Jthefisherman

Hi guys, this might seem like a stupid question, but I would like to know a little more info, how much do you salt them down, how do you store them once salted and how long do you keep them. I normally only use fresh or move to SP's. Thanks, Jason

For me it has to be Fireline and the Electric motor, followed by SP advancement.

After reading about the recent social outing for Hairtail, I thought I had to find out for myself. While I had some time off owrk to be with the kids for school holidays, I managed to talk the into a family boating adventure and let her organise hiring a luxury cruiser. We headed off from Pittwater on Monday mid morning in a 35 foot cruiser with kids wife and all the fishing gear (the boat charter guy looked a little surprised). First stop was around to broken bay, not being familair with the Pitwater side I didn't want to waste time, looking for good places to get live bait. Unfortunatley there was a bit of swell coming through the heads so the wouldn't let me stop at F&S to wet a line and get things started, so I headed for the shelter of refuge bay. Doing the family bonding thing, took the kids ashore to play with the waterfall while I looked out for live bait, coun't get a thing, even around the barge. Only baby snapper one after another. Moved around to another place and still no luck. As it was getting dark had to sop in and get the trusty nippers from little jeruselum bay, just off the bay we anchored up for the evening and I started berlying solidly trying to bring in the fish. Nothing but those baby snapper again, by this time I was realy , then about 7:30 pm pulled in a Port Jackson shark, then another and another solidly for about 2 hours. I thought it may have been the same shark so I starting measuring them and they were deffinitly different ones. Did catch a couple of squid, but they were too big to use whole, then almost caught a crab on a hand line, then put a witches hat out which my son insisted on taking and I didn't think there would be any crabs around this time of year, later pulled in two good size crabs and managed to catch an Octopus on a line, which I put back. BUT NOT A SIGN of HAIRTAIL ?? Day 2 similar to day one, including several squid too big to use as whole bait (maybe I have to get smaller squid jigs), spent night two in another spot and seemed get the same as the previous night, another 8 Port Jackson Sharks, Baby Snapper and a few more decent size crabs. Wed morning crused back around to pitwater and anchored up at portuguese bay, which was swarming with baitfish (poddy mullet mainly) and, then a big school of garfish moved in, but do you think I could catch one? no matter what I put down, the only thing that would bite was more baby snapper, these things take anything, I even caught one on a full prawn that was almost as big as it. Not only didn't I see any sign of Hairtail, the only decent fish I managed to land was a bream of about 30cm. I did get to spend some lovely time with the family. Total tally for the trip 8 Good size squid 6 Blue swimmers (and good sized too) 1 bream 1 Ocotus - Put back 3 Starfish (these kept the kids amused for a while before safely releasing them) 40-50 Baby Snapper (I am really getting sick of these little ) 20 or there abouts Port Jackson Sharks - all released (althoug I thought about knocking a few off just for wasting my time). 0 Haritail I am convinced that the Hairtail is a made up creature that only exists in stories like mermaids

Great Fish . It's catches like these that make Lake macquarie one of my favorite fishing locations these days.

Ben, Thanks for the recomendation on the Polycraft. There is a dealer close by I will check them out this weekend and give you a call once I have sold my current bowrider. Jason

Hi all, Went out around Akuna Bay and cottage point etc yesterday for some bream and see what else was around. Had a very quiet day with only small baitfish to be seen, then decided to do a bit of trolling, a couple of pillies and a small squid put in the water and going through the slow zone of cottage point, had a small hit on the rod in my hand then a huge hit, not knowing what was happening I began we stopped the boat while I wound in the catch, then the line went slack sort of. Initially I thought the line broke, but there was still a little bit of wieght on the end, eventually I could see some silver and thought for a small fish that had some power and then upon a closer inspection, I had half a Bream on the line. Bugger I actualy would have prefered the fish that took the other half, oh well maybe next time. Does any one have anysuggestions on what took the other half? Jason.

Hi all, I am looking at getting a new Tinnie. I have had a Sea Ray bowrider for a while and spend far too much time paranoid of getting fish and bait bits all over the nice seats and the mess the kids make in it, not too mention the flying sinkers etc against the side from the young ones. I am looking for something around 4m mark that I can Launch by myself and that can take a bit of rough handling (from the young passangers). I want to use it around the Hawkesbury, Pittwater, cowan creek etc as well as parts of paramatta river, so it also has to handle a little bit of chop. I was looking at the quintrex 420 explorer trophy or the 400 hornet and was wondering if anyone could let me know if they are good boats or offer other suggestions. oh and since I want to relax and not worry about it getting damaged, I only want to spend about the 10k mark. Thanks, jason.