Geoff

The man smiled, then slumped back in his chair, and said, "Ahhhhh, Qantas!!!!" Your not wrong very beautiful woman sitting next to him. He thought to himself, "Wow, she's so gorgeous she must be a Flight Attendant". Then again this would be unusual on QF Stewy. SQ are a great airline , you should have a very plesant trip. They have a great sound & video system which helps pass the hours Geoff

ianoc69 Leaving for my cousins place at Bega on Thursday morning , staying until the 22nd . Plan to fish mainly Bermi but perhaps also Tartha. Will see how it goes. When at Bermi we launch at the ramp opposite Bridge Motors. Look for a white VX Commodore with B & W plates , GA 026 or a Webster 4.6 , rego , "GALLEON" Fishing the river , never had much sucess . Are you land based , if so try the northern breakwall , it's OK Talk to Scottie at Bridge Motors , he is a wealth of information. If from a boat , there is no bar at Bermi so access to the ocean is rather straight forward Geoff

LOCATION Oatley Ramp , End of West Crs , Oatley CONDITION & ACCESS Good quality , 3 lanes , water depth can handle most boats. There is a small beach on one side & jetty / pontoon on the other PARKING / FACILITIES Parking is average , around 35 trailers + limited spots in West Cresant so , need to be there early. Toilets are near the top of the ramp. There are no fish cleaning tables.The parking area marked in red has gates and are locked between 8pm-4am bear_au46 has sent me an arerial which provides further information. The area marked in red is the car / trailer parking area , also , with the exception of the actual drive in section to the ramp , parking is available in the area marked in yellow Geoff

Did you see anyone livebaiting from the rocks at Tomaree ??? Maybe the Macks and Northern Blues have moved in to make life hell for the slimies up that way Cheers Swordfisherman There were about 6 guys fishing the sothern end of Tomaree. Did not go in close as they had floating baits so not sure what they were after Geoff

Ms Dunn said the park would be good for the economy with an increase in tourism. She believes recreational fishers would return to the area as there will be an increase in fish numbers. NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said there was evidence the marine park would generate significant tourism dollars and protect marine life. What a load of garbage. I wonder who sits in government & writes these motherhood statements Geoff

Hi Raiders Headed up to Pt Stephens last Wednesday for a few days fishing with the guy's Four arrived during the afternoon with the 5th , Michael due on Thursday. Into the Thursday No wind , calm seas with the first stop off Tomaree for livies. A few around but mixed in with a lot of other rubbish , also very skittish , there one moment , gone the next. As such , none boated Out to deeper water & trolled south to Fingle lighthouse. Picked up a large Slimie & med Bonnie. Tried a few spots around the rocks , heaps of fish but either undersize or rubbish reef fish , still , lots of fun & action We were well into the when Michael arrived at 8.30pm Friday Weather conditions unchanged from Thursday so off to the island directly off the heads. Fished the eastern side for a good feed of Reds , Tailor & a few other bits & pieces. Trolling back picked up another med Bonnie Michael & Neil cleaning the catch Saturday & Sunday The 20 / 30 knot wind arrived from the S/W during Friday night so that was the end of that. Not to worry more Sunday Wind still blowing , a late brunch then packed & back to Sydney Great time , looking forward to the next one in May Geoff PS Have added a ramp report for Pt Stephens

