FishDrought

watch out for the King browns they will chase you. The dam system has changed a lot as a massive amount of water has been released now. the Rylstone end past the boat ramp can provide a few decent catches a couple of the bays there can see some silver perch hitting your lines. If you have the opportunity to use a boat/canoe then take it as you will improve your chances. otherwise down towards the mudgee & wall end should see you pull a few big Yellow Belly's. Limestone Creek area & near the overflow site closer to the wall are always good hunting, my preference was for yellow & black (tiger stripe) "FISHSTICK" lures with red & black pattern as a back up. If you are going to camp a few days, then can I suggest a trip to the butcher. Grab a decent shank with some meat on it, wade out to a tree in a likely looking spot & hang it up.... The flies will take care of the rest & plently of berly will be provided to attract the fish over a couple of days. .......Oh & of course please clean up the berly site when your finished. My other suggestion would be to to tackle the brown & rainbow trout in the Cudgegong river, there are some beautiful fish in there including my PB 6lb Rainbow - well hopefully he is still there. Good luck Jas

Thanks for that Gazza, I was an impatient little B, but I was getting harrased as the was going to get me one as a last minute Chrissy bonus tonight. As we all know if the missus is offering "free" fishing gear then she has really over spent this Christmas Haha. But I would never knock it back. I didn't want to put cash out on something I might not use often , where as I can always use a new rod & reel combo, GPS, Lures, tackle, Prawning light, brag mat, gaff, A new E-tec a new boat Etc etc etc .Thanks again mate for your opinion.

Anyone?? Haha

Firstly Merry Christmas Raiders, Hope everyone has an enjoyable & safe time with plenty of fishing thrown in. On the subject of Downriggers, I have been watching a large number boats all using downriggers & I would just like to know your opinions on worth as a fishing tool? I have never used one & was thinking of getting one for the tinny are there any preferred brands or sizes & how do you use them? Cheers Jas

Awesome effort on the Snapper mate, I am still chasing my first legal one. Jas

I e-mailed the boat rego & name to the Fisheries yesterday as I didn't have the phone with me, I have no idea if they will use the info or not. These blokes were of the opinion that they are a law to themselves which is funny when you consider they have a weighted keeper bag to escape the Fisheries inspectors. to me that demonstrates they know it is illegal. That is a good call about the boat stickers Pelican, they should be mandatory.

How do you change the attitude of ignorant people that think the law does not apply to them? It is an insult to call those people fisho's as they are ruining the breeding stock for the future of our sport. I had the pleasure of fishing Botany Bay yesterday & landing my first Kingy of which I am still stoked, unfortunately he went 45cm so back in he went. A sad tale that was repeated often yesterday. Heading back to the boat ramp at Kyeemagh, I struck up a convo with a couple of blokes who showed me their 'catch' as they were heading off: 8 x Kingfish the biggest being 50cm max 2 x Legal flatties one that wasn't about 27 cm 10 x Bream ( to most other fisho's the fish they had are baby snapper, not one over 25cm) Basically anything unfortunate enough to end up on their lines was taken. When I asked ' what if the fisheries get you' they showed me the keeper bag, it has a snapper sinker attached to it " they turn up, you cut it" My response to them is not appropriate to be posted here. Every fisho needs to be proactive about people taking undersized fish, We have to report these Bastards as we are only scewing over ourselves if we let it slide. Anyway that's my vent for the day, hope you all have a great weekend fishing.

If I am after freshwater fish then it is after rain without a doubt, it has always brought the bigger fish on the bite for me. As for saltwater fishing my results are not as clear - Some good, some very bad BUT, that may just be because the fish are getting smarter & I am getting dumber. Cheers Jas

I shouldn't laugh, I nearly did the same thing when I left the car in reverse gear.. almost needed some dry cleaning done.

