Ryder

Hi Raiders. After a disappointing donut rock session with the boys on Christmas Eve I decided to stick to the harbour. I asked Trevor along to fish Johns' to pay him back for the donation to my Christmas dinner. He accepted the invite, but it was going to be a late start for him. Johns' is private access I've had for a few years up in Chiswick. It normally fires at this time of year. Nice deep water in close and plenty of natural structure. It fishes best on the run out tide. I started around 7am and it was dead quiet. Once the tide started to run around 8:30 there were signs of life. I missed a good down when I was distracted by a close passing boat, then pullled the hooks on another fish. Things went quiet again for a spell before I realised my float stopper had moved during the previous fight. I haven't got any good stoppers just now, the white ones are crap, and my stopper knot of wool slips way too easy. I made the switch to mono and it was game on. The first fish was in the keeper net by 9am, the next followed soon after. They really came on the chew, almost as soon as my float settled I was on again. Sometimes the float went down, sometimes it came up and other times it moved sideways against the current, it was practice float reading. When in doubt, Strike! I had 7 in the bag when I texted Trevor to hurry up and get down here. Before he arrived I had my 10 and started to look at upgrading a few. I switched over to using cabbage and I was quickly smashed by something big and fast. I lost everything except my float which I managed to net when it came back up. Trevor arrived and immediately got his first down but a miss. Then a small issue with a float taking on water. Once that was sorted he started adding to the bag. The bite had slowed a little and the drift had changed from drifting away from us to drifting towards us. We adjusted the berley pattern and the fish came on again. I got smashed again at my feet by freight train, and once again luckily got my float back. Trevor added 6 to the bag in the next hour and I upgraded 2 smaller fish. We pulled the plug when things went quiet again and the wind was becoming a nuisance. Most of the fish were in the 35cm range, the largest going 44cm. The majority were caught on weed, my couple of upgrades and bust offs on cabbage. I kept 4 verage sized fish, the rest went back for next time. Love Johns' Jetty, oh and love my new Maui Jims, Christmas present from my wife, thanks babe. Cheers Ryder

That bottom fish is real fat. Well done.

Well done guys. Thanks again for the fish the other day. They went down a treat for Christmas dinner.

Great bag mate. Glad to hear Mark is back on the scene and Josh is continuing to dabble in the dark art. Hope we get a few tomorrow., Christmas orders, No Pressure....LOL

Thanks for a great day out guys. It was good to catch up and get fishing again. I admit I was a bit rusty, standing in the wrong place, not following protocol and leaving my tackle box at home, but with a little help soon turned it around. We've all had days like Paul when it just doesn't happen. When he was finally on, and I was on the net I was praying 'Don't stuff this up for him'. Thankfully not. The family are looking forward to fresh fish on Christmas, so count me in on Saturday.

Well done Chris, sounds like a great day out. I don't see a baitfishing record for Goatfish? Only lure at 30cm.

Looks like a productive weekend guys, well done. Jacs "birthmonth" festivities continue next weekend a bit, but I've booked timeout and the weeds on me.

Well done Angela, I'm sure it won't be the last.

Nice going Trevor. Im glad there are a few around, I might get out tomorrow.

Hi Neil, I just watched the first one. Colour is far less significant than I thought, especially in deep and discoloured waters. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tpQTh_tnJ6c

My net is just a normal Wilson, I attach it to an extendable pool scoop. It will reach 6-7m, it can be a bit heavy, but it can be broken down to half if you don't need the full reach.

Good stuff Mike. Pity about the wind, but a nice bag anyhow. Keep it up.

Some good bust ups around Shark Island today.

Good stuff Trevor. I need to catch up soon. Might need to just target the sawtails, I need to get one on the plate.

Nice haul Adam. Fly fishing can be very frustrating, that's why I gave my rod away Haha. Stick with it mate, it will happen. I might have a sinking leader around somewhere, it helps to get down for flatties.

Nice job Royce. Keep them coming.

Great stuff guys. You must have had a ball. Im looking forward to catch up, Work and kittens keeping me down.

Oh, fish on the first drift is a good sign. But, none after that?... Maybe too late start. Still a quality fish!

Cracking bream on the weed. Well done.

Nice going, 35cm whiting is a real elbow slapper. The flatties sound good too. Is the lake open now?

Good work, or good day off work. It's nice to find a new spot that pays. I learned from you, it's all about options. With the wind yesterday they would have been limited , but you still got them. Well done.

Hi Raiders, On Friday I discovered this nice patch 1 minutes drive from work. I took a mate out and we got only 2 Gladesville in 3 hours, I was starting to have my doubts. Was it the weed, was it the spot, or did I just have the stink on me again? We moved to Chiswick and got a few more. The biggest was 44 and fat. Good weed. My weed. Hahahahaha

Bastards. I hate thieves. But there is more.... Boat burning!!! Keep your eyes open. http://www.marinebusiness.com.au/news/arson-suspected-in-sydney-boat-fires

You fed the tribe with that lot. Nice going in the wind.

Great bag mate. 43 to the fork, now we're takin. Well done