DerekD

My original idea for scent was to hit the fat fryer at the local fish and chips shop....

Hi Rob, It was a pleasure meeting you and seeing the growth in your technique as the concepts started to sink in. Considering the amount of information I threw at you I was glad to see you were not a quivering wreck lying in a fetal position at the end of it all. At the rate we are going your handle of @robthefisherman will be as applicable as "RobThe4WDman". Looking forward to blowing your mind again on the next fishing session. Regards, Derek PS. I really enjoyed reading your report at the end of the first learning session.

When you say it breaks before the knot please clarify. Before joiner knot or before terminal tackle (lure) knot. How much before? What knots are you using for both locations? Was this after you hooked the fish and if so then did you check for scuffing. I've used FC rock before and didn't have any issues but not to say that is definitive and you could have a bad batch or there is some other factor at play. Glad to hear you've noticed the increase in casting distance.

Hi @FrigateMack I'm one of the people that loves fishing but won't eat fish. I'm highly unlikely to change that at this stage of my life either. Having said that, I appreciate an excellent article and I really like how you have presented the topic including photos Thank you for sharing. Regards, Derek

We've had some success with the Berkley powerbait Casper clear minnows. The paddle tails don't move well enough in my opinion as it is difficult to make them dart. Early season it is a bit harder as the baitfish are pretty small.

Hi @JayC Fisho, I'm swinging past a few of the stores I mentioned over the next few days. I'll have a look and see what they have. I also have a few sitting around somewhere. I'm also very close to the Willoughby area so can probably sort out something. They are usually around $6 each give or take.

Hi @Pickles When I saw the topic Mullet Mug I thought it sounded really interesting. The thing is the pictures in my head were along the lines of these ones....

I do. Where are you based? I go to one store in Mona Vale or another in Drummoyne to get mine. These are the sort of ones I use (various key words, eye, candy, bay, anchovy, flies)

They are probably eating super small baitfish. Someone else went through this recently....

Hi @FrigateMack glad to hear it worked for you. if you are fortunate enough to catch another one and see the stomach contents can you please get a photo of the baitfish to show others. I keep meaning to but when I've had the opportunity I haven't had the right camera with me to do the photo justice. Regards, Derek

Put on a Halco twisty and preferably with a single hook and then tie a line to the hook (say 30 to 40cm) and tie the fly on the other end. Go small (say 10gram) if you can on the twisty and then it gives you two chances to hook up. It can work really well early season as the pelagics are feeding on the small eyes (believe they are super small anchovy) and pretty fixated on them too. As the months go these baitfish will get bigger and bigger and by the time we get to February they will be in the 5cm - 10cm range. They are silverish with a slightly see through belly which is why the halcos do really well as the season progresses. Don't cast into the middle of the school though because the predatory fish will struggle to make the distinction between your lure and every other bait fish in there. Either fish the edges of the feeding zone or let it drop underneath the baitball before retrieving. Due to the size of the flies used, historically the fly fishing people would do far better on these feeding schools than the people trolling or throwing big lumps of metal around. You might sometimes get lucky but generally the flies (eye fly or candy fly) put down at the right spot would get slammed.

Interesting design.... Well you certainly proved that the spruiked anti-snag abilities of it are not immune to Sydney oysters. Get a refund or become one of their product testers....

@zmk1962 genius observation... Hadn't considered that angle. After 3 other kids....

Hi Mike, I'm worried this is a cry for attention. Your wife is in hospital and getting all the attention.... Just saying.... Hope you heal up soon as I enjoy your fishing reports. Regards, Derek

