ARP1980

It's definately a bass by the look of it. Doesn't have the EP shaped head. Nice fish anyway.

Thought I had weed on the line and brought it in to clear the trebles

Those Bass really don't care how big the lure is. Got this one amoungst 5 yesterday during the unsettled conditions on a Halco scorpion shallow diver.

Quality Pics Yrelax??????? How about I show everyone a pic of you catching a dirty big eel on the nepean instead

Hi fellas. It is indeed a You Zuri Snap Shad! Thank you for all the info. I thought it was a McGraths aswell but it's too small at 40mm. Also, I'm fully aware of the power of the sneaky scorpion. There isn't a better value lure on the market in my opinion.

Took off from work early yesterday to target Bass in the yak. The Nepean River was the location. Threw some surface lures around for a while with not much success. Changed over to this little number and scored 8 hook ups. Problem is I don't know what this lure is because I bought it second hand, so when I loose it that's it! ......... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The lure is small at only about 40mm. Fish weren't big, smallest was under 10cm biggest was 26cm. Still fun in any case and well worth leaving work slightly early for .....ssshhhhh. Here's a couple of pics Cheers ARP1980

Well done on your first bass. Not a bad size for your first one either. I have caught quite a few bass up that way and have never even contemplated eating one. EVERYONE I have spoken to who fishes there says you will likely get some sort of desease from eating them there. Also, the bass have to travel over up to 10 weirs to get to Menangle from Penrith after spawning, so their numbers are only replenished during times of flood as some of the weirs (including Menangle) don't have fish ladders. I did notice however that they have recently put a bag limit sign up there? A bit confusing when right next to the bag limit sign there is another sign saying "No swimming" and that "water quality in the river may cause infection" and "Swim at your own risk". Only one way to find out I suppose. If I was ever to keep a Bass I would probably keep one closer to where the fresh water meets the salt ....wherever that is??? Cheers, ARP1980

How good are they Slinky. They are cheap and don't snag easy because they only dive shallow (1-1.4m) You can normally see them at that depth (even in murky water) so it's easy to get them back if they do get stuck on something. I've had bass, flathead, bream, EP, Yellowbelly, redfin and carp ..... yes carp take them so far.

You are spot on esky. Everytime I hit that part of the river the bass hit until the sun is fully up and then they hide for the day. Its a spot on the river not far from Bent's basin. Seen places that hold more bass but not may prettier.

After putting in many unsuccessful hours on the nepean in September I decided to put the yak away until the water actually resembled something warmer than freezing. Friday morning 6am I see steam rising from the water so it's at least warmer than the air! I decide to launch the yak. 10 minutes in I am finally off the mark with a small 22cm Bass It took about another 45 minutes to land the second....a bit better at 29cm Pulled up for some brekky ..... nothing but bellbirds chirping. Sure Beats work. Well worth the day off even though I only got two I can say the addiction is back in full flight. Cheers ARP1980

Yeah pretty quiet but a nice place to fish. Didn't know Blackies would hit an SX40?? Is that common on the Woronora Jenno64? Here's a pic of YRELAX with the flatty today

Your post is a strange reminder of something I saw in September last year fishing the nepean at Camden for Bass. I have a pic of it and can't work out exactly what this is floating in the river? I thought wallaby when I first saw it but it looks like it has a hoof like foot? The strange thing is it was also missing a head which makes your post very interesting. Please ignore the date stamp on the pic. The camera defaults to 1/1/2004 if I take the battery out. nepean.bmp

Hi Jewgaffer, Yeah nice spot at Theresa Park. Makes a nice change from Camden or Menangle. Gave it a go about 3 weeks ago and hooked up on 3 big bass within the first 15 mins heading left towards the picnic beach area you spoke of. I think sumone has rammed the gate though because there was no sign of any horses and the gate was on the ground and looked like it had seen better days??? I hope you are right about the weather. Would be good if bass season never ended thats for sure. Hi Dean, I have also found that fishing first light yealds better results in the upper nepean. There have been some occasions when things have gone well in the arvo though, but not as often as early morning for me.

