[Fishing rod too heavy?]

15 minutes ago, DerekD said:

Hi Mate.

It comes down to balance. Does it look and feel right.

On my 4000 reels I use 10 to 15lb lines.

On my 2500 reels I'm running 4 to 8lbs.

What line and lure rating is the rod? It sounds like you are comparing a Snapper rod against a Bream rod. They both have their time and place.

What are you planning on chasing with it?

Bream, Flathead - smaller fish at the moment. 

It came prespooled with 10lb mono. Bloke at the shop mentioned 4k is more balanced.

[Fishing rod too heavy?]

So I went to a shop today to swap my broken rod and got a Shimano Fishquest rod 7ft with a 4000 reel. I wanted the 2500 reel but the rod with it was 6ft. 

Holding the 7ft with 4k reel seemed a tad heavy to me while my previous 6ft 6inch 2500 reel was nice and light. I couldn't decide at the time so just got the heavier one.

Is there a significant advantage to a 4k reel to a 2500 reel? Is the heavier a disadvantage or like a cricket bat which you get used to? Would lighter be better as its more comfortable?

I could still swap it as I haven't used it yet and won't be til the weekend probably. 

[Almost bag out.]

Where are you based? That's awesome.

[Understanding line poundage]

Hi Guys

I am wanting to understand the effects of line poundage specifically for mono.

What's the difference between 4lb and 10lb other than strength? Is it to target heavier fish or can you use 10lb for other purposes. Is it the difference between using bait and lures?

If I want to target small to medium fish with bait and lures, what lb line should I look at? 

Cheers

HP

 

[Cremorne Point Wharf Donut]

4 minutes ago, noelm said:

Can't say boiled eggs would be my first choice bait for Blackfish, but, anything's possible I guess, Cabbage is easy enough to find in rock pools. Be aware, fishing off the rocks is not to be taken lightly, make sure you know the spot and how the waves break, watch the swell.

I was imagining more from the rock wall.

[Cremorne Point Wharf Donut]

7 hours ago, Little_Flatty said:

I've never heard of anyone using tofu for bait! Now that's innovation  I'm absolutely sure that Bream would have a go at it. My other wildcard fish that would like it would probably be Luderick - have heard of people trying hardboiled eggs for them and trying them myself, I did get a few (undersize) ones.

I was chatting to @maccapacca about Bradley's head and Luderick but I don't have the skills etc for cabbage Weed. Hardboiled egg doesn't sound too difficult.

[Cremorne Point Wharf Donut]

1 hour ago, noelm said:

Once again, do NOT use Prawns from a fish market or supermarket for bait! if you lost hooks chances are there was Leatherjackets around, try long shank hooks (as suggested) and only a small piece of bait right on the point/bend of the hook and fish right beside the jetty, no casting way out.

This was tweed bait prawns from petrol station. Is that just as bad?

[Cremorne Point Wharf Donut]

As it happened, I had some work in Chatswood and combine that with the Friday afternoon off from work, I thought I'd try my hand at the harbour.

Bit of backstory: This was my 3rd time and so far I've had bites from fish at Bobbin Head but nothing else. 

It was a windy and ruffled look to the harbour so no calm waters any where. I got some frozen prawn bait and had some left over Banh Mi from lunch.

I started fishing to the right(east side) of the ferry wharf around 2pm. I got bites from the fish, they bit off prawn, bread and even Tofu.

However, perhaps I lack the experience I fighting the fish but as the line would bend and I would push the rod up, there would be a release from the fish. A few times they bit again but no hook. Once I lost a hook. 

Around 3.30pm the wind really picked up and the water became extremely choppy. After that I got very few bites. I changed hooks as well tried j hook and suicide size 2.

I visited my local tackle shop for the first time. The teenager working there had enough info about Bobbin head but there wasn't much he could help me with tips to avoid snagging. I bought a top water lure there.

I tried the top water lure just to get used to it. It wasn't a good day for it and I didn't really have any technique but I found lure to be a simpler process. Just add a lure to the line and keep trying repeatedly. 

Positives

Great day out, great view

No snagging despite the weather

Experience gained 

 

Negatives

No fish

My cheapo $30 rod had a part break and fall into the water. Its the nut which holds the reeling shaft in. Perhaps, I can check BCFs refund policy. 

Traffic on the way back as terrible. We're back to normal hey.

[Avoiding snagging - tips]

Yes, land based at the moment. 

[Avoiding snagging - tips]

Hi there,

 

What are your best tips to avoid snagging or losing hook/swivel/sinkers in the rocks?

 

Cheers

HP

[Newbie Fishing Questions]

7 minutes ago, motiondave said:

I use plastics/lures and bait as I never know what the fish will be interested in, and thats either from boat and shore line. Ive had fish smash bait lines one day and not lures, and another day , Ive had fish smash lures and not bait. Go figure. 

