Fish_More

I use the same as well. Also when boat used to be left outside used to fit a wheel lock. Not really that much to carry and fairly easy to put on. Gave me piece of mind. My my policy might even be worse that I have no cover if not locked with recognised anti-theft device.

Should have added, not too many local boat dealers I can pop down to here in Mudgee which is why so interested.

Thanks back cruncher. Will be very interested to hear how you go. If bringing up through the barley bucket hole does not work, I might use a bit of aluminium checker plate I have in the shed with a slot cut in it for the cable to cover the hole which would only leave a small amount to do with sealant.

Agree worried about water with it being below the waterline. If do end up using the existing hole, will put whatever cover I put over it on with sealed rivets like you use for bungs. You have given me an idea though, there is a removable berley bucket through the step, could use that area to get through the step as will only need to take a little nick bigger enough for the cable rather than the a hole bigger enough for the plug on the end. Struggling to find a cable cover bigger enough to fit over a 25mm hole. Where have you got yours from?

I use an app AU&NZ HD which is an iPad app that is basically a Navionics app that you can pay an annual subscription to. I know somebody said who takes an iPad fishing, but think they may have been sarcastic, but I normally do as a backup for mapping in case something goes wrong with the HDS. It is also really useful when downloading after your trip.

Hi all Habe order a new transducer for the boat, being a Lowrance 3-in-1 Active Imaging. It has not arrived yet but have looked up installation instructions on web as starting to work myself up to drilling a hole in the back of the boat. the instructions say I need a 1 inch of 25mm hole. The existing transducer is about a 3-4mm cable and hole is probably about 10mm. I’m can enlarge it out to the required size using a burr drill bit not a problem. However, at rest, it is below the water line. Concerned about having a whole this big sealed up with some sort of cable cover and sealant. what have others done? Thanks Mark

Thanks Jim and Frank. we have a site right on the creek. Might have to throw a sleeper in the water while having a beer around the fire at night. Just need to make sure it is secure and does get pulled into the creek if something takes it.

Thanks Jim. We already have accommodation organised down at Nelligen. It is 10 - 15 minutes down the road but you have to hop in the car and drive 2 minutes to put the boat in, 10 - 15 minutes is not that different. Hopefully I can leave the boat in the water sometimes as well rather than taking out. When does the bridge build start?

Finished product Only time will tell if they want to keep falling out. Will take for a test run next week. simple but hopefully effective.

Concept

Hi all we had a bit of a rainy Saturday in Mudgee so spent some time in the shed working on the boat. Started to build some under seat tackle storage. Before

Hi all Beading to Batemans Bay in a couple of weeks with the fam. Decided it was time to give the boat a bit of organising to make sure everything good to go for having the wife and kids on board. You know, happy wife, happy life! So checked the safety gear. Life jackets needed a service and flares out of date. Maybe a reminder to all to check all your safety gear is in date? Never fished Batemans Bay before. Anybody got any tips willing to share? Is it worth bringing crab pots early in November? Many squid around at the moment? Kings, never got one and want to break the duck? Cheers Mark

Hi all Who is planning on going fishing on the October long weekend? If anybody is keen for somebody to follow them out in search of a few fish and willing to share a few spots and maybe a few beers afterwards , and travel in safety in numbers, my arm could be twisted. Obviously dependant on weather but Buoyweather is not looking too bad at the moment. Anywhere from about South West Rocks in the north to about Batemans Bay in the south. Target species, anything that is a bit of fun to catch. Cheers Mark

Hi all My boat is finally being stored inside as have built a shed. Therefore keen to do a few projects on it now that is no longer outside. One of the first things was going to think about is some new seats as the ulpolstory on the existing ones are split. Any suggestions for some good replacement seats? Boat is a Bar Crusher 640C if it makes a difference. Thanks Mark

Thanks. I'm going to give the a crack. Only have one filling and thing it come from holdings the braid in my teeth when doing the FG knot up at the Swains.

