suttonscurse

Thanks for the information guys. When I get organised I will give you all an update. regards Bill

Hi Guys - looking at buying an investment unit at Batemans bay which I intend to use on weekends etc when it is not tied up with holiday lettings. Any advice on how the fishing is in the river or close to shore. (I have a 5.25 metre stacer but like to stay fairly close in as I suffer badly from sea sickness). Thanks Bill.

Hi guys a) from hard experience the lighter the line the more fish you catch. Be prepared to check the leader regularly and replace if not 100% buy good quality size 4 hooks and you won't have a problem. The couple of extra dollars in cost over the chain store cheapies is well worth it c) the whiting were sand whiting in good condition around 29 - 30 cm. As stated we were using eating grade school green peeled prawns - about 3 baits per prawn - don't put too much bait on the size 6 long shank hook and you will acheive better hits - too much bait and they pick at it . d) we spent the morning moving around from Captain Cook bridge up to Dolls Point / Towra. The bream were caught anchored up , the whiting whilst drifting near the top of the tide. e) I didn't take too much notice of the water temperature ( apart from when I launched the boat at 6am -the water was reasonably refreshing on my feet) - However it was a great day to be out messing around in a boat. regards Bill

My grandfather spent weeks teaching me as a 6 year old how to bait a hook behind my back before taking me to his secret fishing place . His reason was " the fishing is so hot that the fish will jump out of the water and bite you on the hand if they see the bait - so you have to hide while you bait up the hook" He also attempted to teach me how to roll a cigarette one handed (so you didn't have to put your beer down) until my grandmother caught him and clipped him across the ears for corrupting his grandson

Hi Peter I will pass on a couple of tips which should improve your catch rate dramatically a) fish as light a line as possible , for bream in the River / Bay 6lb line is sufficient (I use 6lb braid and a 4lb high quality leader) For bream we normally use a size 4 hook (upgrade to size 2 on a run of big fish aggressively biting) - the whiting are caught on size 6 long shanked hooks c) source local bait as fresh as possible - take the time to pump some nippers , dig some worms - try to supply the same bait that the fish would be feeding on. d) keep moving - if you don't get a bite within 20 minutes move 200 - 300 metres until you find the fish. e) the final tip is to buy a wire basket to grill your bream on the BBQ ( - Like you I prefer whiting fillets gently pan fried) Clean the fish - leave the head on - stuff them with onion and parsley , a sprinkle of oregano and a dash of lemon juice and olive oil - Tres Bon! You will then understand why I am morose with only catching 4 bream regards Bill

Hit the Bay at 6:30 Sunday morning and tried the usual spots - Great day on the water but the fish were scarce - ended up with 4 nice Bream (biggest 39cm - looked like an up river bream with a deep bronze colouring) and about a dozen nice whiting. The whiting were taken on the flats off the sailing boat club and were caught on peeled prawn. (the bream came from my secret spot). A few other boats out but not much talk of any fish being caught. Cheers: Bill.

Its all right for you guys . I go fishing , have a boat and also play golf and am seriously addicted to buying new toys for all three of these . ( I have got to the stage I have to hide my golf clubs etc in the boat so the does not realise how much stuff i have accumulated)

To prepare the leatherjackets , cut off their heads and gut them , then grab hold of a piece of the leathery skin and peel it off back towards the tail(do both sides). Lightly dust them in flour and then gently fry them until they just start to turn golden brown (don't overcook). Very nice fish to eat with succulent flesh.

Use the secret weapon - Old Admiral extra overproof rum - Drink enough of that stuff and you would start seeing nuclear submarines let alone 21 foot white pointers . regards Bill

Police issued a warning today after a seven-metre great white shark was reportedly netted and freed in a Central Coast lake. A commercial fisherman reported to police that he netted the monster in waters at a popular school holiday vacation spot at Tuggerah Lake. The fisherman reported snaring the seven-metre shark in nets he had cast off Canton Beach, at the northern end of the lake about 5.30am today. "He claimed that he actually caught the shark in his net and the shark came up and started thrashing about, and hit his boat,'' said Chief Inspector Tim Winmill said. "He said it was bigger than his boat - he's got an 18-foot boat and he said it would have been about 21 feet. "Tuggerah Lakes is only about 12 kilometres long and five kilometres wide. "It's not a big lake but it's a bloody big shark, if it's true.'' The shark was last seen heading south towards the middle of the lake, Chief Inspector Winmill said. Mick Crowe, president of nearby Soldiers Beach Surf Club, expressed surprise there had been reports of a shark in the lake. "That's quite bizarre if that's the case - Canton Beach is only ankle-deep water for the first 150 metres,'' he said. But the Department of Primary Industries and the Fisheries Department both believed the fisherman's claims, Chief Inspector Winmill said. "They believe he's a credible witness, he's been a commercial fisherman for a long time, he's well aware of species of sharks ... they don't have any reason to doubt the truthfulness of his allegation.'' The fisherman would not speak publicly about his encounter with the great white. "He's adamant he doesn't want to speak to any form of media, he's an elderly gentleman who has a mistrust of the media,'' Chief Inspector Winmill said.

