RUT

Hey loose lips, you've had some fun haven't you. See you on the weekend - hope to catch a few blackfish with you and make sure you've been a good boy !!

Very good and exhausting read Henry, I was there in the kayak with you, time to relax and get a coffee. Well done. Have only come across Cobia once on a fishing trip to Mornington Island QLD. Your story reminds me a lot of 'The Old Man and and the Sea' story by Ernest Hemingway. Getting a little bit agitated sitting here at work, after reading your story I get a text message from my mate 'Stapo' that he's getting big blackfish 'somewhere in the water', how can I get through the rest of the days work now after all this Time to rig up, good fishing everyone, be safe, don't eat too many easter eggs, cheers Rut

Hey Wayne, Some exceptional fish you have landed this year, well done. Lets hope we all get our fair share in 2017. Will be spending Xmas putting new line on reels, checking float weights etc. Will have a chase blackfish over Xmas not expecting too much, just happy to relax and watch the float drift. Like Green Hornet and yourself, love blackfishing. Cheers Bruce 'RUT'

Hey BA, New gear looks good, did you have it made up for you ? Any details on the rod ? Great story with the fish, healthy looking blackfish. Cheers Rut

Hey b a, Thanks for all your blackfishing reports, I get a little envious of you guys when I check your regular fishing reports. Would like to catch up with guys sometime next year when it cools down a bit, have a fish and chat with a couple of dedicated lovers of the dark art of blackfishing. Merry Xmas to all

Not good reading these reports while I am at work. Well done, good fun catching fish that size. Have a good day gents

Hey Luderick - Angler, Yes I'm thinking I will adopt your rule and keep the 30-35 fish, and you are correct the flesh is much firmer (much better for sweet and sour fish with rice). Cheers LA

Hey 'Blackfish Angler', Some really nice fish you have been catching lately, little envious of the fact that you are actually fishing for blackfish and am not. I am the same vintage as you and just enjoy blackfishing so much, it is both relaxing and frustrating at the same time. It is quite intoxicating watching, and waiting in anticipation for that float to disappear. Blackfishing at The Entrance this winter - the biggest blackfish we have 'heard' about this winter has been a 53cm fish caught by a local called 'Frank' [one of the best fisherman I've come across]. We regularly catch fish in the range of 40-43cm when they are 'on', however, the blackfish have virtually disappeared. That's fishing for you. Have a question for all those chasing the 'big' blackfish, do you keep and eat them ?, I have found the really big fish are not as nice to eat as the smaller say 35cm fish. Just a note for those new to blackfishing, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to 'bleed' the fish well before cleaning/filletting. On the topic of the colour of float tips, I have found fishing into the sun early in the morning with a lot of sun glare etc, a solid black coloured tip works for me, with the flouro orange/pink tips working the best with the sun behind me. Anyway all blackfisherman have their own querky ways of doing things. Will post photos of floats. Good fishing everyone

Couple of nice healthy looking blackfish. Problem with birds extends everywhere. Beach worming and fishing for whiting on the Nth Entrance beach years ago with Stapo, damn crows got into my backpack, opened and drank my pineapple juice - smart birds those crows. Just last weekend a bloody Pelican extended its neck and grabbed one of my 'scaled/gutted blackfish' from under my nose at the cleaning table at The Entrance last weekend - hope it appreciated the effort I made to gut and clean it.

Hey Luke, It was a pleasure to help and introduce you both to the dark art of blackfishing. I am sure Stapo will also add his comments in due course. It was fun for both of us to just help you get a taste of what we both love doing. The other fisherman around us were equally happy to witness you both catching fish, it was a good day. If you get a little more serious we can help out with some advice on rods, line etc. Hope the finger is ok Luke. Good luck Rut

Hey Stevo, Typical haul of prawns for you, nice work. Good catch of lizards also mate, Dwayne looks happy. See you soon, I'm keen to sit and watch a float for a while. Rut

Good to see some good fish being caught. Agree, it is an added bonus when you catch fish and have some good mates to enjoy it with you. Keep chasing that float, cheers Bruce

Very envious John, great fishing. Good luck to you and your mate with future outings. Just one question for you, you don't seem to have bled any of the fish, is there any reason for this ? Have chased blackfish for 50 years and have always bled any fish caught prior to filleting, doing this provides a 'whiter' fillet. I suppose it is something I have grown up doing but I think the fish taste better after being bled ? Cheers Bruce

Hey Dwayney, Well done mate. Between you, Stapo and Frank those poor flathead don't stand a chance - the 'Lizard kings'. So glad the your new boat is working well for you. You handsome devil. See you soon, Bruce

