Gengar

Looks like you had a great session! That big bream looks would have been fun reeling it in!

haha sounds like this reel servicing is something i should leave to the experts! Derek is right I am not going to pay to get it serviced but thought if its free then I might drop it off at their service centre (i dont live near there but do need to head that way usually once a month). Derek I will ping you tomorrow. Thanks all!

Hi Raiders I have a shimano sienna 2500 which is probably about three years old now. Its never been in water and is still smooth but recently i notice it makes some noise when I reel. Nothing uncomfortable but noticeable. I hadn't felt it was an issue until I was trying a new Okuna reel I had and it just felt so much smoother! I think the reel is under a 10 year warranty from Shimano but not sure if this would be covered under the warranty given it still works. Anyone has any experience? Can I drop it off at their Caringbah store? How long does it take? Days or weeks? If I do service it myself how easy/hard is it? Any good youtube guides? I have taken the spool and handle off before but thats all. I am worried about pulling the reel apart and small pieces falling out that I can't put back in. Cheers

Cracker of a session!

Great report and good sized flatty!

Great report mate! I have been living in sydney for many years (though only started fishing about three years ago) but never fished McMahon point area. Judging from the photo I know why it's such a popular spot! Even if u don't get a fish u have a great view!

That is a good size. I think they are probably underrated but gotta agree they are good tasting fish. My boys love to catch them as they pull a bit and not too hard to catch around wharfs

Thanks for all the top advice!!! Will try it next time I go out!

I might just try switching out the treble for a single and see how that goes. Thanks for the suggestion!

Cheers mate for so long I thought it was my technique! Yep I love seeing the aerial and they do fight hard so great fun!

Went out on Sat for a quick afternoon session. It was pretty quiet to start off but saw a ton of garfish swimming around. Unfortunately didn't have any bread or bait with me otherwise it would have been fun to land some. Recently I have been using these minnow jerkbaits (I think that is what they are called) and have had some good success when there is surface action and/or fishing shallow areas (the other good thing is that they avoid snags). Soon enough landed a couple of legal tailors which after a quick measure went back to the water to grow bigger. Also hooked on a salmon but the hook came off when it jumped out of the water. Must be my technique or the fact that its a treble hook? but when I do hook onto a salmon using these jerkbaits probably 50% of the time the salmon is able to flick out the hook when it jumps out of the water. Any advice to keep the hook in? Thanks for reading!

I found people on youtube eating them as well hence thought maybe they were edible but yeah too ugly for me to eat!

Convinced the boys to throw it back! Yay! Thanks all guys!

Cheers thanks for confirming! They sure are ugly and I want to throw it back but the boys are curious in seeing what it tastes. Have you tried eating one?

Spent a night at a friend's place and the boys chucked in a crab net from their jetty. Wasn't really expecting to get anything but caught this monster. Not sure what it is but it's got no scale and very slippery. Google lens suggest it's a eel tailed catfish. Is that right? Is it edible? Cheers all.

Got it. Those impoundment areas seem to be a good place for a day out. Will report back how i go! Cheers!

Can't agree more! Its a nice change from the usual bream, flathead and whiting!

Thanks mate for all the info! Might be a stupid question but is there any particular reason i would want to pay for a licence to fish at the stocked dams rather than elsewhere (which doesn't requirement a licence) ? Is it because i am more likely to get a fish at the stocked dams?

Hi Raiders Heading up to Gold Coast and Brisbane for 10 days and hopefully will get some time to do some fishing! Been doing some research on the QLD rules and not sure if its just because i am not familiar with me but i find the rules especially regarding closed waters and seasons very confusing. Anyway hoping someone that fishes in QLD can help with some simple questions: (a) Fishing licence - I can't find anywhere that says i need a fishing licence unless i am fishing in stocked impoundments. Is it true I don't need a licence unless I am fishing in stocked impoundments? (b) Stocked impoundments - I have never fished at these areas before but I am attracted by the fact there are Australian bass, golden perch, Mary River cod and saratoga none of which I have caught before. The two impoundments closest to Brisbane are Lake Kurwongbah and North Pine Dam. I probably only have time for one, any recommendation on which one? I am going to be landbased and was wondering if I can target these fish landbased? Do they take the usual lures (eg grubz, double clutch, etc) or bait (eg prawn)? (c) Closed waters (https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/recreational/recreational-fishing-rules/closed-seasons-waters) - Is there a map or something that easily highlights the area that I can and can't fish? Dont want to accidently get a fine! Thanks all!

Cheers thanks for solving the mystery! Yes it was a great day to be out! It also finally feels like real summer!

Hi Raiders Its been a while since my last report but went out yesterday to local wharf with my boys and one of their friends who had never fished before. We used bait though I bought my lures but didn't really have time to really fish in between the tangles, snags and unhooking fish but it was great day to be out. I taught the newbie fishing 101 including the derek approved rod holding method and casting. The newbie caught his first fish on his second cast which was pretty cool. It was only a baby snapper but still a fish none the less. The boys ended up two leather jackets that we kept for dinner but they also hooked up onto two fish that i hadn't seen before. Would anyone help to ID them? My boys called the green fish the "hulk fish" though i am sure there is a more proper name! Wishing all a happy new year!

@DerekDmate great report and love it when you teach newcomers the world of lure fishing! I am yet to catch a flounder on lure so u gotta show me next time we fish!

Cheers Miniken thanks for the report! Looking forward to it!

Thanks for the suggestion mate. Really appreciate it!

Do PM on how you go! Thanks for sharing mate.