poohbear

Great catch I often the Cooks and agree its only worthwhile on and around high tide. I use a float as there are just too many snags and have caught some bream of reasonable size. I definitely release all fish in the Cooks and am still surprised people eat fish from the cooks.

I have always been fascinated by the dark art of blackfishing. Watching the float - pure fishing meditation. Never been that successful though caught 3 in the past over some months. Arrived in Drummoyne this morning with some oldish weed and some prawns as I was sure the blackfishing was going to tank and I would then fish for bream on my spare rod. Tried for 30 min and then just gave up to start bream fishing. Have done this many times before. Howsy arrives with his kit and countless years of blackfishing experience to boot. We got to chatting and he just looked at me and offered me some of his fresh weed and gave me an encouraging word. What followed was just a 6 hour masterclass by the expert. No serious lecture or instruction, just quiet understated tips almost in the form of friendly pub chat. I went from the occasional blackfisherman to an addict in 6 hours. The fish were not biting like crazy and a lot of touches happened without downs but he was untroubled. After 6 hours we ended up with 3 good ones and a few we tossed back. It was not however about the fish but rather the thinking, analysing, changing tactics with the changing tide, adapting to the conditions, mutual encouragement and the easygoing chat. A day to remember. Thanks mate Poohbear

Bought a second hand alvey reel. Checked on youtube and noted that there is a complete dvd that comes with reels. Wondering if anyone has one to upload or loan? Regards Poohbear

probably is this one https://www.google.com.au/search?q=gunthers+wrasse&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=hFv8Urm3HYmkkgXdhIHgCw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=736#q=Pseudolabrus+guentheri+&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=3MDQFhBZuUWkyM%253A%3BynvxlfJ6Gu7SeM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fuinen.nrm.se%252Fimages%252Fspecies%252FPsgue_u2.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fuinen.nrm.se%252Fidentification%252FRegionSpeciesList.php%253FresultPage%253D47%2526c_code%253D036%2526SortBy%253Dfamily%3B550%3B364

Hi Thanks for the help Poohbear

Ty mate Caught 5 more today, Lake seems full of them. Seems to be ok to eat as well - not snapper quality but reasonable. Regares

Hey Guys Caught using an ISO float in lake Macquarie. 37cm. Ingested the hook so trimmed the line and released as I do with all fish I catch but appeared belly up 5 min later. Felt quite down as I would have loved it to create more fishlings for my kids in the future. Looks like whiting but had monster teeth. Thanks in advance Regards Poohbear

Hi all Im a newbie blackfish addict. Following the float and focusing is fantastic and best described as " fishing meditation". Would be nice to catch one occasionally. Noticed almost no catches in the regular Georges river spots and strangely all the regular " Ernest Hemmingway like " seasoned blackfishing experts have vanished as well. Is summer a good time to give up blackfishing on the georges. I know there have been reports of catches at the Entrance so maybe better to drive an hour from Sydney. Regards Poohbear

Hi all I have just started blackfishing and have fished of the shore at St Georges and Cooks Rivers. Taking the boat out to Botany Bay on Saturday and was wandering as to where to start looking for the blackfish Did some research seems the bottom of runways are the spots and was going to try some of the warves at Kurnell - looking for structure. I realize that asking for spots is frowned upon but would be grateful for a pointer or two in the Bay Thanks as always Poohbear

Help ID these Caught in Botany Bay Both still swimming happily in the bay and hopefully pro-creating as we speak. Regards Poohever

Thank you all Will use sparingly to save some for all Regards Poohbear

Hi All Great forum I am a new angler and am keen to try blackfishing I have youtubed the topic to death and watched a few very senior gentleman fish the cooks river ( almost called one Ernest Hemmingway) I have spent all Sunday looking for the stringy weed.\ Tried the following 1) Googled for 6 hours then went to all the suggested spots (most 3 years old) with no luck , unless you call the stench of a dead rat success. 2) Spoke to the local tackle shop person who just said its as rare as a friendly senior blackfish fisherman 3) Cycled up and down the Cooks river and just saw 200 different types of plastic bottles and the occasional used condom. 4) Went to Five dock and tried the canals there, no luck in Sydney Park as well. 5) Plan to drive from Camperdown to Mona Vale Pool or maybe Manly Warf next. 6) Tried with bread and flys but the Cooks River Blackies are discerning feeders. 7) Will start calling bait shops this weeks to see if I can find some to buy. Saw the the Newcastle Council is growing weed for fisherman rather than have them destroy the environment. Why dont some Sydney Councils do this instead of just delaying your DA applications with red tape all the time. Would be grateful for any other suggestions. Regards Poohbear