PORT STEPHENS There are 3 ramps in the Pt Stephens area , Shoal Bay near the heads , Little Beach , Nelson bay & Soldiers Point. **The main ramp is Little Beach** CONDITION & ACCESS 4 lanes in good condition however the Eastern side has some sand coverage which is exposed at low tide . The ramp is not all that deep so retrieving larger boats over 6 mt can be a bit of a challenge especially at low tide PARKING / FACILITIES Very good parking , approx 80 trailers but even on a normal weekend this can fill quickly. There are toilet & BBQ facilities Has excellent under cover fish cleaning facilities ............................................................................................ **Shoal Bay** LOCATION On the same street as the shopping center but the very eastern end CONDITION & ACCESS The one big plus for this ramp is it's location to the heads , approx 3 - 4 min run. It is a single lane in reasonable condition . It's draw back is retrieving at low tide . The ramp finishes with soft sand & wheels quickly sink up to the rims. Normally requires a 4WD to retrieve the trailer. Launching at low or near low & retrieving at high tide with a 2WD is OK The ramp is also exposed to swell serge & N/W & N/E winds. PARKING & FACILITIES Parking for about 20 - 25 trailers. Toilets are available but a bit rough , not recommended for ladies ............................................................................................ **Soldiers Point** LOCATION At the western end of the bay. By boat approx 20 - 30 min from the heads CONDITION & ACCESS This ramp has recently been updated and now is: 3 lane in good condition with a pontoon dividing the lanes (2 lanes on one side and 1 on the other) This is the steepest of the 3 Port Stephens ramps, good for larger boats. Has a break wall for wind protection The down side , rocky on both sides so boats need to be handled carefully PARKING & FACILITIES Good parking for approx 50 trailers. There is now a toilet block . Geoff

Tks Clutch I thought it was deep on the western side , your first photo confirms Regards Geoff

Clutch It's the "horseshoe" shape island. Cannot make out the name , appears to start with a B. Any chance of a clearer picture of the lowar LH square , ie the square with the islands & Pt Stephens entrance , down to Fingle bay Geoff

Assuming the trailor is in reasonable condition & all is registered & BOAT CODED , as the others have said $1500 is a good price but let's see the pic's In respect to the motor , perhaps a compression test . If you do not have a gauge , any auto mechnic will be able to assist. Depending on the motor any thing above 125 lbs is OK. Also , there should not be more than 15lbs between the readings. The starting issue will be fuel related & should not be difficult to fix Geoff

Chris Of the 3 islands have only fished the one directly East of the heads ( cannot recall the name). Normally done OK & had no reason to burn fuel to see what the others produced. Our best sucess was close in on the eastern side & with the correct wind a S/E drift off the S/E corner, need to pick your day , no good in a N/E. The northern end & western side look promising but not much sucess. The catch , varies , no monsters , Reddies , Mowong , a few flatties & the normal aray of rock rubbish. Like the others , Tomaree can have it's good days & in a southerly the northern side of the Fingle bay headland Geoff

Choteo. Tks for the report , I think. Heading to PS Wednesday week (29th) for 4 days. Weather permitting we will head for the islands directly off the heads we normally do Ok but after reading your report ???? I'v been hearing a few positive reports on Fingle Bay , in particular the northern headland Then again , there is always plan B Geoff

Home on Saturday , hopefully receive a few calls from those interested in buying the car Sunday Off to the boat show with David ( Mottyman) & chase the kids around Geoff

Until a few years ago I had a 4.5mt Quinnie with a 30hp 2s. It used to fly. Suggest a 40hp is a bit of an over kill. My recomodation 30 hp 2s with elect start & power tilt For the usage you describe the difference in fuel between 2s & 4s is very minor 4s are more expensive to buy & to service. In essence what you may save in fuel will go on servicing Noise wise , place a new 2s against a new 4s & it is difficult to pick the difference. Most comments regarding noisy 2s is comparing a 20 YO motor against a new 4s Hope this helps Geoff

David Actualy , your mum has just been around & I donated them for dinner tomorrow night. I'm sure Peter will enjoy. Can't let the ol' boy go without his fish dinner Geoff

Hi Chris. Yes , I did see you & taking more than an idle intrest as you passed by. Like yourself not sure & was unable to make out the boat brand. Hopefully next time. How did you go , better luck than us I hope Geoff

