[Refreshing my tackle collection - minimalist approach]

Hi all - 

After a couple of heated discussions with the missus, and breaking another guide on my Shakespeare Slingshot 2-4kg travel rod, after having the handle break also, I've ordered a new rod.

Pflueger Trion Transcendent travel rod - 1-3kg - http://pflueger.com.au/product/trion-transcendent/ 

In my current collection, I have

Shimano Bushy Bait Legend - 2-4kg - 862 model

I am going to put the following on Gumtree as I don't like or use them, will probably trash them if not, so if anyone wants them, give me a heads-up (will donate to a good home from this forum)

Penn Defiance Medium GP Spin - 6-8kg - http://www.bcf.com.au/Product/Penn-Defiance-Spin-Combos/341169
Shakespeare Axiom Surf Rod - 3-6kg - http://www.bcf.com.au/Product/Shakespeare-Axiom-Surf-Combo/366590

I have two Sienna 2500, one with 3lbs and the other with 6lbs braid to go with my light rods. May buy a 1000 series to go with the Transcendent for Bream fishing.

 

I'm thinking I need a second, heavier travel rod for when I hit the beach. Probably a long one, but that I can fish heavy soft plastics, hardbodies, metals and the like. I'm trying to way it up between a 5-7kg or a bit higher, travel rod or just getting a telescopic rod (12'). Otherwise, I could keep the Penn Defiance and pair it with a 4000 series, but it's really poor for SP fishing.

Any and all advice will be appreciated! I'm used to fishing light, but with a desire to go fish QLD for a bit, I'm guessing 1-3kg won't cut it when facing Barra and the like.

 

Cheers!

[FISHRAIDER HAS BEEN SAVED :)]

I don't post much, but get so much joy from reading all the archives and new posts on this forum.

I was ready to give-up fishing all together when I read the forum was going down! What a rollercoaster of emotions!

On a more serious note - I'm one of those 'lurkers' who will happily donate a few dollars.

'The king is dead, long live the KING'

[Mascot area]

Hi Brynnoo - 

Haven't been on here in a while sorry for the late response! :/

I'm living in Mascot myself and usually head out to Sans Souci/Kyeemagh but with light tackle going for Bream and Flatties on the soft plastics!

I've got a spare rod (kmart spinning rod 2-4kg but a mate outfished me on it the other day... It's actually really good!)

So yeah, if you want to head out with me/us (I've got a couple of fishing buddies) and get to know some of the 'local' haunts, let me know!

I'm starting to get better at this soft plastics fishing with light tackle, can't help you for fishing off the rocks though, I'm waiting to find a friendly fisho to show me the ropes for that...

[Is it worth fishing such low tide?]

Hi all,

I'm seeking some advice here! I will probably go out anyway, as I love getting out by the river banks But I wanted your opinion on this one.

At 3:15pm today, the tide will be at 0.15L. That is really low based on when I usually fish low tide.

I'll be heading down-river, landbased, trying to hit the deeper holes and the spots where there is no current in a bid to tempt that little Jewie or big flattie.

My question is: based on your past experience and expertise, do you think it's worth fishing mid arvo at such low tide?

 

Tah!

[Anyone Fished the Botany Bay Ramp?]

Well I see people fishing there sometimes, but it just has never really produced for me. It's noisy there at the best of times, and I think the activity is a major turn-off. 

I'd also suggest making your way down south to the beach near the bridge (past Dolls Point). You can wade out at low tide and get some nice fish in the gutters!

If you fish SPs, don't mind moving around a bit and are chasing some Bream/Flathead then we can meet at Tempe or Wolli Creek station and I can show you my local haunts

[Anyone Fished the Botany Bay Ramp?]

I assume you are fishing land based? 

I'm usually hanging around the Cooks River a couple of times a week and some weekends. It really is a cracking river with a lot to offer in terms of Bream, Flathead and Trevally. If Jewies are your thing, you can defo chance a few. I pulled a 42cm mullet out the other week, that was fun of 3lb braid! (foul hooked it in the back with my SP... lol).

