Stunami

Hi all, a report for you fisho's with boats, my first trip out to the FADS with a mate yesterday was awesome, starting at Foreshore Drive boat ramp where we had to queue up in a long line of boaties (some with boats as big as battleships) luckily security had it all in good order and smooth operation. Once on the water it was found to be very flat and calm so we headed straight out for the fad while conditions were good, no live bait fishing first. I little hard on the old back going through the heads at Botany in my mate's very short Markham Whaler, but once through it was ok. We arrived to find some other guy hooked up to what had to be a Kingy and he fought it valiantly for 15 mins before the screams and swear words of a fisho who gets bitten off or spat out near the surface could be heard for miles. The Dollies I had on my bucket list were jumping all around us but were very small and after half an hour of no bites for us and watching a guy who was virtually moored on the fad getting no bites we decided to head back in to fish off Maroubra beach. My mate had a call from a friend of his who was bagging out on Flathead on the drift (2kms in 2hrs was nice) so the minute we got there and threw our lines there it was on, skipper first cast as soon as it hit the bottom (40-45m deep, 24c temp) he was pulling in the catch of the day for us, a 65cm Flathead on Prawns, but it was later found to have a whole smaller flathead inside of it when cleaned back at the ramp. We had a young Korean exchange student with us who can't speak any English was always busy texting on his phone but caught the most fish including a very scary Banjo shark, lol. So I got out there at last in perfect conditions which actually improve to probably .5m swell no wind so my Dollie and Kingfish will have to remain on my bucket list for another day but the Flathead were still biting when we left but we were all sunburnt but happy and needed to get home for that icy cold beer whilst cleaning the boat. Overall I was just so grateful for the opportunity since my rock hopping days are over and I would be happy even if they weren't biting but to just be there. Just a side note, when returning to the ramp in a no wash zone it is disappointing to see big fancy boats speeding past us a quite a pace and plenty of wash, just goes to show the old saying money can't by class (or manners) sorry I have no pics.

This is in a marine park at Amadee Island off Noumea, not allowed to throw a line in but we fed them garlic bread (cos' they're French fish) I think they are mostly very nice sized Mangrove Jacks, there is a huge GT in there as well he was the bully and just outside of the photo were two massive Barracuda's hanging around waiting, I actually thought they were Spanish Macks but the local natives said otherwise maybe they are very similar. This was all on the inside of the reef ring that always surround the islands out here but I'm betting that the deep blue water on the otherside of the reef would have been very productive. But once again I never got the chance to wet a line and STILL have a brand new rod and gear ready to be christened,lol PS all of the fishing shore tours that were booked were either cancelled due to weather and ocean conditions or they never caught anything.

Fishing in Fiji back a couple of weeks ago got cancelled due to bad weather and those that did manage to go out never caught anything and lots of people burleying over the side,lol. Take a lot of your own lures if you can cos' the charters will charge you $25 for each one you lose. We went out to Amadee Island but then a little excursion from there to the outer reef (but we were on the inside of it) where we through 'garlic bread' at the fish, they love it, someone said because they are French fish,lol but I saw the biggest GT's accompanied by loads of Mangrove Jacks and two fish I thought were Spanish Macks but was told they were Barracuda, only problem was it is still a marine park on the inside of the reef. I will be going back to Noumea and Fiji soon to a resort next time so we have more time to go fishing. I do have photo's of these fish and will have to find some tech savvy kid to help me post them here, have a great trip mate.

My report is that I left the heating on all night and the house is way to hot, and I missed my beloved Cronulla Sharks demolish Parramatta to make it 12 wins in a row. Oh and yes I hope you guys are having fun in the cold, keep warm and lots of luck to you all...........hmmm hot milo.

Good read mate, well done on your catch and thanks recurve for that recipe will copy and save that for sure.

