the elk

Have they built a RTC tower (ramp traffic control)? Sounds like a great place to go down there on a summers Sunday arvo with a 6 pack to watch the drama unfold... More fun than fishing!

I hear they have reduced the lanes on the ramp. Is that true? This whole project has been very poorly managed.

It is indeed a disgrace that the trawlers are still allowed to desecrate the Hawkesbury prawn and fish stocks. The river used to fish very well 20 years ago, however you most well be fishing in a desert. Its not too late though, when they finally ban the trawlers I am sure the system can replenish like the Harbour did within a few years.

Nice little setup Ceph. I smell another "Hollywood" stick is about to grace The Pig this summer...

50 ton of bream is alot of fish , As mentioned in the above post No bream can be taken by a Trawler in the Hakwesbury river system , . Im sure we have all brought Hawkesbury squid or Hawekesbury prawns . Someone had to catch them for you to buy them . Cheers Dogtooth.... John.... I think Dogtooth makes a valid point. Those of us that are annoyed with the plight of the once might Hawkesbury can take action via not purchasing bait caught there. Catch your own bait instead!

Unfortunately it is legal and it is a total disgrace that it is left to happen by the state government. The commercial trawlers have destroyed what was once a plentiful and enjoyable fishing ground. Only hope is that they cease all commercial fishing and after a few lean years the ecosystem recovers, along with the fish. Thinking of the Kingfish in sydney harbour and the lesson there, at least there is still hope.

Thats a great haul of ceph there. Nice work. Just a question - why dont you collect your squid in the morning prior to targetting Kings? How effective do you find frozen squid versus live/fresh? Has anyone done any tests on this i.e. fished side by side a mate with different baits on? Personally, I like the thought of using live squid whenever possible. It would outfish dead/frozen nearly everytime. I would be interested in other Raiders thoughts.

My vote is for the Shimano Stradic 3000 reel. I can't fault it.

Raiders, Is it a fair observation that the Kings in Sydney Harbour have gone a bit quiet? There doesn't seem to be many posts of Kings of late and I wonder whether the warm currents that have come in have taken the big Kings elsewhere for the time being - until they return in March? Its a bit strange, just wanted to get other perspectives? The other signifier is the return in numbers of Squid. Over the Xmas break, they were few and far between given the large numbers of kings had moved in and had decimated the squid population. Keen on your thoughts...

Its lucky you've still got the Shimano sponsorship Ceph...

Plastics are addictive. Once you've caught your first fish on them you never look back. Its a new way of life - a better life that is...

I thought that they stood for: SW - Swanky Fa - Flashy anglers FD - Faarking Dear PG - Posh Gear HG - Highly Grandiose XG - Extravagent Gentleman

to be honest ya's musnt be cooking them properly lol, 45-55cm jew on the grill, on low heat......firm texture meat and alot more tastier than the big boys skin which hardens up, this bs bout soapies is an old wives tale....bring ya jews past and il cook em for ya's guranteed to change ya mind "One man's trash is another man's treasure"

HAHAHAHAHA..... how rumours and wife tales travel and change!! Yes you are absolutely right. I always thought it was because a jewie smaller than about 70cm had soft mushy flesh that has a very neutral, soaplike flavour - hence not very pleasant until they get to the larger size. It is funny how different version of fishing theories and techniques morph over time!

Tooheys New is my blue girl... Stick to the best mate.

Congrats. However it needs to be said... new borns aern't that conducive to fishing trips!

Its as simple as banning commercial fishing and the entire system starts to regenerate. e.g. Sydney Harbour. We need to act now before it is too late for the mighty Hawkesbury.

Guys, can you please immediately stop all of this Cephalopod public adulation. The next thing we'll hear is that Ceph, Bottle Squid and Cuttlefish will be pitching to theTV networks for their own fishing show... That would be "b-dear b-dear, thank your mother for the rabbits, thats all folks" in my mind

However we saw another boat absolutely kill it. They were throwing in freshly caught squid heads dipped in squid ink. They were right next to a channel marker in about 15m. They had the rod loaded with 60lb braid and were arm wresting in king after king - amazing! They had a full esky with 70's, 80's and 90's. Numerous boats had more or less stopped fishing, just watching these guys muscle up massive kings or lose the batlte with a spetacular snap. Dont know who they were but they gave us plenty of tips and even threw us one to eat, champions! Now all I want is another one! Long live the king(s)! Spanker Spanker, I know who they are. If they were in an Old Yellow boat, that would have been Cephalopod, his younger brother Nick Bottle Squid, and his brother in law Bazza Cuttlefish. They are the blokes that have very understanding wives, do not have jobs (but they have all the best gear in the world) and spend their days dreaming and chasing hoodlum kings in Sydney Harbour.

Are we sure these 2 headed fish didn't emigrate from Tasmania??

Good initiative. Anything that can help our mighty KINGS long term will receive all fishermans support. And no shortage of 62cm Kings in the Harbour at present to use as specimens! Gotta love the scientist running this catch and release program.... his name is Dr Butcher!!!!!

Raiders, I was listening to ABC radio this morning on the way to work and heard Duncan Gay interviewed about the NPA proposal. He is definitely against the NPA proposal and is a man we can trust. His quote (paraphrased) was that there is no scientific evidence for what is being proposed and the last thing we want to do is exclude recreational fisherman. The experience up the coast has been devastating for rec fisherman and communities and it hasn't done a thing to protect our environment or fish stocks. He is speaking alot of sense! I think we have a good advocate that is displaying some logic, putting some commonsense into this ludicrous proposal and is demonstrating leadership that you would expect from an elected member of our community.

Roosterman, I think you summed it up well. This NSW Govt is currently busy achieving nothing, whilst we all watch our State going backwards

The answer is probably yes, except for Kingfish that are actually attracted to commotion and bubbles in the water.