R E G I C Y C L E

If you have issues with a Shimano reel, take it back to the store you bought it, and they will service or replace, depending on reel value. Their warranty service is top notch.

There is really no way to target tigers over other trout species. I caught a small one at Thompsons Creek Dam a few months back, and they are also stocked in lake wallace (I've seen a few caught out of there). They first stocked them in Wallace around 3 years ago so the fish would be well over 30cm by now. The only river you'll find them in is the Cox's below Wallace and Lyell. I haven't fished the Cox's in a year so I don't have any current info on how it's fishing. My standard advice with the Cox's though is be prepared to hike to have success... all easy access points are over fished. Note that it is now closed season for rivers and streams, so you'll have to wait until October to have a crack.

Some of the small creeks off the lane Cove river would be worth a try for bass also. Not sure what access is like but it appears on Google maps that some are accessible from walking tracks.

@DerekD is correct. See below rough line of the drop from shallow water (around half a meter) to deeper water (over 1.5m). This is very obvious if you visit the spot on low tide (although on low tide the bream seem to turn off and retreat back to the marina). When the canal at the back of the bay is pumping the fish will sit in the deeper water waiting for food to come over the drop. I only fish lures, but I imagine drifting unweighted bread or other bait off the drop would be successful on a range of species. The same concept applies for all bays in the Parra system that have a canal flowing in. The main thing is to find the drop off to have consistent success. Note that the above is from my experience, and bream especially are always ready and willing to throw a curve ball just when you think you have figured them out.

The mosman bream also seem to fire up with a bit of fresh water pumping out of the canal at the back of the bay, after rain. They sit on the edge of the drop and will have a go at anything that comes over.

That's crazy! I was with @Aussiefisherman on the weekend and these things were busting up on bait on the surface... weirdest bubbling kind of bust up. Aussiefisherman also got one on a crankbait... very glad now we used pliers to remove the lure without touching the fish😱

My advice is fish whenever you have the opportunity. You will form your own opinions on how the tide effects the results. I always check tide charts when fishing the salt, but more to determine the location I'll be fishing, rather than whether I fish or not.

I usually lip them and suffer the consequences. And yeah my thumb has a few scars, before you ask 😆 In all seriousness a pair of lip grips (plastic to protect the fish) helps a lot for handling flatties.

I forgot to mention in my original reply, but I think one of your bream is actually a tarwhine... distinctly convex head and the striped array of scales down the side points to this. Others will be able to confirm.

I got my fly combo online direct from a Chinese manufacturer who I believe makes rods for some of the more well known brands. Seems good quality and came with a bunch of extras to get me started (im no expert in this type of fishing). Will pm details.

What a great session and report! Good to meet you as well. It was @Aussiefisherman that I was with fyi. This spot has a very distinct drop from the flat into the deep channel next to the marina, which holds some great fish as you found! Congrats on the new pb bream. The fish in question is a silver trevally... they fight above their weight with strong 'thumping' head shakes. Funny enough I also met another pupil of @DerekD yesterday morning, Ethan. Not sure what his raider name is.

The freams is a solid reel, especially if you can pick it up around the $150 mark. Also, you can't be doing the daiwa/shimano mixy matchy thing... one of the unspoken rules of fishing.

There is something special about the bent... and I'm not just referring to the price. Nice bream.

Thanks Pickles! The lure in the first photo is the OSP Bent Minnow 76mm. Even more fun to use than the sugapens in my opinion!

Wow they are incredible... if there is ever a chance to purchase some let me know!