Josh88

The Symmetre is a decent reel, they released the new version of it last year and have made imrovements on the previous version and what ive heard from people who have them is that they're happy. As for a rod a Daiwa Tierra for $155 could be a good option or you could look at the Berkley Dropshot range rods range from $100-$300

Try and get a popper that makes good splash and has a rattle inside it, get noise and water movement which should help get their attention

7ft is not too long for a boat, i have the 7"6' raider and use it every now and then without an issue. The extra length can be good for getting troublesome fish away from motors and boat hulls as well as obviously being softer with that extra length will mean that there is less pressure on the fish and therefore less chance of pulling hooks. You won't snap the rod provided you don't overload it with too heavier drag. I fish 50lb on 15kg rods without an issue. Whats your budget for the new rod? Cheers Josh

Spin if they are on the surface and you can see them, stay away from the actual school though and cast around the edges in the direction they are feeding for best results. If theres nothing on the surface have a troll but from what i've heard theres some big kings to be caught at the moment

hopefully they are in the harbour tomorrow

Nice work on your first Jewie mate, certainly beat mine, more than doubled it infact. You didn't touch the numb ray did you ? Cheers Josh

I think the legal size should be 70, the fisheries don't seem to do enough research before they apply these new limits, they need to analyse the effectiveness of fishing trends that are being introduced and proving successful on the fish and adequately lower some bag limits and increase size limits that reflect the fish's breeding cycle and sexual maturity, may make some people unhappy but it'll will improve the number and quality of fish for everyone in the future. Cheers Josh And on the NZ kings steve, i'm heading over there in January so will let you know.

Penn have a smaller series which is like the little brother of the spinfishers called the Slammer, very similar is design and structure, tough reel that will cop a beating, i'd say the symmetre will probably feel a bit better and be nicer for casting plastics etc.. as well as handle decent fish whereas id say the slammer would be better for bait fishing and able to put it to some serious fish. Josh

Hi Steve, I've got the pe2-4 spinning version of the rod and really like it, its strong and the combination of graphite and fibreglass is very good. I think you'll be fine running 80lb braid on it as long as you don't overset your drag, the rod will say whats its maximum capacity is, probably about 12kg mine is 10kg which is more than you should need when targeting kings and jews in Sydney. In saying that though the rod will always go before any braid as i found out the hard way a few months ago, if a fish has you wedged in something well enough and the line isnt hitting anything sharp then the rod will just snap as the braid is too strong. Good luck with your choice Josh

I generally use 20lb flurocarbon but if knowing i am likely to encounter bigger fish then i use 40lb jinkai for trolling, i think with trolling it doesn't matter as much as when you have a bait still in the water as the fish is less able to size it up like they do with the baits and hit the lighter line due to the constant movement. I doubt many kings would be taken on the troll now, maybe a few but i reckon its best about september-october when some decent fish are in and before the rats invasion. Cheers Josh

They look pretty similar to a trigger fish much like a leatherjacket, have caught one off the reef in qld, no pic unfortunately.

Burley certainly helps but you dont wont to overfeed them by giving them a heap at once, just keep a steady trail going out the whole time you're there and you'll find it more effective

Thats a flounder richard, very similar to the sole. Their legal size is 25cm, i usually throw them back but apparently are good eating, you just have to know how to prepare them, i think cooking whole is the best idea. Probably good to keep a whole pilchard out and then use smaller bits on another set up so you're covering your options better. Cheers Josh

Good quality rugged reels that do the job and can cop a bit.

Thats what i thought, are there any frigates or samsons around?

Hi guys, Well after not having fished since january and my last hsc mid year exams tomorrow i will finally be getting back out onto the harbour this week. Was just wondering if anyone who's been out recently can let me know either in the post or by pm whats been happening? Rats still around? Anything on surface? anything like that. Cheers Josh

Great photos

A Penn Applause 6000-8000 size reel matched on a rod like a Wilson Live Fibre 8-15kg or 8-10kg would probably do the job, they are 7-8ft rods which would come in handy when casting the soft plastics. Would cost a bit over $300 but is a good quality outfit that will be quite durable.

A shimano Stradic would suit well, good quality reel and about $200. A 3000 size would probably fit 200m of 8kg braid, might fit the mono as well. What are you intending on using it for? Josh

Nice work guys, filleting can be a pain in the ass at first and is a matter of practise, flathead are not a good fish to start with though as they are quite awkward particularly when you add the spikes as well as position you have to put them in to fillet them. That king mack rod is part of the Shimano T-Curve range i have the spin model and its an excellent rods, really shows the kings who's boss. Cheers Josh

Well done on cracking the kingies mate, those occies can be a real pain in the ass at times, really confusing well you keep pulling up empty hooks when you've seen no bites on it, they're usually the culprits, then if you catch them, getting rid of them is another thing. Did you see anything on the surface or any sharks around? Seems like there havent been as many sharks noticed in the last week. Josh

You could have a look at the Daiwa infeet or saltwater series rods. About $230-240, i've got the saltwater series and its great for mixing between sp's and pelagic work. The tierra seems to be pretty popular as well, cheaper around $140. Cheers Josh

Hope it all works out well Byron. Would like to have a fish with you when you're out. Cheers Josh

Nice work mate, tailor are always there in cowan if you need them, good to see the macs getting in there too. Whats that outfit you've got? Is it the saltwater series or luvias rod? Cheers Josh

Like mike said around the drop offs in the bays tends to produce good flatties, whiting and bream. Jerusalem Bay in particular but also Cowan pt and if you are allowed to take the boat up to the mouth of the hawkesbury its a good drift from there back towards jerusalem bay. Fresh squid, nippers usually do the trick. Josh