michael2203

Thanks everyone. Have found a Sienna 2500 for $48.00 online or a few more $$$$ for the 4000.

G'day raiders, Unfortunately my old Abu Garcia reel I've had since i was 10 is dying. Am looking to get either just a reel or a combo for around $100 and was after some suggestions. Always land based usually fishing estuaries and rivers etc. Thanks in advance. Cheers Hodgo

G'day raiders, So with the George's river currently resembling a caramel milkshake, and after a few weeks of minimum action, I decided to head east and explore around the airport/sans soucci. Sat morning was up before the sun and headed to San Soucci. After exploring a little, decided to head over to a spot closer to the airport that looked promising (on the map anyway). So for the next few hours I landed a total of 5 fish -2 bream, 2 flathead and the fish in the attached picture (ID please). In between fish #2 and #3, I experience one of those moments all fishos hate. After a few taps, my rod had gone nuts and almost pulled in the drink. I gather it just in time and there is something massive on the other end . As I get a solid grip on the rod and start winding, getting all excited as this was easily the biggest thing I have EVER caught, SNAP...the line breaks right near the reel. . Not happy Jan. So if anyone happens to find a fish in the cooks river near the airport with a hook and about 20m of fluro green line trailing behind it, let me know. Sat arvo, the missus changes our plans for Sunday and the morning is free. So, excited about my new find, I'm back at it again. Not quite the excitement of the previous morning, but another 4 bream. I'm happy catching anything, so it is all good. The one thing that did peeve me off on Sun morning was the moron on the boat who had the whole freakin river to himself, but decided that right where I had my lines in would be a great place to flick SP's. FFS!!! I know the river is there to share, but seriously. Anyway, all fun and games. My mate is coming down from he bush this week and were hitting some spots this weekend. Hopefully the weather lightens up a bit. Tight lines everyone. Cheers Hodgo

G'day raiders, Looking for somewhere to buy worms (normal, garden variety) to take on a freshwater trip soon. Any ideas, preferably around campbelltown or Liverpool. Cheers Hodgo

G'day raiders, Happy New Year to all!!! With no work and the weather being nice, I've been up early the last 3 days making the most of it. Friday -headed down to the cooks. While it was a doughnut as far as fish goes, I did manage to catch a bloody pidgeon who became tangled in my line mid-cast. Dragged the poor bugger across the river, untangled it and off it flew (after it sat looking at me rather pissed for 5 minutes or so). Eventually headed down to East Hills for a small bream and called it a day. Saturday -went straight to Fitzpatrick. 2nd cast and i'm onto a 30cm bream which was good fun. Later on I cast and snag...a duck! As I'm hauling it in a few people walking by come to my aid and grab the duck and untangle it (thank you). We have a laugh and they (and the duck) are on their way. Sunday -headed back to Fitzpatrick. Picked up 4 small bream and a flounder (been finding a few of them there lately). At one stage I hear something splashing at my feet and look down and there is bloody big moray eel sitting there looking at me. What an ugly animal!!! All fish release to grow up. A fun few days and I'm keen to get back into next weekend. Thanks Hodgo

Yes mate.

Yes mate. Same spot we were chatting at.

G'day raiders, Before I tell you about my adventures yesterday, I'd like to give a shoutout to fellow raider Papafish who I had the pleasure of meeting the week before. Not only is he a lovely guy to chat with, but he was extremyly kind enough to share a bait recipie with me which I tried yesterday with great effect. Thanks Papafish!!! So yesterday arvo I headed down to my favourite spot of late, armed with the new secret recipe. Now I'll be honest and say I was somewhat sceptical given the ingredients, but fishing folklore is littered with stories of innovation and successes. Needless to say, it wasn't long before I was disproven and I landed a 23cm bream on the first throw. Not long after I had No 2 and ended up with 5 in total in the few hours I was there, as well as a couple of pulled hooks. The best part of the arvo was between fish 2 and 3. A dad and his young son (maybe 9-10) came walking by and we struck up a conversation. The young fella was obviously keen, so I let him hang onto one of my rods for a try while the big boys had a chat. The young guy was also fascinated by the SP's in my tackle box, so I gave him a few to take home. The look on the kids face was the kinda look kids have on xmas morning. Anyway, they had to go and started walking away when fish No 3 came to the party and hooked up. As I am pulling it in I've called them back. The young fella was so excited to see a real live fish I thought he was going to pee himself! So I gave him the rod and held the fish up next to him while dad took a photo to take home and show mum. After extracting the hook I gave him the fish to throw back in. Clearly the experience left an impression as all I heard as they left was 'hey dad, when are we going fishing". All up it was an awesome afternoon. Thanks for reading. Cheers Hodgo

Thanks for the PM's and replies. Greatly appreciated ​

G'day Raiders, I'm wondering if there are any bait shops around campbelltown or liverpool areas? Thanks Hodgo

G'day Raiders, With the day off work and a leave pass from the missus for the morning I got up at sparrows and headed for a fish. Off to tempe to fish the cooks. After baiting up the first rod and throwing it in, I'm in the middle of getting the other rod ready when tap, tap, tap. In comes the first flatty of the morning going 38cm. Shortly after, in comes another one at the same length. Things then went eerily quiet -no bites no anything. So i moved down the river a bit and after a few inquiries in comes flatty #3 at 33cm. Again things went quiet, so I decided to head back to my spot on the Georges at East Hills. It was relatively quiet there as well, however I did land a nice trevally around 33cm. As I don't eat fish (weird, I know) I offered it to some guys fishing nearby for their dinner. The most interesting part of the morning occurred just as I was packing up. Anyone who fishes around East Hills will attest to the usual jet ski riding riff-raff who regularly hoon up and down that stretch. Anyway, sure enough, here comes another one at light speed around the bend. Fortunately this time there is a cop on a jet ski (never seen them before/knew they had them) who comes out of nowhere and pulls the idiot over. A stern talking to (we could hear them quite clearly) and a fine later, they're off. Anyway, thanks for reading and tight lines! Cheers Hodgo

Love your work!!!

