Mick

Possibly people haven’t see 40 years of degeneration of intertidal zones around the Sydney basin like I have. They have enough forces impacting on them already including us and don’t need direct destruction for no apparent reason added to the list. The fore shores were once teaming with life, turn over a rock and crabs worms, prawns etc were in abundance and even cunji, could be found growing way up the Parra River, these days you are lucky to find it on an ocean rock platform except on a very low tide. Ribbon weed was that prevalent that you were sure to slip on some approaching any part of a water waterway in Sydney. These days black fisherman are very close lipped about their rare pockets of areas that still produce the bait they treasure. I have had just about every part of my body, ripped open by oysters over the years but I haven’t started a personal vendetta on them. I think it’s great to see oysters still very prevalent in some areas of Sydney and that’s why we should be looking after these zones. If the post were about kicking a couple of oysters in to the water than who would care, but when it is stated you are “cleaning” a rock, which by the way belongs to the public, because it has oysters growing on it, then I certainly have a problem. It’s got nothing about being fun police or green, it’s to do with having respect for the environment that we all use. This post is very good fuel for organisations like the NPA and if you think things grow back, I’m still waiting 40 years later for some things, which I ‘m sure I will never see in the same areas, where they once flourished. Don’t take offence, these are only personal opinions like we all have, and probably spurred on more by a recent encounter I had when I took my kids to an area of the Parramatta River which I frequented in my youth, as I wanted to show them all the creatures that lived under the rocks. After an hour of turning over rocks and replacing them I could not find one living creature, which left a very sour taste and some very disappointed kids. If you want to see bream in a frenzy, throw in a loaf of bread. It’s a lot easier and a lot quicker.

Since when is a rock with oysters growing on it considered dirty?. Intertidal zones should be respected not destroyed.

The unfortunate thing is there is no definition that is workable. With the thousands of different vessels that use our waterways it is impossible to put one definition to cover all. What causes more wash a sleek speed boat travelling at 40 knots with 15% of its hull in the water causing minimim wash, or a very beamy fishing boat loaded with gear and people with 50% of is hull in the water doing 4 knots and pushing a lot of water and when that wake rolls over, causing a generous amount of wash. I dont blame the enforcers of the law, as they would be at a loss for a definition the same as we are, only enforcing an opinion of the rule that is given to them by a supervisor or similar.

Will be heading up to Forster early may for a quick break with the family and was wondering what is happening bream wise in the estruary. I'm not after any particular spots as I have enough of my own, but just curious if the breambos are more concentrated down stream near the paddock area or further up river. Forster used to be my second home but, havent been there for a few years and I'm a bit rusty on the location. As previously mentioned not after any spots, just whether upstream or downstream is producing, might save a bit of fuel. Thanks for any replies

If you dont plan on towing then go the stearns from Bias option, around the $400 dollar mark as previously stated, but will do the exact same job as a custom cover if the boat is just sitting in the back yard. They suit some boats for towing but not all, I purchased one in QLD and drove home to NSW and it had small rips in 2-3 places places. A custom cover is the better option if you are going to tow with it but a lot more pricey. I had one made and it was $1400, but is a sensational cover, which was cut to include covering the electric motor on front, have towed in ridiculous weather and the interior of the boat has stayed nice and dry, the cover extends down the side of the hull, so no stone chips as well.

All the marketing hype aside I would certainly be looking for a second hand merc/mariner opti or etec 90 to replace the honda, they are both very popular models and I'm sure ..there would more than a few that have been traded since BRP released their 115HO. You may have to throw a bit a cash on top of your honda, but haggling always works, especially if the motor has been sitting around for a while. Neither the opti or etec are that new technology, from memory the etec is about 6 years old now and the opti 17 years. I was watching an old Malcom Douglas show the other night and my wife picked up, that he was using an opti. Both motors would work great on your boat and as its coming in to winter there isnt a better time to buy. I was always a 4stroke person until I had a bad experience with a 6 month old honda 50 which self destructed, but since that time I have owned either etecs or the current opti and havent a bad word to say about either brand and would never think about going back to a 4. Make a few phone calls you may be surprised what is out there in the second hand market.

