HawkesburyParadise

So back 2 months ago, I was feeling a little optimistic and bought this lure from the local tackle store. It doesn't have any weight and does a wiggle when reeling in or flicking. How do you use it and for what species? Can you use a sinker on a swivel to give it depth - it sits on top of the water going maximum 10cm when reeling.

Recommended by a mate whose heavily into fishing. I told him I couldn't feel the bites so he recommended using braid. I can see its benefits already, it sinks much better in the water.

How do you know so much? Are you out this way? Yea double uni with a 8lb mono

I thought I'll beat the crowds and do an early session at Bobbin Head this morning. Time - 6.30am-8.30am Tid - High tide at 6.am so runout tide Setup - Shakespeare 6 foot 2-4kg 2000 reel, 6lb braid, 00 sinker, number of hooks Location - Bobbin head pontoon Summary Spent most of my half bag of prawns. I could feel the bites but not strong or big enough. Later on I tried lowering a prawn off the pontoon as far as visible with polaroids. I could see small fish biting it. So I'm not sure If I need more depth or better hooks. My setup is pretty light now so I should be feeling the bites. Anyway, seeing beautiful bobbin head at 6.30 itself made for a good day. Someone please tell me whey kind of baby fish this is. Grabbed with a circle hook. Had a few close calls with fish this size.

I can manage a double uni, thanks will do that.

I fondly made the switch from mono to braid. I got a 6lb braid and I tied it to 00 sinker and number of different hooks. I looped it around twice on the eye of the hook and then made a uni knit. However, when I tied the bait on, the hook fell right off. Is this due to slippage or I need a new knot for braid? Cheers HP

How does the size of sinker matter? Serious question.

Shimano Fishquest 10lb line, ball sinker and fresh prawns. No swivel this time. Might do this setup more often, seems faster than swivel and leader.

Quick session today after dropping family to the airport Very popular spot under General Holmes Dr Bridge. No rain rush but a truck load of wind. Lots of bites but only managed a baby bream and a sea shell. Some I kept getting lots of sea grass. Overall, a good session.

Hey Guys, Heading down to drop family to the airport. Might make a day out of it. What are some land based spots near the airport? I would prefer a jetty or rock wall if possible. I'm open to most of the Northern part of Botany Bay. Cronulla side would be a bit too far I think. Cheers HP

Does the bait sink down eventually? I tried this with a piece of prawn but it took a long time to go anywhere and I had no bites at all.

Thank you. Yes, this explains what Neil meant!

See this is what confuses me. People suggest hook sizes from #2 to 12. What will 12 catch? Baitfish? lol. The rest I can do.

Can you explain why this is? I dislike the small ball sinkers for 2 reasons: 1) They get snagged very easily 2) I have a hard time keeping the line tight to a tiny ball sinker.

I met a bloke who was running lures for Squid. He came around 6.30PM just as I was leaving.

Hi Guys, Looking to get a new line to feel the bites a bit more. I am only going after small estuary fish so please let me know if braid is an overkill. If I don't need a new line and a new leader then please let me know this as well Cheers HP

I am waiting for my daughter to get a bit older so I can take her.

I'll try bigger hooks. Let's see!

I agree 100% but I just wanted to understand to hook something before I give up. As I get more experience, I might leave the circle hooks for rainy days. It seems like: - Small fish are taking my bait without taking the hook - I am not experiences enough to feel the bites both on the reel and rod. Only the biggest bites are being felt

I actually bought the hand reel and 3 way swivels for Paternoster rig. In fact, the image of the fish is a type of paternoster rig. I tend to keep the snapper sinker close to the swivel to avoid tangling In terms of leatherjackets, I have no issues catching one of them. However, I didn't think they'd be in the Spit. From previous posts, it seems like they were is the proper harbour. I would have gone for them at Cremorne Point Wharf.

I'll post the brands tomorrow. Brand new mate. So everyone recommends Size 4 for Bream but I got size 1 and 2 because 4 looked tiny.

Pre Fish prep: Trip to a shop for burley and circle hooks. Location: Spit West Reserve Headed out from home at 3pm but I wasn't sure if it might pour. Can't trust the weather man in this La Nina. I'd been reading about setting the hook and how circle hooks didn't need to set. After getting supplies, Initial plan was Cremorne Point again but Spit reserve was on the way and I could save 20 mins. When you get a leave pass from the wifey, every minute counts. I found the best wharf at the Spit Reserve. It might be my fav wharf in Sydney. Threw a few prawn bits from the hand reel I bought recently. I'm using it to test there are fish. As usual, prawn taken no hook. Turned to the rod and I could feel the bites. So the "self-setting" circle hooks weren't working after all. I tried to jerk every time. Eventually, I felt the bite and after the jerk I could still feel something on the line. A baby fish! I did it! Number 1 fish woot! Like a lot of things in life, first car, first time I had sex and first hangover, it wasn't pretty but I appreciate the event! P.S. It doesn't even count guys. Please go easy on me P.S.2. No I didn't keep it

How small a hook are we talking?

Being an overcast and potentially rainy afternoon, I decided to try wharves again just to avoid a soaking. Well, the rain didn't come and neither did the fish. To be fair, high tide on the harbour was around 12 noon so being 3pm, maybe it wasn't the best time. Rod: new Shimano fishquest - Bought as the last one broke. Prespooled with 10lb mono. 10lb shimano mono leader. Size 4 hooks for Bream. Bait: Prawn and Chicken. Prawn got bites but there weren't a whole lot of bites. Negatives - A lot of frustration "Shoulda gone to Bobbin head" feeling Positives - Tried new rod Got some good news from Parramatta Eels re:player signings. That's about it. Unrelated I know but I'm struggling hehe. Next step - Might try new line as the 10lb pre spooled seems heavy, even heavier than my Shimano. Fishing closer to high tide may also help.

Can someone please enlighten me. What is Burley and under what circumstances do you use it?