bluebottle18

$800 for a charter is cheap compared to Australian Charters. I was paying that for half the lines in the water when trolling besides the bottom bash in QLD. How did you handle the change in climate back in Sydney at night. Good to see you catch a few hairtail for your efforts. Back to the days of the sixties. Bring it on.

Try smoking them. IMO the only way to go. Not too bad raw either but that was when I tried it at the FLYING FISH. Do try smoking it as it is a good way to cook it around the barbie.

Use flurocarbon but run a small piece of electrical tube over the line at the hook. It is pretty tough and can withstand the chomp of the fish.

If you are interested the police in Penrith told me that the thieves who break into cars at these places always return to the scene of the crime. It worries them because the victim does also and takes law into their own hands. The thieves are local to the area. I know how you feel as it has happened many times to me. Becareful if you move house as that is a danger time for your property to be stolen. Lost all my tackle + other valuables . I knew who but NO proof. If I am somewhere and there is a person trying to sell what I think are stolen products I ring the police.

Do you think that fellow who fishes Balls Head cares about the rules. ( is he still there) or The guy who fishes with about eight rods in his tiny tinny in the Parra River near Gladesville concerned. Is he still there. In the past fisheries were only interested in how many lines you had in the water but the new breed seem hell on bent testing our patients. Guys/gals just remember if you are approached by fisheries be courteous and helpful and don`t be sarcastic. A friendly G`day and reply will see you treated accordingly. ( most of the time ) ie, explain to them politely how you deem the rule to be and why. I had an incident with a fisheries officer two years ago at the boat ramp and he was determined to fine me but I kept my cool and in the end he agreed with my interpretation after I suggested he contact head office for a ruling. I am surprised it has not been reworded.

You did well to land fish on 6lb gear and the results were great. It must have been below zero out there. great haul and hope you continue to have a lot of luck. You deserve it in this weather.

I have grown up on the bay and in recent months have found the bay to be very hot and cold. I have also commented about this recently. For fisho`s of my vintage I am surprised that fish are not more plentiful considering there is no netting of the bay anymore. IMO the best bait inside the bay are nippers. Where to fish. It is a matter of travelling spot to spot and moving if there is no result. Burley is essential when you anchor. Just try all of the known places mentioned on this site. Fishing as light as possible will also help. 6lb line and oo+o sinkers floated in your burley trail. For outside ditto previous poster. Use your sounder to find other places around the coastline. Fresh bait is essential to improve your chances of a feed. Tide times play an important part in the bay today. I agree with you about early starts in winter.

Why not talk directly with the company making the engine/motor and be guided by what they say. Ask reasons for their recommendation. Ask if it matters what petrol or oil etc they use or any other queries you have. OR Ask a licenced service mechanic thats approved to service the engine. Starting problems could be the result of stale petrol that has lost its kick. These days petrol has a life span of no more than four weeks. Carry a can of Start u Bastard it is amazing what it will do. But you must know where to spray it.

Great catch. Good to see the Kings have stayed around. That is a top spot you work. ??? If the sounder shows activity and no hits try drifting the bait and throw out a pilchard or two as burley Can entice one to have a go.

Hi All. I am concerned about the lack of fish in the bay this season. I am aware we have had plenty of rain and conditions not the best but it appears the bay has shut down and there is not the quantity of fish IMO should be out there. Reading all of the reports and talking to fisho`s at the boat ramps most people are returning with poor catches. There appears to be even a lack of under size fish being caught as well. Since Commercial Fishing has been banned there has been ample time for fish stocks to improve out of sight and for breeding to be allowed to go the full cycle, ie fish to grow to legal size and the bay a mecca for many breeds of fish. There are of course exceptions but in general and on an average catches this year are very disappointing. Even some of our expert fisho`s have had far too many bad days and have had to work super hard to find fish. IMO I believe the bay is suffering severely from it becoming a commercial port and the recent building of the desalination plant has caused the quality of the water in the bay to sour and fish have moved on. Also it is possible that all the rain has flushed out further toxic soil etc from our estuaries that have also settled on the floor of the bay. I have noticed the colour and quality of the water over the last six + months become dull and oily and not look crisp and clear. The once reliable drift off Brighton/Ramsgate beaches is now becoming a hit and miss situation. Having grown up on the bay for over fifty years and fished with a number of people I consider to be gun fisho`s of the bay I have become extremely disappointed. Today there are No schools of fish. Thank heavens for the Salmon, Bonito that were around this year and the odd visit of other species. Even the jew seem to have disappeared or not in the numbers or size they were a season or two ago. Ofcourse there has been the exceptional catch and the good day but it has not been sustained as has been in the past. The bay was trawled for prawns so one would think there would be fish in abundance feeding on this natural food resource and staying. Anyway these are my thoughts. Am I wrong to think the bay is shutting down and it is mother nature. Cheers, BLUEBOTTLE. This post is not to be taken as controversial but my observation this year and a check of my fish diary in recent times.

