Zerko

Bi-catch of a lifetime!!

Did you use a net? One of those goldfish ones?

Nice work. That float is mesmerising.

Yeah, I was a little surprised as they usual go nuts when the see the boat, but like us I don't think it wanted to move much cos it was freakin' cold. Yep, 2500 Tierra spooled with 10lb and a Pflueger President (I think - I forgot to go and have a look this morning). It's a nice combo if not slightly too stiff, but you can easily land a legal kingie with it on the lake. A bit harder if there is structure around (eg. Sydney harbour). I've got another spool that I've got 4lb fireline planned to go on it, but that combo is really too heavy for the finesse stuff. It's perfect for the flatties, though.

It's a saltwater fly rod, so all good on the corrosion part. It's probably too stiff, but hey, if it catches fish... I'm yet to try it off the rocks using the side cast. The flatties are still there, I suspect deeper water and you'd have to donk them on the head for a strike. I think the burner is up at the van, but I've brought the smoker and chips back to Sydney with me. Oh well, next lot.

Despite the cold weather, I've been hanging to get out on the water for fish. I picked up this second-hand alvey and fly rod (in Swap & Sell - thanks Hoodlum92) seeing that the in-laws were going up to the lake for the weekend to chase blackfish. Having never used this type of reel before, I thought I would be in for tangles and cursing. First drift and I'm on. Trying to wind the bugger in, I thought, geez this drag isn't very smooth. Finally get it in the boat and it goes 35. Better have a look at this reel. Umm, that's not really a drag, it's just to lock it so it doesn't freespool when you don't want it to, derr. Now that I've figured that out, I can understand why people prefer to use these reels for float fishing. It's so much easier to control the line. Got another one in mid 30s, dropped another good one and let a few just 30s go. I like this blacky fishing. I must be getting old. Decided we'd go for a flatty spin. Picked up a small one on a 4" power minnow. It went back. Then hooked a nice one that went 65. It felt like a old boot as it came up, barely even put up a fight. I thought it would wake up after seeing the boat, but it didn't. It was a very fat fish. I felt sorry for it, so it went back as well. Went back to the luderick on the change of tide, but the wind came up so we called it a day. Was planning to smoke the blackies a'la Roberta, but I can't find my portable burner. I think they'll just be pan fried.

What an awesome report! Wish I was there too.

Where abouts?

That was a great story and nice fish!!

Nice first boat. Check out youtube for filleting videos. Some good ones there.

PM sent. For sure there was at least 1 bus waiting for the kids on the oval.

Hahaha. Nice write up.

Some people have all the luck... Nice report. Great sense of humour.

Reads like a Mills & Boon. Love it.

Fish pizza. mmmmm.