[Best boat trailer/car combo]

LOL, love it.

[Electric Motor]

In places where the current is big, particularly if there is wind as well, the 55lber is not strong enough to hold the Top Ender. I got mine when I purchased the boat in country Victoria.

[Electric Motor]

I have a 55lb on a 450 TopEnder. If I was going again I would get the 80lb with two batteries. They are much better in big current or with strong winds. I like the idea of the auto stow/deploy feature on the later model (which mine doesn’t have). I had a problem with mine under warranty, which required a new circuit board, and the problem was rectified immediately.

[Bass season]

Nice Bass. Something I haven't tried yet, even though I am addicted to lure and SP fishing. Similar technique and setup to other similar sized natives I would imagine.

[PFD's -best prices?]

This may help Neil. http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/safety-equipment/lifejackets.html#Servicinginflatablelifejackets

[Small vibes off Bondi beach]

Nice. When flatties are in the mood, they will go almost anything.

[PFD's -best prices?]

G’day Neil

Maritime NSW had an Old4new program earlier in 2016. I am not sure if it is currently running, but it would be worth contacting them. http://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/lifejackets/old4new/index.html Coincidently, the local tackle shops who stock PFB’s were matching the price which was something like $80, rather than the normal $150, (or there about.)

[FINALLY, coming to the big smoke]

G'day Neil

I am still getting the following message:

The following errors were found The member Big Neil cannot receive any new messages This personal message has not been sent

It must be in relation to this site.

Regards

John

[FINALLY, coming to the big smoke]

G'day Neil

Is your mailbox full? I cant send you a PM.

[Thanks to Stuart at cronulla]

Yeah, great work. Fisheries, Maritime, and the Water Police are generally decent blokes and often are keen fishermen as well.

[Knots.]

The Double Unit Knot http://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/double-uni-knot-1 is easy to tie, and is still my preferred knot to tie whilst on the water. However, the FG Knot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzUb5QRKuk has a smaller profile and travels through small guides much better, allowing for casting greater distances. In addition, it is supposed to be one of the strongest knots. I find the FG Knot more difficult to tie, particularly if you aren’t tying them often, and therefore find it better to do so in the shed, prior to venturing out to fish. There are a number of tutorials on You Tube for the FG Knot, but I find the one above the easiest to understand. The FG Knot, like most fishing knots, is more difficult on small braid/leader.

For tying hard body lures I use the Loop Knot http://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/non-slip-loop-knot . For SP I use the Fish N Fool Knot http://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/fish-n-fool-knot

[Country photos for the city folk.]

Sounds like a good article Blackfish, I am sorry I missed it.

Got to love fishing in inland rivers for natives. We have spent many-a-day fishing the Murray and Lake Mulwala for Cod and Yellowbelly. Being on the water at daybreak and watching the world awake in those parts is specular, actually catching fish was a bonus. Great times. Neil’s offer to share his backyard is very generous.

[The start to me lure collection:)]

Yep, tip of the iceberg. It never ends from here. Start looking for tackle boxes on special. There are many worse addictions though. LOL.

[Seajay vs Quintrex vs Stacer?]

Have you considered a Bar Crusher? https://www.barcrusher.com.au/

[Fitbit for fishing!]

What a great idea. Good for analysing how the day on the water really went. If they could link it to the boat’s sounder, and automatically log where the fish were caught, it would be a very useful addition.

[Country photos for the city folk.]

You have me intrigued Blackfish. The closest I could find was a poem by Martin Harrison titled “By The River”.

[A few snapper]

Good report and photos JonD.

[Sneaky bream session.]

Great little session NBFisho.

[First Boat for First Time Skipper]

A lot of folk say that the 2 best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it. LOL. Personally I love having a boat and being on the water. Good luck with your research, and subsequent boat ownership.

[Country photos for the city folk.]

Fantastic photos again Neil. Very generous offer as well. Typical country hospitality. Hopefully the Bidgee will have water at a reasonable level all of the irrigation season, unlike 2015/16. Are they letting water down the river at present, or has the recent rain prolonged the start of watering?

[Casting Deck For Aluminium Tinny]

Nice looking first tinny. You should be able to get a lot of enjoyable time on the water, and hopefully get amongst the fish. As others have suggested marine ply, with epoxy resin on the edges, and carpet would be the cheapest option for a floor and casting deck.

[No fishing]

Bugger. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Beach Fishing mate]

Welcome to the forum Chris and good luck finding a fishing companion. If I lived anywhere near your area I would be more than happy to have another fishing mate. Jew fishing is a lot of fun.

[Beginner soft plastics]

Flatties love SP, and as Neil said, it doesn’t seem to matter which ones you use, if you are in the right place, at the right time, they usually can’t resist. Tackleberry hit the nail on the head too. The more you fish with them, the more SP and jigheads seem to magically appear in your tackle box/s. It is a very addictive way to fish.

[How big is a boat before it becomes too hard to handle by yourself]

FWIW, I purchased a 450 Topender, rather than the Renegade. One of the reasons was the motor well.