Hi all, Just letting you all know this old DUDE (young at heart) is available as of now to keep you company this weekend. Available 24/7. Have my own gear and will supply all the bait, and share the costs. Bottom bouncing, reef fishing inside or out. You can call me 24/7 and don`t be shy to ring early AM hours if your let down by another deckie. I live close by to both Botany Bay and Drummoyne Ramps at Hurlstone Park. Contact numbers are 02 95547572 or 0414 628 186. Cheers and please drive safely and don`t take risks. Check that all fittings are connected. ( double check and don`t assume the other person did. )

HI Power Fisher Cooking Gummy Shark. I use to just put the fish in a Webber if you have one with the skin on or just over the coals of a el cheapo BBQ. Skin peels off real easy when ready. Just add lemon and butter etc prior to eating = yummy gummy. Like all fish many ways to cook them. For me I just keep it simple. Hope we see a lot more of these in the bay. They are a good feed and not many bones. Not much of a fight but at least you go home with a good meal

Good to see the Lane Cove firing. It seems to shut down in winter. Lovely spot to fish and so relaxing. A good haul of fish and hope you have a few more of those days.

Good start there. Sounds like you got the feel of BB pretty quickly. Don`t think we can match Port Phillip in the size of the snapper you can catch down there. I agree Foreshore boat ramp is pretty impressive. Hope you have many more successful trips.

Thats a great little spot with plenty of options when the weather and sea are right. Try fishing the beaches around the south corner. A bit of a hike but can pay good dividends. Also on your way around the rocks there are little holes you can throw a line into. Trevally and bream often hide in there. Plenty of gummy sharks can be caught there off the beach. They are very easy to cook. Leave the skin on. Not sure if you go there alot so I maybe telling you something you already know. Do you eat at the trucky stop a few K`S this side of the turn off. I don`t go there anymore as mate sold his van a few years ago and the drive a bit too long. Some great memories.

Think about sending your tackle etc ahead of you to where you are staying. Enquire what the cost will be with some of the couriers. It might not cost as much. I did this back in the 90`s and had no trouble and it was hassle free. Did not have to wait for it to be unloaded. Motel would phone me and let me know the gear had arrived. Amazing how much easier it is with PIECE OF MIND. Hope this is of help.

Just returned from a weeks fishing in the area. The beaches were very easy to fish with calm seas and good banks but not a lot to talk about in size and quantity of fish. Afew whiting and small bream. The breakwall during the day was very quiet but at night was ok for the odd bream but nothing any bigger than 32cm. For the effort put in and the variety of bait used (fresh) it was very disappointing. The water is very clear so it is better that you fish early morn and at sun set. It is a great place to paddle a yak and the reefs had a few snapper on them to around 50cm. You have plenty of places/beaches to fish and not far to travel/drive from where you stay. There are plenty of rays around. As you know the locals are the best people to talk to and they were having difficulty to finding fish out on the reefs. There were small yellow fin around 50to 60cm. Launching of boats is generally from the beach. The locals are hoping it improves by November. Water temperature varied from place to place and was around 18-19 deg and are expecting it to rise from now. If you are after Squid from the bait shop you will pay the earth as a bloke buys it all up that comes off the trawler at Coffs. Hope this is of some help.Get a good map of the area. It will be a good help as you have many beaches to fish so it could mean choosing the right beach or launch your boat from. There are plenty of off shore reefs to explore close to shore and if your a yak fisho it is the ultimate. You will fall in love with the area as a fishing destination. Good luck and enjoy the break. The drive is pretty good all the way to near Coffs then road works will slow you down. Have a great holiday cause you will. CHEERS BLUEBOTTLE.

Drummoyne Council did this several years ago after complaints by those that bought Units there knowing the ramp existed due to the noise from others and not fishos. This has led to those that were causing trouble to go elsewhere and they did, now that has seen another spot closed off due to both bad behaviour of fishos and other undersirables. A local fishing club stood up for fisho`s at a council meeting but failed to stop the closure of the ramp at night but did organise a concession for club members with a key to the gate. I could say more about this in regards to the behaviour of police in this matter but dont think it applicable

Glad to see the River beginning to come good. Great stud bream there. Enjoy the feed.

Good story and good ending. I know what it is like not sleeping, use to do the same thing when I lived in Rodd Point. Finish work at 2am and down to the jetty to unwind.

Great catch and plenty of fun to keep you busy. What boat ramp was it. Just in case I need a decky at the last minute.

Unbelieveable catch there. They look like what you`d catch in SA. Enjoy the feed they will be delicious

Yeah no what you mean about those land huggers. I had one person who owned a waterfront property get so upset about casting in the vicinity of his wharf phone the Water police to charge us with TRESSPASSING. Nice flathead there. It is a worry about the lack of bream around. I have noticed a lack of fish activity for some time in the estuaries during the day. I put it down to the clear water but not too sure. With no netting now for six years you would expect to be plagued by bream etc.

Please put down Bluebottle. Looking forward to meeting you all. Cheers,

Love the shorts brighter than to nights moon. Great to see your son loves fishing. Priceless