Cargo05

Interesting comment Krispy. You are probably right, but perhaps it is fitting that we need to lose sleep and fish in adverse weather conditions before we deserve to lock horns with a big jewie.

Does "Don't have to bother", actually mean "too scared to tell"?? Errrrr, more or less. Do you know my Mrs? LOL LOL

Toiler3000 Great part of the country to get amongst freshwater natives.

I have a 450 Top Ender SC with a 60hp Yamaha 4 stroke, and have a mate with a 481. Both are great boats in estuaries, and inshore on a good day. Fishing capacity is dependent on the type of fishing you do. The 450 comfortably fishes with 2 blokes flicking hard body lures. I use a 55lb Minn Kota, Riptide ST i-Pilot, my mate has a 80lb with dual batteries. Like most electric motors, both struggle in really quick current. I had a 430 Qunitrex Escape prior to the Top Ender. IMHO the Top Ender is a superior boat for flicking lures because it has more useable fishing area, although the windscreen on the Escape was good for inshore fishing.

Yeah, great spot for fishing, although the tides can be a challange.

Great catch. Lures, SP, or bait?

Marine Rescue on the Forster Breakwall sell a detailed map of the lake. Costs about $10 and is very detailed. Here are a few spots to try. Forster or Tuncurry Breakwalls It is best to fish this spot on the turn of the tide otherwise you will lose a lot of gear. Fish Co-op Wharf The Paddock Stone wall Hells Gate Cut Island Stockyards Fish the rising tide, through lures or fish with baits around the oyster leases The Step Forster Keys

Disappointing to lose a good fish, but a good session nevertheless. Good report.

Bugger. Just what you don’t need. And then to make it worse you have to explain to “The Boss” why you have to get more gear.

Good report. I am still waiting for a big girl like that.

Yeah, I have the HDI 7, which is only average. There are a lot more features than what I normally use, and because I don't play around with it on the water (too busy fishing), I tend to forget where a particular feature is located on the menu.

I don't even know where Apple Tree Bay is, and I don't remember losing it, but if it is an expensive outfit it must be mine. LOL. Well done mate. It’s good to see honest fishermen.

Yeah, I have a Topender as well. Looking at the last lot of photos, both boats are very similiar inside.

Yep, can understand that. John

Cargo05 = John

I have a foot in both camps here. Mainly though I agree with Adsi91, although there has been times where I am sure there has been a touch and have seen the same result.

Neil we will have to start calling you the cod whisperer, well done again. You certainly have the Bidgee sorted.

Yep, I would have a big smile on the dial as well fiveflies. Indeed, a fish of a lifetime, and one to remember forever. A 1 meter cod has been my dream for a long time, but sadly I am still wishing and hoping (along with a meter flattie and barra). Did your guide happen to come from Bendigo?

Sitting on the water watching the steam rise as the sun gets up Watching the sun set over the water Watching the black cockatoos and kingfishers fly past Smelling the salt water The anticipation of catching the once in a lifetime fish (still living in hope…) Memories Peace and solitude Fishing with my wife or good mates Working out where the fish will be and what SP/hard body lure to use Casting the lure to exactly the right spot beside a snag to entice a fish to strike (OK, to be honest this is a work in progress) The adrenalin rush when fighting a good fish Catch and release The fishing fix Living in the best country in the world and being able to appreciate the freedom to fish whenever we wish

Nice boat, enjoy

Yeah, bad luck mate. That is fishing. If it was easy every time it wouldn't be as interesting.

Jaybe A lot of good advise here.

Being the original tackle junkie I use whatever caught my eye in the tackle shop when I was there last. I regularly use Squidgy Wriggler, Squidgy Pro Slick Rig, and Squidgy Fish, as well as Zman Paddle Tailz. But by far my go-to soft plastic is Berkley Minnow Grub in Camo, Pepper Prawn or Pumpkin Seed.

G’day Neil Isn’t it good that we all have a theory on lures? The lure colour catches me way easier than a Murray Cod. I generally start with a green (in colour A or GR), 75mm or 100mm Oar-Gee Plow, depending on the depth of water being fished. If things are slow (read no action at all), I then usually swop to a pink (colour H) Oar-Gee of similar size, and then progress to a pink and purple Predatek Boomerang. On more occasions than I like to admit, I have used the whole colour spectrum and have still gone home without even a touch. Unfortunately, being the original tackle junkie means that the guide series tackle box is stuffed full with every available colour. As the saying goes, when I die I hope my wife doesn’t sell my fishing gear for the price I told her I paid for it. Because the green GR spends the most time swimming, it catches the most fish, and is therefore my go-to lure. Now that we are located on the NSW coast our fishing trips to the Murray are limited, but over the years we spent a lot of time anywhere between Cobram and Bearii, as well as Lake Mulwala.

Nice