Ah Me Ting

'When xx calls (insert wife, kids, boss, clients, customers, bank manager) tell 'em I'm in Ah Me Ting" 😉 Ah Me Ting, that's my handle, call sign and name of our boat (Quintrex 420 Renegade TS with 50hp Tohatsu) Hi, I'm Dean, Deano, or as has stuck with me Wingnut (yep, I grew into my ears) I'm married with a teenage daughter. Living on the Tweed Coast now, but grew up on the mighty Camden Haven. As a kid I'd ride my bike down and fish the tides in the afternoon (surfed every morning while winds offshore) for leather jacket. Had it sussed and eventually ended up with a little tinnie. Had to pester mum to take me to the boat ramp and would go out chasing flathead. I remember going night fishing off a local bridge with my grandfather, and mum, catching flathead on the run up tide, from under the bridge. I still remember picking up an old dry scungy bit of pilchard off the walkway (we always fished with prawns), putting it on my hook, casting out and landing a monster 70cm flathead ... We had to walk off the bridge and up the river bank to land it because my rod and line were too light. In the last 10 years, now with my own little family we started with land based fishing. My Gidget (daughter, Gidget is a young female surfer) had her first surfboard at 9 months and a fishing rod (awesome 2' ugly stick that lasted years) at 2. About 9 years ago, our neighbour decided to sell an old tinnie he had, so I grabbed it. Had an old 15hp Johnson which I knew had been underwater at one stage, so I updated the motor to an 18hp Tohatsu and used it for a couple of years. As my Gidget grew, we needed more space, and freeboard, so I upgraded the hull to a Stessco Squire 385. That lasted us 7 years, and now as my daughter is a teenager, we upgraded again to a Quintrex Renegade 420 TS with a 50hp Tohatsu. I fish alone, with mates, and with the family. We also use the boat for family days out (picnic on the water, swimming, snorkeling, etc), tubing (take daughter and her friends, we have a bbq with the other parents etc.) and of course family fishing. Every family fishing trip we have a competition with awards for "first fish" (that's the one most fiercely contested because it can't be lost during the day), "most fish" (bragging rights plus!), "biggest fish" (often a lucky dip, but bragging rights aplenty) and "most species" (known at times as the ugliest fish award). Family fishing is usually targeted at Bream to keep the competition flowing. On my own, I target flathead in the estuary and anything bigger on the reefs off the Tweed Coast. With the old boat I was limited to really good calm days, but the new 420 Renegade will handle a bit more, so I'm hoping to be out there more. Look out Blackies reef and Windarra banks! I still surf most mornings, so fishing is impacted by weather more due to onshore winds. The new 420 Renegade should handle the light onshores OK, and well, there is always the rivers! I do tend to get OCD, and will fish crazy and then just get 'over it'. So I might then have to dust off the golf clubs, or head away camping. Either way, too much fun to be had outdoors in or on the water! Great forum you have here, so looking forward to contributing and learning!

Had those exact scenarios on Tweed River in the last few days. Out with the family I only had light estuary gear and hooked up something large. No chance of stopping it (but I tried, but the 6lb line was no chance). So, I think a few rod options too. Light gear, medium and heavier to cover all possibilities. Sheesh, if the weather's good and ocean nice, I might even slip out the front for a fish, unplanned. So, I always take extra fuel, food and water too.

As others have suggested, the upstream options around Port Macquarie are endless. But, if you have time, and don't mind a 30min drive, head south to "North Haven", which is the road that takes you though 'Lake Cathie'. When you get into North Haven, head toward Laurieton and as you drive, you'll see the river, and a 'big' sandbar on low tide. You can cross the small channel next to the wall and walk across the sand bar. You can fish the drop off on the other, deep water, main river channel side and around the edges of the sandbar, and if you do not get a Flathead or three, you're a very unlucky fisho!

Not sure there's much water in the 'lake' ATM - locals are pushing council to do something. https://www.camdencourier.com.au/story/6080162/lake-cathie-community-unites-with-council-submissions-lodged/

Hey crew, new forum member here (joined today) and also a happy owner of a Quintrex 420 Renegade - tiller steer with 50hp Tohatsu 2 stroke. I bought it as a 'base' boat and did the electrics and set-up myself. Even sourced the motor separate from the Quintrex dealer as it was a deal they couldn't match. Dealers order direct from the factory with whatever options a customer requires. Some dealers are putting base hulls (with some options) into stock. The 'option' prices for items like nav lights, bilge pump, sounder/ gps, deck lights, etc were rather laughable. Easy to do it all for MUCH cheaper, and better quality. Few things to note (in particular order): - the hull was full of swarf and timber shavings. Factory production process is to drill the floor through and into the aluminum bracing and then the screws are put in ... this leaves the timber shavings and the aluminum swarf to fall into the hull, get caught up in the flotation etc. - the 'standard' wiring of the live bait tank pump was completed in auto electric cable (i.e. not marine tinned). I just replaced it all as I was doing the electrics. - the 'plumbing' for the live bait tank was ordinary with water leaking from all fittings etc. I re-plumbed it as I had the floor etc. out to clean (see fist item above) and run electrical cables. Having now run the motor through it's 'break in' period I'm now starting to use it for fishing and with that, am learning what set-up is needed for the fishing use. We use it for family days out, swimming / snorkelling etc and also tubing. I'll be using it offshore, out from Tweed and also a few of the Tweed Coast spots like Kingscliff and Pottsville. I just spent the day today tweaking the trailer set up so it loads and unloads better and redoing the wheel bearings. Keen to give it a test tomorrow if work doesn't get it the way! PS: I've had a few different people join me while 'breaking in' the motor. General consensus is for it's size there is a LOT of room inside, and it handles the chop and waves well. It's really stable with the family on board.

Hey guys n gals, newbie here (just joined today) and doing some searching for 'local news' ... being a Tweed Coast 'local' (here for last 11 years), just wanted to add to the info about the 'greenback comp' First, it's held on the June long weekend. It's run by the local Lions Club as a charity fundraising event. Website link here: https://lionsgreenback.com/2710/ The local "Sports Club" aka Bowls Club is the host location. Now, 'sleepy' little Pottsville is only about 20mins South from the Gold Coast Airport. Jump onto google maps and you'll seen there is a stretch of sandy beach from the Tweed River South that is interrupted by a few rock headlands. These beaches in Winter are usually full of gutters and 'beach fishing wonderland' just perfect for a spot of Tailor fishing. With plenty of Accommodation and hire car options around covering all budgets, grab a flight into the Gold Coast Airport and join the fishing fun! There is even a Caravan Park with Cabins right next door to the 'Sports Club', and from there it's less than a 750m walk to a long stretch of sandy beach. PS: Bit of history and winners shield from over the years here: https://lionsgreenback.com/greenback-tailor-champion-the-history-of-greenback/