Over the years I have got Jacks, Diamond trevelly and estuary cod out of the harbour. Only the jacks have been mature specimens the others have been juveniles. With the current transistion from the El Nino effects, which pushed warm currents closer, to the La Nina, I think northern species catches will be greatly reduced.

Its actually a parasite that burrows in to the skin during its larve stage and has nothing to do with pelicans, although I guess they get it to, as it seeks out warm blooded critters. I've had it heaps but it has never caused any pain, but the constant itch is a major pain. Stuff like "Stop Itch" normally works, but the old man used to put vinegar on it, cant actually remember if it worked or not.

I have never been a fan of the atificial reefs installed by fisheries. The money could be best spent else where, instead of creating new dive spots for commercial dive schools. But then again if you are happy your license fee contributing to the on going success of the same dive operators who are pushing for more marine parks, then I guess they are a good idea.

For the super environmentally inclined, freeze a swivel in a block of ice. Gets the bait to the bottom and then disappears, but you get the swivel back. Only catch is your sinkers get progessivly smaller throughout the day, unless you have them on dry ice. Otherwise there are a number of sinkers on the market that are made out of tin or similar materials.

I would imagine as previously stated it is trawler by catch, the same thing happned a few months back and long lines of leatheries were seen behind trawlers. I doubt that they would all run out of food at the same time and all miraculously turn belly up, at just the same moment. They are fish, when they run out of food they move on. But they dont move very far in a net, except straight up.

They were my favourite plastic 4-5 years ago, but with hundreds of new plastics coming out each year some of the old producers get shelved. But I always carry a box of favourites which includes the minitanks just in case.

Very nice gesture, but I hope you had the owner describe what lures he had in the tackle box, before you handed it over. I had a similar experience a few years back, when I found a rather $$$ custom rod and sustain reel at a boat ramp on the Parra. Posted it on a couple of boards (Leaving out the rod details) and was amazed 20-30 people had lost a variety of custom made rods with sustain reels attached that very day (Insert sarcasm icon). Two months later I was having a chat with another fisho at the same ramp and he was showing me a new outfit he had purchased because he had left a previous outfit at the ramp. No prizes for guessing what he had left behind. He didnt frequent the net so never saw the posts, but did get his out fit back any way.

DAM, your right Craig, I want my money back, some one has painted the word "Terrova" on the side. Terrova Love the US2 Greg; I went with the freshie, as I dont think US2 is available on the salt model and the foot pedal was standard. Cheers Mick

Only a personal point of view, but I find the new foot pedal a pain in the arse to use and will be getting the cheaper flat model to use with mine. "Easy to Deply" NOT. At this time it is harder then my previous riptides, even with copious amounts of inox applied. Hopefully with a bit more use it will lossen up. But on a positive note, turns quicker then the older riptides, motor quieter and more secure on mounting plate so you dont have that familar clunk when the power is applied. I have the freshwater model as you get the transducer in the bottom which means no messy wires running down the shaft and the footpedal is included. Replace the prop nut with a sacrificial anode type and all's good. They have a 3 year warranty but damage caused by corrosion isnt covered, which is fine as I have never had a corrosion related problem with my previous minns, only circuit board failures.

If you buy a pot, make sure you take it out of its box and give it a gentle little shake to see if you can hear any thing rattling inside. The heating wire is surounded by a ceramic coating and it doesnt take much for it to break away. The more that is broken off the wire the less heat you will get. They may look sturdy on the outside but once you pull them apart you will see how fragile the ceramic is. Over time and with a lot of use and a few bumps here and there, bits will break off and it will take longer to heat your lead and maintain it at a constant temperature, but with any new product you want it working 100%. I have about 5 working models at the moment and parts from another 4-5, that have seen better days. They are easy to clean and maintain and you will get used to the burns . Just a word of warning for all the guys out there melting tire weights, just bare in mind that they not only contain lead, but also antimony and worst of all arsenic, which is used as a hardening agent. The fumes that are produced are very toxic. If you can find it/afford it pure lead is the best as it has a lower melting point.

Bait fisho's have been hitting it hard for years, I doubt any have, or will be caught. They tend to fish the side opposite the wall, so they have plently of warning of approaching people.

