Croydon

After 25 years in emergency management, a total loss of power out at sea, is an emergency. No bilge, start to take on water for some reason ie. wind/sea picks up, and a boat can sink pretty quick. I can't see any emergency service being critical in such circumstances. I'm sure any reasonable person would take all steps to get themselves going but if you're stranded then an EPIRB is a responsible alternative. Cheers...... Dave

Nice work mate, the first is a memory that sticks forever. Nice to start with a Blue, Iv'e caught a few blacks and striped marlin but still waiting for the Blue. Well done..............

Thanks Jon, that's really interesting. It's amazing what you find out when you have a bit of a swim. I've been following your daughters exploits on here and some of the photography is just amazing. Good on you both for getting out. Looks like I'll be sorting through some sweep over the next few weeks.... Cheers.. Dave

Nice one Jon, the fishing off Narooma/Bermi has certainly been more productive than up around the Bay. Last two mornings have been slim pickings, with the sweep turning up everywhere at the moment. Great result getting out with the family, well done. Cheers...... Dave

Thanks for that, heading up with a few people from our local fishing club, hopefully the weather plays ball. Much appreciated. Dave

Tough luck on the fish buddy, been pretty quiet off Batemans Bay lately, with the best of the bite being off Bermi at the moment. I'm heading up to Crookhaven Heads for the first time in a couple of weeks, do you have any directions for finding livies there? Cheers........... Dave

Have a look at www.filletfish.com.au it's an aussie site with some great video tutorials on filleting flathead and many other species. Cheers......Dave

G'day Alex, Congrats on the new boat hope it goes well for you. Just to let you know that the sea if pretty horrible today, after the gale we had yesterday, currently the wind is light. Depending on which site you look at the forecast for tomorrow is all over the place. It's currently blowing 30 knts sw off Green Cape and if that gets here tonight, tomorrow could be pretty ordinary. Good luck and hope it turns out all right for you. Cheers... Dave

Congratulations mate, it's bloody great when you get the first one!! Hard to tell from your video, but most likely a small black marlin. As for outriggers, check out the site sponsors Seriously Stainless, Gary has some great outriggers at a very reasonable price. Good luck with the next one, hope it's not too far away. Cheers........ Dave

I'm with John, live baits the best way to go. If you find the bait is a bit spread out, learn how to rig some skip baits and put a couple out while searching for the bait. A much better hook up rate than lures. Cheers............ Dave

Out of the brands you have short listed, I'd be looking at an early model 560C Bar Crusher, but they are still around the $40,000 mark. Good luck with the hunt. Cheers....... Dave

The TLD 25 is designed to be used with a 15kg rod & line, which is they way I'd go. Stick to a good quality mono and it should give you a nice little set up. Cheers.......... Dave

Hope to see some photo's of XOS cod very soon Neil, good luck........... Dave

I think 25 knots in a fishing boat is plenty. If your going to be doing a lot of offshore work, I think bigger is better. Also bare in mind a bigger boat is more to tow, harder to store etc. In the end, I'd be taking both boats for a run (if possible) and then make up your mind. Good luck.... Dave

All depends on your intended use. If your going to spend more time offshore then go the bigger boat. If you will be mainly inshore with the occasional trip outside I think the smaller boat looks better maintained, with a much newer motor and some nice additions such as the anchor winch. You have some thinking to do. Good luck with the purchase.... Dave

Well done Neil, some cracking fish and budding film career to boot!! Cheers............. Dave

A bat is great for fish with lots of teeth and play up in the boat, but has it's obvious dramas. But for the majority of what I catch it's straight into an ice slurry and the fish are dead within a couple of minutes. On another note, have a look at a site called Fillet Fish Australia, www.filletfish.com.au it's a tutorial site created by some professional fish cleaners in WA, very informative and touches on this topic. Cheers.......... Dave

I personally don't think fish like Bream, Flathead & Snapper benefit much from bleeding. Fish like salmon, tailor, kingfish, mahi etc, I immediately cut their necks and place them in the kill tank before putting them in an ice slurry. I have read that spiking fish can allow bacteria to enter the fish after death. But I don't know if this is true or not. I have half a dozen frozen bottles of water in my esky and add around 10 litres of sea water. I place the fish straight into the icy slurry and this very quickly kills the fish and keeps them in excellent condition. Each to their own I guess. Cheers........... Dave

Have a look at grays online, there is a 2007 formosa 520 half cab which looks good currently at $16000, might be worth a look.....

Hi Rick, Congrats on the new boat sound like a great family fishing machine. If you're new to fishing, perhaps consider going on a charter which operates in the areas you intend to fish. You have invested a lot of money in a new boat and all the gear. A few hundred for a day on the water with someone who knows what they are doing will be money well spent. You will learn a lot about boat handling, gear, rigging, bait selection and fishing techniques in a very short time. Well worth considering. Or perhaps join a fishing club and get out with some like minded people who I'm sure would be happy top share their knowledge. Good luck and I hope you and the family enjoy the new boat. Cheers.......... Dave

I'll let you know when they are here with some regularity, hopefully not too long now...... Dave

Sure is pretty wet out there Neil. Hope when the water level drops the fish will be hungry! Nice little rig you have there, looks just about perfect for the local rivers. Fishing has been pretty hit and miss here on the south coast. Water has been a bit green and full of algae, with the snapper here one done and gone the next. Kingies haven't come on yet but shouldn't be too far away, I hope...... Cheers Dave

Haven't been but have a look at the fishewrecked wa site, it has heaps of info which would be useful.. Good luck..... Dave

Sounds like a fantastic morning Jon, great to see the bait starting to gather hopefully a good summer season ahead. Looks like you have a budding Cousteau on your hands. Cheers......... Dave

Sounds like a fun, exciting day. Aren't boats just wonderful, we never stop learning. Good luck with the new rig and I hope it gets you into some fabulous fish. Cheers.......... Dave