Dont panic, its only your second time out so just try a few things. 
Is Bobbin head your most local spot? Can you travel around Sydney more?

Id suggest go look for this book as its only $10 and has heaps of spots plus tips for lines, bait, rods, etc.

Do you generally graduate from bait to lures or can I get into lures straightaway? I've heard all about soft plastics and watching videos it seems you throw out the lure and reel it in slowly for a bite?

Bobbin head and Berowra waters are the quickest to get to. However, I can also get to parts of the harbour within 30mins as well, especially the northern side of the harbour. I've read about Blacktwattle bay here for Brim. I want to fish at Milsons point someday, brings back memories of drinking with the mates watching the fishermen going about their business years ago. 

Thanks for the book. Will def get it. 

[Newbie Fishing Questions]

2 hours ago, motiondave said:

as for bait , maybe take a small packet of frozen bait prawns along as well, and maybe some salted pilchards used in pieces, plus the chicken. also try good old bread rolled tight into a ball and squashed on the hook. Maybe even try a float line, try to estimate the water depth and run the leader off the bottom depth, so if its 2m deep, try leader under float of 1.5m or 1m.

How long should the leader be? I assume the sinker sits on the bottom and the bait and leader just float?

[Newbie Fishing Questions]

2 hours ago, motiondave said:

Hello, are you land or boat based?

 

Land based, was under the kuringai chase road bridge. 

[Newbie Fishing Questions]

Hi Guys,

I went fishing last Friday afternoon and this was was my 2nd time out. Results were nil but you live and learn.

I went to bobbin head and was targeting fish(brim, flathead, anything really) near structures. The tide was outgoing, high tide at 11.16 and I was fishing from 12.30. There's a couple of short bridges in Bobbin Head where I was throwing the line near. My diced chicken kept being taken and I would feel slight bites but no hooks at all. I wanted to ask a few questions. 

- Are small J hooks enough to catch fish? Biggers hooks for bigger fish?

- Sinkers - I was using a small ball sinker, are they needed in this situation? My line seemed to be pushing towards the shore and I was always worried about snagging so pulled it out early many times.

- Is it as simple as waiting til the fish takes the hook or should I be setting the hook?

It was still a great time out. The only concerning this being shooing the seagulls away from my bait. 

 

Cheers

HP

[Entry Level equipment]

13 hours ago, Rob81 said:

My only recommendation, is if you buy a Big W or K-mart special combo and it comes with line, change the line. Rest of the gear should handle what you want, is just the line is usually really crap.

You can stick on half decent mono or get low-mid end braid (like j-braid), and it'll make all the difference.

So I ended up buying a Pryml beginners rod 6ft 6inchs, a tool box and a tackle box for bream. Total $89 from a shop.

However, I quoted your post because I felt the the line was really crap. Let me explain:

When I saw the videos of loading a reel, they started from empty. This one was full and I messed up putting the line in the right way so I was actually trying to reel in when the lever was up. Newbie mistake 1

Getting the swivel, sinker and hook on was OK. 

However, When I did cast correctly and I reeled the line back in, it kept getting jumbled up. I had to cut line 3 times. I thought I was bloody stupid(I blame the line 50%).

Finally, So in a 3 hr session I spent 2 hours putting the line on and messing up the casting or retrieval. 

Moreover, Since I was fishing near the rocks at Brooklyn and the tide was coming in, I lost a number of hooks and sinkers. 

That's my first attempt where I taught myself the basics, no fish ever came close I reckon. 

[Entry Level equipment]

1 minute ago, noelm said:

Don't just buy something because it says "Shimano" they make everything from junk to world class, as advised, go to your local tackle shop (not a department store type) ask the person what they recommend for the style of fishing you have in mind. Don't be tempted to buy a fishing "kit" some very basic hooks, sinkers and swivels is all you need to start with, a small tackle box, one of those plastic compartment style ones used to store screws and so on will be fine, rather than a full on open up style. As you advance you will probably buy a Nipper pump and the like and start getting your own bait, but, start simple, do you have a boat or land based?

Land Based initially.

[Entry Level equipment]

Hi all,

I want to buy entry level rod, reel, tackle box kit, etc. I can see they are available in Kmart and a shop. What would be the difference for a newbie? Is it better to buy an entry level Shimano combo rod?

 

Cheers

HP

[Allow Me To Introduce Myself]

Hi all,

Great website for information. I am new to fishing will need all the help I can get.

I want to get into land-based fishing in the creeks in and around Hawkesbury or the Hawkesbury itself. Berowra Waters, Bobbin Head and Brooklyn are the places I can think of. If there's more spots, please let me know.

I would like to understand how tides work for fish like Bream and any special gear involved. I might eventually hire boats in these locations but for now land-bases it is. 

 

Cheers

HP