Hoods

Just get it mate @ $80 how can you go wrong!! We recently replaced a snapper SP rod with a Raider742 5-8kg which for $99 we thought to be good value and being 2 piece easy to handle. Good luck & tight lines with whatever you choose

Thanks for sharing Hugh & congratulations on your first Bass. If you have some surface lures give them a crack first thing in the morning or evening for an addictive adrenalin hit. Goodluck

I remebmer a story told by my Grandfather told about one of the few permanent residents of Broughton Island who utilised the services of the Island Goat when an Occy was to hand. He would hang it from a tree or fence or whatever and let the goat chew it for a few days to "soften it up" ready for consumption. Another story of the cow washed out to sea in the 55 floods who took up residence on the island - The Island days!! National Sparks & Wild Fires don't like residents on Their island anymore.

Thanks Wazza, Another great fishing tale. I d only you had kept the Occy and used it to choose who won the Grand Final you would have been set mate!!! Keep them coming...

Well done. The purple on top & tail says Jew. You are lucky you caught the Jacket rather than losing your gear to them.

Gurnard are a very pretty fish & also just as good on the plate. Unusual to see one caught in close - usually caught out to sea with the flathead & Morwong. Great photos - thanks for the report.

Feet for freshwater and tidal rivers, metres out at sea. This is due to previous generation using feet in freshwater so that it what I was tought & adopted. And most lures give a depth range in feet.

Tight Lines Wes - good luck mate. As they say - time on the water...

As above Scratchie. Nice fish. Interesting the plastic lure in the photo. We found it tough going on Saturday with a 60cm model on a blue and pink Bait Junkie then a few pannies on another rod with smaller gear with 4-5" paddle tails. I was hesitant to change colours based on the initial success however in hind sight I wonder if a colour/style change should have been implemented earlier. Switched eventually to bait in deeper water & monstered by unseen/uncaught things that chewed up the gear. The shadow on the sounder suggested the dreaded 'Jackets sent us home early in time for lunch and just beat the strong wind change. Kept the bigger model & fillet/skinned (left scales on) & pan fried with seasoned flour & a light ginger rub. Thanks for the report.

If your mate is not that mobile Manning Point has a Caravan/camping park with good facilities, easy boat ramp for the river and walk over the dunes to the beach. Limited facilities. Or Harrington on the north side has easier access 7 minutes off the Highway, better road, more facilities & several Parks and ocean access at Crowdy. More people though AND probably from Sydney!!! - M.Point nice & quiet. Just the shop & Club!! Let me know when you get close (70cm flatties are bycatch)

A nice fish KMS - please tell us a bit about how you caught it. Is the river up or normal height?

I hope you have lots of fun with your tinnie. Whatever you do remember that weight is your enemy and therefore a primary consideration in any additions. Casting decks are great but your fixed seats are fine for this. Any big batteries for electric motors means you need a fire extinguisher & a fixed floor means a bilge pump. Some nice examples above. You could spend a lot of time on youtube if you search pimping my tinnie!! Like any boat, storage is a priority - see BN's Rod holders above. If you are towing the boat consider your options on "covering your load" - proper boat cover suited to towing, various options for trailers/utes etc are cheaper & should comply & well suited to your boat. As usual Everything is a compromise - except having fun and going fishing - and being safe And if you are young take it from us oldies that you must invest in good hats/sun protection AND good sunglasses (sunscreen for your eyes) I shouldn't mention it but bluefin has a point & the only difference is the fuel pump. Boat compliance plate determines the max hp!!

We use our standard estuary gear when targeting Jew in the river - Samaki Zing 2-6lb & a diawa caldia 2500. This outfit was used offshore today soft plastics for snapper & did fine. My new Atomic Arrowz was christened on a 60cm fish. Also a nice rod. Both are in your mid range circa $150.

I will PM you Eli.

I agree with the Bonnies. Thanks for another great story. When my daughter was very young she got a hook through the tip of the toe at the local wharf as one of the kids was casting. It had a bit of smelly old mullet attached. Dad was not allowed to touch it & a trip to the Hospital was firmly requested (what do Dads know??!!). A similar scenario as Couta with much interest and a young Doctor was assigned to the task. After much study of the situation and little action I suggested that due to the shape of the hook and the barb on the end with the point of the hook showing just under the skin, the best course of action might be to cut the end off the shank at the eye and simply push the hook through rather than try to pull it back out. Also this would remove the remains of the not so fresh mullet from the locality. A pair of pliers &/or side cutters was suggested. A small pair of brand new pliers was produced and following a quick instruction on how the cutters work he removed the eye & mullet. The remains of the hook was pushed through the tip of the toe with little fuss. Success. I did insist on the wound being flushed with antiseptic which was done and the daughter recovered quite well. A similar situation unfolded out at sea with a single hook (fortunately) from a nice new treble similarly embeded in a finger as a large Mac Tuna shook its head. The hook was cut from the treble & the remains pushed through the finger to remove. The wound then rinsed off and fishing recommenced. Interestingly there was no pain while the hook was in the finger and only a slight pain as the point exited with no pain after. I did wash it with warm water from the motor as we continued trolling.

Hi BN, I hope all is well in the Riverina and you are keeping yourself safe, well and busy. Are you able to chase the spiny critters this year or is the water still too up & down?? I am told you can only fish for Crays in certain sections of the Bidgee - is that correct? Hoodz

Thats the one - Only the good stuff goes to the Pool Room!!

Thank You - Straight to the Pool Room with that one. Did you mention which wood chips you used or think would be better for the flathead?? Hoods

Welcome Eli, Good to see another fisho from the mid north coast. Tight lines, Hoods

I bought cheap rail mount rod holders from o'seas in the same style as the Berkeley etc (funny that). Great for trout but near useless in the bluewater as they do not hold their position under load and slip down. Almost lost some expensive gear. I like the rail mount system but would spend the money & buy the best gear like Scotties etc. Good luck. Hoods

Hey Jammo are you thoroughly confused yet!! Good luck with your choice. I just went through the same issue replacing a 10-20lb snapper stick. At the end of the day you have to be happy fishing with your gear. If you are happy the price is less relevant. Good luck Hoodz.

Buy it Once, Buy it Well Jammo - Then look after it!!

I bought the Kix 5000 for snapper SP's and cannot fault it. I wanted a stronger reel that didn't flex under heavy load. Good luck

A bit like Galahs in the rain Neil??!! I reckon the Emus wanted your autograph after your successful fishing trip!!

Thanks for the report Dave, The big fulla sounds pretty stoked with the results and your tutelage. Already says he's coming back for more. Will have to find him a Red Devil next time. Tight Lines, Hoodz