Mike Sydney

Agreed @XD351 it’s the same old guard issue that nine’s cricket commentary had. And then the indignity of watching Thurston trying to be a tv personality to boot 😁 To be fair I listen to a lot of them on SEN while night fishing so am spared…

@BaitDropper as a kid I grew up on the terraces at Lancaster park, one of my earliest rugby memories the 93 lions tour, in a rugby mad family, would go to all the NPC and Super 12 games but rugby lost me with the constant rule changes, stoppages and overly-long advantages. It’s nigh on unwatchable for me now. I played league as a kid for Sydenham but was always a rugby head until it just got too boring around 2000

Bunker should go, challenges should go, not just in league but all sports, it creates a disparity between the grassroots game and the elite level. Like you go from playing rugby league on Saturdays with jus the ref and the spectators, to suddenly having to be part of an “entertainment product” . I think challenges, bunkers , replays are for entertainment and sponsorship first, game outcome second. Ref just awarded a try? Let’s get everyone to stare at a KFC logo for two minutes. As for affecting game outcomes and this concept of “getting it right” that’s hot garbage. “Robberies” are ones remembered forever and talked about in folklore as the ones that got away. Correcting mistakes as they occur steals the game’s atmosphere, slows the game down and ultimately makes matches more forgettable. But then I do enjoy a good Hawkeye or hot spot…love the tech and super slow mo but it should be separated from the referees decision.

So the lights are up and working, but set too far back from the waters edge to really improve the fishing. Though it does seem the local bat/flying fox population don’t like them as they’ve moved to other trees. Which is good, as I’ve had them go after my lures mid-air when casting, swoop near my hand and their poop splashing on the water always tricks me into thinking it’s fish 😁

I went out last night with extra layers but that wind had it feeling below freezing, while my body was warm enough, my hands became ice blocks pretty quickly. I only lasted an hour before it was just too much. @Burger that’s a great photo.

Stunning fish and a terrific report. Was it still light when the jew were biting ?

Yeah better off fishing from 630am sunrise tomorrow to take advantage of the light change than hold out for the run out tide to start, I used to pay attention to the solunar charts when I first started but now it seems bogus to be honest. It’s just too far removed from my personal experiences to be useful. Like I’ve fished during bite times for no fish, and fished outside of bite times for heaps, and so can’t trust the chart anymore. It only takes a few donuts during hot bite times to get bitter about the whole concept !!

Here’s Derek’s report : https://community.deckee.com/topic/96296-gone-fishing-initiative-recap/

Yes @DerekD and I attended one earlier this year. I believe Derek did a report on the day. It was worthwhile for me, topics on reading swells for example. Most of the sessions though were around lifejacket selection and fitting. I missed the practical part of the session - going to the rocks and watching - which is probably the most valuable part! content was engaging, lunch was tasty dominos pizza. I missed the free lifejacket as I left early.

Amazing thanks for the advice @frankS . So as all the “good parts” of the reel stayed dry and really only the spool got wet, it’s just a case of replacing the missing drag knob. He’ll try warranty but good to know it’s not a write-off of the reel from that section being in the drink.

Thanks @frankS . It was the pictured reel, only a couple months old. I said he must have had the drag loosened right off but he swears he had it around 60%. He’d landed a fish on it only a few casts earlier! The warranty process seems straightforward but I will prepare him for a fight on user error. I can’t see how it could have happened other than the drag being right off, but he is adamant it wasn’t. Will see how we go!

Anybody gone through Abu Garcia warranty process recently? Last night my mate had his S2000 reel fly into the water when he cast. The bottom half stayed on his rod, but the spool and drag went into the salt. I managed to retrieve it but the drag adjustment bit is missing. We’d been fishing for a couple hours both landed some bream , one of the last casts as we were going home. I have to figure something snapped as there’s no way he loosened the drag to the point it wasn’t attached anymore…. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this , or dealt with Abu’s local warranty process?

Took this pic a few weeks ago in Tempe. Not my hook. Someone’s live bait probably. I found her and cut line off legs, a hook out of her wing then found the second hook in the throat. Poor thing just sat there and let me hold it.

congrats @faker ! When did it take the lure? I ask as often tailor hit a fast moving lure and turn away from a pause. And yet targeting flathead, they typically hit on the pause. It’s not often I get tailor on a soft plastic. Did it bite while you were winding in fast?

This article has some good information on the other aquarium (previously Oceanworld and then Sea Life) site and what’s in store. Seems that’s owned by TransportNSW who are still deciding what to do with the site. https://manlyobserver.com.au/manly-cove-west-moves-forward-looks-back/

This one shut in 89 after 50 years, was part of Manly Fun Pier

Today’s as good a chance as the Warriors will have in a while. Start of a tough run for us, you’re right it’s a real test for both teams today. Storm are one of those teams I expect us to lose to home or away, but this season feels different - not just the warriors but the dogs, knights, titans etc are stronger than in the past and “upsets” are everywhere. I would say even the poor Tigers are doing Ok - they’ve had a few close losses and could’ve had 8 points if things went a little different. It’s been a special start to the season, so many competitive games.

One of my happiest moments was being at Olympic park when the Warriors took the 1st v 8th win in 2008 finals , a last minute try to Michael Witt to win the game, after a barnstorming run from Vatuvei (now imprisoned for peddling meth ). Been pretty rough going in Melbourne since then though !

Stunning photos, the lot of them. They’re almost that good the photography outshine the fish 😂 What a terrific report.

Warriors fan here (obviously), with the new citizenship rules all the Warriors players will be aussies soon enough anyway. And @frankS to your point about it being “National” , how about the absurdity of Brad Thorn playing State of Origin and being an All Black too! I’m glad to see so many of the islanders playing for their birth countries in international league these days. Good for the game. Seemed every second car in Sydney was flying a Tonga or Samoa flag during the last cup, I love seeing the patriotism

Honestly @faker it sounds like you’re doing a lot right…the technique sounds good , the locations are good. There’s always bream around, I think it’s just a bit of perserverance before you break the drought. Once you crack your first couple the floodgates will open. Keep trying new spots, don’t cast to the same spot more than a few times. Better to cover a lot of ground (eg walking the banks casting every 10m or so) . I’m not a fan of lure fishing wharves for that reason, you’re kinda locked in place. Sounds like you’re getting pretty close, keep at it!

What a stonking Jewie well done ! Sucks on the oyster cut I bet it’s still stinging now.

My vote is for Hurricane Lures Jag EM Jigheads , great quality for the price you get eight for $10. TT Jigheads are great, but I snag out all the time and so look for cheaper ones. There’s a 3/32oz which is perfect for me. $1.25 per Jighead vs $2.20 for TTs isn’t a lot of difference but it adds up fast, especially when you’re learning soft plastics and snagging out a lot.

This was fascinating. Here’s some video footage :

Yeah exactly that’s what got me excited about it. It’s already pretty juicy around there but this will make it that much better again. You’re so right about the shadow line I love dragging a lure right down the length of them - “get paid in the shade” I heard it called !