Rob81

I probably wouldn't jig over its limits.

Most of the Bonnies I've seen in the last couple weeks are being caught around the headlands and so far only the metals have been successful. Minnows, poppers, stickbaits have rarely been hit. Also this is landbased, so on the boat you should have a wider range of areas you can try.

Double Uni is a good enough knot when the FG can be difficult to tie, a lot of people tend to have trouble tying a double uni on the thinner diameter lines (such as <PE1 or <10lb line rating), when you're casting <10lb line I suppose it doesn't really matter having the strongest knot as line will probably break before knot fails. Another thing to note, especially if you're casting and the joiner knot runs though your guides, is that with the double uni knot is just rapid bulk knot from lines compared to the FG where is gradually makes its way to its thickest point and then back down again, so the double uni smashes the guides (for example driving up a gutter vs driving up the driveway) and eventually breaks (depending how hard you cast). If your dropping line into water probably doesn't matter too much.

This is FG I did earlier, between PE2 braid and 30lb leader just to give you an idea how small the profile of the knot is

A lot of people selling second hand lures online. Gumtree, ebay & facebook. Take a look in there. You'll probably need a lot as good chances are you'll lose a fair bit but all depends as each trip is different for different people. And then you can probably resell if not used or you don't see yourself having a need for them. Quiet a lot of people do that from what I can see. Buy gear and lures for a trip only to not needing them but at the same time they're not caught short on tackle. If anything change the hooks on the lures if you think condition isn't all that great. Wouldn't want to lose a fish due to laziness or being cheap on hooks after spending the large amounts on other areas.

You can buy some straps for cheap and use that to go around your hips. They have clips on the sides so can be easily modified.

Your other option which I used to use, was put a rubber band on the rod and then leave the bail arm open and put the line into the band to hold it. Just a suggestion if you want a free spool option. Only problem is strong currents can sometimes pull the line out of the rubber band and probably wont work on boats.

Don't get caught up in those charts. Probably more marketing hype to say "We know what we're doing". Each session will be different. For example I went one spot, changed jig around until I found the one that worked (more natural colours - Eg. Green, light brown), got 5 on it and then it stopped so I changed to a similar colour and got another 4. Following week I came back to the same spot, the conditions were pretty much the same, same swell/wind/water colour, roughly the same time so lighting in both cases was just night, and those colours that worked the week before did nothing. This time being brighter colours, the Oranges, reds. Maybe those charts work in Japan, but I find here each day can be different so ideally you should have a good mix amongst the ones you bring out with you. Also the other part, most people worry about sizes, but I tend to use 3.0-3.5s and have caught squid half the length of my jig. I've heard up rivers the smaller 1.5-2.5s may do better depending on location but my setup isn't ideal for those sizes so I cant test that theory.

Don’t under estimate the sutte-r’s cause they’re cheap. They do quiet well. Most of the jigs I hold these days are sutte-r’s. If anything I’ve outdone other jigs with sutte-rs. Probably colour and retrieve is more important

I have seen an instance a couple months ago where someone was snagged but managed to get it out plus got the jig they lost about half hour beforehand.

You should invest in an egi side bag. Shimano makes ones with little compartments (Sephia bags) where you can put in single jig in. Or you can get an holster and make compartments with some bargain store items. Current I am using an Egi-Oh holster, I've created my own compartments where I can fit up to 8 jigs. However I most likely dont carry that many. I don't bring a bucket with me as I would most likely place the squid in a rockpool and then to bring back I would use the larger Ikea Zip lock bags (most likely I will leave a bucket in the car). Leader, scissors, clips all fit into the holster. This allows me to easily rock hop, as i do not place anything on the ground and I'm alot more mobile, it also allows me to change jigs a lot quicker and there is no need to leave anything on the ground (other than any caught squid), as everything is within my arms reach, also no need to turn any backpack around to grab anything as the holster is on the side of my leg. If I have a donut session, its not much hassles for me as I've carried minimum items and not weighed down with anything. Only item carried by hand is my rod/reel. This is the holster I use: And this is the Sephia one, you have different sizes for them: There are other makes too but the Sephia is the only one I am aware of that has compartments (which is very convenient), and as mentioned above, if you do decide to get one but not a Sephia then you can easily make those apartments using cheap items. With this, I have no concerns about the wash or wind taking my items as it is attached to me. Just one less thing to worry about.