No luck on the perlies or trag. With a bit of luck, might head up there again in a couple of weeks.

Thanks Frank I was just going on the below link. http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/about/news-events/news/members-of-parliament/2017/170908-new-laggers-point-boat-ramp.html Also found this in a previous post on the forum referring to it --> Maybe best to stay in the river or alternatively look for something else a bit safer to go outside. It will have to be cracking weather to take her out in any case. Cheers Mark

Hi all Looking for some information on Laggers Point boat ramp at South West Rocks? Thinking of taking the kids up to South West Rocks for some family time. I have done a bar crossing course with Bill Corten up in Brisbane but still not particularly experienced at bar crossings and from everything I have read, the Macleay River bar is not the bar to be gaining your experience on, especially with a 8 year daughter on board. What is the ramp like? How effected by surge is it? Understand it has had some work done to the area recently? Thanks for any info or background you can provide. Mark

Thanks, I can't wait to give it another go now, just need a good weather weekend. This weekend is not looking the greatest.

Hi all Spent last weekend (19 -21st January) up at Crowdy Head. Finished work early on Friday for a 6 hour drive from Mudgee to Crowdy. It was dark by the time we got supplies and go the boat in the water, so just slept in the boat harbour for the night. Was not going out in the dark at new place. Through a line over at the wharf and got a bream and some brown spotted cod. Next morning we headed out early. Only 1 snapper each from Giles Shoal. Tried the waverider buoy but no luck. We ran out to the GPS co-ordinates from the DPI website for the FAD but could not find it. Anybody know where it is? Did not have any luck until dusk when we picked up a few more keepers. Same Sunday morning, picked up a few keepers on dawn and then everything went quiet. Had one king grab the bait and go for a run but did not hook up. Also saw plenty swimming around under the boat but could not tempt them. Anybody know where you can get live bait around the area? I think that is what we needed to get the kings. Just as we were packing up to head back to the ramp for the 6 hour drive home, Fisheries came over to check fishing licences. I dug mine out of the boat pocket and handed over for the response that has expired. When they came on board to get details, I was getting my drivers licence out for ID and came across my new (3 year) fishing licence in my wallet which much relief. Good weekend had by all and even though it is a long drive, will definitely be back for another crack at Crowdy. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Cheers Mark

Hi Frosty Gear wise you have it about right with an overhead for bottom bashing and trolling from the motorboat and a spin rod for casting from the dorys. Have not been on the MV Night Crossing. My most recent trip was on Kanimbla which was a good boat. Let me know if you want anymore specific on gear (rod, reel, rigs etc). Cheers Mark

Hi Raiders After some advice please. I'm based in Mudgee which is 3:45 drive north west of Sydney. Hoping to take the kids (8 & 5 year old) fishing next weekend. The closest place to get to the salt is Port Stephens which is 4:07 drive. I'm willing to drive no more than 5:30. Plan to take off Friday night and do couple hours and then finish it next morning for a fish most of Saturday and a bit of Sunday morning. 5:30 makes the southern limit Batemans Bay and northern limit Port Macquarie. Boat is 6.5m plate, so willing to go outside in good conditions. The kids and I have slept on the boat before and had a great time, so more than willing to do it again. Have been to Port Stephens a few times and potentially looking to try somewhere new (not that Port Stephens is not nice, just exploring). Where would go? Thanks Mark

Have been out of 1770 a few times but not that far out. The bar at the creek is not too bad and the weather outside would be too bad before the bar become a problem. Suggest you have a look at $&@! which has a lot of information about 1770 etc. They do a meet & greet there most years. Good luck and very envious! Mark PS can I come?

Interested to see an replies or hear how you go as would like to do the same one day.

Okay, have decided not to go screws as don't want stainless against the ally causing issues. Going to order a bund online and try to sort that way with some blind rivets and sikaflex.