BaitDropper

April 9

I have friends that are still running very old Optimax engines, and of course, they swear by them.

I think any engine of that era, especially with multiple owners, is always a risk. Noel may confirm, but the very early Optimax', prior to 2002 ?? I recall were quite problematic. But in saying that, one can never ever be sure, even with major other brands. 2 strokes are simple beasts, then a little more complicated, comes the Optimax.

Someone else mentioned the key factor here, which would make my ultimate decision, Parts access..

We have all at times. bought a boat with a less than Ideal engine on the back, I guess it's a case of whether you want to take the chance, and also whether you can allow for a future engine upgrade, in regard to the purchase price. Of course the actual boat will have to be worth it as well.

It took me a few years, before being in a financial position and to justify pulling the trigger on a new four stroke, which was for two reasons, reliability and economy.

If you can factor in an engine upgrade in the purchase and your only fishing bays, it may be a risk to take, if you were planning fishing out wide, then I would definitely get the motor fully checked out first, it may well come thru that with a clean bill of health.

So due diligence needs to be done here before making your call, very important...

April 6

8 minutes ago, Yowie said:

As Noel stated, fresh bait is better than salted bait, however, in the early mornings, fresh bait may not be available.

I cut off the fillets - mainly tailor, slimies, bonito, little tuna species, yakkas but also smaller trevally and mullet at times. I use a large glass dish. Fillets skin side up, a shallow layer of salt onto them, then turn over and a thicker layer of salt applied. Into the fridge.

One day of salting is good for most of the above, except for larger bonito or small tuna then 2 to 3 days. Drain the water then each fillet separately placed into a plastic bag, labelled with type of fillet and date.

I have used the salted fillets 12 months or more later, the better ones being bonito, tailor, small tuna for that length of time.

Exactly what I do/have done, , it'll still catch fish.....

I've gone out a heap of time without getting livebait...

It's all about presentation in my opinion, I'd prefer live baits or fresh, BUT they will eat pieces of plastic/rubber and even metal things painted, We call lures, so why wouldn't they go after a salted piece of frozen fish ?? Present it well, and they will take it just like a fresh fillet...

April 6

6 or 7 wt will be an ideal weight for trout and the likes in smaller streams/lakes. I have a 10 weight in my boat I use to cast big wet flies when chasing Aus. Salmon bust ups, my other fly rod is a 7 weight. Reels, I have 2 or 3 extra spools to swap over from floating line to sinking, depending on the type of fishing.

Choosing flies, the big question,,, As they say, match the hatch, I used to tie my own but had a stock range of Barnes nymphs and a few others, but in all honesty, just get a selection of a few dry flies, a few nymphs to start with, until you can see what there eating, specifically for the area your fishing.

If I were you, I'd get 4-5 different coloured dry flies, which I only ever used, first thing in the morning or last thing at night and also get a few weighted nymphs which is what I used mainly thru the day, just experiment with a few different colours, You'll soon see what sort of insects are hatching locally, but in all honesty, if there not fussy, they'll eat anything.

Larger wet flies will do the trick on bream and Flatties, not done much of it myself but that would be fun

I was with a guy in my early days, that taught me to fly fish ( think I was early teens) that caught 2 decent sized trout, middle of the day, using black hair of one of the dogs wound on to a hook. !! true story..

Flies are like lures, you will eventually have a stack load, but just ask at the store, and get a few to get you going and you will grow from there..

Enjoy, Fly fishing is a great pass time..

April 5

Wow, that was a down fall last night / this morning..

Kinda of happy I dug near 70 meters of agg pipe in our back yard after the huge wet we had 2 years back when we moved in.

Still that wasn't enough to shift the deluge we got, both sheds got wet floors due to the sheer volume of water that came down, but the drains have done there job with near all of it drained off now since the rain stopped.

It seems closer to Sydney side are still having issues, with the dams now spilling over, hope everyone's dry and this water drains off before anyone has issues....

THE DROUGHTS OVER 😁..........