You are not a real fisherman until you have "been out pumping yabbies and instead of walking back to the bucket you put them into the front pocket of your shorts. Of course the big one with the large nipper takes offence and latches onto your manhood" Its amazing how much it hurts and the bloody things won't let go (even after you have dissected the yabbie from the nipper it it still clamped on) . it leaves a wonderful bruise which takes some explaining to the missus

Stumpy - I am in absolute awe of your intelligence. Perhaps you could give me some advice - If I changed my user name to "Harada,Jose,Lee,Alfredo,Hans,Pierre" would it improve my health? cheers

Hi Stumpy I have seen some strange golf swings in my time ( one old duffer at our club has a swing that has been politely referred to as resembling " an octopus falling out of a tree" ) but she has the strangest golf grip I have ever seen. regards Bill

Hi Stumpy as both a fisherman and golfer , It looks like a high Modulus graphite shaft tipped - Gee , but its got some flex in it . - Wonder how I can get my hands on one ? : - I have been playing with the seniors model and strangely it s a lot stiffer?

What type of Towbar ,? Are you able to unbolt the tongue and turn it upside down regards Bill

Thank You . However! I wish to have it on public record that I am only 32 years and 240 months old . - its all a matter of how you view life. regards Bill

Hi Guys All those anchors are probably hooked up on the artificial reef that my brother is constructing by losing all my fishing rods over the side. Thanks for adding to what I am calling "Shimano Reef" Should be a top spot for some big fish shortly. Regards Bill

A) marriage is a wonderful insitution - so long as you don't mind living in an institution I never found happiness till I was married and then I remembered it . c) And the best advice - Take a video recording it of your wedding - And on your unhappy days play it backwards - you walk out a free man. regards Bill -and this from a man who has been married for 29 years

Hi Guys Headed out onto the bay at first light on Saturday with my neighbour "Con the Greek". Absolutely glorious day on the water but the the fish were very far and few between . Tried all the reliable "secret spots " and only manged 2 pan size flathead and 1 decent bream. Taliking to another fisherman back at the STGMBC ramp and he had the same quiet day but did find some decent tailor schooling up up the beach at Brighton. I shouldn't complain as it was one of those beatiful days out on the boat where you say - this sure beats working - even when the fish are not co-operating. regards Bill

Hi Stumpy . I will share my philosphy which is based on Darwins theory of Natural Selection (survival of the fittest). When the herds of Zebra are thundering across the veldt in Africa which ones do the lions catch and eat - of course they catch the weak and sick Zebra's - this has the effect of improving the overall quality of the herd . Using this theory re drinking It is a medically acknowledged fact that alcohol destoys brain cells . Ipso facto. they catch the weak and sick brain cells so that you actually end up smarter . I think that with a bit more effort that you and I could end up with IQ's of over 1,000 regards Bill

I would tell the insurance company that the boat and the motor( the date is on the build plate on the engine) that they were both made in the same year. That is the best information that you can provide.

Hi Secki from the look of the photo I would guess that the boat and motor were sold originally as a package. Look at the build date of the motor and the Boat would be the same (give or take a year which is close enough). I would also tell the insurance company of this so that there is no confusion in the future. regards Bill

do you also get a set of steak knives plus the state of Tasmania?

You did the right thing (I posted a report) - I should have stayed in bed as well instead of getting wet and cold and only a couple of small bream for the effort . regards Bill You did the right thing (I posted a report) - I should have stayed in bed as well instead of getting wet and cold and only a couple of small bream for the effort . regards Bill

Hi Guys We also headed out at dawn on Friday from the STGMBC and as soon as we turned left in to Towra channel we ran into the very blustery southerly winds. Discretion being the better part of valour we hid from the wind on the southern side of Captain Cook bridge and tried around Sylvania waters for a couple of small bream. Ended up hiding from the rain under Tom Uglys bridge at the turn of the tide for no result - went home wet and dispirited - how come it always rains and blows at Easter . - Sometimes you eat the bear and other days the bear eats you - at least the bear got fed. As a matter of interest there was a lot of chopper size tailor around the bridge - Jewfish bait? hmm? - Back out Sunday with a fresh plan -