Jay88

Thanks for the encouragement guys, yeah probably might start going out locally for a couple hours on the week days after work also. But Im with you, NaCH, feeling like it was a sting ray also as it relied on its weight so much

Hey guys, So as I am trying to learn the ropes I try to go fishing every 3-4 days if possible. Went every day of the weekend. Didnt manage much besides a large Octopus and 4 Port Jacksons (3 being close to the 10-12kg mark)... this was at Manly. I could see bait fish in the water, threw in a hand line, they just take my bait. I think the problem is I let my bait sink, I might consider a float to keep my bait of the ground and away from these bottom dwellers. We moved down to Gladesville, and casted out from the opposite side of the bridge, after 1hour with not much happening, my mates rod just starts to shake! He hooks it. As he is more of a beginner than me, he literally just gave me the rod. This thing ran, BUT not like a crazy run, we are talking a steady 1-2 minutes of outgoing line run then stopped...reeled it in closer The thing stopped running and just stayed on the floor close to shore (It could be a PJ but I am not sure, most PJs, give up and I can wrestle it up), but this thing just held...and I mean held its ground (wouldn't have been surprised if it was a sting ray as it didn't move around much) My mates rod is a 2-4KG , 6ft shimano, with a 2500 sedona reel. I kept it going for around 10 minutes (I don't think it was a snag, as I felt it pulling down), later tightened the drag and just tried to pull or get it to move a bit, and next minute SNAP. Clean line cut. Not sure if it was teeth or what...but yeah, was an intense 10 minutes. Whatever it was, it was massive. With my luck, probably the mother of all port jacksons ;p Jay

Thanks mate for the heads up. Yeah was having a read about the hacking. Any other place worth trying? I live in West Sydney so...besides beaches... im not too familiar with the places with a bit of calm water.

Hi Guys, So with me going out almost every weekend for the last 4 weeks, has got all my drinking buddies wanting to start fishing.(LOL). No more lonely nights haha… Anyway, we have decided to drive down to Pitt Water and Port Hacking this weekend. Could someone please give me some land based fishing spots (directions), since I have never been there before? Type of bait etc? Would be highly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Thanks so mucu for the advice guys.As you guys suggested..i will.keep my 15lb line for now. Been trying to go out as much possible...keep getting PJs and eels lol

Hey guys, I just got myself, a 4-6 KG shimano Sonic rod, with a 4000 Sienna on it (was a good price) and 15lb mono. Now, I have a 12ft rod, with 8000 reel and 30lb mono on it for a bit of heavy fishing when the weather is right. After using the 30lb line, I get a bit paranoid that if a 8-15 KG fish hits my smaller rod, ill be in a mess as the line feels so light? Should I get a stronger line for my smaller rod? Such as a 12kg line or something you guys suggest that should be able to keep a decent size fish? Cheers! Jay

Yep she was returned. The more experienced guys who were there estimated 15kg to 17kg it was pretty big. Pic didnt do.it justice haha good times

Hey guys! Many have probably seen my fail posts recently, but Tristan decided to take me out fishing (The guy is so down to earth and taught me so much). Used squid... 8 KG line, and after 30 mins or so.. BOOM...thing doesn't move, dragged a few times...but after 10-15 mins, I caught my first fish of the rod, BUT, was a Port Jackson Shark lol... 15-20 KG (estimated), over a metre long. She was a beaut (and yes, released)

Hi All, As I live in Sydney, I have heard there are some good places to go off shore for fishing such as the Hawkesbury, Entrance, Narrabeen etc As I do not have the availability of roof racks and ABSOLUTELY no space to store a proper hard kayak, I am debating with a mate on a GOOD QUALITY inflatable kayak for two people? Now, could I please get some expertise on this? I am willing to get a good kayak. I will not be going into the heavy surf with a kayak either. All advice, pros cons will be appreciated. Just wanting to hit those deep holes to cast around, which is hard to do from the shore! Thanks Raiders! Jay

NURSEY!! You legend! Mate messaging you my details now! xD Oh and yeah its mono shop keeper stared at me for a bit when i got it in to fix. xD

Thanks for your kind words Flathead...and Vendee, isn't that why you married her? haha...but yeah feeling a bit better...might have picked the wrong time, wrong place...Coogee did have a very strong surf yesterday.

Im near Homebush bro, but I drive. But meh... :/ so down

Just needed a place to vent. A rookie who always wanted to be a good fisherman..someone in the aquarium hobby for 10 years and i honestly either suck or just dumb lol Got my first rod today for beach fishing. Shimano 8kg rod 12 ft and 8000 long reel shimano. Used pilchard as bait at cogee...line messed up...while wheeling in after 2nd cast...no idea how... as i said before none of my mates do proper fishing so im basically at it alone and wish someone around sydney could show me the ropes...so depressed after spending $300. zzzzzz

Hi mate, what makes beach fishing and fishing of the rocks that difficult in terms of species? I believe the beach rod I will get will be able to be used for rock fishing also?

wow, thank you all for so much support and responses! Such a great place to learn! Well to be a bit more informative. I want to go to places like cogee beach (NSW), Manly, or other beaches you guys can recommend around the Sydney, NSW area. I wish to aim for decent size fish that often bite, not fish that is RARE to see on a hook. I would like to be going for maybe, travely, jew fish, snapper? Not sure if they even hang out in the same water areas. And will be fishing mostly during the afternoon and into the night. I will be using bait such as squid, shrimp, pilchard, mullet etc... (so whatever fish comes with these in reference to the fish I mentioned above) I will also be getting a rod stand as well? Thanks again!

Hi All, As I begin my life of learning the fishing artform…the first question I ask myself is “what rod and reel to buy”? I know very little about fishing gear…I would like to have a rod/reel which can take on decent size fish (not like marlin), as I am NEW to the game. I would like to try both beach fishing and of an wharf if needs be. I was advised by a friend to go for a 4-5KG rod and a 4000-5000 REEL? My budget is around the $100-$200 mark. Im confused whether I want a spin, or an overhead type rod (they just look awesome). I want to be able to fight decent quality fish of the beach even if required. Any brands? Or models you guys can recommend? I am in Sydney. Cheers!

Hey Tag, PMd you bro

Hi All, Firstly, thank you for having me on your site, I have read some very useful and interesting topics here, so thanks for sharing information. Im Jay, I live in Sydney and have been a fish (aquarium) enthusiast for 8-10 years now (mostly freshwater monsters). Only real fishing I have done is with a hand line that was catching Bream with bread… I am at the point now I would really like to go out with a regular fishing buddy and learn the art form. I do have a car and I don’t mind if its shore fishing, but I want to understand the art instead of just throwing in lines everytime I see a pool of water. This is one of my life goals and I am very passionate to be able to learn. I have my own gear, and would like to understand how gear selection works for different waters, bait choice etc… I am free most weekends. If anyone would consider me tagging along in Sydney please feel free to comment here! Thanks again for your patience guys!