Ryder

Here's mine, an oldie but a goody. 87cm caught on a live hardy head . Fraser Island, Easter 1998

It was a nice bream mate. Saved us from a fishless night. You're a few hours closer, only a matter of time. Thanks for the invite, great to meet you. Ryder

Congratulations Well earned success. I bet you still got the shakes and the high. Don't over think it Just do what you do and catch those Jew I think it's great you really deserve it

The smaller ones are known as 'Soapies' due to the taste. The bigger ones are great eating. A bit work with knife and hacksaw to get the cutlets. Some surgery and a hammer to get the jewels. I don't freeze a lot ,I share it around.

Hi Kram I am by no means an expert, I was in your group on SP day learning. I think take him somewhere snag free, and use a retrieve like a slow wind/roll to keep the tension. You might even increase the jighead a bit to help feel weight. Or get some blades, the action of the lure will transfer down the rod and he will feel like he's doing something. More to that, they work, infact they are deadly. (One catch expert talking) Use some scent like s factor to increase your chances. Again go somewhere snag free, cast out let it sink take up the slack, and lift the rod fast enough to feel the vibration. You don't need big lifts or rips for Bream and flathead are not particular. Keep it slow lift , wind a little to stay in touch, wait, and lift again etc The fish will probably pick it up on the wait, next lift works as the strike. Like I said one fish expert here Haha It worked for me first time out. Good Luck Ryder

MASTER Please tell me more, What weight gear do you use? Boat or land based? I googled the transam, it looks like a plastic, but its a vibe? How do you work it? Sorry I'm seriously hooked. Ryder

Thanks guys. There was a bit of surface action beyond casting distance. Gars or sauries jumping around. I will definitely be getting more vibes

I thought I might try something new today. I went to the local tackle shop and asked about vibes and blades. After a few tips, I left with a Strike Pro cyber vibe 35 and a pack of gulp satay chicken shads just in case. Drove down to Balmoral because I know it's pretty sandy around the wharf. Tied on the new vibe and no kidding 2 casts a flathead around the 50 mark is in the net. 2 more casts and I thought I was snagged for a second, then it moved and fought. Was it the first ones big sister? Sadly no it was a good size octopus. A couple more casts and I snagged up and lost the vibe. Maybe beginners luck but these vibes are deadly. Switched to the gulp on a 1/16, after a few flicks a decent flathead tried to nail it as it was almost out of the water. I had him for a second or two, but didn't get a clean hookup. Then the choppers moved in. I must have got 10 the biggest around 25 cm, they were tearing the plastics apart so I switched to a small halco slice but they wouldn't touch it. I didn't see anyone else get anything except yellowtail . All the choppers went back, but the flatty and occy went to the desperate bait fishermen Ryder

Bad Karma. This fish was lost, sad, sick and lonely. He was suffering. I read today fisheries have tried to stop the practice, it's not working. The fish they are releasing grow up in excellent conditions in aquaculture farms not Sydney Harbour. Yes they will be dispatched and end up on the table, but it will be quick, This one faces an agonising death in alien surroundings.

I've gotta hand it to you for persistence . Well done on the sambo. I'm sending a pm

It did you knowIt looked a bit sick, some scales missing and it's tail was split. It was just moving slowly along the surface

Back again today for high tide. The big bream in the creek just tease me. It was a bit windy so I started with my beloved Sugapen. Walked the creek and bay for a few near misses, then changed over to a gulp banana prawn. Casting and walking back to the creek, I only entertained the toads. Another change, this time jerk shad nuclear chicken. A few casts, twitch twitch and ....Bang I saw this old fellow hanging around. Bad picture but is this an estuary perch ?

That's a great song mate.Running away giggling...... I'm still giggling. Check it out folks..

