Pukka

Had a quick fish with RichP on Sunday morn'. After the recent rains I was hopeful upper Middle Harbour may hold some bream, but unfortunately they were few and far between. We found some entertainment early on with schools of slimey mackerel and tailor seemingly everywhere at one point, but when they went down we doggedly continued breamin' with not much to show for our efforts. We were fishing around Seaforth Bluff area when we noticed birds working on the opposite shore and put the commotion down to more tailor or slimeys. We continued under the Spit, still for nil bream and decided to head back upstream to give the EPs a go. On our way back we noticed the birds still working almost an hour later so this time the temptation was too much and we headed over to check out the fuss. No sooner had we got to the spot and XOS size tailor were almost jumping in the boat in a feeding frenzy you'd be more used to seeing in February, not mid-June. We quickly threw plastics at the boils and our skimpy leaders were chopped almost instantly. These were the biggest tailor I'd seen for a while and fish I'd have been proud to have caught in my sandgroper days. We perservered, however and Rich hooked into something big. The first run told us this was no tailor and while Rich' spent the next 5 minutes losing and regaining line, I kept casting and re-tying my jig, as numerous tailor beat my intended targets to the lure. Rich' finally got his in, a nice kingy and a PB no less! A quick pic' was taken and the fish duely returned. Seconds later I was into another king, but this specimen, we estimated, was a 'little' bigger. Fireline screamed non-stop off the spool and we frantically put the electric on full power and began the chase. After another few seconds the run eventually stopped and I began to think I had a chance.. that was until the fish instinctively made another run and turned for the nearest mooring rope! I started to feel the tell-tale rubbing of my line against rope and realised my chances of getting a possible kingfish PB had dropped considerably. We Minn Kota'd over to the boat to see what we could do, but the fish was well and truely wrapped and my heart sank as the line finally came up loose. Oh well as the emoticon says, sh*t happens! We kept casting and Rich' managed to pull in another slightly smaller king, and that's where the fun ended. We motored around for another 30 minutes, sounding out huge balls of baitfish but the predators had decided that was enough, and so did we. We had a half hearted bash for Eps upriver, with only a few flatty's the result, then with work on the menu for the rest of the day I decided I'd better pull the plug and get back. Here's Rich's king, sorry for the pic' mate! Joe

There's a couple of aluminium places on Old Pittwater Road, which runs behind Warringah Mall. I went there to enquire about having a livewell installed in my Hornet, one place didn't want to know and wouldn't even quote, the other place took all my details, looked at the boat, made notes, then never rang me back. Problem I've found in dealing with alu' places is many of them are good at alu' welding, but only a few of them are familiar with boat welding or what's required when modifying a boat. I know it's not on the N.Shore, but you might want to give Viking Marine and Aluminium Boat Repairs at Taren Point a call. Viking are a recommended repairer by Club Marine and as the name suggests, they only work on boats. I have no affiliations with Viking marine, by the way, but I was impressed with the service, the work they showed me and the level of knowledge the guys had there. Well worth the extra drive for peace of mind I think. Pukka

Cheers fishrunner, but I don't know where your reference to "3" Hawgs" came from? Like I said I was using Ecogear 2 inch Bug Ants. Thanks for the replies fellas and thanks for sorting the pic' out Ken Joe

Thanks Ken I'll do that...

Me and Mick C's 'EP plan' was cancelled due to the wind forecast this morning, so instead we opted for a quick flick around the boats on the Parra'. The fish weren't there in numbers but there were still some quality fish to be had. We only caught 5 decent fish but those fish we estimated would have tipped us over the 4 kilo mark in a comp' so we were well happy with the mornings work. The ol'faithful watermelon Bug Ant did 'the business' for me, while Mick used a Bass Minnow in watermelon. All the fish came off the bottom in depths of around 12 feet. Once the tide bottomed out, the bite stopped, the wind got stronger, and we decided it was a good time to head for home. Here's a pic' of the best fish of the morning that went 40.5cm to the fork. Pukk'

