Welster

I shared my last boat a 5.3 metre quintrex with two mates from school. That was in 2003 and we owned a cheap boat together for about 18 months before that. About 8 years into it two of us bought the other out as he wasn't using it. The two of us sold it about 18 months and bought another new one together. We have never had an argument or disagreement about it between us or the other mate that sold his share to us. So it can work with the the right like minded people.

The lake is open. There was some decent bream harassing the poddies at the ski park ramp when I arrived. I didn't fish or really chat with any fisho's so can't help much more. The last time I fished there with my uncle it was quiet but that was towards the end of winter when the water was cold. Just the one Bream. http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=78608&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

I didn't do any fishing on the lake this trip. I'm sure the fish are pretty active, the water temp was around 26 degrees. Maybe use the search function for some tips. Here is one link. Depending on the timing the prawns may be running. I know fisheries stocked it during the year. http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=75216&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1 We did go prawning one night at a lake further south. Dirt road in and probably a 1km walk. A Fisheries officer was down there keeping his eye on things, nice guy who obviously enjoys a fish himself. Good to see. We only got a couple of kilos maximum (the timing was wrong). The conditions were magic.

I have a 150 etec HO and love it, it trolls at 500 rpm fine. If I was just fishing and trolling I'd probably lean towards a 4 stroke. If water sports and hole shot mattered I would go with the Etec. I agree with Squidboy put maximum HP on it. With the Etec you can also step up to the HO for a bit more grunt.

That's the best pic I have of the Kings Point ski park ramp. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Dave I was there last week. I have a 5.7 Stacer and Jackaroo tow car. The ramp at King's Point is probably the best ramp there it's quite protected as well. That is the only ramp I used this year as we spent a couple of days water skiing. I have used the ramp to the Southern side with my Uncles smaller boat without much fuss. Parking is pretty good there as well. There is a pontoon beside the ramp. I chose not to launch from there with my bigger boat a couple of years ago. I think the ramp drops away quickly at the bottom. I have used the ramp on the Northern side ( 2 years ago) with my previous boat a 5.3 quintrex Bowrider and it was ok too. Street parking only on that one but even over Christmas it was fine. There is no pontoon and it has more sand around it. The tide does get ripping along at that ramp and both are more subject to the wind than the one at the ski park. They do charge 15 bucks to use the ski park facilities, I don't think it strictly applies to the ramp, not completely sure. The attendant collects it if he arrives when you are there. With my boat if I had good help I would probably use the northern ramp and if I was doing it alone or minimal help I would use the ski park ramp. From the Northern and Southern ramp you also have the 4 or 8 knot zone to get through depending where you fish. We have never used anything other than two wheel drive at any ramp.

[quote name="Ric001" post="574385" timestamp= In some cases they are hard wired to battery so that if boat fill with water whilst in attended the pump will kick in. It all depends on how smart the original installer was. It should still be fused. Ric. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I have a one year old Stacer and the bilge pump is wired direct bypassing the 1-2 off switch as you describe Ric.

Is there a float switch that turns the pump on if there is water under the hull with the dash switch a secondary manual switch. My guess the float switch is stuck on for some reason.

That's one big bream

39 pounds maybe?

We picked up one in the troll on Friday morning near the headlands of the hacking. So they are around.

Only a bored plumber that prefers work to fishing would think that.

That's gotta hurt. Unlucky mate.

Wow. Hats off to these guys.

Is there a type of fishing you guys haven't nailed?

Looks yum. I should of let you cook mine

I think you need a trimmer to custom make them. Be aware after a while in the rain they absorb moisture and are very difficult to see through.

If I had the room I'd probably run a second starting battery with the off, 1, 2 and 1&2 switch and leave the set up as is. If not I'd look to utilise my deep cycle battery more. There are others on here far more knowledgable about this stuff than me. Going by your description it's a first line safety system that must work so I would err on the side of caution. I was out from 4pm to 2 am the other arvo night with live bait tank, sounder and Nav lights running with no dramas on my first battery, no signs of going flat. ( boat is Stacer 5.7 with 150 etec). We did do a few short moves whilst drifting and a run in from the heads to Yowie bay to change spot. It's good piece of mind having another fully charged battery ready to switch over. However the first thing I would do is have it on trickle charge and make sure I'm leaving home with a fully charged battery.

Great read and a top little session. I love stories like this, you have gone out when most stay home, taught the kids these days are what you make them despite the weather and they were well rewarded for the effort. Winning all round.

Very funny reply.

I'm still off work but at home now so it's not all bad. I just wish the weather was playing ball. All the squid were taken in the same area. Mostly on 3.5 jigs.

It is. Would make a good meal combo with your snapper!

After a great week away at Smiths lake I arrived back in Sydney on Saturday disappointed with the ordinary weather forecast for the week ahead. After a brief chat with AMKR we agreed to hit the Hacking. I was far from ready no food in the house, and pretty disorganised. We waited out the passing rain storm before setting off around 3 or 4, time escapes me when on holidays so I really don't really know. The wind was up but not to bad so we headed to the heads. Our first drift came up with zero's. On our second I scored what was to be the better squid of the day. AMKR reached for the net but of course it was still at home. [emoji15] Soon after AMKR scored his first ever squid on a jig which was good to see. Over the next few hours we picked up a 10. With two being sent out live to be picked to pieces. We settled into fishing in what turned out to be great conditions for no result, other than some throw backs and a squid on bait that we didn't boat. A nice feed and some more quality bait from a good night fishing that's about as good as it gets. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kiwicraig what system do you fish in? So maybe a sliding stopper knot, float and straight through to jig is the go.

I have thought about this too. Possibly even with a baited squid spike. I often pull up a squid on bait only to lose it when it lets go near the boat. If I leave the bait in the water I sometimes can do the switch if I have a rod rigged with a jig. Oddly it is often in areas I wouldn't target squid. And I haven't had much success throwing in a jig after that, so I guess they are just passing through and take an interest in the bait. I think for the float to work you would want a reasonably constant water depth with the jig set about a metre above. Would you use a paternoster type set up below the float or just the jig? The float should keep them under tension when you hook up making it hard for them to get slack line to escape as well.