lastworm

Yeah definitely a sailfish. Old mate could have done a better job videoing too. Not sure what he was planning on using that net for 😂

The soft shell cicada is a foam type lure with rubber wings and lands more naturally like a cicada would. It’s more of a finesse presentation and lands with a light “plop” on the surface. They work well when the fish are a bit shy because they are just so realistic, and when you’re fishing clear water the bass don’t shy away from them as much. Really though, they work all of the time, basically a fool proof surface lure. The pompadour is larger and fatter, has a harder plastic body and metal wings and prop. So it’s a louder more erratic presentation. Makes a lot more commotion, still represents a cicada but is more suited to when the bass need to be woken up a bit or you’re going for a reaction bite.

Yep black cicada all day long. At night though, I find the bass like a little more of a racket so a black micro pompadour is what you want to throw. Has a rattle, prop on the rear and metal wings, nice and noisy but still represents a fat cicada or frog on the surface. I also throw one of these when the water is dirty after rain, with low water clarity the bass seem to be able to hone in on the noise and vibrations it makes. It’s a pretty heavy lure too, so if you’re shore based you should find it easier to make long casts. Warning though, they aren’t cheap.

Big fan of Sufix 832 also, but recently changed to Sufix 131 which I believe is a 12 carrier braid. Much difference? Not enough to warrant the $$.

I think advice like the above is invaluable especially when starting out with braids. In my personal experience using baitcasting gear especially, it’s really a case of trial and error. You’ll usually find what works best for you and stick with it. Nobody ever seems to agree on what is “the best braid” because we all fish differently. Great post though, gotta love Aussie bass angler, I got my Hobie from them. I just wish they weren’t such a long drive from me.

Apparently the trick with this stuff is just the one coat, as the second coat won’t adhere to the first one

That’s actually who I purchased the sealer from!

So I’ve had a really nice new baitcaster built, it’s perfect and I love it to death. (expensive) Got myself some U40 corkseal for the handles, but getting cold feet about using it now. All of the online reviews I’ve read seem to be positive but mostly US reviews. Has anyone used this stuff? Any negative affects on grip colour, feel or finish?

eBay. Cut your losses, buy the rod you need.

Not that concerned about waiting, just wondering about other people’s experiences regarding the company and their products. Maybe someone loved their products and think they’re worth the wait. Thats the beauty of forums, opinions are usually first hand and unbiased I thought that could be the case also.

Had anyone had any experience with their gear? I ordered a rod sleeve and lure guard from their site and it seems to be taking unusually long to get here. Love to hear your experiences - customer service or product related.

Nice one! I’ve always wanted to do the mothership thing. I did two day trips on the Daintree and got my first couple of barra last year. Even though that wasn’t as big of a trip, there is definitely pressure to catch fish, especially not knowing when you’re going to do something like that again. I think the best approach is to just enjoy the trip and take it for what it is, you gotta be happy with the results you got, some nice fish there!

I’ve been using a liuthium battery on a watersnake for three years, lasts me all day and never ever had a problem, they are fantastic. If you’re worried then fit an in line fuse, I have and it’s never blown. Search lifepo4 lithium batteries on eBay, I got a 40ah for around $400 - not cheap but you couldn’t pay me to lug around a 12-15kg battery in a kayak. This one is around 3-4kg. I even ran the wires into the kayak with a plug so I can keep the weight centered on the yak and have the battery in the centre hatch, here’s what I did...

Nice report mate. There would be a lot of jealous fisherman (me included) that would kill to have access to water like that!

Try Rushcutters bay. Easy access, can usually find a park, and can usually get a flatty on plastics under the yachts in the marina. Otherwise there’s often tailor around to keep you occupied.

Yeah gonna be a nice hot weekend here too, and that bit of rain we got today should only help. Let us know how you go, if I can’t get out for a fish it’s nice to read about someone else’s trip!

So Bass season officially opened 2 days ago. I can't head out for a while with a little one on the way. Has anyone been out yet? Any luck? I feel like with all of the rain we've had 2020/21 should be a good season.

I’ve gone the cheap eBay kayak with a side mounted water snake and mount. It’s great, especially knowing you can paddle pretty much as far as you want and will always be able to get back without having to worry about fatigue. I did get a 40ah lithium battery which is about 3kgs instead of a normal 12V battery which are around 10-13kg. You can get them for about $400, and they are fantastic, if you don’t plan on spending the money on a lithium battery then don’t bother going the electric motor. I actually managed to fit my battery inside the center hatch and ran the wires through the kayak, making the motor simply plug in behind the seat. I’d fish for 6-7 hours and never had the battery run out. As far as setting the kayak up and carrying extra gear, I got to the point where I was organized enough that I could set mine up in about 10mins, including all fishing gear, mounting the motor, mounting the battery, and getting on the water. Most of the time it was at 4am in the dark. You just have to be organized, no big deal. Steering the kayak is a little odd to begin with, especially with the motor on the side but you get used to it. Ensure you mount the motor in a position where you can rest your arm on the steering tiller and allow for a delay in steering response, if you’ve driven a boat you’ll be familiar with how to steer. Now I have a Hobie Sport and I’d never look back. Better seat, better storage, better balance, faster, and more comfortable over a long day. There are times I wish I had the motor fitted, but it’s a bit of exercise and I don’t get the back and shoulder issues I had with the old paddle kayak. If you don’t have the budget for a Hobie, then get the electric motor, well worth it and it’ll change your fishing for the better. So often I’d glide past people with the electric humming and they’d comment “that’s a better way of doing it”, “hey that’s cheating” or “I’ve gotta get one of those”. You’ll love it.

Keep a glove on you and just thumb grip them on the lower lip. You can keep them in the water while you do it and they thrash less.

Bass because of the surface hits, but also everyone is so cagey about where to catch them so it’s extra satisfying when you find them.

Ah right, thanks for confirming, I always thought it was all hen and chicken bay. Hoping to head out Wednesday/Thursday anyway, will see how we go!

Ok so I’ve come to the conclusion that I won’t be catching another bass this season due to the lockdown and my spot being an hour from home. So I’m considering an early morning out in the Hobie in Hen & Chicken Bay. I only live a few streets away from the bay and believe it or not I’ve never taken the Hobie out before. (crazy I know) My plan was to launch at Dobroyd Aquatic club ramp, and paddle straight across to fish the mored boats along the northwest side. Throwing small hardbodies and plastics. Expectations will be low but I figure it’s a nice day out, too close to home to not give it a shot, and any fish will be a bonus. Does anyone have any advice or tips they could share?

During the Easter period police will be using numberplate recognition technology to ensure nobody is leaving their local area. Meaning if you're like me, and usually drive an hour from home to kayak fish, this will incur a fine in NSW. Even if this is for the purpose of fishing/exercise, different rules apply over the Easter break. Probably worth waiting until Tuesday before heading out anywhere more than 10mins from home people.

Nice mate! I'm too jealous to say much more...

The trick with surface lures is patience. Fish them as slow as possible and then when you think you’re fishing too slow, fish slower. Cast out, wait for the rings to disappear from around your lure, then twitch only enough to create more rings. Stop again and wait, then repeat. You’ll get them, just a matter of being patient. As for spinnerbaits, you’re on your own there, I’ve never been able to get a fish on one lol. Apparently they are very affective, but I just don’t have faith in them, and I reckon if you don’t have faith in the lure you’re using, you’ll never have success.