lakelad

Great haul and love the well written report with photos! Appreciate the locations/general areas mentioned and soft plastic colours/lengths also, it helps to know what is working for others and what areas are producing. Nice work!

Nice work JA, time to update that signature you've added almost 20cm to your 55cm PB! I've got a few decent flatties on bait and livies in lake mac, I might need to dust off the plastics

Sounds like a great day out mate. What breaking strain leader was the light and heavy option @prawn 76?

Nothing like seeing birds diving during a slow day, it turned into one to remember, nice photos and report 👍

I have been told that, also tailor, I think I'll give it a go!

I heard blackfish will eat cabbage also, might be a decent backup plan for those days when there is limited weed or time to collect it?

You're more disciplined than me Rick, I'd be having surf and turf every night 😀

Nice haul, I take it the squid don't like 30knt westerly winds then?!

Nice catch @Hansard! Did you use them as livies, or fillets and what rig was used? We get a lot of garfish in Lake Mac, haven;t used them as bait much but will give it a try I've heard they are good bait.

Nice work Toby, nothing beats being on the water and nice bream 👍

Nice report mate, sounds like you were close to landing that bigger specimen jew or not you'll never know - the joy of fishing! My first thought when reading your post was to wonder how you were rigging the livies, one or two hooks, hook sizes, and how the hook point was exposed. Sure it's normal to lose livies, but if it continues perhaps playing with hook configurations would help convert. Other more experienced anglers on here will be able to offer better tips no doubt! Sounds like a good session regardless

Nice work with that haul @hookerbruce. What was the flattie rig you used, and what was the bait?

Yep, 0 limit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/saltwater-bag-and-size-limits

Nice haul, those 3 are all ripper flatties. What's the best eating size for flatty vs throw back? I know its one over 70cm per NSW dpi rules but I don't normally catch them large enough to have this ethical dilemma 😀

Great report and fun day out, you must have slept well that night! How big's the esky with the bonito in it? That large one looks a cracker!

Lovely, well done!

This made me laugh 😂, you're right! For smaller overheads for bottom bashing and light trolling I have a couple of Shimano Charter Specials, they have levelwind, only small reels though..

What are the thoughts on closing the gape a little bit with also some side angle being applied, like a typical hook? Seems to me it might adds value, but haven't tried it just thought of that reading your post..

My favourite braid is the Daiwa braid in x4, however I only use that one in 6 and 8 pound on 2500 reels, and I use those regularly. I get it off fleabay, mainly as my shop doesn't stock that brand, and it's convenient to have it arrive at home, I have a new/spare x8 variant to try in the boat. Berkeley braid in 12lb is on one of my 4000 reels and I hate it, it's too stiff, colour faded fast and a real pain compared to other brands. Power pro is on my Sustain 5000 in 20lb, it's a bit stiffer than I expected but have hauled some decent fish in on this 20lb setup and never had an issue. I get that when my local shop has 20% off sales, or off fleabay, it gives me that good brand name feeling but I'm pretty sure it's not worth the RRP cash! For heavier setup's I have used the Chinese braid with good success, can't recall the brand but I've been impressed with it and not had any failures in a couple of years. I google forums for what was working for people and went with the majority, some Chinese braids have some classic names 😁. The cost makes it easier on the pocket when spooling 300-500m of braid, you can load the whole reel without spending $100 or worry about knots and weak points. I did have some issues with a fluro carbon labelled Japanese something off ebay, it's still in the naughty corner in the garage after I lost a larger flatty at the net on the 30lb variety.. 😪

The dog had the hook in his leg.. trying to stop a dog who is attached to a line isn't easy!

I was on a remote pacific island and one of the island staff got hooked with a snelled hook whilst trying to cut it from the first hook which was in his agitated dog.. we had to cut the hook and push it all the way through his hand.. not much fun and plenty of antiseptic was applied afterwards..

Nice work, yum yum.

And white pointers 😁

yum yum

Bumping an old thread here, but relevant. I caught Bonito yesterday and enjoyed some straight out of the ocean, next time you catch one do yourself a favour and get a clean knife/board and try some Bonito sashimi. This must be quite common, I had the option presented on a fishing charter boat recently also - delicious!