By 'eck, they look sexy! Joe

Lovely winter river bass there Lance and as Swoffa said, what a great way to unwind after a tough comp', nice one mate! Joe

Prefish Day: Day 1: Day 2: Overall: Pukka :-)

Hey Ken, I'm pretty sure Mike used flash for that shot, but the boat drifted a bit too far away unfortunately, and it didn't really fill-in very much. I was really pleased Mike offered to take the shot however, my hands were still shaking! Joe

Thanks guys! The last pic taken by Mike, is the 41 he witnessed. Unfortunately I was too excited to think of where the sun was coming from and it didn't make for a good shot, but what the hell the memory will stay with me for a long time. Speaking of photos, you wouldn't believe the fish in the first two shots are actually the same size. Amazing how different a fish can look when taken from different angles. Thanks again and glad you enjoyed the read! Joe

Hey Harry, sorry I didn't cotton-on when me and Rich saw you. I could hardly hear you from the boat, and didn't realise you'd had such a good session. Well done mate, hope to bump into you again down there for a better chin wag. Joe

We-hey! Nice goin' Mike! Lovely fish there mate, glad you got into 'em and sorry I couldn't join you. I would've killed to have had another go at the bruisers that are swimmiing around at the moment. I think I can safely say, the Parra' is fishing the best I've seen it for months, not that it ever went bad, of course! Joe

I woke up Saturday morning feeling 'crook as dog' and the temptation to stay in a nice warm bed was high, but I ventured out anyway in the knowledge that this would probably be my last chance to fish before the ABT comp' in Taree next weekend. I got to the ramp about 6.45 and was greeted by a thick wall of icy fog. I decided it would be a good idea not too venture too far from the ramp, so I started hitting a few hulls until the fog started to lift. First signs weren't encouraging, a few taps, a couple of undersize and everything seemed very still and cold, including me! It didn't take too long for the sun to do it's stuff however and with the improved conditions, I slowly motored to a couple of my fave spots. I hit the hulls of two large yachts where I'd previously encountered big bream. These yachts sit just off the main current line and are big enough to need a couple of casts either side to fully cover. I worked both the hulls over and the shoreline nearby only to get one tap and another undersize bream. I was just starting to wonder what my next move would be when a half-hearted cast to an innocuous looking little half-cab got nailed by something substantial. The fish made a blisteringly hard first run, I put on some side strain and managed to get a few metres of line back before it ran again. The drag squealed and I leant over the side of the boat with my rod submerged under the water almost up to the reel in an effort to avoid the boats keel. I almost thought I had it beat, but then my heart sank as I felt the leader begin to scrape against the mooring rope. I leccy'd over to the rope and could still feel 'thumps' from the fish. Only one thing left to do to try and save the situation, so I took my bail arm off and hoped the fish would still be around as I tried to unravel the line by passing the rod and reel between the rope and the moored boat. Unfortunately all the effort was to be in vain, as I finally lifted up the mooring rope to discover the remainder of the leader, no lure and no fish. Well, for the next half an hour or so I was haunted by visions of my failed fight with the bream from hell, which was now growing in scarey proportions every time I recounted it in my mind. A few choice swear words helped but after landing a very nice 37cm to the fork fish, I was well and truely cured. The tide was fully running out by now and the bite just seemed to get better and better. A heap of smaller fish started hitting the deck and I had the feeling that any one of the 'taps' I was getting could be a great fish. It was at this point that I bumped into Sputnik and Paul testing out Paul's sexy looking new Attack. We chatted for a bit and as they headed off I let a cast go at a nice big hull and immediately got 'whallopped'! I screamed to Mike and Paul to come back, this fish had to be a big'n. I leccy'd away from the boat and the fish made a couple of concerted runs to get back to the hull from where it came. Five or so minutes later and to my great relief, I had a 41cm bream in the net. Mike did the honours with the pic', a few measurements were taken, and Mr, (or Mrs?), Bluenose was returned to the drink. It's been a long time since I've caught a 'forty', and needless to say, I was 'over the moon' with the catch and couldn't stop laughing when it finally hit the deck - awesome stuff! For a short time after, all went a little quiet and I moved on working the bays and boats I'd never hit before. I fished the back of a few bays, but I had an inkling the fish had more of a liking for boats with a bit of flow under them. I worked the outer boats in every bay and started to find fish again including a nice lookin' 38cm fish. What a morning it was turning out to be I thought, only a handful of average sized fish followed however, so I decided to move to Five Dock Bay for more hull bashing. I arrive at Five Dock, motor slowly up to my favourite boat, put the Minn Kota down, throw the first cast and within seconds, my lure is hit by another 38'er! Mike receives yet another annoying SMS! Sorry Mike. I fished for a little longer but the bites got fewer, the sun got hotter and the headache I'd carried all morning really began to kick in, ('the one and only time I'll ever forget my hat again!'). And just to put the 'cherry' on top of an awesome morning, I picked up a 36cm fish off the last hull before heading back to the ramp! Pukk' P.S. A combination of Bug Ants on 1/16th's, and hard bodies 'did the damage'. P.P.S. Apologies for the long post.

