DanRob

Great read luc, and a good catch to top it off! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone, it is good to share these moments with those who actually appreciate it! (unlike all the glazed looks i get showing people the pics on my phone!) thanks, this was the first time ( actually that watsons bonito was) I got something with this type of lure, though I have heard it is meant to be good. Thanks Andrew, I have never seen one of these before and you are right, they look awesome. thanks Flickn Mad, as for the table, I got it back and was told about the ciguatera toxins that were in fish in the area and with kid i didn't want to chance it. so I was a bit disappointed to say the least. I even called fisheries to find out more and even asked them if they wanted it for research. I was told to bin it. Instead, I have decided to salt it for bait. Thanks Luc! If I could get good catches regularly it would be nowhere near as fun! i'm still smiling!

Thanks Yaulpang. I am actually going to start doing it now!

I read this info just after I caught my tuna off south west rocks yesterday. It is such a shame cause I was so excited about eating the fish I went out bought a new esky and drove it back to Sydney. But with two kids I wouldn't risk feeding it to anyone. I called up the fisheries at Coffs Harbour to ask for advice and also if they could use the fish for their research to test for the toxins etc. their response was to bin it! Does anyone think it is worth using some bait?

G'day raiders, My usual reports are generally based around how I haven't caught much or just missed that big one, but this time I am happy to report some success! I went up to Kempsey for work and with the advice of other members on the forum I decided I would try fishing after work at South West Rocks. On the first night I got there late and everything was closed. It was dark and I missed the tides. All I could find was bread from the IGA and although trying for livies, I couldn't get any. I moved around towards the boat ramp and picked up two 25cm bream on bread which went straight back. I called it a night after this as it was getting late and I did have to be awake for work as that's why I was there in the first place. The next day at work was long but I managed to pick up some squid and pillies from the local fishing shop. I got down to the break wall and tried again. I couldn't work out what I was doing wrong but I had no takes. I kept on getting small things nibbling the bait off but that was it. With the sand flies, mozzies, strong tides pulling through the channel and a long night persisting with every method I could think, I gave up with not a fish. I saved my bait and decided I will try the next morning before I drive back to sydney, The next morning I slept in... ( note to self, always check the 500 is am not pm on the alarm) I was up at 630 and missed the tide and was going to be pushing it to get back. I chucked all my gear in the car and headed almost to the end of the break wall. I tried the bait at first but no luck. I told myself I will put on a few lures and throw them around for half an hour before i needed to leave. I used my white rapala x rap, metal slices and a few halco poppers on the 20/30lb gear ( i can't remember the line strength I put on) and on my bream stick threw around some zman grubs without a hit. I got a mackerel on the rapala which was fun but not much sport and I thought at least I got something! Just as I was packing a few things away I start seeing fish hitting bait on the surface. I threw the white rapala out and ZZZzzzzzzzz......... it was unstoppable. I had a 10000 shimano saragosa with 20/30lb braid and 80lb leader on a 8-15kg 10ft rod. It was my heaviest gear but I had no chance at first and it took me 100m+ down the break wall and the line was getting to the end. After a bit of persistence, I regained some line finding if I ran with it keeping the line tight I could turn its head a bit. This went on for about 30min and I had a nice local couple who saw it all going on and came down to help out. They even took some pics with my camera! Eventually the fish tired and the local guy climbed down to the water and we grabbed the fish by the tail. I am so used to losing fish this was a novelty. I was told the fish was a long fin tuna ( let me know what you think?) and it was 95cm long. Unfortunately it was just about dead by the time I got it to shore so I decided to keep it. I lugged my trophy back to the car with a grin from ear to ear and went straight to the shop and bought a new esky and ice for the trip home! After all that I now have slightly longer arms and a grin that I just can't wipe off my face.... even my wife was impressed! I don't think I will be topping that anytime soon. Thanks to all the raiders who gave me the info I needed to head over to that beautiful part of the world. I would like to submit this fish for catch of the month. ( I had to retake it with a bottle as I got one picture with a cloth and realised it was last months COTM item) Cheers, Dan

I like this idea but it really depends. I am probably less than 20% if I throw all my eggs in one basket and put out the big baits and gear in the hope of a jewie or other trophy fish. Oops... I mean 0% I think I could be 80% if I just wanted to go out and get a feed. Also, do you count the times you just want to be on the water with no care for conditions/tides/bait etc cause I often throw a line out just in case!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldn't have enough time in the day to document all my failures! I save the reports for something notable that would have some value to others. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Grandad, thanks for the great advice and pics! Heading up tomorrow afternoon so I'll be sure to check out the main river! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys! I won't be driving back to taree, might just have to consider the Macleay river SWR has got me thinking, might be worth putting in a few hours that night to try my luck for a jewie. Which river mouth are we taking about? Doing a google search I see a small creek near the town and a big river a bit further north. Does one fish better than another for Jewies? How accessible are these spots with a sedan? Oh and last question , with limited time where is it best to pick up some bait? Should I even attempt live bait? Cheers, Dan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