Hi Blayne, It feels like things are starting to slow up a bit up that way bass wise. Me and two mates spent a couple of hours in our yaks at Theresa Park last week for the same result (my mate did manage to pull up a dirty big eel though Will keep at it a bit longer before the bass totally shut down/move downstream but your story sounds just like ours, beautiful snags with no fish!!!!

Great post. Love seeing the youngsters fishing. Makes your day when they can't wipe the smile off their face after reeling one in. Good size fish also. The bream is giant!

Well done Mike. Sounds like a good day out. Gotta get me one of those Purple Vibes!!!!!!!!!!

Well done on the catch. I love catching bass from my Kayak. Its great fun. Sort out your comfort issue and you will be using it at every opportunity I assure you.

Thanks for the tip Greg. Sounds like a handy way to get in some casting practice without losing a box of lures to the trees! cheers!

Hi Raiders, Haven't had much time to post lately but better late than never for this one I reckon. Managed a couple of hours on the Nepean with the young fella on friday in the kayak. Not ideal conditions for Bass fishing (32 degrees, middle of the day, barometer low etc.) but gave it a go anyway. As casting into snags is still difficult for my 5 year old son, I decided we would put his rod on the inside holder and troll his choice of lure close to structure. Things were quiet (as expected) for about 45 mins but we stayed patient and tried to enjoy the peace and quiet and water dragon spotting until some action happened. I saw us approaching a large overhanging tree (one of the few shaded areas on the river at midday) and said to him "ok if we are quiet here we might be a chance"... then ........ WHACK!! rod goes back and we are on. I told him to grab the rod tightly and to try to wind when the fish isn't pulling. This bass was putting up a pretty good fight but we managed to get it into the net safely. Not huge but at 28cm its pretty big for a 5 year old. After scoring a fish (returned to the water as always unharmed) we turned around and headed back as it was getting unbearingly hot. We managed another bass on the way back (32cm) which I fought and my boy netted. Apart from the horrendous sunburn on my exposed legs it was a great day for us. The smile on a kids face when they get a fish is priceless. Here are a couple of pics of the experience:

Good work Jewgaffer. Merry Christamas to you.

How's the bream presentation!! Unreal catch mate. Quality feed beckons!

Wow! that's some great info Jewgaffer!!! I'm sure i'll be hitting Theresa Park during the Christmas/new year period and just tell me the beer your mate prefers because that spot at Menangle sounds super!!! I'll be in touch soon. Have heard from other sources that the bass right upstream are massive and you've added fuel to that fire. Tried menangle downstream from the road overpass early in November for a 25cm and 32cm Bass. Couldn't troll there as it was a little shallow but casting poppers and shallow divers seemed to get some results. Thanks again. Fishraider is reaping benefits already!! This was one of the bass I got at menangle 10/11/2007. 32cm on shallow diver (scorpion) - redfin colour.

G'Day Jewgaffer, I access the river at the base of the bridge on Macquarie Grove road. There is a large sandy bank there where you could put in a canoe or smallish tinnie. Unfortunately the Council has gated off the area at the road so you might have to haul your craft 20 odd metres or so. Directly opposite the launching bank is a flat area for you to land base. Haven't heard of people having much luck there for bass but have heard plenty of stories about carp up to 16kg being caught on floats with corn or bread. Your grandson would probably have a ball if he hooks on one of those dirty buggers! I always paddle down stream as upstream is a little shallow and weedy. Would be interested to know where the boat ramp is at Theresa Park? I've only ever gone as far downstream as Cobbitty Bridge. Don't mind fishing there also, but access is very steep for launching the Kayak. Thanks for the tip on blue colours. I have a blue stumpjumper ready to go but haven't used it because the lipless minnows seem to be doing ok over the last couple of months.

Good to see the nepean doing well after the rains. Getting a bass like that is a great way to start the day. I got these 3 last Friday arvo (30/11/2007) trolling Kokoda hard bodied lipless minnows from my kayak near cover at Camden Airport. 2 were the orange colored variety and one on black/silver. Top to bottom 35cm, 33cm, 29cm.