Everyone.... "Hi Ben"!! This addiction could be a concern so I did some further reading. One of the first things I came across was this: People who struggle with addiction are often in denial about their situation and unwilling to seek treatment. They may not recognize the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others. An intervention presents your loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse, and it can motivate him or her to seek or accept help. Fortunately you have recognised that you have an addiction so we can skip the denial stage and go straight into the intervention stage. I'm getting worried that this addiction is taking you away from your loved ones and since I introduced you to topwater I feel some measure of responsibility. As such I'm prepared to take all this new fishing gear that you have been winning in these recent comps off your hands for a while so they don't tempt you. I'll also make sure they get used once a week so they don't get rusty/dusty due to being left in a quiet corner somewhere. Regards, Derek PS. Loved the fishing report. PPS. While my response was a bit tongue in cheek it did give me the chance to read up on something I've probably been fortunate enough to have limited exposure to. Came across this rather detailed post: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451

BTW - if you get around to buying a 2-4kg outfit note that a 150m spool of say 4lb or skinny 6lb braid will not fill the reel properly. We use what is called backing to pack the spool up so the braid ends up being 1-2mm below in the inner lip of the spool. Most shops will have experience doing so. The talent is in doing it close to perfectly. When I have time I put the braid on first and then the backing and then strip the whole lot off and then reverse it. Takes time to do it the first time but then all I have to do in the future is strip the braid off and replace it with the same again.

Hi @Mr.Wang It was a pleasure to meet you and Ryan yesterday. There was a lot of information to get through so hopefully your brain hasn't exploded from overload. I was really impressed at your growth throughout the session. A lot of it was due to the fact you were engaged and asking questions and trying things. I can show you the door but it is up to you where you end up. Looking at what you picked up yesterday on improving casting and working the topwater lures I think you will go a long way. Once you get more appropriate gear for what we are doing then we will look at soft plastics, squid jigs, slices and vibes. These are better for success all year round but the topwater stuff is fun and we are just entering the topwater season (say December to March or even April). Regards, Derek PS. thanks for bringing along some snacks. PPS. I found out later that some of the wind gusts in Pittwater were up to 50 knots so we did well casting in yesterday's winds.

Had an awesome day with you. Thanks for the company. We might have to look into shooting line with a roll cast:

@wazatherfisherman They look brilliant and this is only the test batch.... I'm in awe and am just sitting in front of my PC with a big smile on my face.

What are you doing on Sunday? I'm thinking of trying for some topwater bream and whiting in the Drummoyne area. Got this little 32cm specimen last Sunday on the bent minnow.

Hi @Mr.Wang Part of lure fishing is understanding what retrieve or setup to use to make the lure attractive to the target species. Some fish like to chase (think kings, tailor and salmon). Other fish such as flathead are an ambush predator and are waiting for your lure to come obliviously hopping past them. I like lures which give me a bit more versatility - 3 inch minnow for example. Other lures will have a better built in action - paddle tails and wriggle tails and grubs. I use hardbody lures such as the OSP bent minnow and try to make it look like a dying fish. People say go as light as possible on the jighead. My approach is go as light as possible to get the lure to do what you want it to do. I'm a huge fan of the 3 inch minnow which I match with TT tournament series jigheads and a size 1H hook. The weight however will change to suit. I'll start off with a 1/4oz to cover distance and especially when chasing pelagics. I'll then drop down to a 1/6oz for last casting distance but slightly more hang time. Finally I might go down for 1/8th when I want a bit more subtlety. You are a puppet master performing to an audience you can't see. How can you make that lure do what you need it to do to get the fishes attention. More to follow. Derek I took out my camera gear and got some help from friends to demonstrate how we can work different lures. Bent Minnow: Sugapen lure (walking the dog): 3" minnow (properly rigged):

@Mr.Wang seriously consider taking @Obsessed Fisherman up on his generous offer. It will prevent some false starts. He has a tendency to fish lines and lures heavier than I recommend (pretty sure he does it to get a reaction out of me and he has fun doing so) but I'm a little more protective of my gear.

To put those decisions you made when younger into context consider the following: 'Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgment'. This aphorism was attributed to Dr Kerr L White.

What is your budget?

Probably the Shimano Sienna Quickfire combo (2-4kg 2500 reel and get it in the two piece). Currently available at $99 if you are a club member. This leaves you money for some backing, braid, leader (probably use remainder of backing) and some lures.