I'd suggest two places to try:

 

1- The breakwall

This spot gets real crowded and people leave their shit (line, rubbish, piss...) lying around everywhere, so I rarely go here now, but the fishing can be pretty good! I've seen kingies, salmon, trevally and some nice flatties caught here. Best bet is to go during the week, early morning, and work up and down the breakwall with SPs. 

If you fish bait, get some live prawns, pillies and worms if you can (tackle shop is like 5 mins down the road, they should be able to set you up). Have a heavy set-up (say 20lbs braid and 20lbs leader) fishing a 1/0 circle hook with a small shot straight to the hook, under a float! Should be good fun! 

A lighter set-up would be good for the bream/flatties/whiting that hang around on the beach side of the breakwall.

 

2- Down River

Now, you can make your way down from the Breakwall, and fish past the boat ramp, all the way along to behind the hocky courts.

You can also make your way to the Tempe recreational reserve and fish down that way, some big Bream to be had! 

 

Happy hunting!

[Wollongong Whiting]

Oh so no only do I get to fish a new place, but I'll also get to sample some fresh Bream/Flathead/Whiting cooked by a chef? I'm game!

[Wollongong Whiting]

I'm always looking for new spots... I'm guessing this is landbased? I may just catch the train this weekend and come down to Wollongong for a fish, would you care to join me? I've never caught decent whiting before :/

:) 

[Easiest Soft Plastic to Use]

Hey Youngfisher, how did you go in the end? Any progress/catches?

[Easiest Soft Plastic to Use]

Hiya,

Now that I'm starting to get a bit more experienced I thought I'd chime in with some of my past mistakes and experiences.

I moved over here in August of 2014, and bought 2 rods at BCF for over 250 bucks. Turns out, they are pretty crap and never used them. They will be going on Gumtree for 50 bucks tonight, should probably get around to doing that.

Bought a 2-4kg bushy bait something from Shimano. Nice rod, about 8 foot or so in length. Paired it up with a 2500 sienna and 8lbs braid. For the first 6 months or so of fishing, I only every caught one Trevally, the rest of the fish were Flathead, and all under 40cm. The Trevally went 43cm. I was exclusively using 1/8 and 1/6oz jigheads, with 1/0 to 1 hooks and squidgy wrigglers (100mm).

Fast forward to today, I fish with a 2-4kg Shakespeare spin travel rod (4 piece), with a 2500 sienna, 6lbs braid and 4lbs leader (very important, using the light leader). I pair it up with 1/8oz to 1/21oz jigheads depending on the current and the depth (usually fish the 1/12 oz or 1/20oz, even in fast run-in or run-out, as that catches the bream!). As for bait: variety is key! I usually pack 4 or 5 varieties of z-man grubz in the 2.5 or 3 inch size (motoroil, bloodworm, watermelon red are my staples). I also pack plug tail and wrigglers from Squidgies. I've recently started adding 4" and 5" zman minnows for the surf. 

Basically, I'm trying to stress the importance of testing, failing, changing, testing, failing, catching, testing, failing. 

My new challenge is converting from a pure SP fisherman to using bait (been experimenting using chicken, but I've noticed, although I'm catching more fish, they are usually far smaller (20cm bream vs 30+ cm bream).

Anywho, if you want to head out one day and have a fish, let me know, I'm always keen to fish with others

[A couple of three hour sessions on the Cooks (Landbased)]

Cheers guys! I've had a few good sessions here and there since, but nothing to write home about. 

Tonight I'm heading back to the Cooks for a few hours fishing the run-in from low tide for a few hours... Maybe another report on the way if I manage to pull another fat Trev or Bream!

[A couple of three hour sessions on the Cooks (Landbased)]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on these forums for quite some time, and recently asked for some advice regarding my SP/spinning set-up. I took that advice on-board, and decided to get back out there this weekend, hitting the Cooks on Friday night and today. I wanted to share with you all my little report, as I've got some new PBs, and had a blast.

