garfield28

Cheers mate

Cheers Rick, I heard a lot of rat kings usually... do you fish the tides there for kings or would you find them there when the bait is around anytime of day? I was there at night when we went, I was marking fish but they wouldn't touch the plastics we were throwing at them. Nice feed of flatties there Loomsey gotta be happy with that! Terrible conditions all week and continuing this weekend, can't wait for a break and I might have a drift around and see if I can pick a few flatties up myself.

Fab, I think unless you know the actual one in the pic its hard to explain but the whole thing comes out once it is even bolted onto the rail... From what I can tell you cannot secure it properly which is why if someone actually has this particular one or has seen them they might know what I'm on about but I think they just cannot be secured once they are bolted on.

How did you go there Loomsey? The young bloke got a decent snapper there, but only the 2 fish when we went there. I'm told its mainly just a lot of pinkies and garbage fish there 90% of the time

Hi All, Has anyone ever had the attached rod holder that can tell me how the bl@@dy thing works? Looking at it and how it goes on the rail, it comes out and I guess you'd be losing some rods! Not sure If I am trying to mount it correctly or not but I cannot see how it would go any other way. Thanks Geoff

Thanks for that... like to think where there's undersized there'll be a couple of keeper size too Do you know if its a decent sized reef for drifting over? Thanks

Is the fishing any good for snapper at North Reef Newcastle? Also, how far from the mouth of the harbour is it, don't know if I got bad info but I got told it's the yellow bout you see on the way out which isn't too far out at all. Thanks

Thanks Jon, I'll check it out. Still wouldn't mind some opinions on whether or not I have an issue in that part of my boat if anyone has one. Thanks Geoff

Nice boat mate, you certainly scored really well there with that, and don't ya just love the smiles on the kids faces, that's what its all about! As for Frank S, the most lovely bloke on earth mate. I used to live in Sydney and Frank gave up his time for me to help me out on more than a couple of occasions, he even offered to drive up to Port Stephens when I had some other issues not long after I moved up. He knows boating and fishing and always has some great advice. Hope you're well Frank - you are a champion fella mate.

Thanks for that Zoran, will definitely give them a call. Could I please ask what you would use to stick a transducer on a glass boat and save putting holes into the transom please? I just followed this method that I'd read on a few Google searches. Thanks Geoff

Thanks for that Bear, I hope so too. Do you know if it should be wood in the strakes at all? Thanks Geoff

The area in question circled

Hi all, Just a couple of questions regarding my transom. I have a 5.2 savage escort, think its a 91 model, I was looking at installing a new sounder this afternoon and I took of a piece of plastic chopping board I was using as a transom saver, I put that on nearly 4 years ago now, I sealed all the screw holes with sikaflex, I also sikaflexed the whole back of the board and sealed the edges once I was finished. Today as I undid the screws I noticed a bit of water coming from behind the board as I was loosening the screws off. Once the board was removed the holes appeared to be a little wet, so I got my drill and drilled into them a bit and I wasn't brinig out any board whatsoever, but to be honest I cannot remember if I did now the very first time either though, but what was coming out was like the fiberglass was like a wet paste. I only drilled within the hole itself, I never tried to re-drill the hole bigger, just put the drill bit in approx the same size as the whole. I think I have had some water seep in, and I'm not real sure how bad the damage would be, and not sure on exactly how to tell either. My question is from the pics, the area circled, because of the shape, would it be wood within that area or only fiberglass based on the shape? The actual part that the outboard is bolted to feels sturdy enough from what I can tell, I have also tapped around it and from what I can tell it sound the same and not hollow. If however I have a problem with this area, how hard is it to repair a transom based on the shape of it? Of all the pics I could find of re-paired transoms I have not seen one like this shape, so I'm scared that it cannot be done and the transom shape would have to change? Any advice and pointers much, much appreciated. Thanks Geoff

G'day all, Thanks for the replies to this thread. I have got the boat back, it had water in the fuel and also a burnt wiring harness somehow. The mechanic said it sometimes happens in mercs when a new battery is installed, I told him I never changed the battery but I did replace the dual battery switch and from the moment I did it was playing up a bit when on battery one... now I know why. Thanks again, Geoff

Thanks for all the replies. I have the boat at the mechanics and just waiting to hear from him what it is. Will post on here once I have heard back from him.

I have a Merc Saltwater series 125 Rick. I had water in the tank last time I had it serviced and the mechanic told me to pour a lt of Metho in the tank. I only use straight unleaded I never put E10 in my boat. Also, a mate told me about the water separator which I have but didn't know I had to drain it, but after I spoke with him I jumped up and had a look sure enough it was full of water which I have now drained.