It's all good. Got 3 flatty's there this morning then it went eerily quiet. Left around 8.30 and headed to another spot. We will have to catch up one day for sure.

Yes it can be a pain. The spot I've found isn't too bad though.

G'day raiders, Yesterday I got up at sparrows with the intention of heading to Illawong where I've head some success recently. So after a short drive and dodging several coppers out and about I get to my spot to find that some moron has dumped several skip bins right on the foreshore blocking access. So annoyed . I took a photo and have lodged a complaint with the local council. Anyway, so I headed to Woronora (west side) but got no bites or anything. After 1/2 an hour I packed up shop and left. Another favourite spot of late has been Fitzpatrick Park at Picnic Point/East Hills, so I headed there in there in the hope of access and action. First cast started with some bites, so I knew they were there. Over the next few hours I picked up 3 bream (1 legal) and a Ludderick which was my first ever!! The last bream was interesting. I decided to call it a day and head home for brekkie. I left one rod in while I packed up. As I have lifted it up to wind it in...CHOMP! A guy in a kayak who was floating by at the time watched on with interest as I hauled him in as he put up a good fight. Tomorrow's plan is to get back up early and head to the cooks for a crack. Stay tuned! Cheers Hodgo

Hi mate, I am headed to Tempe (behind the croquet club) in the morning (early till 10). If you're around, drop by and say g'day. Cheers

Thanks Scratchie.

G'day Raiders, After being ditched by my daughters (who I took leave to spend time with on the school holidays), I got a leave pass from the missus and headed down to the river. After 1/2 an hour of not even a bite, I moved location to my trusty spot a few km's from where I started. Immediately I was getting bites and it was just a matter of time. The first fish was a stock standard bream, but honestly I wouldn't care if I caught them all day, every day. It's a bit of fun and just good to be out of the house (even better, I wasn't at work). The 2nd one, I am not sure what it is as I have never caught one before. I think it may be a Salmon, but I'd appreciate some help with the ID (or confirmation). I would have loved to have stayed longer, but the missus needed the car and I had to battle the M5. Anyway, twas a good afternoon. Cheers Hodgo

G'day raiders, This morning I dropped the wife and kids at church and head down to the George's river for a quick SP session. Having picked up a new shimano sonic 7'2 and Sedona 2500 on Friday, I was keen to give it a crack. Having had no prior success using SP's before, I was quite skeptical, but being limited for time thought the SP's were a better option than bait. It was low tide and there was rubbish everywhere. I found a pier and set about my business. After 1/2 an hour or so, and feeling a bit dejected at facing another SP doughnut I'm retrieving my SP past some weeds when BANG! After a little bit of a fight and thoroughly enjoying the way the new gear handled the situation, up comes the second flatty that I have ever caught. Given that this was my first ever fish on an SP, I was pretty chuffed. Better yet though, it was a great way to christen my new rod and I am hoping it is the first of many to come. What an awesome way to spend fathers day (happy fathers day to all the dads out there!). Cheers Hodgo

Thanks Krispy. That was more or less what I was wondering. Cheers Hodgo

Thanks guys. I only ever fish land based -no boat. I usually go after the usual suspects of bream, flathead and whatever I can get my hands on in the rivers and estuaries (both salt and occasionally freshwater). I've currently got a 6'6 rod with and a reel that my dad got me about 25 years ago (still works) but you know what they say about boys and their toys. I'm currently looking at a 6'9, or 7ft rod with either a 2500 or 3000 reel. Shimano. Cheers Hodgo

Hi Raiders, I'm looking at getting a new rod with the idea of flicking plastics. I'm not sure though about whether a longer rod will help with a further casting distance??? Also, any help with weight rating etc would be awesome. Cheers Hodgo

Years ago the old man and I were fishing at Copeton Dam (Northern NSW) and I caught the spike from a good size catty right in the soft bit between my index and middle finger. As soon as i started with the profanities, the old man leapt into action. He grabbed my hand and stuck it in the mud just below the waterline. After a few minutes the pain eventually subsided sufficiently that I could keep fishing. I dunno if the catty's in the hawkesbury are different somehow, but I just thought i'd share this.

That's an awesome day's fishing mate. I went out on the George's myself this morning for a quick flick and got a doughnut. I'm still rather skeptical that the things work (I never have a problem with bait). If you're free one Sat or Sund arvo I'd love the opportunity to tag along and learn a few things. Just send me a PM. Cheers Hodgo

Nice work! We were there saturday arvo for a few hours and picked up 4 undersized bream.