First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone here for your advice and help, I've been suffering with bad anxiety for the past few months, and it's been tough building up the courage to get out the door and catch the train with my rods in hand. Reading all your reports, especially in this section of the forum, just made me realise: I miss fishing and need to get out. It was tough, especially taking the train, as I hate the looks and the backwards comments from backwards people just cause you've got a fishing rod and smell of sunscreen haha!. Any who, let's begin the report.

Friday

We left work around 4PM, and were on the banks of the Cooks for 5-ish. After working a particular stretch to no avail, we decided to make our way to another spot, where we would stay from 5:40ish to about 8pm.

Set-up:

My mate: 3 to 6kg Shimano raider with a Shimano sedona 2500 reel with 10lbs braid and 10lbs fluorocarbon

Me: 2-4 kg Shimano Bushy Bait Baitrunner with a Shimano sienna 2500 reel with I believe 6lbs braid and 6lbs fluorocarbon

We started with 1/8oz Jigheads, rocking 75mm Squidgy Wrigglers in Bloodworm colour - we were well on our way to another doughnut. This is when I remembered the advice provided on these forums, and decided to change my end-tackle.

I cut my leader off, and re-tied a new strech, about 1.5m long (only had 50cm leader before that). I coupled it with a 1/20 oz jighead, and put on a Zman Grubz Motoroil colour. This was the best decision I could make.

2 or 3 casts in, and I'd hooked-up onto what was my first Bream: 25cm. I was stoked. Another few casts, and a few baby Flathead later, and it was already dark, and things were winding down.

My mate had switched to the smaller Jighead, but just wasn't hooking-up. We decided to stay a little more, as I really wanted him to catch his first australian fish. But to my surprise, it was me catching again: a 48 cm Trevally. This bad boy was an awesome fight on the light tackle, and a new PB for me. I was over the moon! What a way to finish to night.

Saturday

We decided to head out again around lunch time, for a few hours. A different stretch this time. It was hard going, so many snags down this way(I'm mad I've lost 3 or 4 Zman Grubz... ).

After an hour of nothingness, I was on, and pulled up a 42cm Flathead, nice fish, but I wanted more! And my friend was still to catch!

We stayed very mobile, always on the move, casting a few times in a spot and then moving on.

Finally! My mate hooks up on a little flathead and... it's gone. One headshake is all it took... does that count? No!

A few casts later and he is on again, a 32cm flathead, finally he has popped his Australian fishing cherry!

As things got quieter, I decided to switch to the only hard-body that I had, and pulled in a couple of Bream, the biggest going 26cm.

All in all a great couple of sessions, can't wait for more!

[SPs/HBs and Vibes - is my set-up ok?]

SD, with reference to your query about jighead weights. You should aim to present the s/p as naturally as possible so the target fish will think it's a natural bait fish. To this end fish as light a jighead as possible to get the s/p down to where the fish are. Obviously in stronger current or deeper water you should increase the jighead size a bit. Similarly it's important to use as light a leader as you can. Fish can be spooked very easily so try to con them into believing that your presentation is REAL. Generally larger hooks and s/ps for flatties, smaller for bream, eps, bass, etc. Remember that fishing is a progresive sport where you're learning all the time, so just get out there and give it a go. Good luck.

Thanks BN, I've read this and then was thinking back to all those times I rigged up and just said "that'll do". I guess not!

A few suggestions here and there. Other forum members may agree or disagree.

Rod. A word 'bait' and a wide range of rod rating 2-6kg likely means slow/medium action of your rod which is more suitable for fishing with baits rather than lures. I understand that rod still to be confirmed. I would suggest to get a light 7' 2-4 kg rod.

Reel. Reels 2000 and 2500 reels are very close in size. Existing 2500 should do the job. My own preference is using one reel with several spare spools filled with different lines/braides rating to suit the situation. it is very convenient if you want to be mobile and have a choice during the fishing session.

Lures.

SP. Do not buy the whole store stock of SP. Buy a few different and see how it works in your area. Gulp does not last long as it is not actually a plastic. Try to get Squidgies with free scent bottle and see if the scent works for you.

