[Nautiglas V150 with a 35hp Johnson]

Hey @sammy241, my first boat was a nautiglass (1/2 cab) with red hull and white top. It had a 60hp (Tohatsu) which pushed it along really well. I caught a lot fish and covered a lot of water in that little boat. My mates gave me heaps, telling me that it should have been called a “no glass” due to poor quality - but I had it for 3 years and other than have a 2 stroke engine I was very pleased with it. I sold it and upgraded to a 17’ “Easy Rider” with 80hp. 
We all have to start somewhere in boating and as long as the fibreglass is free of osmosis, the transom and stringers not rotted or water affected you should have some great times, but I would certainly up grade to a 60 or 70hp - evinrude Etech’s would be very cheap to purchase, but be aware they are not made anymore (but no 2 stroke in the size you want is made now).

[Rod and reel for kingfish/jewfish/smaller gt]

Hey @leo, I don’t think you can go past a Shimano Saragossa in 8000-10000 size (spooled with 65lb braid & minimum 50lbleader) as a reel. I only boat fish for Kingies, so rods I use (Daiwa demon blood CJ64, Shimano Terez) are under 7’ so I’ll leave suggestions on rods for rock fishing to others.

Hope this helps.

[Winburndale dam closure - Bathurst.]

For freshwater fishos in central tablelands region, be warned of closure f some prime fishing areas.

 

FROM January 16 a three-month Section 8 fishing closure under the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994, is in place in the Central Tablelands Region, in sections of the Winburndale Rivulet and its upstream tributaries, including Winburndale Dam.

During the closure, fishing by any method is prohibited, in the following waters located to the northeast of Bathurst, specifically:

Winburndale Dam, sections of Winburndale Rivulet and its tributaries (the Gulf Stream, Mitchells Creek, Lagoon Creek, McCanns Gully, Kirkconnell Creek, Bull Gully, Scotts Creek, Bobs Creek, Tindales Flat Creek, Roundbody Gully and Black Spring Gully), and the section of the Winburndale Rivulet from the Winburndale Dam wall at 33.38972222°S 149.77694444°E to 800 metres downstream from that dam wall at 33.38916667°S 149.76833333°E.

The closure is in place as a precaution to reduce the risk of potential spread of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) and to help preserve an important Macquarie perch population.

[2 Hacking flats sessions]

A nice mixed bag of fish Rob. Were you drifting or anchored for the whiting?

[Fishing Wisdom]

If what you’re doing isn’t working, try something different. If what you’re doing is working - don’t change.

[Kingfish top baits produce the goods, but be careful of banned areas in Sydney Harbour]

Yep only the shaded area, BUT I was told (politely) by DPI fisheries when I was fishing in the allowed area ( for yellowtail) who warned me that it is an offence to pass through the area with a jig or squid spike attached to a rod and fines apply if rigged to fish for squid if stopped in the shaded area.

[Mid north coast adventures - ignoring all signs!]

Brilliant report and very comprehensive Mike - love reading your accounts.

I well know the feeling “I wish I had thought to put in my…..”, but you’ll know for the future. (I keep a fly rod, nipper pump box of assorted flys clousers, surf candy’s , weed flys and 17 rods tucked away in my boat “just in case” - you never know?) 

 

[Weekend plans coming together]

Another great report Dave and a great variety of fish. It’s interesting that you bagged the Bass where I’d expect the bream and visa vera ? Having fished with you, I’m sure your expertise at working the lures is responsible for your (and Amy) success. If I was using the same lures, I reckon it would be Dave 10: Bob 1. The Jack must have been a good fight and a healthy looking fish.

Love the pics😊

[My first kingfish]

Way to go @Derny Driver, welcome to the “kingie Club”. Such a great fighting fish that punch above their weight. Now wait till you hook into a metre fish and you’ll think the powers of hell have been released.

[Lake St Clair Bass]

A 40+ Bass is a really good fish @LuckyFil, well done mate (love the fight on light gear, so much fun). I’ve never fished Lake St Clair, but there are some quality fish and as you rightly noted “It only takes one good fish…”

[Sydney Harbour and more surprises - Monster Kingie?]

22 hours ago, whiskey299 said:

Great report Bob.

Shame about the Monster Kingie!

Shame about the Dollies!

I've seen a recent report of small but legal dollies being caught off Sydney on a private FAD.

 

 

Yep, I’ve been so tempted to set my own “personal FAD”, but have erred on the side of what is right and proper and legal. I still get enough fish to keep me interested (the pleasure is about the pursuit, not just the possession).

