ianoc69

I have limited access to a family caravan down South NSW at Shoalhaven Heads and was hopeful that a Fishraider may be familiar with the area for a Land Based flick. Mainly chase Flathead & Bream with Soft Plastics Any help most welcome

Thanks Rick I take your points and believe they will be of use After I miss a fish I have not left it there for another try - this is something that makes good sense and I will try it

Now that I think about it I beleive I do drop the tip and let the line go slack (following a lift / twitch) for a second before reeling the slack out Thanks Joe - this is something I can be more conscious of and pay closer attention to

I have been thinking (which is unusual for me) about my last couple of sessions where I was receiving numerous hits for low hook-up rate. Mainly I was using a mixed combination of Bass Minnows, 2" Grubs and 3" Paramax. Generally I use a sharp lift approach and wait a few seconds - every so often I retrieve in slowly for a few meters - let is sit on the bottom for 10 seconds etc., but in my last 2 outings (total of about 6 hours) I have only managed a very small flattie. I am still finding my way with technique and dont feel as though I have developed retrives anywhere near what it needs to be. I have a bad habit of striking a little early at times. I have been using Gamakstu Tournament series 1/16th heads with Size 1.0H OR Size 2 Hooks. Is this just fishing OR has anyone gone through a similar stage and made a change that made a noticeable difference. Any tips or tricks would be most welcome.

Looks like a good day was had despite mixed weather and mixed fishing I hope to be at the next one as a deckie Cheers to all and congrats to the top 5

Great work Snag It was a pleasure to be there with you and as always I thoroughly enjoy our sessions Watching the 5 mins of battle was awesome and I can only hope I am one day in a similar position holding the rod It just goes to show what a 2"Grub means to some predators Your the man Snag

Great replies on this one I like the look of the Renosky Plastics Do you know of a local tackle shop / supplier in Sydney whom is carrying and selling them

Thanks for the response and assistance. Pedro - I was there and saw the lizard and the Ecogear lure I can now make an educated selection

I am looking to add a packet of Ecogear SP's to my collection for use when chasing Flathead. I understand Flathead are not fussy generally and I have caught them on Squidgy Fish, Bass Minnows and Berkley Grubs in numerous colours - BUT I was looking for someone whom has tried a range of Ecogear SP's with guranteed success on Flathead. Please reply with Type, Size and Colour of Ecogear SP that would be a definate item to carry in the tackle box. Thanks in advance.

Sounds like a great arvo I work in Parramatta and doubt I can get away in time (normally 5pm earliest) If any chance does occur I will be there BUT if not I may just have a flick after 5pm in an area that I have not yet fished around Drummoyne. I would like to get over Narrabeen with you guys early or late one SAT or SUN soon for a plastics (plastics in my case - maybe fly/lure in your case ) session

ONYA JOE Worth the wait he Great effort - Good catch - awesome photos Look forward to the next one PS is that real hair on the body or a thermal warming coat?

Thanks Dave. Congrats to yourself as well - saw the 50cm Flattie at Pipeclay Point I am playing mainly with Bass Minnows in a few colours but like you pearl/blue is not bad. I do carry Berkley Grubs and got some Squidgee Fish and Shads also. Majority of Jig Heads are 1/16 Gamatsu series. Bermagui was good for bait fishing BUT I was not successful with SP's. I was fishing the Bermagui river in a boat (4 seperate occasions) with a local friend and live nippers were catching Blackfish (believe it or not), Bream, Flounder and Flatties. I managed 2x 50cm Flatties and a mixed bag of Blackfish, Bream and a Trevalley ALL on nippers. On the first outing I used ONLY SP's for around 5 hours and managed only 2x strikes with 1x hook-up that I dropped half way in. The local tackle shop advised that SP colour Gold was most succesful BUT I could not get them to go - mind you I am still learning technique and thus I more than likely was not pulling the right strings to entice the predators - because the fish are there for sure. Cheers.

Met up with Snag and Nicko early AM Sat 8/1 for a Land Based session around Iron Cove. This was my second outing with the boys and they are amazing guys to watch, listen and learn from. I hope to be somewhere near their level one day. Good Company was accompanied with a few Flatties and Bream during our 3 hour session. This was my most productive fishing on SP's to date managing 5 Flatties (upto approx. 40cm) and 2x small Bream (First Bream on SP's for me). Previously only managed a single fish and a Max of 3x Fish on SP's in any given 3 hour odd session. Thanks to Snag and Nicko for putting up with me and the invitation to join them. Fishing is great anytime regardless of catch BUT with so many great Fishraider members it makes for great sessions.

I have to say that ABA is an awesome place for gear at ultra competitive prices. I purchased an Okuma Reel in Dec 04 and mixed SP's and Jigs etc. in various visits and have always had excellent fishraider pricing. Great staff - Good stocks - Friendly advice Cheers to ABA

Thanks Jethro & Big-Banana. I will pursue some flats and ask some locals.

Any Raiders been in and around Bermagui in recent months. I am spending a week with friends over Xmas and taking the rod and SP's. Land Based and Looking for Flathead and Bream. Any leads / tips or contacts would be appreciated. PM or reply post.

Congratulations to all winners and in particular pedro, together with competition organiser(s) whom don' t always get the recognition they deserve. It was a nice lizard and good to see it in the flesh at the social. Great competition.