kw367

People are just doing it because you can't get "Oakley" or "Bad Boy" stickers anymore!

The fact that you are so hard on yourself about the line breaking is a testament to what a professional skipper you are, Ross. One broken line in a season of 100+ Marlin is pretty good odds in my book! Keep up the good work! I've seen the torture your gear goes through day in day out, my 3 and a half hour fight with a YFT on "Broadbill" last year springs to mind!

Do you mean the beaches opposite Peat's Bite? I have noticed it is shallow there on the sounder. I know what you & Stumpy's boats look like now so I'll keep an eye out!

Here's mine. 1999 Bayliner Capri 2050 with a Mercruiser 5 litre (220hp). Not really a serious fishing boat, but we use it for a bit of everything...fishing, waterskiing etc. Note the bait board on the back, not too many Bayliner bowriders have one fitted. Also note the rego, slight resemblance to my member name! Keep an eye out for me and PJ on the Hawkesbury!

Nice looking boat MGibbo! Might see you on the Hawkesbury sometime! There is a "Members Boats" thread running, I'm about to post my boat there!

Nice one Murray, good to see someone else being outfished by their kids!!! Will PM you next time me and PJ head out!!!

As for the rest of you, all I can say is...you idiots!!!

I think it is just the pic, fish is on a bit of an angle. It looked pretty much like a "Breamus Commonus" to me at the time. Here's a better picture of the fish (not so good of PJ!)

Thanks for all your kind words everyone. It really was a great day once the rain cleared. I was mostly lounging back watching my rod and PJ catching fish. It was warm with little or no wind. Seeing PJ's excitement over catching his first Jew, albeit small, and seeing me catch a Port Jackson Shark (he's a shark fanatic) was priceless!

G'day David, After I added the post, I had the exact same thoughts! I was very tongue in cheek about being outfished by him! I'm happy playing Deckie for him any day!!!

Decided to believe my eyes (clear skies) rather than the forecast (frequent showers), and took my 5 year old son PJ out for a session on the Hawkesbury today. As Murphy would have it, the clear skies gave way to a fairly heavy shower as soon as I launched the boat. I ummed and arred about pulling the boat straight out again, but PJ convinced me otherwise by saying "Cmon Dad, you LIKE fishing!" I couldn't argue with that logic, so we set off in the rain. Got to Bar Point and was greeted by clearing skies and more than the average number of boats anchored there, probably due to reports of "Bream to 1kg at Bar Point" in yesterdays Telegraph. I had planned to venture further, but decided to stop & give it a try. Didn't take long for both PJ and me to hook fish. Problem was they were both Catfish! ( again) Made my usual threat to PJ that if the next fish we caught was another catty we were moving. Luckily PJ soon pulled in his first flounder, followed soon after by his first Jewfish, which we were both pretty excited about, and a Bream of about legal size. All were returned to the water after some happy snaps. Meanwhile, all I'd caught was another catty ( a third time). Over the next couple of hours, PJ got another Jewfish, Bream and 2 Catfish, and all I got was a glimpse of a crab and a small Port Jackson Shark ( for a fourth time). Once again, all fish were returned. Anyhoo, it turned out to be a fine/fun day, even if PJ kicked my ass!!

I'd like to echo everyone elses thoughts and wish those guys a speedy recovery. We can never be too careful on the water. There was another accident on the Hawkesbury this week where a ski boat exploded as a couple of guys were trying to start it, both got pretty badly burnt apparently. As a sterndrive owner, this reminds me to not become complacent about using the bilge blower. Take care on the water Raiders!

This is more of a fishING pic than a fishY pic, but it's a fave of mine. Me & #1 son at Port Stephens, taken by my father-in-law.

Thanks for all your help raiders, it's given me renewed confidence. I might even get PJ into Luderick fishing. I used to love chasing them as a teenager! I think PJ would enjoy the whole float fishing experience, and even though he's only 5, I think I could teach him the finer points. As for hairtail, I can just imagine the look on his face if we ever catch one!

Hey Raiders, I've recently returned to fishing fairly regularly, due to my son's interest, having not done so for about twenty years. I've talked to a few people who say that the fishing gets quieter in the winter months. I plan to fish through winter as much as possible, and was wondering if fellow raiders could suggest what fish to target in the Hawkesbury system during the colder period. (We don't care if we only get tiddlers, as long as we get something!) We normally fish anywhere from Berowra to Cowan Creeks, but I wouldn't mind trying further upstream (Wisemans Ferry to Windsor), as there won't be so many ski boats during winter. Thanks in advance!

"Seas slight to moderate" my a@#e!

Glad you've got it sorted Majed...won't be long and you'll be giving other people boating advice!

What exactly was causing it would you say? (trim, loading etc.)

Thanks for the tips Stikey Pete & Heath. We fished the bay yesterday and it was as you said, lots of little stuff, few different species. Kept PJ (& me) interested when bites were hard to come by elsewhere. I am happy to catch the little ones no one else wants!

At 5 years, I thought PJ was past it too! Must have been the excitement of going fishing!

Took #1 son PJ (5 years) out to try and catch ANYTHING from the Hawkesbury. The day couldn't have started worse, as I ripped the boat cover whilst taking it off. Then the jockey wheel seized and eventually broke before I'd even hooked the trailer up to the car. Went back inside to get PJ only to find he'd had what can only be described as a faecal accident, all over his clothes and the bathroom. His attempt to clean it up with toilet paper, soap and water was failing miserably! I thought seriously about calling the whole day off, as after starting the recent "Dumb Things" post, I'm now slightly paranoid about adding to it. Anyway, decided to risk it & headed out. PJ got a small bream at the rail bridge, then a small flathead at Juno. Anyone fishing there at the time probably heard him proclaim "Ittt's aaaa Duuusssskkkky Flatheeeeead!" at the top of his voice! Saw what looked to be Tailor boiling on the surface a few times right near the boat. Scampered around for something to try and catch them with, but all I could find in my tackle box was a Wonder Wobbler I bought about 25 years ago! I think it might of been a case of too little too late, as they disappeared before I could get a shot at them. Were any other Raiders near Juno Pt today, and if so, did you see any similar surface action? Finished up the day feeding a nursery in Cowan Creek, getting a reasonable sized flounder, a small whiting and a few small squire, including one which I managed to land even though it had wrapped the line around what looked like part of an old barnacle encrusted shopping trolley (landed that too!). PJ also got bitten off by something reasonable before I could see what it was, as I was hooked up also. The highlight for PJ though, was as we were walking to get the car at Berowra Waters Ramp. He said "Look Dad, a Stingray". I thought "yeah right" but was most suprised to see a ray of at least 70cm diameter right behind where people were launching and retreiving their boats! All in all, a good, fun day despite the early hiccups!

Do cars make good Fads!!!???

Thanks everyone! I had a nice BBQ lunch with the family. I received a framed version of my favourite photo as a present, depicting what we'll be doing tomorrow.

Thanks Penguin!

Hmmm, good idea James! I might put my number in, at least that way I might get some