Hodgey

Fantastic article. Thank you for sharing. Cheers Hodgey

A great topic Dave and one that should generate a fair bit of interest. I have always been under the impression that baromentric change is most significant when fishing in fresh or shallow water, which is of particular interest to me as these are the two areas I fish the most. It seems the deeper water negates the effect of the barometer due to its own pressure? I had a prolonged discussion with a local freshwater guide recently and he was adamant that it effected fish feeding habits to the point that he purchased a watch online specifically because it shows barometric pressure. Some smartphones have a barometer app that local fishos claim to be quite accurate as well. (I must look into which one it is and download it myself!) A search on Google has produced some very interesting articles regarding the effect of barometric pressure on fish habits/fishing but I have yet to discover how fish detect changes in the weather through barometric pressure. I would imagine it would have something to do with the lateral line? I guess I need to investigate further and look forward to other members' responses. Cheers Hodgey

VERY nice rig mate! Terrific photos of amazing fish ...you're uncanny! Good to see you helped the old fossil find some reds. Does he have rodholders mounted onto his walking frame? Cheers Hodgey

Have a look at this thread mate: Sunnies It holds a fair bit of info plus links to other similar threads Cheers Hodgey

This competition is well worth entering folks. I submitted a photo in 2008/2009 for my brother and he was lucky enough to be selected for inclusion. He won a stack of prizes including vouchers, combos, terminal tackle, clothing and so on. It originally started as a Freshwater comp but it now includes saltwater photos as well. This was his his entry:

to those members who celebrated today! I hope there was something 'fishy' amongst the gifts Cheers :28: Hodgey

Excellent report mate. Some terrific photos and a few useful tips in there as well. A very good haul of better-than-average fish. I am very envious! Cheers Hodgey

A true gentleman who always had time for a chat and a joke. He will sadly missed. My sincere condolences to Shirl and Family. RIP mate.

I recall something on this forum last year about 2 elderly gentlemen getting fined/gear confiscated for the same thing so I'd say it has been around for a while? This is the salt water regulation link: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations/sw/methods and here is the relevant info from it Recreational equipment permitted Maximum number permitted per person Total number of rods or lines - 4 rods or handlines Unfortunately there is no mention of them being rigged/unrigged so it would suggest that it means 4 in total?

Some great fish caught on the light stuff. They're a lot of fun and offer a suitable diversion if nothing else wants to play. Ask around your mates and see if any of them are chasing reds. Carp fillets stored in the freezer heavily salted are spectacular snapper bait. Cheers Hodgey

Many Happy returns John. Hope you have a great day mate! Cheers Hodgey

Sounds like a great time on the water Brett. There is a lot of yellas around at the moment and they give a good account of themselves when caught on lure. Carp willingly take soft plastics but I have never heard of them taking a frog lure ... well done! Cheers Hodgey

Very sad news Rod. Sincere condolences to you and the kids mate. "H"

Thanks for the kind wishes and messages today folks... very much appreciated. Plenty of new fishing gear and lures to through at the cod in the coming weeks! Cheers Hodgey

Merry Christmas everyone. We hope your 2013 is a fishing bonanaza! Hodgey and the Bendigo Bunch

Nice one Stewy Congrats! Cheers Skip

PM sent mate ... good luck! Cheers Hodgey

Unlike Carp, Redfin have the added bonus of being highly palatable They are aggressive feeders and will fall to most bream/trout style lures, but here is a couple of favorites that are proving successful at the moment: Gold Ondex spinners Small Stumpjumpers in Gold or purple 50mm Squidgy Fish in Killer Tomato 1/8 oz spinnerbaits in purple or red/black TN60 Jackalls Redfin often school in big numbers and will provide plenty of entertainment. They readily attack moving lures so a slow/medium roll back to the boat/bank is usually enough to make them commit to your lure. They like holding off weedbeds close to the bank but are just as comfortable hunting through 20+ ft of water. I reckon they are the flathead of freshwater ... the buggers will have a go at just about anything! Cheers Hodgey

A terrific wish Grant, regardless of the technique involved! Cheers Skip

Fantastic footage with very impressive gear. Thanks for sharing Roberta! Cheers Ian

This is a very good article for you to start with: Carp info It gives a very good summary of the issues surrounding these fish but it also address some of the popular misnomers. Well worth a read! Cheers Hodgey

The answer to that is simple. Fisheries have stated that they do not have the right to force people (such as yourself) to kill something, regardless of its feral status. I agree with kermadum and offroad fisherman, and despatch all feral fish and animals. Right or wrong, in this instance, the choice is yours and you can act as you see fit. Cheers Hodgey

Excellent report as always Roberta! I had an abbreviated trip down there this year and only spend 24 hours fishing. We usually camp at Kyffens for the 4 days but this year we stayed on the river at Forge Pump Beach 2. Much better camping area...but ridiculous amount of boat traffic and noise Back to Kyffens for us next year. Quite a few yellas and trout cod bought back to camp but the cod were a little quiet; especially on lure. I landed one @ 51cm on a green hammerhead hardbody with my third cast, but that was to be my only one for the short trip. Cheers Ian

Fish for: ~ redfin in Cairn Curran and Lake Eppalock ~ yellas in Lake Charm and Kow Swamp ~ cod on surface lures in the Loddon ~ everything in the Wakool and Murray with spinnerbaits and oargees So many spots; so many casts! Cheers Hodgey

Spectacular report Tony ... very envious. I am already putting plans in place to join your crazy mob next year! Congrats to all on the PB's. Fantastic photos as well mate, Cheers Skip