Hi Ben, congratulations on your upcoming nuptuals, although I find this post rather funny in a way. Honeymoons are her deal as is the wedding (you will learn this) and are supposed to be all about you and her in a romantic location, I'm sure you won't see anything in regards to fishing in the Honeymoon travel locations magazines etc and there is a reason for that (you will learn this) so in fact you are pre loading her for future disagreements you will have (you will learn this) and it will be brought up over and over aqain to make you feel bad. However since she is being very generous in actually wanting to organize a fishing trip for you whilst on honeymoon it could be a great opportunity to talk about a man cave, fishing boat, V8 or 4WD (to tow the big boat) if this doesn't work at least include her on the fishing charter and let her clean the fish as a way of saying thanks,lol. So in later years when she mentions how she let you go fishing on the honeymoon you can mention that you let her tag along and clean the fish and that it was a 'together romantic thing' (you will learn this) Just angling for a bit of a laugh and no offence is intended to you or your bride Ben and I hope you have a great wedding day and honeymoon. My wife and I are cruising in August to the Islands including Fiji and in our cruiselines brochure on shore tours there is a fishing charters advertised out of Pt Denarau and covers trolling for marlin and big fish or you can reef bomb, I won't mention the cruiseline incase I upset Mrs Swordfisherman but it's the 'PO'pular one in Australia. Cheers Stu

Thanks for the info everyone, alas I won't be going on the weekend so maybe next year for me and good luck to all and try to keep warm.

Are Hairtail a good feed? Never heard anything about their culinary standard.

I have never fished for hairtail before but have noticed Stew's rods have ganged hooks, is that how you rig for hairtail or is it for something else, also are they glow sticks on the line?

If you build a living coral fish tank the rocks used for this have to be sitting in fresh water for ages to get the mantis shrimp out of the rock otherwise they can smash the fish tank glass, they can also break your fingers if your not careful, strange but true.

I used to catch a lot of these as a kid living at Bondi off the rocks and we just called them rock cod's cursed them and tossed them back.

No the Sharks will beat the dogs tonight Tara,lol

I drive for work and will keep an eye out for it also, I do hope for your sons sake that it is recovered and in good condition, some heartless bastards out there.

Now that's what I call a good days fishing, for me I'm wondering because I don't get out much if that would tide me over for a few months or would it get my more motivated to get straight back at it again, well done mate and a great report.

I'm jealous, well done mate.

Well done Witha nice catch, so are you telling me that you caught that with the light gear we were learning about on Saturday? Wow.

My first ever fishraider event that I was waiting for what seemed like ages and words can't describe how warm and welcoming it was. Thankyou Donna and Stewie for putting on this event but also to the people behind the scene's who fetch,carry,cook and clean who often go unnamed and unheralded, I met so many interesting people but didn't meet everybody as the day was so busy plus my brother was celebrating his 40th and we had to leave earlier than I wanted to. Chris was my tutor for the day along with Trevor and between the two of them I learned so much about SP's and the art involved using light gear, thankyou guys. Unfortunately I won't be able to make the Hairtail event because we have no boat and I have to save my pennies for my overseas holiday in August but I can't wait for another event like this one where we can be all together teaching learning and telling a few tall tales of the one's that got away, I'm so glad I found fishraiders the quality of members is just fantastic, very happy here.

Great report mate, loved Townsville when I visited in my army days but never got to fish was to busy playing sport and drinking, don't ever recall anyone up there drinking red wine maybe the locals have changed now,lol. Look forward to more of your reports great reading.

Whets my appetite mate, great catch and nice report.

I hope you mean me cos' I definitely need a mentor, however I have done my homework and research and have bought myself a nice outfit to get me started, never been to the moon yet,lol

I remember wading out to that island years ago, crabbing around the bridge etc, not as good as it used to be since the modifications to the entrance but hopefully it will improve to be as good as it once was.

Well done guys nice catch, I checked out your gear and noticed it was quite ancient but hasn't lost it's use yet,lol

Nice one scomber, have just bought all my new gear for soft plastics fishing ahead of our soft plastics day on the 21st, seems I was given the correct advice as my braid and leader are about the same. Nice bag of flatties you got hopefully I can soon join that club,lol

Hi all, was just wondering if any of you have caught muddies in or around George's River/Woronora River or elsewhere nearby and how to get there and catch on foot?

Nice squid Dan, wish your mum happy birthday from me to, may get invited to dinner,lol