Yorkster

Thanks for kind comments : ) looking forward to reading your reports over the coming weeks : )

After a first foray a few weeks ago with the 8HP Merc from Roseville to Grotto point - it took 4 beers and 1 packet of nobby's nibbles for my northern boat co -sponsor and I to decide that the old tinny deserved to go faster. To deny this was a possible slap in the face to the tinny gods. With anything weight loss related being long ruled out as a means to achieve speed more power was the only answer. A trip to the dealership resulted in a 15HP Parsun falling in the back of the car. Back at home seemingly watertight justifications along the lines of "We've got a voucher !" and "We can go and come back faster " were all met with the usual deeply knowing looks and arched eyebrows. Still like two kids on Christmas morning said new engine was unboxed amidst a flurry of polystyrene and cardboard only to find that the cowling looked like it had taken a stray 50mm round somewhere between Beijing and Menai. Oaths were uttered but a rapid turnaround from our supplier ensured that a day or two later a new cowling was installed. The engine was seated upon the transom of the tinny with care. Local dads appeared out of the woodwork to witness the engine start, casting anxious side glances at the beer fridge which was duly opened to mark the occasion. A chirpy soul draw parallels between the new engine and the results of an over enthusiastic plastic surgery. This comment prompted a quiet concern however a test run on sunset proved that a new lease of life had indeed been provided to the old girl and, as we worked in the engine, plane was found on half throttle. Happy days. A trip down the Parramatta river towards Clarkes Point followed in a howling southerly. On the way, facts recently acquired out of necessity to pass the NSW boating test were re-spun in the guise of long held knowledge. Lines were cast - simple running sinker rigs with prawn as bait. Small pink snapper immediately responded to the dinner bell and were released, a nice flathead followed and lastly, a large yakka was caught and enthusiastically re-introduced to the water as live bait. Within minutes the rod was bending hard sadly at the same time as I was attending to a tricky call of nature involving the bailer and some unfortunate ferry wash, prompting much laughter. Sadly it quickly became apparent that whatever leviathan had taken the bait had also managed to wrap the line round something submerged and immovable, the inevitable twang of doom followed. In the following moments it was offered that the line may have simply wrapped itself round the offending structure without the assistance of a kingfish or similar trophy. This notion was dismissed as being too "boring" and was happily set aside along with the re-discovery of two beers in the emergency bag. Morale restored the tiller was pushed towards home after another fun afternoon.

Thanks leonardgid

thanks bessell1955 : )

wow - great fish and great early am commitment !

Thanks @Pickles - great to be part of the fishing community hope to contribute a few insights with experience and a few laughs as we learn the ropes

Thanks @Isaac Ct - I am hoping one of those fish will be a kingie ..: )

Thanks @Little_Flatty - the shore will always beckon ! especially a good surf cast session !

Recently acquired a Quintrex Fishnipper with friends -which has already proven to be lots of fun for taking my two girls and various other kids out for fishing adventures with plenty of bream caught on light rigs and prawns around five dock. Fatherly duties well dispatched and a day off booked from work it was clear that a more "serious" trip was on the cards with a good mate recently back from overseas and the weather looking great. With wifley permissions sought we were 'cleared hot' for a fishing lollapalooza where enthusiasm rather than skill would hopefully count towards a fish or two. The great boat ramp at Roseville was our start point at a leisurely and un-professional 10 am with no other souls around, the resident Kookaburra on the trailer park sign giving us a weary appraising look as I maneuvered the painfully slowly down the ramp into the water at a lubberly pace. After 15 pulls, a probable hernia and a few choice terms of endearment our 8 HP Merc puttered into life and we cruised towards middle harbour - musing on whether a fasting diet could improve our chances of getting on plane (or perhaps a brand new 15 or 20 HP might do the trick). On the way out the inevitable review of the waterfront properties prompted the always fun 'lottery win' chat. At Grotto Point out came the rods and we set to drifting the run out tide past the rocks keeping wide to avoid wave action. One deft flick of the rod and my friend is into a flathead - cue enormous excitement, possibly too much as with an even defter flick of the head our crocodilan friend managed to shake the hook and headed to the depths pursued by a heavy barrage of fruity verbal blessings from my companion in ringing northern tones. With next to no swell and a bit of gentle current the next two hours were spent resetting the drift with plenty of undersized snapper returned, a leatherjacket, two bonito ( lost at the last minute ) and a two keeper flatheads to ensure we left with something for the table. We headed back for evening "beer and medals" and a verdict that getting a tinny has been a good move !

well done !

That's an epic day Pickles - always enjoy reading your reports and recently shared them with my dad (retired and fishing ) in the UK who I strongly suspect is living vicariously through Fishraider until his next visit (covid permitting) and we can christen the "new" quintrex fishnipper together !! thanks for sharing tight lines over the coming months.

What a fantastic report !