Sandini

Always enjoy your reports Ray, you do get around. Bream, no matter what size, still fight above their weight and catching them is always an enjoyable day out. Great report, keep em coming. Dave (Sandini)

Nice work Always great to try new ideas. Have caught some stonker black drummer using the same method, just with lots of bread burley. Good report. Sandini

Hi All. An early (3.40am) wakeup, for the hour drive to Newcastle to mates house, to meet him at 5am. Sneaky Pete was all ready to go, threw my gear on board and we headed off to Port Stephens. We arrived at the boat ramp, pre-dawn with the conditions looking perfect. As it turned out, too perfect. Friday had rained all day, with on shore sou-easters blowing, which we hoped would get the bommies and assorted reefs frothing on Saturday. We headed out the heads, no wind, smooth glassy surface, we still had hopes that everything would come together. Within the first 15 minutes we were on the edge of a pod of dolphins circling baitfish and the sighting of Long tail Tuna in amonst the madness, got the adrenalin really pumping. There were birds everywhere and keeping them off our lures became a problem. Pete was using a big stick bait, just below the surface, while I dragged a popper accross the surface. The only interest was from the birds and it was all over in about 10 minutes. We headed straight to the small island out from the heads and started spinning, with Pete lifting a small Kingy on a 5" soft plastic. As he lifted the fish, the water went dark brown with Leatherjackets following the Kingy. I couldn't get my line in quick enough and got bitten through. We moved straight off toward Broughton Island and worked over all the bommies and reefs, with no success. The water was crystal clear, you could see the bottom in 35 foot depth and there was bait fish everywhere. No fish wanted to play. We used surface lpoppers, hard body sub-surface lures, large and small soft plastics, at all different depths and tried all alternatives in between. All up, a few rats, my standard plastic bags (ie Sargent Baker), a few small bonito and assorted other small stuff. We kept at it till mid afternoon and finally gave up and headed back home, leaving the ramp at 3pm. Even without descent fish, it was a glorious day, out with a great mate, enjoying one of lifes great pleasures. Wont get out with Sneaky Pete for a while, as I and the much better half, are heading up to Evans Heads in two weeks, for two weeks holidays We are taking the double yak so hopefully we will be eating fresh fish regularly. Sandini

Great report Roberta. It sounds like you had a great time, storms and all. Can't wait to get up that way, in about 5 weeks, on leave with the much better half. We are heading a bit further north than Nambucca, but are planing to do some day trips to different spots along the coast. Will definitely give the spots you mentioned a go. Have fished the upper reaches of Worrell Creek near Scotts Head (shore based) for some small bream and flatties. Nothing decent, but they are definitely there. Note to self - 'Have to try blades'. Sandini

Nice flattie Victor. The boys advice is spot on. I usually find that a flattie will sit on the lure as it hits the bottom. Don't be afraid to give it a strong lift when in deeper water. You will be hooked. Sandini

Hi Roberta, I thought that it was just me. On Saturday,early, I drifted across a couple of sand flats on The Entrance Lake. Using poppers, clear and white coloured, ended up boating 5 mullet, with, it sounds like as many follows as you got. Lots of fun, but no whiting. Have a great trip. Sandini

Hi Raiders Got fed up with waiting for a gap in the weather over the weekend, so put the yak on the roof of the car late Sunday, drove to the North channel of the Entrance lake and got wet big time. It poured, on and off for the next two hours, but who cares, had a fish and caught a few. Unfortunately, I must have located a flathead nursery, they were all between 28-30 cm long. Fished really light gear with a heavier leader on my bream gear which made it good fun. Also I tried about 6 different soft plastics and had varied results. All up, landed 10 fish, mostly on Gulp shrimps. Still beats working. Sandini

Hi Mr Metal, Snuck up Patonga Creek early Saturday morning with the much better half, in our double yak. Threw poppers and sp's around the mangroves and leases. Caught a few littlies and a few trees, but always a great way to start the day. The much better half, caught her first fish on a popper (Bubble Baby pop - white/clear) and was stoked. This is our second early start in that system, low and high tide turns, with not much success, as yet. Holds lots of ribbon weed. Haven't tried around the areas that you have mentioned as yet, but is on the to do list. Only our fourth fish in the yak, but have found info from people like Roberta and others, to be extremely helpfull. Keep up the posts and let us know how you go. Regards Sandini

Fished the drop offs at Swansee, early Sunday in the yak and ended up using the poppers over shallow water for a few small whiting. The water was cold, 17-18 degrees which usually sends all the fish looking for warmer water. Very average fishing over the whole weekend. Sandini

Hi Guys Anyone looking for an alternate in OZ, should check out the Plano version. Is $80, but since buying it to use in the yak, have found it to be worth every penny. Two fishing mates have also picked them up and are now fans. Are in stock at the three letters shop, but try your local tackle shop as well, as they can call Plano who have them available. Only has storage, no water area or pfd, which I have found OK, because with so many pockets, you almost buckle at the knees when fully loaded. Even when seated, you can unclip the sides, spin around to access the rear storage. Worth the money. Sandini

Nice Work Roberta, Always enjoy your reports. The Sandwoman (the much better half) and I have joined the yak fraternity (paddle variety) as of the last few weeks, and are both having way too much fun. Thanks for the previous assistance and advice. Keep up the good work. Sandini

G'Day Steve, Roberta is spot on with the weight factor, especially if you are flicking soft plastics or poppers. An Abu Cardinal 801, 4lb braid and leader, teamed with Strudwick Sic Stik pro 1-3 kg, serves me beautifully. All very reasonably priced. Good Luck with the breambos. Sandini

Well Done Fishing with light gear makes it all the more sweeter. Sandini

Well done lads. Those cobia are a great feed and also good fighters. This time last year we picked one up in close to Catherine Hill Bay on soft plastics. Could see him coming and with his fins flared, looked like a shark. They have the largest mouth and just vacuum the bait. I hope that you have many more great sessions up there. Sandini

Hi Craig. It sounds like you have one of the 'good' models. Good luck. I use a Stradic 3000 with 15lb braid on my equivalent rod. They are in the $200 range. But I have just purchased a ABU Cardinal 802 for my bream rod. It is a great reel. Maybe the 804 for what your'e after. Good luck from the yak, I'm just about to purchase one for myself at the moment. Sandini