Linc

Thanks Don, This infers that inside the harbour adults don't need a life jacket even if the boat is moving? This is great news as in Vic we need a life jacket at all times in boats under 4.8M while moving.

Thanks for the tips guys, I didn't even think about the safety equipment differences between Vic and NSW, I've got the flairs and requirements for Vic but no compass or V-sheet. Will look into the marine website for all the requirements before heading out. What is a safe swell? My old man lives in Portland on the West coast of Vic and we won't head out there in anything over 1.5M swell as it just gets uncomfortable, but we don't have to worry about any heads there, and coming from melbourne (port phillip Bay) I've never had to worry about swell, only chop from wind.

Hi Raiders, Being new to Sydney I’ve got no idea about boating around the harbor and beyond. I’m located close to the parra river so when my boat arrives from down in Melbourne I’m planning to launch in the river and head out into the harbor. Question is, how rough is it outside the harbor? Am I safe (on a good day) in my 4.3M Quintrex Escape (Tinny)? I always pick my days before launching and hate boating in strong wind so that shouldn’t be a problem, but are the heads dangerous? Is there anything I need to watch out for or am I mad in even thinking of heading out there in anything under 5 meters? Thanks in advance for any advice. Linc

These are actually the only trap you can use recreationally in Vic, they do work.. you just have to check it regularly otherwise the crabs come, eat and leave with your bait.

Hi Raiders, I’ve been in Sydney for a month now and finally had my first chance to head out for a fish with my son. The boat is still in Victoria so we decided to see what we could find landbased without travelling too far. We ended up in the harbor not too far from the bridge (on the east of the bridge as I know you can’t keep fish from the west). It was a beautiful day and we ended up with 4 decent leather jacket (around 30cm) and a 34cm Trevally in under 2 hours so we were pretty happy. All caught on peeled prawns. Sure beats landbased fishing in Melbourne in the winter!

Thanks Fisherking, I'll be launching from the wharf rd ramp as it's very close to home. Much appreciate the info Also very good news as it'd be a long trip to the harbour at 5 knots like the melbourne rivers

Hi Guys, Finally found a house, we ended up in the North actually along the parra river so looks like I'll be launching from the parra and cruising out to the harbour. is there a speed limit in the parra river? I went for a walk down there yesterday and saw a rivercat ferry thing going along at at least 15 knots or so. Where's a good spot to start in the harbour without going too far past the bridge? Can't wait to wet a line, it's been over a month with my fishing gear in storage!!! edit: from research online it seems there's no speed limit downstream of the silverwater bridge (apart from certain rivers) is that correct?

That does sound very enticing fisherking. I'm keen to fish the harbour too, pulling up a good sized fish infront of land marks like that would be quite a thrill! The Snapper have been nothing short of amazing the last couple of seasons here, but that's one of the main problems with Port Phillip Bay.. you pretty much catch snapper and small flathead... anything else is just on the odd occasion. I'm looking forward to a bit of variety!

Thanks Scratchie, There sure is a lot of great info on here, reading about all the great catches in the area are making me wish the move was even sooner now!

Hi Guys, I've been reading many of the very helpful and interesting posts on here since recently signing my new contract with work to relocate to Sydney from Melbourne at the end of June. At first I was a bit worried as I've just bought a boat in the last 6 months and have started to catch some amazing fish here in Melbourne's Bays and was wondering how I'm going to top that, but it sounds like the fishing around Sydney is truly far better than Melbourne - has anyone had much experience in both locations and can confirm my hopes? My boat won't be with me until August but I'll be out on the water as soon as it arrives. Looks like I'll be located somewhere near Botany Bay so I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing some of you on the water. Cheers, Linc