Aaaah what can I say... well I know what I could say, but I'd be banned for life, so I think I'll just stick with 'well done Ken and Bob' Joe

I wish Pete I'm tied to this 'puter seat and my clients have pre-rigged explosives to detonate if I move more than a metre away from my desk! Joe

Arrrggghh, this hurts... A mate who live next to Five Dock bay has just told me he saw 3-4 boats in there this morning! ... bet one of them was Swoffa and the other was Snag Pukk' P.S. Ken, if I read one more bl**dy Pumicestone Passage report ...

... high barometer ... last of the run out ... not a breath of wind ... the fish will be giving themselves up gladly ... why the hell am I here typing Anyone else stuck at work wishing they were out there, please, join in... .... aah well, as the saying goes: Pukk

I'd go along with Jethro and Chris's comments. A famous golfer, Gary Player I think it was, once said; "the more I practice the luckier I get" Pukk'

Congratualtions Chris. The first jew on plakky's is always a bit special, nice one mate Pukk'

Hey Harry, was that you we saw? Sorry I couldn't hear you very well from where we were mate, and I didn't wanna bring the boat any closer in case I scared off your fish! From what I could make out you had a great morning, Rich' said he thought he heard you say "2 jews"?? Our session was OK but a wee bit slow. I had a 'Barry Crocker' while Rich' knocked a few on the head (in a manner of speaking ). Joe

Wayne boat -based mate Matrix I had scales on me, but I couldn't be a*sed to weigh them to be honest. Joe (the cool one) yeah, a net scar or maybe a squid bite, who knows?? Thumperbream all went back and are happily swimmiing around, hopefully avoiding the nets. Thanks fellas, Joe (the pommy one)

Thanks guys, still buzzin' here 8foot - no, didn't go up as far as IC, I got a few fish in Five Dock tho', but most fish came from the boats moored at the mouth of the Lane Cove River. Joe

Nipped out for a quickie this morning before the phones started ringing and what a morning it turned out to be. I fished boat hulls mainly with a combination of Ecogear Pad tue's and Bug Ants on 1/16th oz heads. Before the tide turned it seemed like every boat had a fish under it and not only that there were some stonkers too! Final bream tally for the morning was 1 x 39cm, 2 x 38cm, 1 x 37cm, 4 fish in the 30-35cm range and so many bream under 30cm I lost count. Here's some pics (all self timer shots, so be kind ) ...

Hi Jethro Owner C'ultiva Stingers in, I'm pretty sure, a size 12 Pukk'

Congrats on your new PB Tony, great looking bass! Joe