iamthecowgodmoo

What a monster!!! Well done!

Well done on a great session. Great looking conditions too.

Promising signs in the lake yesterday morning at the turn of high tide as I was sussing out some of the usual spots and seeing some decent size bream in and around the shallows and structure. Fresh prawns were doing the damage, but only the smaller ones seem to be keen to play. Did a bit of prospecting for whiting with the poppers, but there didn't seem to be any around, although there were plenty of keen poddy mullet having a go at it. Tried a couple of Z-Man grubs with the prawn scent on them (anybody tried this stuff?), but no takers. Switched to my new Eco Gear blades to see how they performed, and sure enough, got a hit from probably the smallest thing I have ever caught on a lure. Slow retrieve with small hops along the bottom did the damage. I know it's not much to brag about, but it's my first on a blade. It's a promising summer ahead with my technique getting closer to what is needed. Went down to the Spit later in the arvo. Plenty of people around, but it was bottom of the tide, there was no life in the water to speak of, and it started to blow a gale, so I turned in for the day.

I'm with Roylo on this. I bought my last two pair from the cancer council too, on to my second pair in 3 years (only due to a large scratch on the last pair) and they have been the best sunnies ever. I've seen a lot more that are pricier than these and no where near as good. A lot of those you are paying double what they are worth just because of the name.

Was there this morning around 8-9am. Plenty of small bream and whiting on fresh prawns, worms etc. Couldn't tempt any flatties on soft plastics, but a mate lost a decent one at his feet last week. So it's starting to get going.

I've hooked a Longtom in the lake on a small, clear Instinct lure a few months ago, right in front of the kayak hire place. I'm guessing they'll take pretty much any small hard-body lure.

Was that on Berkley Fireline braid? If so, how are you finding it? Cracking catch too!

I will never go back to Clifton for the same reason too. People there have no common sense or consideration for other fishos. I have found that carrying a small multi-tool (with scissors) in my pocket helps. When they cast over me and I have to wind in my line, I don't try to untangle it, I just snip theirs. or if they are are too close i.e. I can reach their line with my hands without moving my feet, and after mentioning it to them that they are too close, then I just casually reach over and snip it at the reel.... they soon learn.

Nice work! Pity about the one that spat the hook, but stoked that the lake is firing again. Thought about heading there this weekend to try out a few new blades and plastics I picked up recently, but unsure as to whether there was much happening. Might have to have a flick tomorrow morning.

Nice catch! You were in the right spot for squid. Usually you can see them in the shallows where the street light shines onto the water (when the tide is at least half full). I've had nights there where I could pick up half a dozen perfect size squid in around 10min, then again, some nights they're just not around. There has been a lot of rain around lately, so maybe give it a few weeks before they come back. I've had some very big fish chase that very same soft plastic in that area (more over towards the old boat ramp), but unable to land anything significant. As for avoiding the snags there, I've found using a paternoster rig with a short leader (20cm) off the 3-way swivel and a snapper sinker hanging a metre down. Use lighter line to the sinker and heaver stuff to the leader and main line, so that if you do get snagged, you only need a new sinker, not a whole rig. LAST BUT NOT LEAST! - when you retrieve your line for whatever reason (unless fighting a fish), raise your rod as high as possible and retrieve fast to get it above the rocks that sit on the edge of the channel. Tight Lines! Scott.

Well done! Always good to hear reports from my local haunt.

Great location for squid, but how was the crowd? I haven't been there for a couple of years because of all of the inconsiderate idiots that frequented the wharf. Very nice catch too btw!

Erina Creek isn't too bad. It's cleaner than Narara Creek. Try around Hilton Moore oval, Punt Bridge area. You should do alright there.

Yeah, it's pretty bad until it gets into Fagans Bay. Paddy's Channel and The Rip Bridge are notable spots worthy of a try up there.

I wouldn't eat anything from Narara Creek. It's filthy! You do get bream, mullet, tailer and the odd shark in there too.

That's plenty of inspiration for me to hit the stones around Collaroy this weekend....if the weather holds out. Nice work!

A tip for pumping nippers: When you see your target hole, don't just pump it once then move on. Pump the same spot three times as the little buggers can be a fair bit down. Using this took me from getting 2 nippers per 10 holes to getting around 8 per 10.

Trolling will be fun!

If you have no luck with the livies, then you could always go for the salted pillies. They stay on the hook much better than regular ones, and they work just as good. Most good bait shops have them.

Nice catch. I heard it has been pretty quiet around there lately especially with the bad weather.

Good to see the kings and some decent bream around the spit. Nice catch!

Even for good conditions that's a good catch.

In that general area, The Spit seems to be the most productive land based spot within a 10min drive with jews and kings found there on a regular basis. I've tried Collaroy/Longy etc, but seem to be only successful with finding Luderick, Blackfish and the occasional Salmon from there.

Hello everyone, I'm Scott.......... and I'm a fish-aholic. Have been reading this forum for the last couple of years and now finally decided to join and be an active member to gain and share some knowledge. I live on the Northern Beaches, and fish for whiting/bream/flatties in the lake and bigger stuff (Jews/Kings etc) off the rocks at Collaroy and around the Spit Bridge.

I use That Banana boat 50+. I have not found that it makes any difference in my catch. Like Richie was saying - put it on and wash it off your hands before heading out. I would rather loose a couple of fish, than developing melanoma. I work in the health industry (medical), and I've seen what it can lead to....if you had seen what I have seen....you would bath in the stuff!!!