Hoods

Slimies seem a bit hit & miss recently. Keep looking around the area using your sounder. They have a different look on the sounder compared to yakkas etc. We keep a larger bait jig ready for when we mark bait out wider - match the hatch.

Ch80 Slimies are the best livebait.

Hi Fergo, We trolled on Sunday from wide of Laurieton down to Crowdy & did not raise a fish. Plenty of talk on the radio of blacks off PMacquarie. Water out wide was over 25* but in close was 20* early then over 22* later in the day as the southerly persisted. We are still learning too I think its the old saying - find the bait fond the fish - & dont forget persistence. I would find out where the other boats were as they were all pretyy close (I think up north). Tight lines. Hoods

Thanks Brendan - another great report showing the rest of us how to do it. Tight Lines. Hoods

I haven't been for a while. The walk between the street & the island is about 50 metres & less than waist deep there was a clear track through the weed. The bottom end of the island and far side were productive for spinning. Good luck. Heaps of water coming down the Manning.

Hi Mate, Try Tuncurry side turn left after you go over the bridge from Forster drive down the road past the boats (opposite unit buildings) there isshallow foot access across across to the island. Have a try anywhere around there.

Agreed, We have been deep frying flathead, kingy & dolphin fish & putting them in wraps. Easy & great tucker.

Love your work kingie chaser - I'm off tomorrow to catch the flathead. Thanks for a great looking recipe. Hoods

Greetings Rooky, The Manning is up at the moment following the heavy rains and discoloured. Speaking to a water skier today who advised to watch out for obstacles in the water - logs & fence posts etc. Since your Yakking you may wish to consider Saltwater Lagoon at Wallabi Point (turn at the Tavern on Old Bar Rd), There is a great boat ramp at Bohnock which is on the Manning Point Rd which will give you access to the lower arm of the river sown to Farquhar Park Oyster Creek and if you can head down Scotts Creek. Lots of shallow water perfect for you & that area may miss a lot of the dirty water. PM me & you can check my Jew spot otherwise should be some good lizards. Cheers Hoods

Thanks for the report Neil. You are making it sound so easy. Gentlemans hours, bait from the fridge at home - no cranky black yabbies fortified with McWilliams Cream Sherry. Sounds like you have your own "Whiskers" issue!!. Don't come up to the mid north coast - too much water mixed in with the fish this week and for a while. How does Gogeldrie Weir look these days? Hoods

Perfect - we use bream gear for them. Fishing light is great fun and we don't seem to pull hooks. See attached. Hoods

Hii Mate, Never fished your area but on the mid north coast I favour blades especially in dirty water, otherwise anything with a paddletail to create the vibration and get it in the zone. Have not used hardbodies in the estuary but they work off the walls so they might work too!! Good Luck. Hoods

G'day Straya, I would look at those larger articulated jig heads for that depth. At that depth the only lures I use are on paternoster rigs. You can use a jig as a weight instead of a sinker which can account for a few fish, I often substitute a plastic on an appropriate hook on one dropper. The "snapper snatchers also work with a jig as a weight. Have also caught flatties with just micro jigs up to 50m as well as snapper, pearlies, Sargo's etc. Its a bit of a wait to get to the bottom. Hope that helps.

Great report Berrero, a great angling effort and a great fish too boot. Well done and Thank you.

Mate put the oven in his Hardtop all wired in - its been hot pies outside this year and he reckons he can cook a roast in it (might leave that till trolling for marlin). I use the single burner in the boat especially up the snowies to boil the billy & cook lunch such as trout etc. I keep up the front it away from the fuel etc. Have moved to the product from auto stores etc with the larger burner that comes with the bigger non stick deep sided pan & lid to keep grease out of the boat. It works really well. BUT hot pies are hard to beat!!

I agree - please share your pea rissotto recipe..Looks the goods!!

Thanks for the report Brendo - well done. Your experience shows there is always another way to skin cats if you remain flexible.

Thanks for the read and the warning - We ere looking to do the same thing on the mid north coast chasing tuna. After your experience the drone can stay in its box.

Love your work SaltyGreek. Congratulations. You will find these fish consistently frequent certain locations and we've run out tides are the most productive. Also try small blades in the same manner as your SP's. If you feel a "tap" it is probably your lure hitting the back of a jewies throat. Well done. Hoods

There ya go Mowie - ask & ye shall recieve. Now seek & you will find. That bucket list should get you started...have fun

Great thought process. I would do Weipa. Not a lot of people. Estuary & outside fishing with some Sails & Marlin thrown in. No big swells. Great weather.

Thanks for the report Scratchie. I reckon those £$%^&* Leatherjackets ate all your fish (ie. you're absolved from any possible blame/responsibilty). Most of the joy of a fishing trip is the planning & spending time with other fishos (mates etc).

From Mid December I am addicted to watching the ocean temps & currents on the BOM. Sometimes some early fish turn up but they are usually found by the spearos. March onwards is good even to the south.

Only other issue I can think of is the rubber grommet at the head plate may have swollen & closed up a bit which is a common issue with the Merc's - thanfully mine is still ok as its a bit of a job. Local Merc mechanic advised to fix garden hose tot he water pipe in the leg & see if it comes out the tell tale Ok or if there is a problem it will blow the garden hose off indicating an issue between the water pipe & the housing (ie the grommet). I found a youtube on changing the grommet - just search. Hoods

Use the Search function and also some more recent reports for Wooli to the south. Pity about the boat. There are some good land based options around Harrington.