Hi all, I believe I have water in my fuel and the other day while on the water it caused the outboard to conk out and I couldn't get her firing again. Just wondering if my outboard will be stuffed now, and it is there anything I can do to kick her over again? Thanks Geoff

Definitely too high. Check this link out http://www.sternmate.com/Where.html

Got spoiled Scratchie... good stuff! I have one of them rods too, they are excellent with plastics, they are super smooth on the retrieve and feel real nice to use, the only problem we had with ours is the bloody little knob to tighten the handle kept coming loose before eventually breaking off... happened to all 3 we had.

For sure Antony.

Mate was gonna do it yesterday when I got home but had a shower, a beer a d woke up about 1 this morning on the lounge. The Mrs and the kids don't even believe I caught them. I text B2 just when I texted you the pic and he called and said to give Jamie his fish back.... ? Was on such a high to pull those things in.

Headed out at just after 5am Friday from little beach boat ramp with Port Stephens fish'o and fishraider member Jrcjamie. I've been talking to Jamie for a good 2 - 3 years asking for tips and advice on weather conditions, certain species of fish etc. I spoke with Jamie on Friday afternoon and after months of planning (me hounding him) Jamie was free to take me out on his boat and show me a few tips on catching BIG snapper. Nicknamed banana for good reason by Scratchie I wasn't real optimistic as I've brought some good fish'os undone before ? Jamie told me it wasn't exactly the best time for snapper, it would be more a tutorial than anything but was confident he'd put me on a couple. Arrived at an area and sounded up some reef and bait at one of his spots near Broughton island, and after showeing me his technique and explaing a few things he said go for it! A couple of cast later my line come up tight and Jamie said you're onto a good fish here and it went straight under the boat, it was pulling hard like nothing I'd ever experienced before, any other time I'm pretty sure I'd lose this fish but Jamie talked me through getting it boat side where he netted it after dropping it and thought he'd lost it on me ? I could have hugged and kissed the bloke, cannot explain the feeling. I've never had a feeling like it, this thing was huge and I'd never thought I'd ever catch such a beautiful big beast, it has been one of my dream fish ever since I started trekking out through the heads, It was by far the best ever feeling, the pure power of this thing on the end of my line was something I could not get enough of, and little did I know I'd get to experience it a few more times during the morning. We had a great drift with plenty of bait and fish showing up on the sounder, I'm sure we'd get railed a few more times but a boat load of spear fishos came and pulled up right in out drift and started scouting around and scared the fish off. After a few choice words from the skipper they left but made sure they made as much noise as possible with their screaming motor and scooted off all the way up our drift line ensuring we wouldn't catch any more at that spot. We moved from that spot and Jamie scoured around and found another spot which produced another bohemath snapper a short time later, it was a donkey also and once again had my arms stretched as it took off making my reel scream! Isn't it just the best sound in the world a screaming reel. We both hooked up at the same time on a couple more big reds and a period of mayhem where we were both pulling in some decent reds at the same time. A short while later I dropped another monster, as I left the bail arm open for too long and when I closed it, it just a broke me off like it was nothing. It was the greatest fishing day of my fishing life, catching a couple of dream snapper, I thought I never could, I cannot express the feeling and was just in a state of fishing bliss evey time I thought of these things I'd landed and the fight.... I couldn't stop looking over at the Esky and looking at a couple of huge tails hanging out of it. I would like to say a huge thanks, and give all the credit to Jamie. He made me a very very happy fisherman and I cannot thank him enough, absolute legend and very humble guy making a fishing wish come true for me. Thanks for reading.

Hi all, Just waiting on a price from a guy for Seatrail trailers, but I am leaning towards the Spitfire aluminum trailer full ally 1460 kgs ATM, hydrualic brakes, torsion axle, blue slip + other bits and pieces $4450 Really hope I don't get burnt and its a decent build and quality http://spitfiretrailers.com.au/product/spitfire-trailers-aluminium-6.0M-1460kg-multi-roller-boat-trailer

Plenty of fishing room in that Antony. Looks a good boat

Yeah mate very lucky you got it for that price... wonder why a guy buys a brand new trailer and lets it sit in the yard for a year or 2 and never use it..?? Lucky for you though I guess. As for the galvanising if the salesman I spoke with is telling the truth he said that it isn't an issue now but was in the early years, so hopefully that problem has been rectified.