takethebait

Hi. I've had a similar intermittent problem, but where the motor would come up and not go down. I finally found it was the spring-loaded plastic sensor that was stuck. The motor "thought" it was fully down so simply wouldn't go down. Might be worth a look? Good luck.

I reckon salps too. There were heaps a couple of weeks ago.

Obviously the day has come and gone, but it's never too late to learn. I joined a Surf Club a few years ago, and while I'm really happy I've never had to use it, it's good to have the knowledge.

Hi All, I've camped at the Basin (Pittwater) before but never taken my boat. I'm guessing just to put out a front anchor and then tie back to the beach. But I'd appreciate any tips. I assume it's pretty safe to leave stuff in the boat while sleeping in the tent. Has anyone had any problems there? Cheers.

Since the outbreak of white spot disease in prawns, the DPI have requested not to use supermarket prawns as bait. There's more details at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/pests-diseases/animal-health/aquaculture/white-spot-disease/important-information-for-recreation-fishers-use-of-prawns-as-bait

Hi. There are many opinions but the official position is : "No fish or crustaceans caught west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge should be eaten. You should release your catch." See http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-skills/fishing-in-sydney-harbour The upside is that there's more to catch, even if you have to let them go.

Thanks Guys. I'll add "big tides, no moon, end of May, no fish" to the logbook and keep trying! Maybe I'll try the smaller tides next week. Cheers.

We fished on Friday night for Hairtail but only got one touch. Tried Waratah Bay from about 7:30pm to 9:30pm and then tried Jerusulum Bay and around the end of Coal and Candle till around midnight. Using all the usual - pilchards on gang hooks. Reasonable amount of burley. No luck at all. I thought that the big 1.9m tide peaking at 9pm on Friday with no moon would have been good, but not. Unless it was a case of just being in the wrong spot. Does anyone have an opinion on big tides for Hairtail? Also, water clarity? I could still see small green glowsticks clearly in 10m water depth? Maybe too clear? All advice gratefully received. P.S. If Warratah Bay went off and there were heaps caught between 9:30 and midnight, please break the news gently! Thanks, Brett.

Great catch!

Yep. A few meals. Nope. I figured I'd used up all of my luck quota for the day!

So Sunday morning came. I'd organised to go fishing but wasn't feeling too motivated or enthusiastic. The winds would be too strong, it was already too late in the morning, the tides wouldn't be right. The usual list of reasons. But decided about 8am to head up to Akuna Bay then motor up to Brooklyn. Beautiful morning and the enthusiasm is on the way up. Picked up a packet of frozen prawns, thinking won't catch anything on these but got to try something. Arrived at the railway bridge about 9:30 at the peak of the runout, so thought why not drift through with some light lines. Might even pick up a flathead. Second drift through and I thought I'd snagged something. The little sow and pigs puller rod is bent right over so I'm thinking that it's a log when all of sudden it takes off. By the time we'd drifted right down to Dangar Island, I'd landed my first ever Jewie at 80cm! So the moral of the story is .... just get up, go fishing and you never know when you're going to be lucky!

Unfortunately no fish yesterday morning, but greeted by a beautiful sunrise off North Head.

I went and got a couple of buckets of seawater to wash it down after I used it. I've since spoken to National Parks and they were vandalized, but are scheduled to be replaced soon. So no-thanks to the idiot who did it, and a big thank you to National Parks for fixing them up again.

Does anyone know whether the tap handles on the fish cleaning table at Roseville boat ramp were cut off by vandals, or has there been a decision to not have water there anymore? They look like they've been cut with a hacksaw.

Thanks tyrone07.

Thanks for a great report. You've obviously enjoyed putting in the hours.

The weather was great this afternoon, so I took my son out for a troll around the harbour. First Australian Salmon (60cm) caught by a very proud boy. We also picked up a good sized Tailor for dinner, and unfortunately missed out on something that really took off. Thank you for the tips from raiders that I've been picking up reading posts. I'm fairly new to fishing for things other than bream and flathead, so all the knowledge sharing is really appreciated. Today I kept the lines shorter at only about 20m out and trolled at about 6 knots. We also caught this fish before sending it back on its merry way. Can anyone confirm what this fish is? I'm guessing its a rock cod, but I'm wondering what its doing striking a lure that was probably only 3m down when we were in about 10m of water.

Have a look at the NSW Maritime boating maps. Middle Harbour is on this one: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/maritime/usingwaterways/maps/boating-maps/9d-middle-harbour.pdf Sugarloaf Bay is the one between castlecrag and castlecove Cheers

Yep. Just cut the top off and push it back in backwards.

Make a bottle trap, fill it with bread and catch the small live baits in the lake right in front of the park. My kids have as much fun making and using the trap as they do fishing. Then I just use a tiny weight and a small circle hook for flathead in the deeper channels, again right in front of the park. Have a fun trip.

This was one of my favourite boat photos of 2016. A ray that was as wide as my boat at the Huskisson ramp. Anyone else got any good shots? Happy new year all!

If I'm on my 4.3m tinnie on my own then I have to wear a life jacket. Even in middle harbour where there's no waves. Is it any different?

You can't pump yabbies in Sydney Harbour. I'd be interested to know if you can buy them anywhere.

I've often wondered the same thing so I read through the referenced report (https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/documents/FINAL FSANZ revised RA Dioxins Sydney Harbour seafood March 2007.pdf) If I've read it correctly (from table 1 of the report) the limits have been set directly on lab testing of sample fish and the (3) flathead samples had significantly less average concentration than the (15) bream samples. The numbers aren't based on fish diet or behavior. Maybe the flathead just don't feed as much in the upper harbour where the muds are? But even those flathead caught west of the bridge were lower than the bream east of the bridge. While it's a thorough report, for such a popular recreation it's a shame that there wasn't more funding for a few more samples!

Here is my two bobs worth. The laws are set on the best information possible (noting that the numbers on the recreational take are very rubbery) . I think we all want to see the fish populations increase, so if necessary increase size limits and decrease bag limits. I've taught my boys we stick to the rules and I honestly believe that sharing a meal of fish caught that same day makes them think about conservation, living sustainably and not wasting food. I've let legal fish go too, but if we really want to make a difference then lobby for more funding for fisheries inspectors and for less o/s supertrawlers.