the elk

We can not allow the Greens to have any sway with this issue. They are irrational and a destructive organisation, ironically the antithesis of what their members purport to be. I think as a community we should be instead debating how to put a stop to commercial netting, particularly in the hawkesbury. They are killing the river, yet the state govt seems oblivious to it... MUPPETS! Forget marine parks and sanctuaries and exclusion zones and all of that. Lets debate the real issue that will deprive future generations of the enjoyment we receive today - ban the nets. The Elk

Sportsfish, always get some fishing in whilst on holidays. If your question was did you catch any fish then that is a different story. Unfortunately things are a bit quiet up there in winter - but certainly hots up in spring and into summer.

Took this photo whilst on Holidays a few months ago on the Myall River, Hawks Nest NSW. The dolphins were chasing fish into the shallows as the tide was falling.

As long as these hook keepers help me catch more whiting on poppers I will be happy.

Thanks for the reply guys. Much appreciated. Will these poppers work only in calm water, or has anyone had any success fishing in the surf (where the noise and bubbles would be negated by the ponding waves)?

Radiers, I have a couple of weeks holiday coming up at a well known whiting spot on the NSW central coast. I was wondering if you could suggest the best brand of popper to use to catch whiting? The spot is typified by calm bay conditions, quite a bit of weed and crystal clear water. And would dawn and dusk be the preferred times to entice whiting, or do they feed on tidal movements? The Elk

Mate, never go out fishing with Ceph. You make a bad pair between you Healthy looking Kingy though. Marvellous conditioning. He looks as though he has the beef to be labelled as one of the recent destroyers of numerous wishful fishermans gear in MH of late

Ceph, Do you want me to come out with you and teach you how to tie a dependable knot?

Ladies and Gents, I'm afraid coral trout wins hands down.

Riders, have you renamed it "crappy point" then?

Now here's a question. When do you think the State Govt will lift some of the water restrictions that are currently in place? (Yer I thought so, pigs might fly). Does Morris Iemma know that it has been raining? Where is Morris? Morris...Morris... anyone home?

Gunyah Point is a very strange place to fish. Years ago it really fired. The last few times I have been there we have sat there for nothing - even though we were fishing with same bait and same tides as the times we have had success. It's never had the reputation Juno and F&S have, but it used to deliver Jewfish and good Bream. More likely to lose your anchor there than go home with fish these days. Do you think it is strange that spots change over the years? Can anyone else nominate a spot that is no longer productive.....?

Ceph, has your sponsorship with Shimano been confirmed yet? They surely will be handing over a very large and handsome cheque. You love the Shimano gear... you still got the poster of Starlo on your bedroom wall???

Ceph, they are not worth the extra coin for mine - particularly when they invariably end up on the bottom of middle harbour. I'll stick to my humble Stradic. It's a flattie magnet.....

And perhaps you should consider pumping some nippers. They work a treat in the hawkesbury and cowan creek systems. Gives you a good chance at landing a variety of species as well. Just a thought - if you aren't having any luck with the larger predators.

Well done Ceph. Whilst we are stuck here at work dreaming about it, you are out there pulling them in. Perhaps you should have put the 45cm king "aquarium model" out as a livey...!

Of course the answer to the question "what is your dream boat" is simple. Answer: someone elses that you are very good friends with

I like the fact that Squidgys are an Australian brand, and therefore more suitable to catch our local species. The gulps seem very American to me and they have weird fish over there. That is my only hesitation on why I use more squidgy's than gulps.

Check out middle harbour on google earth. People have pinned shark attacks from over the years. It's certainly not a place I would be swimming, also knowing the area from fishing there as well. There are indeed many a predator that lurks....

I have just picked myself up 2008 model Stradic 3000 (awesome) over EBay from the US. I then bought from a local tackle store an Ian Miller Shimano Bream raider flick stick. All up, it cost me a tick over $300 and I reckon this is the perfect outfit that you are also looking for.

A mate of mine reckons The Generals (his affectionate name for Flathead) would take a used condom dangled over the flats if the technique of the fisherman was good enough.

I am just starting to get into the whole SP thing - it's a whole new ball game and has opened up my eyes to the wonders of the humble Made in China but Ohhh So effective Soft Plastic. I have had some success with the Squidgy Fish black gold when targeting flatties, but keen to hear what other Fishraiders prefer when targeting this species. Go the Plastics. Who said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

It reminds me of that Tooheys Extra Dry ad where all the machines come to life and fight for the last bottle left in the fridge. Maybe your washing machine is thirsty?

The issue is that the trawlers nets can not discriminate between prawns/squid and the rest of the Hawkesbury and Pittwater piscatorial ecosystem. Personally I would rather have less prawns/squid available if I knew the longevity of the system for anglers was protected.

So short sighted. Such a shame. Actually, shame that the NSW Govt lets them do it. Most fish intended for human consumption will be farmed in the future. That is where the trends are heading. Why would the Govt deprive little old fisherman like me the chance to catch the odd king (or other species). I would be lucky to catch enough edible fish per year as there are fingers on your hand.