VBCB

Jason ! I certainly don't have the Knowledge of "luderick-angler" on the subject, but I'll confirm one point he stated, they are here year round, as I witnessed them pretty much every time I've been fishing for kings no matter where it was, but I don't know if they are always on the chew Chilled fisho mate I doubt I'll ever find a job that makes me so happy that it pushes me away from ANY type of fishing lol, but you know how it is

Nice looking fish, you'd be stoked with that pb Well done

I never thought I'd say that one day... Yes the die hard kingfish hunter that I am is having really good fun fishing for the mighty blackfish with weed. That change of work preventing me from fishing early morns pushed me into new ways of fishing, and I must say that fishing for blackfish is really nice when you are living 200 m away from the water like I am. Quick sessions, very little prep, collecting your cabbage on the spot, catching a few fishes, consistent action, being done by drummers every second cast, lol... It's cool. Although I chuck most of my fishes back, I usually keep one to cut a couple of fillets and boost my omega-3 levels and there was a good pair of fillets on that one: 40 cm on the dot, among another 5 or 6 fishes all over 35 cm yesterday before the storm, in less than an hour! Luderick is fantastic, so fantastic that I'm building a new centerpin rod to celebrate them! Time to get into real authentic stuff, centerpin rod / reel combo and wallis cast to be learnt! Another nice little challenge ahead in a few days when the rod's built and ready to rock. Here is another pic of a drummer I caught a few days ago, 40 cm on the dot as well, top fight on 8lb leader after being done 5 times in less than 2 hours

Nice report, 1st legal is always a big moment I'm sure you're still stoked

South matey you got that one right

sounds epic, these harbour kings can be fussy ! Glad to see that enjoyment

Sounds like mad fun, these sessions are the ones we are living for

You'd be surprised, snapper territory is not always far, sometimes down your feet they love their bommies and whitewash ! That said I caught that one roughly 100m away from the ledge on a mammoth cast, as far as I can cast with a 20 cm squid strip doing the helicopter! Haha But as I said don't get fooled ! One of my mates scored a 6 kg on a live bait last month, fishing 120 lb for kingies, down his feet!

Was fishing the bottom, chasing snapper actually. Pater noster rig.

Hi guys, It's been while since I haven't posted anything for diverse reasons but mainly because I moved to a new flat. On top of that, changed of work, and hours :S The keen early morn kingfish hunter that I am is now forced to fish the arvo, explore new techniques or come back to some types of fishing that I haven't been doing for a while. The one thing that will never change is that I like to fish from the land and last week, I was blessed to catch that beautiful 51 cm snapper on a strip of freshly caught squid. First real bottom session since a couple of years, and I get to catch my PB snapper for Sydney Eastern Suburbs' stones, not a monster but a nice Sydney land based fish I'd say. A bit of a fluke, but it definitely helps to swallow the fact that I can't fish mornings anymore PS; I also got into blackfish on weed, never did it before and got my fair share of ludericks and small drummers literally every session, that fishing is good fun and I now understand why so many people are hooked to it.

Good effort well done

I reckon frozen squid is crap for king, not hopeless but crap. 80% less chance to get a fish on the chew IMO, frozen squids will only get smashed when the fishes are really on fire. Vacuum seal helps to keep a squid in the freezer but after more than 3 days I'd say it's over, which makes the operation pretty useless because a squid kept in a ziplock bag in the fridge works a treat for 4/5 days (even though time doesn't make it any better of course). I'm not talking anything scientific there, it's is only the result of my observations... What I'm saying is only valid for kingy, and I wouldn't argue the same point for some other species of fish that don't give a oooo about frozen, non-frozen, white, off white, yellow, pink, brown.... lol (24 months in the freezer) :) sundried or cooked with garlic and parsley ...

I reckon Stinky Pikes are quite alright, they taste good; their flesh a bit flaky but pike is certainly one of these fishes that doesn't taste what it smells! I'd rather eat pike than bream personally... Barcod very nice bream indeed you don't catch them this size everyday ! Well done

Good effort ! Your report shows a lot of happiness and it's good to read Not only these little gropers are fun they also taste sooooooooooo good ! Bet that one was too

Oath !

