james7

I've sent a reply as this is the ramp I use most of time. The "closed times" would make it impossible to get out on the water before sunrise, or have a late night session. I've never had any problems at the ramp, so if it is the case of a few idiots causing problems for the local residents, then they should be dealt with by the police for disturbing the peace. All the responsible boaters shouldn't all have to suffer because a few people do the wrong thing. I encourage all Raiders to send in a reply because if it goes ahead, the same thing might happen at every boat ramp in Sydney. Cheers Peter

I was thinking of heading down the coast - Tuross Heads maybe? I might ask twenty or thirty of my roughest, hardest drinking, rabble rousing bikie mates to come along. There's a bloke I know who lives around that area. What's his name??? "Skippy"? ... something like that? We'll all crash at his place. I'm sure he wouldn't mind us taking over his house, even if his brother is supposed to be staying with him this weekend. I won't tell him we're coming. What a great surprise for his family! I hope he's got plenty of beer in the fridge or things could get ugly!

Roosterman, I think they're called ... a “lonesome forlorn fish”.

G'day Carl Try these books. Sure some of the words are hard (I just sound them out), but the pictures really help. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (I Can Read It All by Myself) by Dr. Seuss The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian and Tim Bowers Cheers Peter

Gotta love Plan B Steve! Top day and plenty of fish! I've never caught a surgeon, but have heard tales of their power. Well done getting one on blackie gear. Cheers Peter

Looks like you and the boys had a great day out Ray. Scored a good feed of flatties too. Steve looks busy filleting those flatties. Did you and Hucho just sit back and watch him do all the work? Cheers Peter

Some nice trevs there Mui Mui Sounds like a great day on the water. Plenty of action even if some fish were the wrong species. I'd heard how some pet owners look like their pets, but it's the first time I've seen a fisherman look like their catch! (However, a few unkind people have suggested a resemblance between me and the flathead I catch! ) . . . . . Great report. Cheers Peter PS By the way Mui Mui, your surname isn't "Foi Foi", is it?

Pigfish (female) The male grows a bit bigger and is all red with a white spot on its back. Firm white flesh and very good eating. Cheers Peter

More blackie success Ray! You're on a roll! Fantastic photos! (I'd love a dollar for every time I've said that about your pictures!) Great one handed shots too. However, I'd like to know how you get those photos of yourself fishing on the rock ledge. You must move really quickly to get in the frame. Cheers Peter

Thanks Bruce. I like being called an "ideas man", even if some people think I'm dreamin' most of the time. I want to use use my technical knowledge and inventive brilliance for the benefit of all fishermen, for good rather than evil. Anyway, in case you have one of those iphone gadget thingies, I found they too can be very useful for fishing ... . . . . Introducing the "iphone trolling lure" I think they are good for attracting "billfish", ... or maybe just big "bills"? Cheers Peter

G'day Bruce and happy birthday by the way. I am right up to date with all the new fangled technologies. (I even have one of those "digital cameras". They don't even use film! Amazing eh!) Anyway, those ipad thingies can be extremely useful for fishing and boating. I suggest you try this: 1. attach the ipad to a piece of plastic or wood (use bolts, screws or glue) 2. then attach it to your boat (use bolts, screws or glue) And there you have it ... a high tech bait board! Cheers Peter

Some quality fish Ray! And 17 blackies in a 2.5 hour session! Top effort! Great photos too! Cheers Peter

Good feed there. I know how you feel, I've done the same thing. I kept wrapping it around my hand ... then the pain started. OUCH! Great report. Nice looking boat too. Cheers Peter

Brilliant! Great read Steve! The last two photos belong in "Toothy Critters"! Cheers Peter

It's amazing the variety of fish you can catch off Sydney Chewie. When I first looked at your report, I thought you were colour coordinating your catch - just red/orange fish, but the banjo and flathead spoiled it! Did you eat the goatfish? Just wondering what they were like. I've caught a few but never eaten one. And you can't go past a good feed of flatties. A successful day just using lures. Did you find any particular lure or technique more successful than others? Good report and great photos. ... and that baker's eyes keep following me! Cheers Peter