April 3

2 hours ago, zmk1962 said:

Do you rent Swordie out Donna?

Ha Ha.

Donna, you should be very proud of his effort there, brilliant..

I'm not quite there yet to display photo's, but I'll get there...

April 2

Yeah, the local bee guy a few doors down ( we actually fish the local river together) actually teaches bee keeping at the local tech, so he gave me the run down on it all, a lot of hives were gotten rid of.

We get a fair few red belly blacks here and there fairly easy to deal with if your careful and sensible, But the brown's, different kettle of fish, they get real aggressive, as did the one I tried to relocate from our back door, nasty breed of snake. The worst part was I casually walked out the back slider and was only a meter away from it in a dream world, bare foot and coffee in hand, so it could have been a different outcome !!.. managed to push it out away from the sliding door, with a mop the wife had sat outside to dry, but it got severely agro at me. It's a cobbled stone area, so that was too my advantage, but it took me 30 minutes to get it away from the house. You get into trouble with them, when a you think a quick spade thru the head will fix it, but that's a stupid action to take, there quick and smart and a spade handle is way too short and why most people get bit.

Sounds like a super friendly Kooka you've got hanging a round, brilliant, ours I'm sure get fed locally by Neighbours, we haven't done that so there a bit timid, but there's always a stack of them around, beautiful birds. I luv the wildlife we have around here, But the browns, not so much 😁

April 2

Hi Zoran, I feel your pain brother !!

I too had a lemon tree nailed by them, BUT I am onto it in a big way now. I pulled 100 odd by hand off the lemon tree at one stage during summer but kept oil on my other young fruit trees and I seem to have won the battle with them.. Seasonal weather, is suppose to dictate whether these predators come out in numbers, which seems to ring true with the weather we have had over the last 6 months or so..

On a footnote, regarding curl grubs, after applying the Acelepryn and giving the lawn a watering yesterday arvo, for the first time there was none of the Bugga's coming up for a feed early evening as I have had recently, I normally walk around and pick up 20-30 of them tucking into a good feed on top. I expected this considering I had watered the lawn, however, quite unexpectedly, when walking around this morning, I picked up near 50, decidedly sick looking curl grubs, laying belly up, still alive, but not happy campers at all. I didn't think the Acelepryn Granules would have such a quick effect like this, but it has certainly given them a wee hurry up 😁. It's suppose to work as a preventative type insecticide, so this was a good out come for me and gives me hope that by next summer I should have them well under control..

My wife has declared, that I am now officially obsessed !! And I need to get the boat out and spend some time fishing !! for my mental state of mind 😃..

I will indeed do this in the next few days, But I will do so with the peace of mind, that I am on top of this " Grub war " and I am still sane and not obsessed 👀

April 1

Hi Steve, yeah it was bifinthrin that my mate recommended to do an intial 1 or two sprays then go to the acelepryn granules..

Please be careful with that stuff, it's a class 1, which you really need to be careful with.. we live with the bush next door too, but the big reason I didn't use it, is 2 doors down we have a bee keeper we get all our honey off, and that stuff is lethal to bees. We have a run off area 50 meters from our place with a decent sized, small, pond type thing and a huge number of wombats, so I decided best to go with the Acelepryn... Its a twice a year application and isn't toxic to bees, birds pets etc. Bifinthrin, on all accounts, is used for extreme infetations, so if your careful, it will nail them, the Acelepryn, is more a preventative...

Cute kooka, we have our resident kooka's here too, not as daringly close as that one in your photo, but quite a few regulars make appearances, awesome birds... Just wished they were around last week, when I had to chase of a medium sized brown snake from my back door, apparently they have a go at them ?? Not one in site when I had an issue 😁

April 1

2 minutes ago, mrsswordfisherman said:

I have much to say on lawn problems.
We are in the middle of a lawn that was wiped out by army worms.

I might make a whole post on it.

The lush green is what it normally looks like.

