Razzell

I'm English and was surprised that the norm here seems to be to have the winding part on the right hand side... Would make sense to me for left-handed folks, but the need to change hands after casting would annoy me. Each to their own though.

Allen, hugely helpful. Thanks. I'm thinking of grabbing one of these because I'm a lazy bastard. http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Lowrance-Scupper-Mount-Kayak.aspx?pid=326986 Anyone got experience with them?

Same boat here! My finder is sitting under the tree!

Hello mate, Not great, not awful. The launch spot is a bit of a bugger, as Krause found out Straight away at launch, Krause found himself sitting on top of a massive shoal of Kingies. He went to get some livies to try for them while Rod and I swung in to the bay. Picked up some little snapper and a leather jacket - I moved in further to the bay for some bream and flatties. Rod moved round to join Krause. The Kingies won 3 - 0, with Krause getting hammered twice and Rod unfortunately being busted right at boatside. He was not a happy bunny! I managed a nice bream (34) and a reasonable flattie (~50). Nice morning on the water though. Rod took great pleasure in pointing out that the wind was, as he predicted, not a problem!

Thanks Mate. I was eyeing that one up, but maybe I'll take the hit and paddle from the ramp at the other end of that stretch. It's a slog, but so easy to launch from there.

Hey guys, So I've been doing my nut in only being able to fish once a week with my new job, so I figured I'm going to start going out once a week in the evening. Most of my sessions will be LB, but I'm eyeing an evening session this week on the kayak. Thursday - Cooks river. Target = Jewfish Tides = High tide is around last light. Fishing lures, unless I can bag some decent bait between now and then. I'll be looking to launch around 7 - 730, fishing under the bridge on Marsh street. Will fish until about 10 I reckon. I've got lights for the yak and will be making myself very visible. Any other tips are more than welcome! Anyone keen to join?

Keen for the weekend if the weather's good. Probably Saturday would be best for me, but can be a bit flexible.

Nice read and glad you had a good one! I've just spent the weekend at Mungo Brush, and there were tonnes of guys chasing the prawns. They got heaps! Never seen it done before, so I was absolutely fascinated by the process.

Thank you, everyone, for your help. Much appreciated

Hi guys, I'm heading up around port stephens this weekend and will be taking the yak out plenty (read all the advice Scratchie has offered others historically - thank you!). I think the missus might not be keen to be on the yak all day, but will be OK if we head to the beach where I can wet a line as she suns herself. We're staying at Mungo brush, and the beach is right next door. I have a 4x4 and would love to take it on the sand to just make life a bit easier. I'm not looking at travelling miles or doing anything crazy - I just want to get to a spot that's alright for fishing. I can see the access points etc., but... I've never driven on sand before! How easy/difficult is it? Anything I should know/be prepared for? I've checked online and the advice is geared towards people doing mental things whereas I just want to drive along the beach a little bit, like 1 or 2km, tops... Don't really want to kit myself out for a huge adventure on the dunes... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Razz

Howdy, Kings can show up anywhere in MH from what I understand... I've seen them had them around fig tree point, caught one at folley point, and have had them at the spit a few times (been busted off more), but that's all on lures. Some guys who I used to see out frequently who were old heads of the area told me sugarloaf/bantry in the warmer months (Dec onwards) was a good shout. I plan on testing that knowledge this year. Basically, as I understand it, MH is a fruitful system but difficult to predict. I can definitely attest to that - I've had some of my best and worst sessions there. Bait wise, I'm not knowledgeable at all but I hear the spit produces yakkas well. To launch, your options are Tunks, Fig tree point (end of coldawin road), or Clontarf. Best bets, anyway. The other launch spots in the area can be a bit tricky... Good luck!

Yeah it was alright, I was worried with the wind when we launched, but it died off. A shame the bite wasn't so hot - it was frustrating because the fish were there. I was convinced that king was a flathead until it was yakside, such a weird fight. Ended up with a little snapper, a horrid big grinner, a king, shovelnose (weirdly), flathead, bream and a whiting. Strange day on the water, but good to see you guys. Kudos to Rod for braving the journey - sorry it didn't fire as well as hoped mate! We'll do MH next time, promise!

Yup, the mouth of Careel and stokes point. I was up there two weeks ago and got busted off 4 times, got a salmon and two nice flathead in two hours. Unfortunately my paddle then broke, so had to head in slowly and with only one paddle. Going to troll some squid, complemented by a load of burley, and chuck plastics around the boats and markers. Worked for me in that area before - no point in reinvented the wheel! Rod and I are launching from George st, next to the marina. There's a ramp and flats there that can be launched from. Welcome to join if you can stomach the journey up!

Swinging up to Pittwater, where the wind reports have been well below predicted all week. Launching at careel bay around 530 - 6.

As I said the other day, I was kicking myself for not going up to Pittwater on Saturday. I was there the week before and had a good time. Will be going there this weekend, I imagine. MIddle harbour should be firing, if last year is anything to go by.

Pinkies and tailor. Got sharked though, I think. Got a just legal tailor and decided to chuck him out the back. On my way back to the ramp he got a bit jittery, and a few seconds later I got a screaming run that went dead very quickly. Clean bite on the leader and by the tailor size I would suspect a shark. Nice to meet everyone! Shame we didn't have more luck, but there's always next time.

That said, looking at the weather forecast, if the wind is up too much in the morning I might change plans... I can't stand fishing in the wind.

Enjoy the trip Rod. Hope you catch plenty. I'm going to probably head straight to the entrance of the SW arm, working an area that has produced for me before. Will launch around 5:30. See whoever makes it out on the water.

Congrats! Such a frustrating species at times, but so good when it comes together. Happy for you - you've certainly put the hours in.

While it's fresh in my mind - if and when we do a MH trip, clontarf is a good shout for launch for lots of people.

Yeah, wind forecast has changed to more favourable conditions, which is good. I'll be there probably from about 5-5:30. Will see you out on the water if I'm already launched. I have a camo yak and camo PFD, to hide me from the fish.

I'm easy - Yowie, Wally's, whatever. Reckon Grey Nurse will be keen, too.

Yeah, not ideal at the moment. Tough gig for the weather folks, though. Easy to forget that it's a dodgy year for weather.

Hi guys, The and I go away camping from time to time, and historically I would take both mine and my buddies kayak so she could come along on the water. However, he's now buggered off, so only the one kayak exists. We're going away in a few weeks and I'd love to surprise her with a little yak that she can bob about on, take pictures, reach secluded beaches etc. I've been looking on gumtree and most of the basic yaks are pretty grubby and overpriced, or so I think. Any recommendations? She won't fish from it - just needs to be stable and comfy. Happy to spend 200 if needs be. Cheers, Razz

I'm in!