Thanks for the advice guys.. Cheers Jas

Hi Raiders, I know I might sound stupid here but are there any rules to say you cannot beach/land a boat on some of Sydney's beaches? It was my understanding that you could unless there were restricted access signs posted, designated swiming only beaches or there would be the possibility of endangering bathers/ swimmers? I could be completely wrong & would appreciate hearing the facts.. I was going to tag along with a couple of mates to beach our boats out the front of Doyles at Watsons Bay. We were informed by a staff member of that venue, that it was no longer allowed by the council & maritime services?? ? news to me. One of the blokes called NSW Mari, the response he got was " I am not sure, but I will endevour to find out for you". Just a quick vent on another topic, I was up at the Entrance last weekend & while motoring down passed the small island off Picnic Point (sorry I don't know the area well).Just as you pass from the shallow water to the deeper channel, I managed to pick up a 2 meter length of plastic packing belt tied to a couple of feet of chicken mesh.. I thought I was just having a run of bad luck until I heard a couple other boats had run into similar set ups ( packing tape tied to chicken wire). So watch out if your up that way. Cheers J

Cheers mate, that is very sound advice. Thanks

Hi Raiders, I am thinking of taking the boat for a run this weekend & was interested in trying Brisbane waters. I will probably be dropping the boat in around Davistown, Just wondering if any Raider would be kind enough to enlighten me as to the average depth & any navigation issues I should be looking out for ? shallow channels etc, is it as shallow as the Entrance? as it will be my first go there. Does it take long to get out into the deeper water? Any advice would be appreciated .. & hope everyone has a successful weekend fish Cheers Jas

I got roped into a family camping trip with some of the G/f's relo's at the entrance. For my sanity's sake I will have take the tinnie up there & escape any opportunity I get. Though I haven't really fished the Entrance that much so no idea what I may get into? or maybe try Brisbane waters?

Great fish mate, sounds like a top day

Hey Stucatz, Just wondering were at the fish markets you bought the frsh baits, I was told to ask at Claudio's for quality bait & when I got there the blokes I asked said they had no idea? Was I asking at the wrong place or do you buy better bait then me? Cheers Jas

Hi Guy's, Can you mark down Fishdrought +2. Cheers & looking forward to a great day. Jas

Hey mate, If you are now glowing, I am going sit you on the bow of the boat instead of using the spotty at night! Let me know when you get Xray vision. Jas

Great catch mate & thanks for sending those pic's to my phone, just to rub it in a little more Haha Cyu on Saturday!

Thanks Guy's, That is some fantasic info & hopefully I can repay it with a post filled with drag screaming fun. I will let you know after the weekend.. Thanks again. Now I just have to get the motor started. Cheers Jas.

G'day Raiders, I am heading up to the Entrance this weekend & was wondering if Raiders could suggest any areas worth trying as I have never fished there. I should have the little tinny running (I hope ) so hopefully will be on the water. Cheers Jas

Desperately seeking fish! I am told they hide in water, but I can't find the damn things yet. Probably go to the camping & fishing show in Homebush, then head past the fish markets & lie my butt of when I get home - with fish & new gear.. I think the BOSS will know I am lying when I turn up with fish!

Hi Bream Mad, Just wondering, which part of the Central Tablelands you were fishing? Cheers Jas

Womens international golf events will have a massive surge in popularity now. It will all be thanks to you pointing out the finer aspects of the game Stumpy. Cheers Jas

Mate, I spent more years there than I care to remember. The dam has lost a massive amount of water so watch out submerged trees & fences. I have always had good success with lures of medium size in particular lures with a defined tiger pattern of yellow & black or red & black. If you can find medium "Fish Stick" & Stump Jumpers in those colours I would be amazed if you didn't pull out few good sized. there are a couple of locally made lures from Mudgee & Rylstone but the names escape me at the moment ( I always favoured the fish stick, in fact there are still 4 of them in my tackle box). Baits, the usual assortment fish fillets /rabbit & go nice fat garden worms always a winner (not the tiny compost grown they sell in the servo's) - or spy a nice snaggy area & hang a piece of meat over a branch for the duration of your visit - the meat will get blown & big juicy maggots falling into the water will bring in the yellow belly's, Silvers & maybe some Cod. I think a few trout have been caught in the Rylstone end but with the water warming up you would be hard pressed. Area's - basically the Rylstone area to Limestone Creek (heading towards Mudgee) are good area's, though there is a lot less water then there use to be. If your on the boat try jigging around some of the big old trees they will show up on your sounder / use some heavier line around the trees of course. Also if you have time the Cudgegong river has some beautiful trout, brown & rainbow for some fantastic sport. I will see if I can google earth you a pic of Windamere dam & highlight some spots for you. If your landbased then Limestone creek & the dam wall / spillway are good targets too. Cheers Jas