Hi Donna, Yep, I've heard about the plague with army worm too..

I will point out, this same product deals with them too... just using a different application technique.. Rather than watering the granules in straight away, you leave the granules on the grass for 24 hours first, then water it in.. the product I got was called Grub Guard ultimate ( the big hardware store can get it in for you special order) but as mentioned, acelepryn and its active ingrediant in granule form is the go... The green keeper I know advised me to use a spray version to really kill whats there now immediately, but after looking at the specs, it also nails termites, extremely dangerous to pets or aquatic and you have to suit up fully to use it !!, I decided to use the Acelepryn and I'm happy to not to have such an instant kill...... Isn't it dissapointing when you see a result like that from these damn pests....

April 1

38 minutes ago, Steve0 said:

Thanks for the reminder.

My lawns weren't a problem until I planted about 9 square metres of Sir Walter. With plenty of chook poo dug in, it went berserk, needing two mows per week with grass deep enough to lose sight of the hose. Within months the grubs went crazy and then I noticed it in other lawns. I lost patches of the Sir Walter (self-cured this year). The rest of the lawns weren't bad but there were some muddy balls. The problem made me very suspicious about the supplier. Anyway, all done last Spring, it is due for another batch, but I may be a month or two late. I think the advice is to spray in August and February.

Hi Steve, So, what I've found out. a product which was only made available out side of the commercial industry, called " acelepryn " which is what all the green keepers use at race tracks and golfing greens. It's expensive, but applied twice a year in granule form, basically it gives all year round protection..

The beauty of it, is that it's not classed a grade 1 insecticide, won't harm birds or animals but applied at the heavier rate ( 2kg per 100 sq meters) it stays in the soil and deals with problem. a 4kg bucket did my back yard at 1.25kg per m2 this time round, but doing it again in September will nail the buggas. Couldn't find the larger bag size of 10kg any where in NSW, all sold out..

So it came recommended from this green keeper, so I'll run with that. maybe have a research on the product, super easy to apply the granules, just quite expensive on initial purchase HTH

April 1

20 minutes ago, Green Hornet said:

I think you live down around my way. If you’re collecting the grubs without the use of poison, I know the local wildlife rehab center is screaming for them to feed their injured animals, if you’re that way inclined. You can call them on 0418 427 214 for more information.

The magpies are struggling to get airborne with the extra tucker they've been getting, so unfortunately, I do now have to throw an insecticide down now to control them, of which the lawn got it's first dose this arvo. there was an alternative insecticide I could have used in spray form, but that was way way to strong for my likings...

Big bucket load went down to a Neighbour who has chooks, which they were very grateful for..

Saving grace in a way is that buffalo especially Sir Walter is about the most resistant grass to handle grub attacks....

That will teach me to have the best patch of lawn in the Neighbour hood....

April 1

3 minutes ago, Green Hornet said:

No curl grubs in my lawn. The bandicoots make sure of that, LOL.

Our bandicoots can't keep up with them....

An example..... 2 raised vege gardens, 1.2 x 6 meters..... everything had finished, so set about turning it all over, Got 450 ish out of each garden bed 😁..

Thought something was going on here !! I pick up, of an evening, about 30-40 of the little bugga's popping up for a bit of a surface nibble on top of the lawn.

One test is to saturate the ground and lay a sack or old bit of carpet on it overnight, check next morning, it makes them rise up, counted 150, its an infestation..

They haven't damaged the lawn as such yet, but with those numbers it won't take them long at all, so it's battle stations before they do....

I've never seen the likes of this before, they say with the sack trick, it's acceptable for there to be 15 or so per square meter. I dug near 70 meters of trenches for Agg pipe when I first arrived for drainage purposes and there was bugga all, maybe find 1 or 2 every 2-3 meters I guess..