Ahh yeah I’ve seen a trick using a bottle Half filled with water and allowing the current to push it sideways but That’s a fair bit of effort and pretty sure you’ll attract the attention of nearby anglers. using a sinker not too sure but sounds similar to some of the lure retrievers I’ve seen in store before I’ve tried this a few times and haven’t been successful with this trick on egiing. I have seen it used successfully once with hard bodied lures. Could either be I’m doing it wrong or trick might not work ok barbs over hooks. I tend to whip for rods more parabolic such as egi rods which in a can be similar affect. I wouldn’t try whipping it with my other rods but maybe the flicking the line would work best

There are a few people that egi pater noster rig if thats what you mean? I havent seen anyone or heard of anyone using a jig on a slider setup. Unless you mean a little running sinker to jig? This will change the action of the jig if you do, It wont be swimming or jerking how it should be. You can get egi weights if you need more weight for the jig or get a tip-run jig which is more designed for deeper waters typically for boat fishing.

You could try around the corner from Bare Island at Yarra bay (or between the two areas). Does ok there, around Bare Island its like a squid jig graveyard but once you work out the area, it can be productive and lose less jigs. I've noticed the calamari lately are typically around the 15-20 cm hood mark but a couple months earlier it was around the 7-13 cm hoods so it looks like an upward trend. A lot of the coastline areas hold squid, some areas they tend to be residential where other areas they're just passing by as you'll find you get them easier for a window of time only. Usually between 15-45 mins window of opportunity. If you're choosing to fish around the rocks, I suggest getting a set of cleats, I use a set that I put over my shoes so I can remove them if not required and its more light weight to carry if I don't need them on compared to dedicate cleat shoes. Also note: Alot of those areas require Life jackets. Water colour/quality, rain or sun, I've got them in all those conditions then only one I find less productive is during high wind over water. Invest it sacrificial jigs if you don't know the terrain. Just cast one out and get an estimate on how long it takes before it hits the bottom, and then use your better jigs afterwards (both good and cheap jigs can catch), however remember that the jigs sink rates are slightly different to each other, also current speeds, swell also factor in to the speed of which it drops. This will give you an idea of how far down the water is to prevent snags and losing jigs. You also mentioned you now have a dedicate egi setup, a good way to remove jigs (and really depends on what you snagged on) on egi rods, is to loosen line to allow the current to push the jig around a little and then try to retrieve or whip the rod hard multiple times until becomes loose and then retrieve. In both situations, once out retrieve line quickly as there maybe another snag nearby. With rock snags the use the current first, for kelp (plant forms) try the whipping. Just be wary that sometimes the snag is actually squid/calamari and you'll know this when you have a candle in the barb. Out of curiosity, what egi setup did you end up with? Hope this info helps.

Almost the same as Macca02, I use soapy water and then pat dry and leave to hang. and for the oiling part I primarily do that to squid jigs only, whatever oils I can find in kitchen (vege, canola, extra virgin olive oil) The hooks don't tend to rust and quiet frankly I'm not overly fussed if they do rust, as I would just swap them out. For Squid jigs I go the extra step only cause those aren't as easy to swap out. Some people change hooks after each session as they don't want any form of risk on losing a good fish.

Hi Will, just be wary about the rules around the Manly area. You mentioned squid and there is a part around Manly where they are protected. Here is the map:

I've heard people get them up around Como and sometimes around Woronora, not just the odd 1 but quiet a few. But those types of reports aren't often but it does occur. I think Woronora I am more surprised about but I heard about them here and there over the years. This is also boat based, not land based.

Hi Eddy, Here is a landbased map that can get your started: Some places may have changed since the creation of this map as it was posted back in 2011.

Yeah that's probably your best option. Its a bit of a walk down from the top just to let you know.

Yeah prawns and SP's do well there. Fish light in that area and works well. Issue is getting a decent fish up on light line can be difficult. Just remember as I've stated above, its a very steep hill down in the car, if your cars heavy with bad or semi tyres you might not make it out. Id probably suggest you park outside and take a walk to take a look at what I mean. I've seen a few cars go up and then go backwards back down, and some managed to get out on the 5th attempt. Also on top the crest can scrap the bottom of your car. I drive a SUV so its less of an issue for me but you can get up and down in sedans/hatches.

Park near the bottom and walk down. There is a toilet block along your way down. Good luck with the fishing.

Hi Kaniss, Looking at google maps it doesnt show the road. Its quit a steep road that goes down. In the image you will see that arrow on the road and its just down that. you can get down and up again in a sedan or small car, just go slow at the top part. Best you dont go down if the ground is wet in a small car or you might have trouble coming back out.

Works well... problem is a lot of other species love squid too. Not too sure the length of your rod but some locations would probably require the longer rods, around 10-15ft rods. really depends on location and also condition of water.

NS Blackhole Amped II have a few options for the 2 piece 6-7 foot range. You also have the ultra light option like your current rod if that is what you prefer. Its a decently priced rod in that its not overly expensive but still a nice rod to use.

You should try wharf fishing with that setup. You'll find your target species off wharfs as well