Hi Raiders. Arrived at the ramp & all was looking good , calm seas , slightlly overcast & hi tide. Left Cooks at 6.30am & headed to the cans , threw a few baits around & came up with 2 slimies. Already had sufficient bait so they were released. Decided to troll , luers over & headed for Watts then out around the Southern headland. Picked up a frigget off the water tower but was dropped at the side of the boat. Went out to the 30mt for some bottom bashing. Picked up a small Mowong & a Bucket mouth. Lots of pickers & 2 Pike. Both quickly returned Things were slow so back in , tried a few spots for some throw back reds. Finished up at the third runway where I hooked into a large ocky. Played with him for a while hopeing all ink had been released. Wrong Rob lent over the side to release & a well directed jet of ink covered his face & shirt. This was quickly cleaned , the ocky had freed himself & we decided to call it a day. Not a lot to show but still a nice day on the water It appears even the pro's have off days , listining to Scotty Lyons on the radio this morning his charter caught lots of throw backs & came home with one King so it was not just us who had a slow day. Geoff

Inked Ian McDonald will be on HiTide on the 26/3/06. Perhaps you would like to E Mail the letter you received & your concerns to 2KY , attention Kieran Rikki & request it be a dicussion item for Sunday week Geoff

"There are no plans to create additional rec fishing havens" I think the letter needs to be updated. Perhaps the closure of Sydney harbor dose not count but Rec Fishing Association has $ 3 - 4,000,000 in their pocket & submitted to the goverement , some time back , a request to send out letters of interest to the pro's who work the Shoalhaven River & another place on the south coast. They are waiting for the request to work it's way through the red tape. It appears to take forever Geoff

David Great report All fish were taken on a black Kokoda Bat. I think those flapping wings make it look so real. Were all caught on the black one , have you tried any of the other colors Geoff

A few years back I came accross oysters that size at the northern end of Jervis Bay. They were referred to as drift oysters & as the name suggests they just drift around with the currant , some times ending up near the shore. Was not brave enough to try one Geoff

I'm not keen on them either . A friend smokes salmon , there not bad wheh cold & served as a savoury on Jatz biscuits Geoff

Steve Normally fish B.B & around the southern head land. Had seen a few reports of kings in the Jibbon area so decided to give it a go. Like youself , ended with a consolation prize but still a lot of fun & better than nothing. The pink lure you used seams to work well , I have seen other reports on kings being caught on a similar luer. We were running two , a medium size hard body & a blue one , something like yours but with a Xmas tree tinsle inside. The first fish was taken on the hard body , the second on the blue. They appear not to be choosey Geoff

GRAYS POINT RAMP G.P. ramp is the most western of the P.H. ramps , only a k or so from the Audley weir & about 6 k's from the heads. LOCATION Grays Point Rd . off North West Arm Rd (Gymea CONDITION & ACCESS The council spent a few $$$$$ a year or so back on the car park , toilets & picnic area making the area very nice , unfortunatly not one dollar on the actual ramp. Two lane ramp which is OK between half to full tide. At low tide it is rather sad especially the right hand side (when looking from the water) PARKING Car park has spots for about 35 trailers & during summer this is normally full by 7.00am. After that it is parking on the entry road. Very steep , OK walking down , when collecting the car , send the fittest person. Geoff Launched from Gray's point today. Finishing touches , mainly the concrete walk ramp up to the jetty was poured this morning. Checked it out when we got back , they have done a great job. Steel fencing should be removed in the next few days & it will be fully operational Speaking with the contractors aparently the new ramp extends into the river approx 30' beyond the low water mark however the sand has already moved in the cover the bottom part of the ramp. This should not cause any problems as it is unlikely to be very thick this is the old ramp picture

I think big steve (Botany Bay Sat 25/2) & I had a similar day but in different stretchers of water. Left Grays Point ramp at 7.00am , first stop Jibbon headland for some yakka. Plenty around but did not want to play. Trolled around Jibbon bommie for two friggets then south along the cliffs to Marly, no action. Tried bottom bashing in a few spots , just a few of the normal rock fish , no keepers. Mid morning & the N/E was starting to come in. Headed back but in a N/E direction as we wanted to try the 30mt line. Line hit the bottom & into a very agressive 50cm Flattie. Thought this is the spot then the jackets moved in . Lost some gear & only boated one. Wind was picking up so decided to head in & try South West Arm. Typical P.H. , a few small reds with a lot of water inbetween. Overall , another good day on the water but not a lot to show. Took a few photo's of the G.P. ramp & will add a post in the ramp section Geoff