So I've spoken to a bloke over Sydney way who is a green keeper and he was telling me because of our weather this year, they too have had an issue, the beetles are still about and dormant eggs laid when we had rain are hatching like crazy, which is no good on putting greens or fairways !!. He also said, because you have turned a crap lawn into something pretty good, the o'l beetle will head for the best lawn.. Either way it's damn frustrating. But he's put me on to some pretty effective stuff, but it will still take best part of 6-12 months to end the cycle....

April 1

Dead set.....

With the buffalo lawn looking fairly good now, after a long process of getting it back to a reasonably looking piece of greenery, The Curl grubs have come to play !!.

This is my back lawn, the front is still in the process of a Ricardia weed battle, ( I'm winning, slowly).

But the back lawn, Well, if anyone has had issues with an infestation of these damn things, You'll know what I mean.....

After carefully choosing the appropriate artillery, the war has begun..

:dwarf:

March 31

What are you targeting ???

My 3-5kg rods I have paired with a 2500 and a 2000, there more than enough for the line size I'm using.

In my opinion, my favourite size as far as balance goes would be the 2500 size, caught many a bream and some decent size Flatty's on thet set up. I don't have any experience with those particular reels, I have larger stradic's and can't fault them at all, great reels. For me, the rod and the line used are the most important factor in set ups of this weight/size..

March 31

The ramp at Greenwell point has been full of " such catches " but also some " less than legal" catches as well.

I think over all, 99% of regular fisho's play by the rule most of the time, but at the minute with Easter in full swing, for most of these fisho's, it's only one of 2 or at best 3 times they will fish in a year, down on the coast on the holiday break and enjoying themselves and taking home ( hopefully) fish of legal size..

I can positively confirm 🤐 that there is a big presence of fishery officers " on the beat " especially via boats doing inspections as far off as the banks.

But, you and I would probably discard and release such catches, cause we can simply go out a couple of days later and try and up size, or in fact know where to catch larger varieties in the first instance, but I think most that you observed were probably " once a year fisho's and if there catch was legal, good on em, the resources are there for them to enjoy...

As far as overall bag limits should go, I don't think there is an honest need, those that take the " undesirable type fish" you spoke of are clearly doing so because that is there experience level, There's far more experienced regular fisho's out there targeting " better " fish, as we would say that would be of more concern, re bag limits.

It's a balance, we have far too many restrictions now to worry about this as such,, Unless of course it was a regular and targeted activity, which I'm not sure it is.

March 29

Great article...

Me, I bleed them immediately ice them up and they are the best fish to smoke, in my opinion..

I grew up targeting these fish, both in the boat and shore based. My best experiences on them, was salt water fly fishing for them out wide. We caught some horses and on a number 10 fly rod, they gave you a big run for your money. Pound for pound on light gear, they are a great fish to target, especially when they start getting up in size.

While most were then using them for bait, from a young age, ( if done properly ) we were shown how to prepare them and smoke them, resulting in a very tasty feed..

March 28

Great report Zoran.

Low tide drive on challenge !! My last time out was the same 😁.

Well worth the minor challenge at the end of a day out But...

March 26

Great read, thankyou..

March 26

Have to admit here, I had to Google Hairtail.

Thought there must be another name or the likes, but Nope..

Never caught or seen one... Learn something every day.

March 21

HaHa, yes 404.....

I couldn't really explain what Skip conditions are to Bryant fish, but it was always low cloud and in summer when we would pick up other countries on the 27 meg, he may get lucky if he keeps checking from his driveway...

Yeah, Zoran, it's a no brainer really to sign up with Marine rescue, even if your only fishing line of sight from shore, a few Km's out, doesn't have to be off shore as such. Our local marine rescue are always towing tinnies out of the shoal haven river that have got stuck with the tides LOL. But yep, if your out wide and something happens, jeez you would be a happy fisho knowing a simple call and someone will be a coming.

One of the best scenario's in being a member, is if I decided to come from the south coast to do a spot of fishing up your way, all my details are still there if I log into Sydney marine rescue, its a win win...