HB. Do not buy the whole store stock of HB. Vibes/Blades(just a different name) - work well for bottom fish such as flathead. Easy to cast particularly in windy weather and easy to loose in the snagged area. I would buy a few of them at different weight. Other HB - consider small poppers, small metal (like halco twisty) and some plastic HB for bream depending what do you intend to target .

Soft vibes - Combination of vibe and SP. Very popular at the moment. Can be expensive.

I've double checked. The rod is the Baitrunner, but 2-4kg. I'd really like to avoid buying a new rod for now, as I need:

- end tackle

- SPs and HBs

- Comfortable backpack

- proper 50 upf clothing. Man I got so sunburnt last weekend, even with putting spf 50+ sunscreen on... Damn you Australian sun!

- landing net

I really appreciate all the feedback guys! You're freakin awesome and such an amazing community!

[SPs/HBs and Vibes - is my set-up ok?]

Your setup sounds fine to me! Everyone will have an opinion on what type of sp's to use but I guess whatever works on the day! Good luck!

Cheers scratchie!!!

Thanks mate! I'm really just worried about the rod, as in: could I be catching more fish if I had a more "appropriate" rod...

[SPs/HBs and Vibes - is my set-up ok?]

I recommend Savage Gear blades, main reason is they are rigged with W hooks and not trebles and therefore are a lot less prone to snags

rich

Cheers mate I'll check them out!

[SPs/HBs and Vibes - is my set-up ok?]

Hey mate what fish are you targeting, I'm guessing mainly flathead/bream?

I'm a massive fan of the Squidgy Fish 65mm (black & gold) for flathead! They have a great paddle tail action.

SP choices sound good, i'd maybe even grab some 1/6 & 1/4oz jigheads to target flatties (depth/current depending of course).

Hey Macca,

I'm going for Flatties, Bream and Trevally, with bycatch of the odd Salmon, School Jewie and any other larger specimen that happens to be lurking.

I'm a bit curious as to how Jighead weights work, can you elaborate? I'm slightly confused :/

Also, what hook sizes should I go for? I mean for Bream should I be dropping down to smaller hooks?

[SPs/HBs and Vibes - is my set-up ok?]

Hi guys,

I haven't posted here yet, so forgive me if I'm in the wrong section. I've been doing a lot of research, but have decided that, if I'm going to get it right, I need to get feedback on my particular set-up

Current Set-up

Rod: Shimano Bushy Bait Legend - 2 to 6kg I believe (not at home, will check tonight)

Reel: Shimano Sienna 2500

Line: 8lbs Braid, usually 6lbs fluoro leader (up to 10lbs when targeting Flathead)

Main bait: SPs

Where I fish

Cooks River

Flats/Beaches (Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Vaucluse)

Georges River

Botany Bay (Dolls point, Kyeemagh breakwall)

I'm about to go and buy a fair stock of SPs/HBs and Vibes, as well as a small landing net and a bag. I'd rather avoid buying a new rod/reel, but want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and using the best tackle I can for the situation. This is my only method of fishing, I'm addicted. I fish purely landbased.

SPs I'm going to buy

Squidgy Wrigglers 50mm, 80 mm and 100mm (Love the bloodworm ones)

Squidgy Pro Shad 75mm

Z-man grubs in many different variants - 2", 2.5", 5"

Berkley gulp minnow pumpkinseed 2" and 3"

For all of the above, I'll be pairing them with 1/8oz (for the 5"/100mm), 1/16oz (80mm and 2.5/3") and 1/24oz (2") jigheads

HBs and Vibes

I've never used them before, and would love any and all tips and recommendations.

All comments and suggestions are welcome, I really want to do this right and nail the SP fishing in Sydney.

Considering buying

Abu Garcia Veritas 2-4kg with a new 2000 size reel, capping it with 6lbs braid and using 3 to 10 lbs leader depending on the target fish. I'm just not sure I need it with what I have already.

Cheers!