Longy

Thanks for that. But do you mean "Huett marine"? Hope so, as I've dropped them a PM, and hopefully they will be able to fit us into their schedule. They're in the Cowan area, which is only 50 mintues/1 hour away from Liverpool (we go fishing in the Hawkesbury River every now and then), so that's not too bad, especially if you get good customer service it would make it all worthwhile. Regards, Long

Hi All, Can someone PM me a good marine workshop to carry out service (and repair) on a 2 stroke 70hp Johnson outboard and fiber glass patching work on boat hull in or close to Liverpool area in NSW please. Thanks. Regards, Long

Hi Ange, Stayed down that way a few years back (Broulee), but at that time had no boat, so only fished land base. We fished at the mouth of Tuross Lakes, we got a few bream on prawns, but there is always alot of reports of good fish (flatties and bream) out of Tuross Lakes. Also, if you want pippies, there was plenty of those in the sand at Broulee beach. Good Luck. Regards, Long

Hi James, Sorry to hear about the theft of 2 of your crab pots, you are quite right, not much respect shown these days for peoples property. I think we saw you on the water, we were fishing in that corner (in a small brooker tinnie). First time we fished the Hawkesbury in a year, been going to Botany Bay of late. But we only ended up with one keeper bream of 30cm, and plenty of catfish (which all went back) and got busted once by something big. Haven't really tried crabbing before, but accidently caught a few blue swimmers in the Hawkesbury over the years while fishing for bream or flatties, but I heard that bait that works best are things like smelly fish heads (left in the sun a day or so) or full mullet (same again, left in the sun for a day before heading out), apperently the stinkier the better. My sister has had some success crabbing down at Windang (down Wollongong way), she get decent size blue swimmers (and that is by throwing the crab traps out from the shore). Next time we head out will be mid Feb now. Good luck next time. Regards, Long

great catch, still waiting for a day like yours. a boat allows you to move around (between spots) and access places landbase can't, but no guarantee you will catch more fish. Regards, Long

Very nice Jewies, which water ways did you fish? And using fresh squid? Regards, Long

sorry to hear about your bad charter trip. I've only ever been on two charter trip, one was very exclusive, only 5 or 6 of us, that was great. There was a similar forcast, operator called the night before, and also on the morning after checking out the conditions before heading out, otherwise he was going to re-schedule. But luckily for us, it was a great day, with heaps of fish caught. But the second was on a larger boat, probably had 15 on board (only had hand lines to use), and it was a terrible day (rained the whole time), and many people sea sick and no a single keeper caught. So I guess, even if you go with a charter, there is no guarantee of success. Regards, Long

Well done Danmac, Will be intrested in your findings, ie what the ideal conditions are for the best success (just before high tide or just after, moon phase and so on) and some people think barometric pressure is important too. Good luck in your research. Regards, Long

Sounds like you had a very productive session. If you don't mind sharing, but what bait were you using and where abouts in the bay was the most fruitful? Will be heading out there Sat morning, and would like to have more success then the last few trips there which only resulted in a few Trevs and many throw back pickies. Thanks. Regards, Long

Hi All, Will be heading out to Hawkesbury River on New Years day, and follow up on the Saturday, taking the boat out to Botany Bay (going out early morning on both days). Any one with recent success in any of those two areas, saw a few post about Botany Bay, but never seem to get the success that others do (get mainly Trevs and yakkas and many, many throw back pinkies)? Also, where would I be able to pump for worms or nippers in Sydney? Tried in Chipping Nortons lake last time was in Syndey (last month), but had no success from around the shore lines. Thanks. Regards, Long

thanks for all the advise, will give them a go (and change the fuel line/primer bulb) as I have a spare one of those laying around. Regards, Long