It used to be a regular occurence at Thommo's where the trout would bust the surface like a school of tailor. More then not it was the noise of the bust up that drew your attention to them if they werent in your line of sight. I dont think we will see the big marauding schools again any time soon, in those days the water was only a few meters from the top of the dam, so they had a lot more room to play.

Balloons are great when there is an off shore breeze or as previously mentioned when using larger baits. Depending on how far you want your bait to go a balloon is a lot more visable then a float as well, especally in a bit of a swell. If your fishing close or in a crowd, any large float will do. I always tied my balloons on so they didnt break away on strike, I wanted them still attached when the fish got close, as it is a very good indicator where the fish was in the wash and any sudden direction changes (Which southern bluefin always did) are much more obvious, it also showed me where my double ended and leader started. Plus there was one less piece of plastic floating around the ocean. Havent fished the tubes in about 25 years and the last time at Tomaree was about 10 years ago. These days its easier chasing them in a boat.

Not sure how Honda got in to the equation and I certainly wouldnt be critical of 4 stroke technology. Although after owning mercs, mariners, rudes, yams, johnson, chrysler motors over the years the only one to blow up on me was a 6 month old Honda, but thats a story for another day. In relation to the above press release, that relates to the expansion of the etec range not the original release date of the etec . The 115 etec was released in 05, the 130 never made it as they couldn't reach emission requirements. Of course different sized etecs engines use different running gear inside, but they are still etecs, the 115 was in fact a detuned 130, so it had to be made a very solid engine. If Honda were to release a 180hp, would people suggest that we sit back and wait a few years because it is not proven technology, just because it is a new model in the line up? Probably not. The original poster asked about motors in the 115 range and I personally wouldn't put a honda on the back, unless you like an extra 55-60kg sitting over the transom. Even in other departments like battery charging the honda alternator only puts out 40 amps, where as the 2 stroke put out a lot more. 75 from the opti and a bit more for the etec, from memory. I've never owned a 115 honda only 2 x 50's, but on paper and independant testing I have read, they run a poor second in all catergories except decibel rating, against the more popular two strokes. The yam 115 is a good motor but once again and this is only my personal opinion, both the 115 etec or opti would be a better choice for both fish and play. I have no alligiance to any one brand, when I choose a motor I make that decision on a lot of research, brand, colour, rumour or suspicion play no part it, no one manufacturer makes the best motor in every class. Do your research and I'm sure you will be happy with your purchase.

Looks like they are a sure thing, as they were released in 2003, that gives them 5 years

If you are looking at a motor in the 115 class, then there are few that get close to the etec in most areas. The yam will be a bit quiter at full throtte but that's about the only area where it will succeed. The etec will have better responce and out perform the yam through all its speed ranges. I wont comment on fuel figures as there are a thousand variables, but I would guess when travelling at the same rpm they would be similar, but the etec would be moving faster, the extra 20+kg of the yam wouldnt be helping its performance. I would also go with the etec over the opti, although speed/ fuel consumption would be similar between the two, I would much rather the V4 of the etec then the opti's inline 3. I have owned two etecs, a 75 and a 90 and had zero problems with both motors, but in saying that I recently went through motor choice again in the 175 class and the Merc 175 Pro XS was the pick of the bunch. It was chosen not because all mercs are the best, but because it appears the best of its class for my personal needs, after countless hours of research. If I was to purchase a 115 the rude would win hands down.

Be careful when using tire weights and always use gloves and an approved breathing apparatus, as one of the components of the lead they use in tire weights is arsenic, so the fumes are quite toxic. The days of buying cheap lead from the scrap yard are gone, the price has gone up dramatically and most yards wont sell to you unless you are a registered business with an ABN number.

Surface lures work surprising well during the night, I have caught bream at 1-2am in the morning spinning from the shore along the parra. Flathead are also a big nocturnal feeder, so dont be surprised if you get a few lizards as well. I have also used plastics but I've found hard bodies to be the better producers.

Bit late I know , but for the information of other members, they sell Lee melting pots (20lb) at the Horsley Park gun shop. With your order from the states make sure you emphasis you want the export 220 volt model, not the local 110v. Even if you have told them send a reminder email to make sure, as I have received a 110 volt model on more than one occasion When you get the pot, make sure you dont drop it or treat it to roughly. The heating element has a ceramic cover on it and the more this cover is cracked or broken, the less heat is produced.