Hi Luke I'd go with 3 for 4 people, around 800g to 1kg. Sounds like a lot, but there is a bit of weight in the shell Just watch the water you add when you increase the recipe. I'd start with 2 1/2 cups if you increase for 3 crabs. The more crabs the more water comes out of them. Bon appetite

Hi panger. Thanks for the tips. I like the idea of dusting with flour and quick frying, that will really make the sauce stick. The minced chilli paste would make me sweat, but sounds more authentic. I'll ease myself into it. Cheers Ryder

Winter is a great time to cook this dish, mud crab comes down in price to around $25 a kilo. We chip in with friends for a fun, finger licking feast. This recipe is for 2 crabs weighing around a kilo each. I buy males, on the day, they are a little cheaper, and keep them in the fridge to use that night. Despatch the crabs buy driving a sharp knife at the point of the belly flap and wave it up and down. Remove any string and clean off any mud. Pull the belly flap down and using a small knife or fingers ease the shell up and away from the back legs, the rest of the shell comes off easily. Remove the 'dead mans fingers' the mouth parts and any brown guts. Quarter the crabs and slightly smash the claws and forearm. You need: 3 tablespoons of fresh peeled garlic 2 tablespoons of fresh peeled ginger 1 teaspoon of lemongrass, (the whiter part towards the base) 1/2 a medium onion 8 tablespoons of oil 3/4 cup of tomato sauce 1/4 cup of sweet chilli sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar 2 cups of water ( if you increase the recipe for more crabs don't add much more water) 2 cleaned and quartered mud crabs 1 beaten egg 1 Vienna bread loaf ,warm and crusty Blend the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, onion and chillies to a fine paste, using 1/2 cup of water to moisten. Heat the oil in a large wok, add the blended paste and stir fry until its fragrant. Add the tomato sauce, sweet chilli sauce, salt, sugar and water. Stir, and when it comes to the boil, add the crab. Reduce to a simmer, cover and stir occasionally for 15 to 18 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the crab to a serving platter, and add the beaten egg to the sauce and mix well. Pour the sauce over the crab and serve hot with the crusty bread on the table. You may also need crab tools, hand washing bowls with water and lemon and a bib. Don't use your good tablecloth. Enjoy

I just got back from Vanuatu, where they were selling sky rockets, bungers, and pohas in the shops. I always looked forward to this long weekend as a kid. "Cracker Night" I'd save pocket money, sell golf balls, search the house and laundry for coins, anything to get more fireworks. I know it was dangerous and destructive, but it was fun. When I grew up, you had Christmas, Birthday, Easter and Cracker Night as big days. The modern alternative this weekend is VIViD. Not the same.

Hi boattart I just got back from Vanuatu, loved your advice. I looked info travel rods and ended up choosing the raider due to budget and my wife saying "It's not a fishing holiday" . Nitro etc way beyond Uglies are broomsticks, slingshots won't last. Take the tube.

Eastern conger eel ?

Great stuff guys. I had lunch at Drummoyne ramp yesterday I saw about 50 cormorants fly together towards the west end of the bay. Heaps of gulls were there too. I drove around to the park and the birds were working hard on baitfish.

Short finned eel?

Thank you, I watched your video on YouTube. Practiced it and used it today.I snagged up again and this knot held, it was my terminal locked half blood knot that gave way. No more mucking around. Cheers Ryder

Try near the lagoon mouth below the nth narrabeen surf club or 400m or so south at the pines.

Mate that's fantastic. You held it, it counts! I hope the next one comes soon. Great report. Pleasure to meet you on SP day Andrew

How rude of me! Replying to someone else, and not introducing myself, attending the SP social..... My name is Andrew I live in East Ryde and have no imagination. So I called myself Ryder. 47yo, fished the harbour from a tinny chasing flathead, salmon,tailor, whatever for years. I also chase Jewie on the beaches when I have the time; now I'm cutting my teeth on plastics. I started fishing with my granddad, a retired cop in Forster; veggie patch out the back, boat out the front. Run my own landscape maintenance company; any questions please ask. I like a laugh, and love to fish. I know I came to the right place.