Jimikin

Hank Newman also ran the Australian Fishing Museum which used to be located in Birkinhead point. I had a very fine LBG rod made by Hank. He also used to import Polikanski reels from South Africa. They were a reel which was very easy to convert to left hand wind.

Bergo, it's all here on the NSW Maritime site. http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/rec_boating/sbh.html cheers Jimi.

I still go with the Marbled Flathead, it's the only one with a white trailing edge to the tail , the colours and spotted fins also fit. Cheers Jimi.

I think you are right with Marbled Flathead My fisheries ID book says... Browny mottled colour pattern on body Tail: Distinctive white edge at end of caudal fin Cheers Jimi.

300+ is a pretty good score... Max is 400 and minimum finishing score is 223.

Not to be picky but I believe this is a Southern Shovelnose Ray (Aptychotrema vincentiana), commonly called a shovelnose shark. Cheers Jimi.

Fantastic, congratulations. Did you get a measure or weight?

If it is a Silver Toadfish here is what Hutchins and Swain Sea Fishes Of Southern Australia has to say about it. "Silver Toadfish, This tropical species is often found in more southern waters of Australia's east and west coasts, usually in schools. Best recognised by the silvery stripe along the side, and greenish back with dark spots. A fearless predator well known for its attacks on humans. Its teeth are shaped like a parrot's beak, and can easily bite through bone. In a feeding frenzy, it is as dangerous as a shark, attacking everything in sight. Like all members of the Toadfish family its flesh is poisonous, also known as the Northwest Blowfish and Silver Pufferfish. Max length 97cm."

Make sure you log in with Coastguard Solander, let them know your vessel details, how many persons on board and give them your intended schedule, they will generate an offshore tracking sheet (OTS) this will then be faxed to Coastguard Sydney and then to Cottage Point. A pre voyage checklist is available on the maritime web site http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/docs/sbh/bh2008-part2.pdf Cheers Jimi

Email sent.

Dan, you need to extend the wires from the existing kill switch to a new switch on your console. It's not real hard but all wiring joins and terminals need to be waterproof, also your new wires need to be protected from damage or flexing 'cos a break or a short means you're not going anywhere. The new switch should be located where it cannot be accidentally activated. A marine electrician is your best bet but with care it can be done DIY. Jimi.

I've seen good sized Salmon up as far as Gray's Point this year and Kings have been schooling around Lilli Pilli, not many keepers though.

The head doesn't look ugly enough for a Pike Eel and the mouth does not seem to extend much beyond the eye. I've only caught one Pike Eel (about 1.8m) and I'll never forget it.

I'm going for a female Long Rayed Weed Whiting, that's the closest match to the pictures in my ID book (Sea fishes of Southern Australia by Hutchins and Swainton) Cheers Jimmy

There are two types of Pike, the Long finned Seapike and the Striped Seapike, yours are Striped Seapike.