G'day raiders So work is sending me to Kempsey next Monday-Wednesday. Naturally my first response is to see of I can fish there. I won't have a boat and only minimal stuff. Is it worth fishing the manning river or should I go else where? Will a 7ft bream stick with 6lb gear and a few plastics be ok or is there reason to bring bigger and heavier? As I am working during the day I'll be free to fish early or after 5. Any opinions appreciated! Cheers, Dan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks scratchie! That's one of the great things about this site there is so much info to be found. And port Stephens in particular is so well resourced thanks to your input! I'll be in touch if I get stuck! Cheers, Dan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fantastic mate! He's caught more Kings than me! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So looks like we'll be heading to shoal bay! Booking accommodation tonight. So, what to bring? I can cover lots of different types but there is no point bringing everything if it just fills the car. Fishing the area mid April what is worth targeting? I can cover most types except too rough waters as I only have a 4.3mtinny. is it worth fishing land based or just plan a day or two in the tinny? Now is the fun part! Planning the fishing. Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks Raiders. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How fast do you troll this lure? I've had it out a couple of times and haven't had any luck with it. I was sitting around 4.5kt Cheers, Dan Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It sounds awesome i'll definitely be having a look! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys, I'll give these ideas a try next time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seeing the report title I though this blokes got to be kidding! Great work. I've had tailor do that to livies before. Maybe that was the culprit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. Nights aren't really ideal but i take what I get! Not sure if it right on the slack of the tide but water wasn't moving too fast at all. The high was about three hrs prior. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi raiders! This is another tale of disappointment but I'm getting much closer to getting onto some good fish in middle harbour. After I put kids to sleep I took the boat to tunks around 9pm. I tried to slow troll fresh dead squid under the spit bridge a couple of times - no takers. I went to a mooring around the baths at Clontaff to try for yakkas (I thought I would try find a new spot as I couldn't be bothered heading to balmoral) after an hour and heaps of burley nothing. I don't think they like the night as much. So after all that headed to balmoral and had not much love, one slimey about 25cm ( so I think, it wasn't a yakka or small tailor) So, in the end I hooked up the livey and drifted back around Clontaff. On the first drift, the slimey got worked up and I picked up the rod and flipped the bail, a fish took it and then took off harder and faster than I had ever felt with the head shakes that I have read about. After 30sec of this fish going nuts, nothing. It spat the hook. Disappointment doesn't come close to describing how I felt. So I persisted with the drift with the dead squid strips but nothing else. So now I know I am getting closer to catching something decent around middle harbour but I have not stopped think about what could have been! Next time.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, not so good. Came back with a big donut! Bait catching slow with only 3 yakka's and 2 squid in an hour then trolled some lures around south head to colours reef. Nothing. Wind was a bit much so tried a few drifts near there but no takers. I think we didn't weight the baits heavy enough. Tried a troll back and we managed to get the gear tangled which was a good 30min stuffing around. Went inside to drop off around clontaff and had something grab a whole squid and before I can think it snapped me off!! I guess shark but who knows. By six I had to go home. Frustrating without fish but still fun being on the water! There's always next time.

Thanks mate! I will use that tip. how heavy ball sinker, just one or multiple big ones? I am working a half day today and I tell you now my mind isn't at my desk

Hi guys, I am going out Thursday arvo with my cousin who has come back from o/s. I plan on heading out from tunks around 1300 then I am not too sure. Cab I ask for a bit of help with the game plan to get us onto a few fish ( even rat kings would be fun) This is what I've got so far: Head to the spit and grab a couple of yakkas or squid (30min or so) Slow troll a diving lure and Christmas tree style lure from balmoral to ... ( around south head or should I stay inside and move around grotto pt wash away bay) Get to a spot (quarantine bay or around to Clifton gardens - or should I go somewhere like colours reef weather permitting) then drift the livies on a weighted rig or paternoster for any takers. Return trolling back by about 7pm I have a 4.3m tinnie and 20/30 lb set ups also light 6lb gear too Any help to have a fun day would be appreciated. If you have other locations or methods I'd love to hear them. Cheers, Dan

Thanks luc! I haven't really done much exploring down that way but i hear it is fantastic. Ill definitely look into it. Dan

Ill check out NZ too, I didn't really think about that but I have seen some great fishing pics from others who've been

Thanks mate! I will look into the Nelson bay and Fiji options. 10 days is probably the right amount of time to head o/s