G'day Grinners and Good to hear that you were happy with the new boat. Shame about the lack of snapper, but a you managed a good feed by the sound of it. The last time I was down that way, I only found a few 'coutas and bakers. The current was racing too much. I couldn't even find a flathead in close, so you did well to bag a few. Make sure you take a camera next time. Looking forward to your next report. Cheers Peter

Okay Chris, enough is enough! I was jealous enough after seeing the photo of the squid, but that description of your wife's stuffed squid had me salivating as I read it! Maybe you should post some more of her recipies! Cheers Peter

Congratulations on the pb Davido and well done to your mate on his first fish for ten years. Gotta watch out for those "freak" waves on the beach. At least you didn't lose the fish. You should try filleting the flathead Davido. They are one of the easiest fish to fillet and the best part is no gutting. Everyone I give fish to now insists on fillets. They don't like picking bones out. I usually put a bit of lemon pepper on the fillets, coat with flour, then shallow fry. Simple and delicious! Cheers Peter

Top feed of squid there Chris! Shame about the lack of snapper, but what a great consolation prize! I've found the trolling very quiet for a while now. Where have all the bonito have gone? Cheers Peter

Unfortunately I can't help you clemzii. I usually fish from a boat (or the beach). I've also just starting using sps myself. However, there are many knowledgeable Raiders who will be able to give you some good info about sps and some good locations on the Georges or the Hacking. Hodgey, Ray R and Slinkymalinky gave me some great advice recently about sp fishing (knots, leaders etc). I know Hodgey has caught some huge salmon on lures down the coast. Stewy (swordfisherman) knows a lot about all types of fishing. You could also go through the old "lure and flyfishing" reports and send a pm to the Raiders who regularly get the "big ones". Good luck Peter

G'day clemzii. There are a lot of variables: structure under the water, time of day, time of year, weather conditions, tides (moon), bait fish (or whatever the big fish are feeding on) in the area, as well as what gear/rigs etc the fisherman is using, (and their skill or knowledge), ... and an element of luck. However, if you look at the reports of the landbased Raiders who consistently catch good fish, you'll see that luck is only a small part of it. They know what locations are best at what times. They also usually target one particular species (e.g. kings or jews). Most successful fisherman wont waste their time at a poor location. There is usually a reason big fish will frequent a particular area. Having said all of that, I'd say it's 90% location (and skill and knowledge), and 10% luck. As for the sp tail pinching, I'd be blaming tailor. They don't call them "chopper tailor" for nothing! Cheers Peter

G'day Stu and welcome Looks like it was worth getting up early. Seems that you had a bit of action throughout the morning. I like the idea of letting the first fish go out of respect. Maybe I'd have better luck if I tried that. That's a decent 'couta - 93cm! Do you eat them? I saw one cut open once and it was full of worms. Kinda put me off them. They certainly have a decent set of chompers! I reckon that "toothy photo" belongs in "Toothy Critters". (Click here to go to "Toothy Critters") Good to see you back into fishing after a "serious rock fishing accident". Hope you're okay now and this is the first of many more reports. Cheers Peter

Great catch of quality squid there for you and Chris! You two are a "dynamic duo" now. Did you end up getting any flatties and reefies as well? Cheers Peter

WOW! Good on you Greg. You caught more snapper on this trip than I've caught down there in two years! I guess that says something about your skill as a fisherman compared to me. (I would've been happy getting a couple of the "little" ones.) And even the Baker is prettier than the ones I catch! Well done to all of you. Brilliant catch! Cheers Peter

Couple of nice flatties Paul! The bigger flattie sure looks a good size. Couple of good fillets there. Is that a 'couta on the cutting board? There are a lot of them around at the moment. They can be a real nuisance. As for the dolphins and whales, I never get tired of seeing them. Cheers Peter