fiveflies

Hey Allen, I've caught a lot in the high 20's but this one was about 30.5cm! I have been keeping the first legal fish of each species I catch in my yak and so this one met the criteria! Tasted nice too! Got it just drifting with bait off North West Arm when it hit. Nice little fight on my light gear and cool to catch a legal one in there! Let's get a day organised to head out and see if we can get some kings! Have a good weekend.

Hey Joep, Did you head out yesterday? How did you get on? I managed to launch from Gray's Point much later in the morning. Not much around for me. Caught a few snapper but only one was legal. No flatties at all.

Oh! Are they edible?? Never seen one or caught one before! Thanks!

Hi Raiders, I was out in my kayak today on the Port Hacking and managed to snare this thing. I guess its some sort of garfish but never seen one. I reckon it was around 45cm with lots of small, pointy teeth in its long jaw. The green was its actual colour and it jumped several times whilst hooked and being reeled in. Let it swim off after pics as wasn't sure! Thanks, Matt

I was in the Hacking today and it was really quiet. Got going a bit later than you but all the usual spots produced nothing! Only undersize specimens seemed to be interested in my bait and lures.

Hey Tara, Great work. I just bought exactly the same kayak and also from Kayak Warehouse! Been really happy with it and managed to get out a few times and have caught fish every time. So much fun. Haven't managed to put one of the kids on with me yet though! Here's mine ready for its first launch into the Woronora River. Sharknett's comment about leashes is spot on. Managed to lose a rod/reel combo on that first trip! Have fun.

Great idea Allen. Keen to meet up as well.

Thanks R&B. Still smiling two days later! It was good fun and I hope to be able to report another experience the same!

Thanks. Got lucky maybe!

Actually, for joining the braid to the leader I don't use uni knots. I'm not sure what they're called but I loop the mono/fc then thread the braid through, twisting 13 times, then bring it back on itself five times, thread back through the loop in the opposite direction, lubricate then pull tight. Uni knots on the terminal side, on swivels (if working with a trace and hook) and to the jig head. So far so good!!!

All mine were uni knots with three twists and so far so good!! Nice to know that the lighter gear can still do the job. I'm not sure how it would have gone if it'd been above legal size though!! Although, I'd like to find out!

Thanks Kupo. I hope it is the first of many!! Such an great feeling

It was a great and tense fight. I kept waiting for some ping as something broke. Very happy that my knots and line remained in tack. Lovely looking fish. I know lots of people on here have caught bigger specimens but you'll never forget your first! Yeah, read your report. Great work. Nice to see a few of us getting firsts and that there are still lots of healthy fish around. You're right, I haven't stopped grinning. During the fight you become completely immersed in the action and oblivious anything else. Feeling the yak being pulled around and fighting the fish is brilliant!

Hey Allen, I was going to PM you with the pics, but just had to share them!! I'm loving the kayak!

Well, after purchasing a kayak a couple of weeks ago and enjoying some good days on the water catching flatties and bream yesterday was a major highlight. I'd decided to head down to Gray's Point and to drift upstream with the incoming tide, fish the high and then drift back downstream. But when I got to the ramp a couple of guys had just come out in their boat and told me there were heaps of kings and tailor down near Lilli Pilli off the baths. Now, being new to kayaking and not sure how well I'd go paddling against the tide I decided that was too far to go. But by this stage I was at the ramp later than planned and the tide was about to turn and run out. So, I decided to drift with the tide and head downstream. This took me in the direction of Lilli Pilli anyway. I managed a nice flattie (~50cm) just down from the ramp on a SP which was nice. Always good to start off a session with a decent fish. After about an hour and a half I decided I'd have a look downstream and head towards Lilli Pilli. As I rounded the last corner I could see the baths off in the distance and decided they were too far away given I'd be paddling against the tide on the way home. Fitness being an issue! So, in about 13m of water I drifted a pillie cube on a hook while jigging my SP. I was just jigging slowly, with small lifts when suddenly there was weight on the line. I was fishing a small outfit (2500 baitrunner reel with 4lb braid and 8lb fc leader on a 2-4kg rod). The rod was bent over and the reel screaming. I didn't know what it was but my heart was racing. First decent fish I've hooked like this and had to keep telling myself to relax and not over do it. The fish went on several runs with the reel making that lovely sound as the drag pulled. After about four runs I could see my leader and then colour. It was a decent size and as it came closer I could see it was a king!!!! Now I was even more nervous and excited and had to really concentrate on not stuffing up and losing the fish. A few more runs and a few more sightings plus failed attempts to net the fish when finally it was in the net and in the kayak. I was so pumped and shaking from the excitement. Didn't have anything long enough to measure it but it was under 65, around 60-62 I reckon. I didn't care as I'd had a fantastic fight and it was a beautiful fish as far as I was concerned!! After a few pics I put him back in and watched him swim away. A great day, a lovely fish and one very happy fisherman!!

They're always bigger before the ruler!! Great work and a lovely couple of fish there.

Great work! Always happy to see blackfish being caught, great fun and lots of skill.

Brilliant session and great bag of fish! Must have been on a massive high afterwards.

Cheers, you're a legend.

Hi Allen, I've sent you a PM if you have a minute to check it out. Thanks, Matt

I have had one very short session there for a dount. Not sure I was setup properly. You can get down to the rocks easily enough and they are (or seemed) quite safe. You need to pay the National Park fee (~$7 I think) for entry. Good luck.

mrsswordfisherman, I've posted!

I'd like to submit my entry for the January 2016 COTM based on my report of my twin daughters braving the weather to catch a 66cm flathead and legal bream. This is a team effort and I am the team captain (submitted under my name) Scissors located in first picture. Link to story HERE

That's a fantastic bream, great work and great perseverance!

Shame about the chubbies but great result on the catch.