lastworm

Awesome report, I share the exact same addiction. I have plenty of lures but only ever fish surface for bass. And I’ll fish surface all day long. You’re having a lot more success thank I did when I started out though!

I suppose you have to use what works for you and your scenario. That’s why we have so many knots to choose from, there’s not one knot for all situations. I’m only fishing 10lb and find the double uni is perfect for what I do. I also can’t seem to get the FG to work on such light line. never had an issue with strength, tangling or getting caught in guides, if it aint broke...

I find double uni the smallest and strongest. Not sure why nobody uses it anymore? Easy to tie out on the water, way shorter than the FG and probably thinner too.

Sorry not the hardware store, I think it’s a pet supplies. You can see it when you cross the canal on the light rail.

Thanks masterfisho7, was going to head out this morning, but thought it might be worth giving it another week before trying. Good to see it’s had the flush out that it needed!

Anyone around the upper Nepean area able to report on how the rivers going after all the rain? Still chocolate brown I’d imagine, but how’s the flow going?

Hey Nial, just wondering did you guys fish the pool behind the hardware store?

This is the best I can do, mounted a lithium ion battery under inside the hatch on my old kayak so I had nothing above deck and could keep my bag behind me. Not that fancy, Anderson plugs and some extended wiring, but made it very comfy. Still got nothing on my new Hobie Sport though, love that thing.

After you rinse them, leave your tackle box open for about a week so they air out properly. If you close the box with even a drop of water left inside it’ll just store the moisture in and they will rust. Even when I fish fresh water, I leave my lure boxes open for 4-5 days after to let the water evaporate.

Nice report, I cross over the top of Johnston’s Creek on the light rail every morning on my way to work, and always wondered if the fish were in there, particularly that still pool opposite the tram sheds. good to know they are there, nice fish!

Couldn’t agree more noelm. My brief for the rod above was “I want a traditional style baitcaster, no split grip, cork handles, nice and light, no fancy colors” Basically something that used to be the norm, but for some reason I couldn’t buy off the shelf anymore.

Yep, he definitely knows what he’s doing. Here’s mine, built on a Northfork Composites blank...

As a fussy fisherman who’s very particular about my rods, I would LOVE to get into rod building. Unfortunately spare time and space are both limiting factors for me, so I’ve gone and had Tony Davis from Fishfinder build me a beautiful custom rod based on recommendations on this forum. i just hope blokes like Tony keep up the craft for the sake of people like me, and if you’re thinking of getting into it or continuing it then I’m all for it!

Yeah might need to give it a crack then. I'm only half an hour from there so it's a lot closer for me than the Nepean, and if I'm unsuccessful then it's no big deal. Any idea what time the gates open down there?

I was having this exact conversation with someone yesterday, as I’ve been considering trying the upper Lane Cove for a couple of years now. I don’t have an issue with the scum on the kayak - I’ve been dealing with that after fishing the Nepean for so long. My issue is that I fish from a Hobie so was concerned about how much water there actually is up there and how skinny it gets, as I don’t want to be dragging it over rocks etc.

All good, been checking the facebook page and road is back open.

Hi all, I headed out on Saturday for my regular fish down at Douglas Park and was surprised to find the causeway was closed. I ended up putting in at Menangle but soon realised I was restricted by a weir on either end and could only fish a stretch of about 100m (still got 4 small bass) i've since done some research and found out that there is an unstable boulder they are working to remove - this is outside of the cliff works they are doing for the next couple of months. Ref: https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/home/alerts/ I'm going to try again this Saturday, but thought it was worth checking to see if there was anyone local on here, that could give any updates on the causeway reopening? It's a good hour drive for me so it would be great to know ahead of leaving home. Thanks in advance!

I’ve got the same rod at home, was my old mans. Small world!

If you’ve got your heart set on a Baitcaster then you really need to commit to it and practice using it/get out and use it as often as possible. I’ve been using them for 20years and I still have my frustrations - it’s part and parcel so expect to run into issues every now and then. My tips: - Get the best reel you can afford - Rod isn’t as critical but try to get something with a medium action and not get anything too floppy, you will have a lot more control over your casts. - Start out with braid, it doesn’t have the memory you get with mono so won’t want to birds nest due to it coming off the reel “curly”. But get a smooth braid so when you do birds nest (and you will) they’re easier to remove - Look up and watch as many videos as you can on spool and cast control adjustment (wish I had access to this stuff when I was starting out at 15yo) - Start with heavier weights/lures, as you get better you’ll find you can manage light weights. I now cast anything down to 4g with ease - When casting overhead keep the reel handles pointing upwards - think about how gangsters shoot a gun holding it sideways (best way I can think to explain it) Successfully using a baitcaster is to me, one of the most rewarding achievements. Nailing accurate casts between branches, up against the face of boulders, and tight under undercut banks is such a good feeling, and after all that is where the fish are. Good luck!

Fish frogs on the surface 😉

Nice one! They are good fun, even at 27cm they pull hard for their size.

I went up further than that today and got a handful. Nothing big but enough to have some fun off the surface. I fish the Nepean as often as possible during open season. I have a feeling all of the fish I’ve been getting in the Nepean this season are resident fish, because they are all a dark green or almost black colour. Also, I just don’t think we’ve had enough rain for the fish to migrate back up the fish ladders. Just my theory, take from it what you will.

Well it’s safe to say I’ll be happy if I never use a traditional paddle powered kayak again. The Hobie is incredible, can not fault it. Got a handful of bass to christen it too.

Well I bit the bullet and got myself a brand new Hobie Mirage Sport for Xmas. I decided on the Sport because I can easily car top it on my own, and because I fish pretty skinny water, so the compact size will suit me perfectly. Got the new mirage drive with forward and reverse and may upgrade to turbo and kick up fins in the future. Also got the vantage seat, so hopefully no more back and shoulder issues. Taking it out for a maiden voyage tomorrow, will let you know how it goes.

Anyone getting out on the water for the open season this weekend? My usual spot doesn't get fish until later in the year, but I'm thinking of going out for a practice session the second week of September.