Hey Steve, You three must have been pretty desperate, that's all I've gotta say. Concentrate on your weed mate. Cheers Rut

Hey Gianni, Great to see that you two boys have not lost your passion for fishing. Great pictures and stories - keep them coming - well done boys. Thank your parents also. Good Fishing, Regards Rut

Hey Reuben, Have sent you a PM - contact me anytime. Best wishes Rut

Hey Stapo, Nice new jacket you're wearing, the colour suits you - sorry I digress. Unusual fish mate, you did a good job [as usual] to catch it, pity there were no damn decent blackfish there, only those pesky little blighters !!! Catch up soon, hope the fishing is more to our liking with some decent blackfish. Cheers Rut

Hey Poohbear, I have fished for blackfish exclusively using Wilson 'Live Fibre' rods for the last 15 years - very light and tough (they are a little dearer). They have a wide range to choose from, two and one piece rods. They can double up as light surf rods. Wilson also have a cheaper range which would also do the job. Have a look on line - depends on how much you want to spend/or allowed to spend. Good luck with your selection, Regards Rut

Brilliant - as a long serving member of the 'club' I also could feel the passion and joy of your morning blackfishing session. (Wish I was there !!) I echo the comments from the members, you have persisted and now you have been rewarded. You will no doubt refine your methods and your gear as you get wiser and more experienced. Take note of what 'Howsy' said about remembering the tides etc. Finally - tell me how was your focus at work for the rest of the day ?? Contact me - I would like to give you some hand made floats that may come in handy for you in the future. Cheers RUT

Excellent work Capt, Sounds a very relaxing way to catch fish. Good photos thanks. Beautiful looking cod, seems strange to only catch 3 carp - maybe they are on the decline - we can only hope ? Good fishing, Rut

Hey Roberta, Thanks for all the great information provided on blackfishing, I am sure it is a big help for those wanting to take up the 'dark art' of blackfishing. I learnt to blackfish in the old back creek near the footbridge at South West Rocks in the late 60's [all changed now]. I was lucky to have a few older 'mentors' around to offer their expertise - it was no trouble to them. I think a lot of people who start out blackfishing expect instant results, sometimes that happens but I find a lot of people lack the patience required - keep watching the experts/practice and ask questions. Most of us old timers love to share info and help set up rigs etc for newcomers. To satisfy my curiosity could you answer a couple of questions on your choice of gear. What mainline do you use ? - I use use YGK Nitlon Top Water which I have used for the past 15 years without any trouble, no need to use vaseline/silicon etc. You just need to trim off a little line after a few heavy sessions which everyone should do. Quite a few of my fishing partners have been 'converted' to use this line - not cheap @ $25 for 100m. Run mainline at 14lb trough float with adjustable stopper, then a short length of 12lb line with a running weight, then finish with 8lb Vanish as leader. My logic is if you get snagged/hit a stingray/pelican etc the 8lb line breaks and you do not lose all your pre-weighted float rig etc. I use size 8/10 Mustad Sneck Ultrapoint hooks [green] - what's your preference ? What do you use as a stopper. I used to use fine cotton as a stopper but sometimes found if you tied it too tight and wanted to move it it would stretch the line. I have been using a range of rubber stoppers, some work better than others [some slip - you have to keep on eye on your depth particularly if you are getting plenty of action] I have two Wilson Livefibre 10'6" rods which are just brilliant. I only fish estuary locations, no rock fishing. Looking forward to upcoming blackfishing season. Thanks and good fishing Roberta from 'Rut'

Hello fellow fisherman, This is my first posting and just by way of introduction I am basically a dedicated black fisherman. Just thought I would share some photos of Africa with you. A good mate of mine has been working in Uganda [Africa] for about 15 years building tourist lodges for 'filthy' rich. He occasionally sends me a few teaser photos. If you can get over the fact that the country is still being ravaged by aids/poverty/war and malaria it is still a very beautiful and raw place. The fish in the photos are all Nile Perch with the biggest weighing at least 130 kg's [the scales could not read any higher]. All fish were caught and released. Unfortunately for my mate he only witnessed the fish being caught. Enjoy the photo's. Good fishing everyone.

Yes I have also fished with the great "Marvin" and yes as Stevo says he is prone to laying down his fishing rod and walking away to do something, quite often to get a coffee/coke/prawn net out of his car to give to someone - very generous person is "Marvin". This would have been a very funny moment for the boys on the wall.