Cheers

March 21

I forgot to add,

Bryant fish Vhf really only performs properly on line of sight, when I installed my new VHF, I have a mate up the same road that I tested it with, but another mate, only 1km away couldn't pick up my transmission, so hill, houses etc will block a VHF transmission.

Now your 27 meg, is very different, its got nothing to do, as mentioned about the radios output power, but 27 meg operates differently.

For example, if you get a day with very low cloud, it creates a scenario called " skip" transmission. you may very well get someone picking up your call from the boat in the driveway. when these conditions occur. We quite often, fishing in port Melbourne Victoria, could pick up fisho's from NZ on our 27 meg radios, this does not happen at all with VHF radios.

So just give it a try every now and then when cloud conditions are low, someone may well pick you up. Otherwise, tow the boat down to the water and make the call.

HTH

March 21

There's two different questions going on here..

Original poster has a VHF, ,,,,,,,, Bryant fish was asking about 27 meg..

Channel 88 is the emergency call channel for 27 meg Bryant fish.

So, just for those that are unsure about how to log into Marine rescue, maybe this would be helpful.

If you have a 27 meg radio, use channel 88, while everyone says its being phased out, it IS still monitored by Marine rescue.

Call them giving your boat rego number, ie, This is ##### calling marine rescue ( repeat call) then state requesting a radio check

If you have a VHF radio, use channel 16, Call on that channel, A marine rescue base will answer, and ask you to go to another channel, there base dedicated channel, you talk to them on the channel no they give you. I go direct to my Marine rescue channel rather than 16, because I know what the channel number is, But calling on Channel 16 is what you should do. ( reason being, if the dedicated base channel your calling has a problem with there computer system, or a fault etc they won't receive your call, it does happen from time to time. BUT another marine rescue base will and will reply to your call)

If your using one general area fish , you can go to that marine rescue base, pick up a form, fill all the details in, so when you launch, you simply call in with a dedicated number that they give you, once they log that number in ( generally before they reply to you) all your details will come up. Even if you fish another area covered by another Marine rescue base, All your information will be available for them too.( that's why it's best to only call on channel 16) All you have to do, is then give them the number of people on board, where your going to fish and what is your expected return time. If you don't log out when you return, or don't return when you first stated you would, they will start calling you, once the expected return time has lapsed.

There also is an App you can use, rather than using the marine radio to log in. Marine rescue membership Is about $60 a year for subscription and I think any boater would be crazy not to sign up and have a back up should something go wrong. If your engine conks out, they will come and tow you back in, there's no charge, if something worse happens and you don't return, they will come looking ( if you are a signed up member logged in). Any boater can also just call up, on either channel 16 or 27 meg 88 and log in, but if you aren't a member, you will be on the radio for some time while they gather all the info they need, car rego, mobile, boat info etc etc.

So in conclusion, do yourself a big favour and join up at your local marine rescue branch, your family may well thank you for doing so one day and your membership fee keeps this great service ticking over.

Sorry for the long post....

March 19

Being shore based, kayak or boat ( as Noel asked ).

If this is your main target fish, then yeah, get something suitable. If it's bait type fishing, any rod will do..

I always have a light rod in the boat, an El- Cheapo, a 2-5 kg rod with a cheap 2500 reel, does all my light stuff, even use it when targeting bream in the river and even Flatties.

Totally depends on where/how you fish...

March 9

Yes, gummies are like any other shark, the urea is in the blood.

There's different ideas on how to bleed them, some take the head off and the tail and gut them, the measure in Vic was from the gill to the start of the tail so no issues if you get pulled up. some put ugly cuts in the top of the head,, I basically used to cut the throat and cut the tail, occasionally gut and clean out, but I found doing it my way, hold upside down for 3-4 minutes to bleed out, then put it in a ice slurry worked. There the most popular fish/flake you get at fish and chip shops in Melbourne, but yep, if you don't bleed them, the meat tastes rank, just like other sharks...

March 9

10 minutes ago, bessell1955 said:

Are they good to eat?

Yep, if you bleed them straight away....

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