Slim beauty, 12 turns down, 6 turns up. I think it is hard to beat when you re using super light line. If your knot is good the line can snap anywhere but rarely at the knot which is quite cool. Never loosens, smooth as in the guides, no downside in that knot, after a bit a practice you tie it in less than 30 sec too, no matter what the conditions are (wind, wet hands, etc...) Hope it'll help

Went down Harbour the other day with a mate, both targeting estuary species UL on our favourite places. There were obviously a fair bit of fish, we sight casted a few decent breambos, massive whitings including some 40cm+ specimens and could only observe MASSIVE failure after a couple of hours. Plastics, no HB's, no, 4lb leader, no 3 lb leader, no 2 lb leader, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! We both agree on a last couple of casts and suddenly notice a rat king bust off a few meters away. We both had little stick baits on (using 2 lb) and like fool as we are chucking the stickbaits at the king. Well quite quickly we both hooked up on solid salmons, and had maaaaaaaaaaaaad fun on 2 lb leader / 2lb braid. A massive school of baitfish had been trapped in a corner of the bay and tailors, salmons and rats were literally smashing them. After a few salmons and tailors each, we called it beer time ! Everything went back except the biggest salmon that I unfortunately killed of exhaustion, the 2lb leader resulting in a 10 minutes fight in a poorly oxygenated water. No drama, I don't like to kill salmons but the fish will be used for burley during the next king session, no waste. That one showed us that persistence pays, and it's all a matter of seizing opportunities ! Fish went 62 cm and around 2.5 kg I'd say, good light gear achievement

Lots and lots of reef sharks and skates of all kind over there mate ! Add to that a fairly dirty bottom and losing rigs on slow heavy weight fish will happen a lot believe me Some nites you'll lose 10+ rigs on this kind of fish.

BTW if you're quick enough to get your phone b4 it sinks, some major brands are now doing waterproof smartphones (which might also well be my next treat). Sony xperia z, Samsung galaxy 4 active, and others actually...

Hahaha that answer is hilarious, not sure what's the "nicest" part of the report (lost phone, angry missus, undersized king, not being able to catch what you were targeting) but man who cares ? what colour did the damage on the undersized criminal king ???

That is one solid whiting ! I'm yet to see this at the end of my line Well done

I think it does, but more after a few hours when your FC has touched a few structures or been scrubbed by a couple of fishes / sand. I guess a micro abrasion starts to happen and it gets 'milky' if you fish clean water and a bit tinted if you fish dirty water. But straight out of the spool, it doesn't really get dirty. Somehow, that dirt thing is an indicator that it is time to replace your tippet imo !

Man that's more than decent ! Well done. These fishes are so awesome, anything over a metre local is purely great, good on you new "lucky" reel !

When I say lock drag the super dirty places, I mean the places where you know you'll get buried if you leave the fish a chance to reach multiple structures. Funnily 3 weeks ago I did this, lost my balance while walking back and nearly got dragged in (for real)... After 30 seconds the 120 lb leader exploded at the first bit of structure it touched ! What would have happened if I had a lighter drag ? Well the past experiences on that spot proved me that I would have been buried, so try your best, but you'll have to accept disappointments at this game, no 100 % right or 100 % wrong ! To give you an idea and quantify I'd say that landing 40 % of your LBG kings is already a super goal, and if you reach it you'll be a guru

The eternal dilemma ! Mate after LOTS of failures and a few successes I'd say there is no right or wrong answer. In that instance locking drag with 30 lb leader would have been a fatal mistake I can guarantee that... I'd favour a light drag / open bail arm when needed rather than a lock drag. Lock drag should be kept for very very very dirty places when you fish 100+ lb, or for the end of a long fight when the fish is already fairly cooked. --IMO-- Generally speaking from the rocks I'd say keep a 5 kg drag pressure or less with spin outfits even though you are using 100lb tippet and 6/7/8 kg when using 24kg overhead outfits and 100lb + leader. It's just my personal opinion, up to you what suits you the best