frankS

Neil. I know you can't through circumstances. But it would be good IF you could drive up to Sydney stay with me Thursday night then accompany me up to Port Stevens, have spare bed in the unit I have booked !! and jump on somebody's boat for Saturday fish. Frank

I may be speaking out of turn here but I think the place is off limits to fishing and boat activity, I could be wrong. Back in my youth I used to sneak into the waters of Cateract dam and fish for Crayfish, they were monsters and I would sell them at the pub. Many patrons would want to put in a pre order so they didn't miss out on the next batch. Things you do when you are young and perhaps a little stupid or inconsiderate. My guess is the crays would also be in Coalcliff Dam. But you didn't hear that from me. Frank

There is one place on the central coast above all the rest for me for Snapper, and that is the appropriately named place " Snapper Point " south of Catherine hill bay , pretty easy to get to and generally safe to fish, there is some undercut caves and flat ledges and a small beach. Good luck and let us all know how you go. Frank

About 20 years ago I converted 2x reels into electric by using wiper motors from cars, they looked pretty ugly but worked fine. Both were stolen along with about $8000 worth of game and sports gear. No photos as I have renewed computers a couple of times since and not saved photos. Frank

Geoff. Thanks for the great read mate. I thought about chucking fishing in once, ONCE!!! but soon came to my senses have had those periods where nothing seems to be going right and you feel " what's the point " but there is always a point and that is it's fun!!. I must admit that I am slowing down drastically in my old age where everything is becoming a great effort and sometimes I would rather just sit on the shore and watch the boats go by than to actually fish. It was good the day eventuated and turned out to be a winner and I hope you keep what was learnt in your head so when we get together for the catch up we will have some sort of chance of success, as I have not a clue on any area up that way and it would be just water to me. No pressure mate just letting you know I don't know the area. Cheers Frank

Well back in the day. Bob Dyer would anchor up over a reef and just sit there with a slow burley slick, sometimes for hours after dark and not put a bait in the water, Till he saw colour, red colour and then he would start fishing for Snapper. He was very successful and would do it time after time. So I guess if you are prepared to spend the time on water after dark success can be had. Frank

Geoff. I think you are talking about the caliper bolt ?. If so they are a specialist type bolt and Bunnings won't have them, you will need to take a sample to a specialist bolt shop OR somewhere like Carasel trailers or similar. Worst comes to worst send me a photo of the broken bolt and I would probably have a replacement here I could send you. Tensile bolts have a number stamped on the flat part of the upper bolt. In case you have lost it my email is fastrailers@optusnet.com.au Frank

Geoff. I think they are an import kit for trailers made in the U S A . don't state Holden or Ford just brand names of trailers which I have never heard of. Best bet is to store them somewhere and forget about them and buy a set to suit whatever your axle is. I know it's a waste but spending pennies to save pounds usually don't work out in the long run. Frank

I have the 18th edition sitting on my fishing book shelf, had a few other editions, probably packed away down in one of the sheds. They were great reading in their day. Frank

Dieter. If you went to a poultry shop ( are they still about ) somewhere that sell wheat Sunflower rabbit pellets etc you can buy all sorts of different pellets for about $3-4 a kilo. I buy it bulk about 300k's at a time for a different reason. Drop in whenever you get the chance, would be good to meet up and have a chat and see some photos. I love fishing around jindy. Do you LEAD line ?. Frank

This is the best I can come up with and it's nowhere good enough to manufacture a precision part from. Sorry. Frank

Like you I am having trouble finding a decent view of the workings, Might be best if you contact a reel repair guy. Frank

Sounds like a great trip planned. Hope you get among a few and capture one of those breeding stock fish, they would be used to feeding on pellets so might pay to try and burley them up. Let us know how you go . Frank

Which model is it ? I may be able to find an exploded view and make the part required, but impossible to do without the exact model. Frank

Sam. I have never heard of it, it's probably one of those spots named by someone and only known to his direct mates, I would say it's been named pretty recently ( after 93 ) as not many people would have known about Jerasic times till the movie was released. 93 was well after my time fishing off Sydney as by then I had moved onto fishing other areas, namely Off Bellambie, Jervis Bay , and Bermi. Because I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it's not a popular spot, just probably known as a different name. Frank

A 10 ltr bucket is great with a 13 ' tinnie, But I sometimes forget it is out there and start to motor off for another drift, soon remember it's out. Frank

Also agree that is perfect bait size for a bigger brother. Frank

Geoff. I would be happy to jump in your boat with you and share costs mate. I will try and catch a load of Slimies before the event and salt them down so we can have lots of bait. I only intend to fish on the Saturday IF that is OK with you ?. Will attend the 10am BBQ Sunday Morn and drive home after that. We will all have to have a meeting Saturday afternoon as planned by Scratchie so we can decide on who get's the prizes. Thanks so much for the offer of the ride and I'm sure we will be OK as a team. Frank

Pinta bay within Jerusalem bay would be my first choice, there are 3 moorings there and it is good squid fishing from the houseboat, America bay would be second choice, Waratah bay is a bit of a journey in a houseboat. I think Juno point is the outer limit for the houseboat, Hope you have a day boat or two to venture into fishing ground. Should be some Hairtail about by now and easy to catch from the houseboat. PS a very big welcome to the site. Frank

WoW!!! Now that's a nice Wahoo, beats my best by about 8 kg, I have never fished that area and you are making me feel like I have missed out on something. What a great days fishing, and more to come. Frank

Good start under trying conditions, hope there's better to come with the rest of the week. Frank

Just an observation and probably nit picking but company's use supply little tricks to make you think their product is better than the other. Video presented by Minnkota so naturally the koto will appear to be better. Look closely and you will notice that the person in in Koto boat stays up front while the other stays mid to rear of the boat. This would in fact place the Kota's prop slightly lower in the water which in turn would have more grab than the Other motor. Just a small little trick that could make the Kota APPEAR more accurate. I don't have either and would love to be able to afford either. Frank

Why not make it an official Fishraider event ? we have enough interest !!. We have a few prizes, we have venue's and dates, what's stopping it from becoming an official event ?. I think a T shirt to remember the event is a great suggestion. I would buy one, and IF Paul wants to supply them at a reduced price then it's a win win situation for all. Just my opinion IF there is some reason why it can't be made an official event then that's OK we will still have a great time meeting like minder fisho's and a chance to catch some fish. Frank

Quiet an adventure, I love fishing the area and catching good fish is a bonus, although the numbers were not to your usual standards your report was as exciting as it gets, almost like being there myself . Thanks for a great read and keep it coming. Frank

Looks like I also will be needing a ride on a boat, circumstances arise that I won't be bringing a boat with me. Frank