Niall

Thanks for the replies fellas. We ended up doing less fishing than I'd planned but got in a couple of sessions down at the mouth of Moona Moona Creek. Had a great time catching basically nothing apart from a couple of extremely illegal flathead. These were in fact my first two fish caught on soft plastics so in spite of the underwhelming size, I was pretty tickled. I also had a bash at the whiting with a couple of poppers. I was pretty surprised to see so many fish following the lure. Sometimes up to 8 swimming right behind it. I never managed to get one to hit it though. Another fisho there told me there's too much real food in the water for them to really bother eating lures. I'll definitely be heading back again so I'll be sure to try the spots mentioned. Cheers!

G'day Everyone, I'm heading down to Jervis Bay this weekend staying in Vincentia, within walking distance to Nelsons Beach. I've been looking on google maps for decent spots and scouring the forums for information on land based spots. I plan on trying for whiting and fatties off the beach and having a go at catching some beach worms for the first time. We'll also be heading down to Steamers Beach one day. Anyone got any local knowledge for spots in the area? I'd like to be able wander flicking SP's around. Also, it seems to be a divisive topic, but does anyone have any experience casting SP's off the beach? Given these are bay beaches I figured it'd be worth a go with the swell unlikely to be massive. Any advice appreciated. Will be posting a report when I get back. Cheers!!

I was fishing along the wall on the ferry wharf side of Rose Bay the other day and noticed a lot of blackfish feeding around the top the of the tide amongst the weed beds. They seemed to be most prevalent anywhere there was a tree hanging over the wall and providing a bit of shade and darkness. My question is - If I wanted to have a crack at catching one, would I need to bother using a float rig? They're in about 1-1.5 metres of water. What are my chances if I just do a running sinker with a bit of weed on a small hook? When I saw them I had a crack with my SP rig (all I had at the time) but they were (understandably I suppose) uninterested. Anyone here tried getting blackfish with those weed-imitating lures? Also does anyone know of anywhere around Rose Bay where the requisite weed can be gathered? Any help appreciated. Niall

Thanks so much to everyone that's replied. The generosity and encouragement amongst fishermen online is one of the many things that I love about the sport. It stands in pretty stark contrast to the pettiness and pointless nastiness that passes for conversation on the internet most of the time. BrassRoots you're an absolute champ. I've heard a few stories about the sting ray and numb ray population around Rose Bay. I was pretty wary heading out yesterday. Even saw a couple slowly gliding through the water on the other side along the wall. They sure are pretty but I wouldn't want to tangle with one! Cheers Duncan! You'll spot me out there over the next few weeks. For the moment I'll be the guy with the green Coopers hat looking frustrated ; ) Thanks again folks!

I was casting out and trying to lure back as slow as possible. Around half a turn every few seconds. I guess I just need to keep at it.

Hi Everyone, I've spent the past few months researching and waiting for the weather to get a little warmer so I can start fishing with gusto. I haven't fished since I was a little kid so I've been expecting a massive learning curve and lashings of frustration. Today didn't disappoint. Got up and hit up Kmart first thing for a choice of lures. Ended up with some Gulp! Minnows in nuclear chicken, pumpkinseed and some baby shrimp (banana prawn). I'd been out to Global Tackle the week before and picked up some Herb Reed Original Grubsters and some 1/6 jig heads. I was targeting flatties, though given my level of experience I would've been happy with a bite or two and nothing else. I stalked up and down the wall along New South Head Road stopping at the stairs that lead down to the water and casting in from there. Changed to different lures throughout. Didn't seem to make any difference. I could see plenty of little whiting cruising the sand flats but I think my hook and lures were a bit big to interest them. I had a few take a look at my lure and then skulk off right under my nose! Needless to say - nothing in the flatty department. Walked around to the other side where the beach is and waded out to try my luck near the boat shed. I've read that there's flatties here. They must've seen me coming because one again - donuts. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Should I be casting toward the boats that are moored out where it's deeper? Or should I cast toward the boat ramp/shed? Did another couple of laps of the wall but nothing wanted what I was throwing in. Again I saw loads of whiting in the shallows. When I got home I decided it might be an idea to have a go at the whiting with some bait so I changed my rig and switched to a running sinker to a swivel and about a metre of leader. Attached the smallest hook I had and brought some sliced chicken that I soaked in anchovy oil. Unfortunately all that was to no avail. When I got back the tide was nearing it's highest point but the whiting didn't want chicken. I saw a couple of schools of what looked like blackfish (silver with black stripes running vertically down there side) cruising in weeds under where the Morton Bay fig trees hang over the wall. Also there might have been a couple of kings further off but I can't be sure. This fishing thing is hard : ) Niall

G'day Everyone, I'm looking for an old sea dog to adopt me for a couple of sessions and show me where I'm going wrong. I haven't been fishing since I was a pup, but I just recently inherited a bunch of my Granddads fishing rods and wanted to give it a go. He's in his mid nineties now and dealing with dementia, so I'd like to show him a picture of me with a fish to put a smile on his face. I'd also love to be able to catch the occasional fish or squid to eat : ) Being in Bellevue Hill, I figure I've got some options in the Harbour and possibly off the rocks on the coast when I get a little more confident. I'm a complete novice and am starting to get the picture that I won't be figuring this out from reading and watching youtube videos. I need an experienced hand. I hear there's flathead to be had in Rose Bay (amongst other things) and that they're a good fish to target if you're learning. Also I'd love to have a crack at getting some squid. I've been out a handful of times myself trying with bait and SP's without any luck (obviously). Anyone up for it? I've got a car, so can travel further afield if necessary. I also work shifts, so can usually get away on a weekday or a Sunday. This coming Sunday morning would be great. Weather's looking good. Niall