michael2203

Hi Matt, I'm also from around C'town, but have in-laws over at East Hills, so regularly go around that area. When the conditions are a bit rough, I have been heading down under the railway bridge at East Hills. Pulled some decent size bream from there. When the conditions are better, my daughter and I have been going around chipping norton lake with some decent success as well. In the last few weeks I have been going to Tempe and been catching decent size bream and flathead. As far as gear goes, we're using 2-4kg line with a traditional sinker, swivel and hook (no 2) set up. We have been using prawns and chicken for bait. Anyway, if you're keen for a fish one weekend, PM me and we can tee something up. Cheers Hodgo

Thanks everyone. Circle hooks, 20LB leader and back I go. Cheers!

Thanks Capt Ahab. What are your thoughts re wire traces?

G'day raiders, So Saturday arvo the apprentice and I headed over to airport to try under the old control tower. Initially we started at the beach between the tower and runway with Lorelai landing her first whiting (a fact she continues to brag about). Shortly after we moved over to the rockwall but found the combo of snags and rubbish too much. Following last weeks success at Tempe, I decided to stop there on the way home for a quick hour or so. First cast in and I'm on something big!!! After a bit of a fight I catch a glimpse of flathead. I'm guessing this thing was about 55-60cm at a minimum. I have him at the bottom of the wall we are fishing off, about to pull him up and BAM! he busts me off and he's gone. I would have release him anyway, but no chance for a photo. Devastated doesn't even begin to describe the feeling. Anyway, shortly after that storm came through and put a halt to the afternoon. The lightning strike on the bank opposite was a good clue! As an aside, I have been told to use long shank hooks for flatty's so that they don't chew through the line. Any thoughts on this? Cheers and tight lines. Hodgo

Fishing on northbank, facing south. Looking towards gough whitlam park.

Cheers Witha. Fish and I don't agree at the best of times (eating) so I always go for catch n release or give to someone who will appreciate it.

No, was using a traditional set up -sinker, swivel and hook. I was casting out about 3/4 across and letting the tide drift the bait along. I have been using garlic, but today just went plain. Seemed to work better then garlic.

Thanks. I was using chicken as bait.

That's exactly where I was. And no, nothing has changed.

Heya Raiders, So, this afternoon began with that most epic of struggles...to nap or go fishing. Given the weather it looked like a nap was on the cards, but with the kids driving me insane i decided to head out. Given some of the recent reports re the cooks I thought I'd give it a crack. After dealing with the traffic and car parking I found a nice little spot near Tempe. After 1/2 an hour of nibbles but no real action, I moved spot 20-30m up the bank. I dunno what made me pick this spot, but we will call it the 'vibe'. Little did I know. 1st cast in the new spot and I'm on. Straight away it feels like a good fish. A short time later and I have a 24cm bream (1st photo). 2nd cast and I'm on again. Another 24-25cm bream! I could do this all day (2nd photo). That's when it got strange. 3rd cast and I'm on. This time though, instead of heading for the bottom this thing goes straight up, out of the water and spits my hook out for me to see. Cheeky bugger! It kinda looked like a bream but didn't behave like it. Anyone got any idea's? Anyway, all up I landed 4 bream all about 24-25cm (3rd and 4th photo). The last fish was hooked on that famous 'last cast'. All up it was an awesome way to spend the arvo. In addition to the fish, there were a number of very attractive young ladies walking and jogging past which just added to the experience (sorry, no photo's, but I will try next time). Cheers Hodgo

Hi Joe, I not in yak's myself, but there is spot I go land based from and the guys launch from there constantly. Look at Macquarie Grove rd where the bridge crosses the river near Camden Airport. Park on the western side of the road and there is about a 50m walk to the river. There is a great little beach where guys launch from all the time. Good luck!

Thanks Hawkesbass. A friend has suggested a macquarie cod. In any case it went back in the drink to grow up.