[Getting out fished by my 83 year old Dad]

What a brilliant feed (a lot of cleaning there). Thanks so much for sharing @whiskey299, the fact that you are still fishing with your dad (who probably got you started on the adventure we love so much) is testament to his skill and the quality of your relationship - I trust there are more trips in the future - the time that you invest in family, is repaid many times over.

[Charter]

Hey @Aussie_fisher, thanks for your report, it highlights the fact that bait is a critical component to getting onto the fish and preferences and feeding habits change - someday I like a steak, other days Laksa, other days a zucchini pie (not really).

Also you noted that the charter operators / guides work hard to get their clients onto fish. I am buddies with 4 of the harbour guides (and several of the off shore guides) and often pass on and receive intel from / to them. I know they charge a lot, but their running and maintenance costs, insurances, etc etc certainly ad up and they know the habits and haunts of their target species. But like you so rightly noted “some days just aren’t the best”.

Thanks for sharing - it would have been so easy to be disappointed and “bag out” which you didn’t do 👏👏. Praise to you my friend.

[Sydney Harbour and more surprises - Monster Kingie?]

43 minutes ago, big Neil said:

Great description of a good day on the water Bob. Never a dull moment fishing with you.

bn

Cheers Neil - I remember well the big Mako, you battled with off Dee Why, didn’t seem that long ago.

[Sydney Harbour and more surprises - Monster Kingie?]

Caught up with @The Rev (a dead set legend who is just as curious and experimental as myself, but more successful than I ).  We met up on the harbour bait grounds and filled up with livies in no time and we planned to fish two up out wide, but the weather was much windier and choppier than predicted. However My colleague  Adam (before I retired) and his young bloke (Harrison aged eight) wanted to catch some Kingies and Harrison particularly wanted to catch a shark and was adamant he was going to get a Hamerhead (we prayed to that effect, but I suggested that we may get a shark, but very unlikely we would get a Hammerhead). 

We headed off shore to the FAD and hoped to get some Dollie’s, but no luck, but plenty of rat kings - same at Long reef 😞.  We decided to try a drift for Flatties, but again no blue spots 😞. I wanted to send the crew home with a feed so decided to try inside the Heads (as I had scored some solid kings last week and plenty of bonito around). We burleyed up and set a livie and 2 fresh squid baits (unweighted) out and the chaos began.

I hooked up within 5 mins of anchoring and line started peeling off, I wound the drag up and line kept peeling off, I tightened it up again (65lb braid and 50lb leader) and still kept peeling off. I immediately handed the rod to Adam, retracted the Minkota fired up the Merc and chased the MONSTER KINGIE. 
It was quickly apparent that  it was NOT a big king, but a shark. After 20 minutes my suspicions we confirmed and Harrison’s prayers were answered and it was a 2m + Hammerhead shark. The young bloke was really keen to get a pic with it, but I told him that they were not good eating and shark that size would destroy the boat if we tried to get it in, so as it was lip hooked with a circle hook (love circle hooks for Kingies), it was cut off and swam away.

 

 

[Xmas Period - Sydney (crab, flatties, kings)]

Well done Dunc, a great result mate - great to see the boat getting a good workout

(far cry from the day we met on the harbour in the kayak)

[Prawning south coast]

Some great result @Isaac Ct - they are good sized prawns, well done.

(last time I went prawning I threw a handline out with a livie on it and bagged a feed of flathead and flounder as well - and also netted a few squid.)

[Port Hacking]

Another good day Dave, well done (again) mate.

[Georges River Flatys and super crab!]

Good advice to”get and give it a go” - especially with your young bloke and always better than sleeping in or mowing the lawn.

They are some nice Flatties and muddies - well done.

[Little blowhole report]

Great report @NewToFishing, thanks for sharing. I don’t know that area, but if it dived straight for the bottom it could well be a Kingie - they are a hard and dirty fighting fish and a meritorious catch from the stones.

[Fewer Cod but very healthy specimens]

Only one fish in 5 hours, but what a beauty Neil. I’d rather catch one solid fish of 73 than a stack of little ones.

Thanks for sharing my friend.

[Happy New Year from Botany Bay]

Great report Sam - family stuff is so good to read - fishing can be a selfish pursuit or a family pleasure. There are some solid fish there and a great feed of flathead fillets. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know Botany area, but you certainly got great results.

[Nowra flathead]

Way to go @Fab1 - love your attitude. I’m a bit like you in that cleaning too many fish is a pain (I usually always only keep a few and very rarely ever the bag limit and if then to give to family or crew)

[Crabbing Brisbane Waters]

Outstanding results @Scienceman, well done.

[Big Blue swimmer = Crab ravioli]

Yum Rob - you’re a legend, bet Mrs Jenno was happy you taking over cooking duties.

The crabs (muddies and Blue swimmers) have been outstanding this season after all this rain - Flatties obliging also.