Hi all, Some advise from the knowledgeable people at Fishraider please. Back in late July, had a 30 hp yamaha 1990 outboard (2nd hand) put onto a tinnie, the marine shop that did it, also gave it a service at that time. Anyway, before we took it out on Monday, we gave it a go at starting it, after many unsuccessful pulls, we checked the spark plugs, they were pretty much brand new, check the spark, plenty of spark, we pretty much gave up, but an uncle brought around a product similar to CRC Aerostart, a few spray into the air intake, and first pull, she starts. We let in run on muffs for 5 or so minutes, shut it off and tried again, sure enough, she starts first pull. Leave it of for and hour or so, try aagain, and she starts straight away. So feeling a bit better, as it meant we could head out next day with some confidence we can get it going (we took the magic spray with us), launched the boat, 2nd pull, she starts. We start heading to the 3rd runway (launched in the Cook river), half way there, the motor conks out. Check everything, all looks ok, but no matter how much we pull, no go. Change the depth of the prop in the water, as it was in too deep, took of the cover and gave it a spray with the magic spray into the air intake, sure enough, she starts first pull again. Get out to the the end of the 3rd runway, fished there for a bit without too much action, decided to move, she started up first pull, moved a couple of times, started 1st pull each time, and also had no dramas heading back to the boat ramp. But when we go home, ready to flush the motor (on muffs), we couldn't get it to start again, off goes the cover, did not start with the first spray or sencond spray with the magic stuff, gave it a bit more spray then she fired up. So what could be the problem or do we just have to carry alot of CRC Aerostart when/were ever we go? Thanks for any advise. By the way, we only caught 1 flatty, 1 bream and a trevally. Regards, Long

the flatty must be the size of a small croc, the snapper could almost fit in it's mouth.

since you have a tinny, then take it to Como (do a search for Jew and Como here on Fishraider reports, you should see plenty of people who have caught jews there), otherwise head into Botany Bay, there is a good boat ramp at Kyeemagh (at the end of Mutch Ave - near Brighton Le-Sands). Especially if you're chasing the bream for the table, not sure eating the bream from Chipping Norton Lakes would be the wisest thing to do.

for jews, I would say you need to go further down the rather, try around Como Bridge area, or Tom Ugly Bridge or Captains Cook Bridge (I assuming land based). All those places you can get Breams, and a few other species. Yes, I've heard of people catching EPs up in the Liverpool area around the weir. Good Luck.

Hi, I started with a 5.2m half cab, after 6 months use, decided to buy a smaller tinnie 3.7m brooker. Reasons, alot of work taking out the 5.2m boat, alot more eblow grease after the trip (after a long night/day fishing is not what you look forward too), and use alot more petrol in both car (towing a near 1 tonne half cab), and for the 70 hp outboard compared to towing a 100 kg tinnie and a 25 hp outboard. So now, take out the half cab when we have 4 or more going out, and if staying out all night/day, and use smaller tinnie when only 3 or less people going out. Regards, Long

just didn't want to see anyone get an unnecessary fine from Fisheries, saw someone in Vic have their boat taken by Fisheries after illegal fishing activities (undersize fish caught and kept), so didn't want it happen to any fellow fishraider.

Great EPs. But a snipet from a fishing report I found on the web: "ESTUARIES NSW DPI is reminding anglers a ban on taking Australian Bass and Estuary Perch from all rivers and estuaries is in place until August 31 to protect these important recreational species. The zero bag limit does not close any waters to fishing and does not affect anglers fishing for other estuary species such as bream or flathead. " Just in case people aren't aware of this bit of info.

you can buy fiberglass repair kits from places like Super Cheap Auto or any other Auto shops for around $30, comes with full instructions. Good Luck.

is there anywhere in Bontany Bay or the Hawkesbury to try for squid, have never tried to target squid. Had them cling on to bait (prawns and pilchard), but let go as they get closer to land. Regards, Long

Hi Craig, Does anything like that exist for a 30 hp 1990 Yamaha? Regards, Long

and don't forget to look over the trailer carefully, as if it's on it's last legs, then you could be up for $1k just there for a brand new trailer. Just bought a tinnie myself, 3.7 meter, just hull only. It costed me $800 for a 2nd 1990 30 HP Yamaha outboard, and $1400 for a brand new brooker trailer.

Thanks for all your advice. If I was to buy a short shaft outboard, what would be the smallest (hp) motor suitable with a 3.7meter tinnie? Regards, Long

Hi Raiders, Bought a 3.7 meter Brooker tinnie, was going to use a 15 hp motor we bought as an Aux for a 5.2 meter half cab, but problem is, I thought it was a long shaft outboard motor, but doing some measurements, I think it's actually an extra long shaft motor. So if I try to put the motor on the back, the bottom of motor (propeller) touches the ground (when boat is on trailer and motor in down position). Transom is 17" Outboard shaft is 27" What are my options? Can I use this motor? Can it be modified to reduce the shaft lenght as it does look like there is an extended section in the shaft or do I have to buy a short shaft outboard motor? Thanks in advance. Regards, Long

anyway, I've always found fishing early (just on sun rise) has been more productive then at night, but that's just my experience. will be looking to get out to Botany Bay during the Queen's Birthday long weekend, might see you on the water!