting there with his nose against the bait staring at it! After a brief but exciting fight a nice fat flathead (my favourite table fish!!)of about 55cm gets scooped into the net after a vigorous head shake that i thought would bring me undone for sure, heart in mouth stuff! The perfect end to a perfect morning if you ask me, if only all days went the same! Hope the post wasn't to long guys! Cheers, Costa

Thanks evil. That's the method i use for my light gear. I just wasn't sure if a different method was needed for the overhead. Cheers, Costa.

Appreciate the input fella's. That will get me well on the way to catching my first king. Cheers, Costa

Just what i wanted to hear guy's, thanks! One more question (i'm sure it won't be the last), what's the best method of getting the line onto these reels? I just don't want to put it on to loose or tight and end up spooling or losing a big one? p.s. I've got to say guy's am i the only one who gets a woody when you get your new fishing gear home and take it out of the box and admire it. I'll never say it's better, but god damn it's close to sex!!! Cheers Costa

Just wondering, i've just purchased a Shimano Charter Special TR2000LD (cheers for the info Kelvin)and have heard through the grape vine i might have a bit of trouble feeding brade onto it that's over 30lb. Does anyone know if this is true?

I am a boatie squidgie so i guess nothing to much in the lengthy department. I have a live bait tank for yakka's and slimies so will mainly be live baiting and will eventually get a down rigger down the track when finances allow, and will try and master the art of squidding so i will be getting serious rzep therefore i definately don't want something that's going to just give up the ghost after a bit of action. I'm also heading down Narooma over christmas and would love to get amongst the action off Montague Island. Costa.

Hey! Apologies for the late reply guy's, sure you'd be sleepin by now but was on-call for work and actually got called in (for the first time in 3 months). Appreciate the tips, should have specified didn't really want to spend much over the $300 mark as i have to bye a couple of outfits for me and the old man and i'm really adjusted to the egg-beater reel. Have never put my hands on an overhead but if i have to spend the dosh then so be it because i really don't know to much although the info helps heaps, cheers. Costa

Hi guys. Just after some recommendations on good rod and reel for catching Kingies without blowing out the bank. I can fish and have patients so just after the bare minimum without going cheapo. Also like to know the best line and kilo recommended as well as hook size. Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers, Costa.

Thanks Ryan. Do you have to weight the jigs at all or just attach them to the line and go.

Cheers for the tips fellas! I'll check out the recommended link and hopefully have a successful report for you in the coming weeks. I'd be happy if they were half as good as yours Kelvin!!!

Hello Raiders. As a new member i'd just like to say how much i love your guy's work. I read your reports regularly and find these forums my number one source of information and what's on the bite. I'm 28 years, from Sydney and have recently purchased a 16ft Carribean half cabin with a 75hp Merc' on the back. I'm well keen to start fishing for Kingies and although i have a live bait tank setup in the boat for yellowtail and slimies, squidding seems like the obvious number one choice for these awesome sport fish. I have picked up bits and piece's of information here and there but would prefer to here first hand any tips and pointers anyone could offer (barring secret locations of course fella's). I know they can be inconsistent creatures to catch but any tips like colours of jigs that work or tides or times of day would be extremely helpful. I do the bulk of my fishing up Pittwater, Barrenjoey way, although often venture into Sydney Harbour as well. Cheers, Costa.