The apprentice and I went for a fish this morning at Menangle. I landed this, but have no idea what it is. Help!

Hi raiders, I am heading up north mid next week with work. Am definitely taking the gear with me and was hoping for any tips on decent spots to try. I am going to be staying in Lismore itself, so close to there would be good as I will have limited time outside of work hours (a common problem). Thanks in advance, Hodgo

Hi fellow raiders, The last few months I have been taking my 9yr old daughter Lorelai (aka 'the apprentice") out to wet a line. At christmas 'santa' bought her a cheapo kmart rod and reel combo to start with (as we didn't think she would stick with it). Surprisingly she has taken to it like a fish to water. Today we tried a new spot, which had a few snags. While trying to help her out, the rod broke before the line did (at least I know the line is ok:)). So to make it up to her (and another excuse to buy more fishing gear) I was after some tips on what some good rod or combos would be worthwhile considering. As she is a kid and accidents happen/she could give up etc, I am not looking to spend a heap. We mainly do bait fishing from the shore with the occasional flick of a SP. Thanks in advance for any advice. Regards Hodgo

Here is the latest update. Some idiot has leaked something nasty into the stormwater. http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/epamedia/EPAMedia15022402.htm

Thanks Tef1on. I wasn't sure with the Eel and while I was wondering it he worked it out himself. Didn't realise flatties had that. As I said, being from the bush I am used to freshwater. Same issue with the catfish back home, but the old man taught me how to deal with them. Here's a tip though, if you ever catch the spine of a eel tail catty, submerse the effected area (i.e. hand) in mud. It works a treat.

After an absolute bludger of a week at work, I decided to ditch the wife and kids for some R&R. After dropping them at the in-laws, I headed over to chippo lakes. Having only gotten back into my fishing in the last few months, I decided to try another spot I had marked out on google maps. After getting heaps of bites, I was finally on. But rather then usual bream that were around, I landed a freakin Eel! As I have never caught one before, I wasn't sure how to go about getting him off the hook. In a rather unusual turn of events, he curled up and started gnawing on the line. Before I knew it he was off, back in the water and away. BTW, any tips for unhooking these critters would be greatly appreciated. After I while moved to another spot nearby which looked the part. After a few casts I was bringing it in to check the bait and BAM! Something has launched itself and its on. To my utter delight it is my first ever flathead (2nd attachment). Yet another learning curve (I'm more accustomed to freshwater), it didn't take long before I learnt the hard way that these things have spikes in their fins. A cut and a few choice words later I got him off and patched myself up. Again, any tips would be welcomed. All in all a fun arvo. Feeling a lot less de-stressed, even with the cut on the hand. Planning on sneaking some more time in tomorrow morning. Cheers, Hodgo

G'day, I am an ex-Inverell local who used to go to the dam all the time. The old man and I used to go to the Northern side of the dam and never left without a bundle of fish. If you look more for the little bays and creeks that run of the side to the main body of water there are aways a ton fish there. For bait we always use standard worms or lures. The previous post was right though, sun up and sun down and watch the weather real close cause it can turn nasty real quick. As far as camping goes, if you go through the main entry on the western side of the dam and head right you cannot go wrong, There are plenty of sites and some facilities such as showers etc. If you follow that road right up you can get away from all the usual folk there at that time of year and there are pretty decent fishing spots. If you happen to be in Inverell itself, head down to Ken Sparke marine in ring street and ask for Simon. He is a mate who is out there all the time and might be able to point you to some more decent spots. Lastly, on your way out possibly, head down to Bingara which is just below the dam. About 15km out there are a serious of deep holes which have some massive european carp in them. You can't eat em, but they are fun as hell to fight!. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the info. Will give it a crack this weekend and hopefully be posting pics of the results. Cheers

Nice fish!!! Being new to the world of plastics, I might go buy a few of these to try. Any tips re technique would be appreciated (noting there are a few on youtube etc). Cheers.