taloyoak

hmmm, could it be somekind of carpet shark then????

Top work there Landlord! I would be hopeless at fishing for Jews or Kings because I would DEFINITELY eat all the squid rather than use for bait Nanook xoxo

It's an Epaulette Shark

Thanks for the report guys, Just reaffirms I won't be heading there anytime soon. How many other fisherman did you see there? Cheers, Nan

LOL- I know just the place!!!!! Great fish Pete- you own that whole area!

Good work Pete, Great to see you out in the cold. Hope they taste great!

WOW Steve- what a good read and great photos, thanks so much for sharing. You are one lucky man! Cheers, Matt

Hahaha Donna - nice try!

Oops Roberta, We spent a week at Booti Booti - it was blackfish heaven there!

I was going to write a single monologue sentence report, with no punctuation and giving the impression that it was spoken by someone that has just had their dose of Stelazine increased – think Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys in the asylum when Brad Pitt is trying to bust him out…. BUT!............ Apologies first fellow Raiders – Entschuldigung for not being active of late, life, love and the “Boss” have been taking my time, and so have had to lay low for some time. I just spent a month travelling up the East Coast in an RV with my wife, fishing,relaxing and enjoying camping. She’s great at collecting yabbies’ in the mudflats!!!! ( sorry babe!). I’m heading into Kanangra ck for a 2 week solo trip at the end of July – solo cause I’m the only one that puts my love of fishing into the right priority, and no before you-awl wonder?- no it doesn’t involve having to watch the Notebook, be over enthusiastic about a Coach Handbag, or just “sitting there” whilst having to watch The Voice or Jersey Shore. Waking up in “crisp” morning conditions, to hearing the creek flowing, the birds singing etc is all I need. I’m like you – I check the site every day, scroll thru my fave parts – reports, fresh, salt, fish ID and apart from the odd report, there hasn’t been much to read?- Except 42 boats at Waratah Bay – WOW, won’t be going there anytime soon! Why is that? 18,000 Members!!!!. Please take a camera- take the time to take a dozen photos and spend 20 mins to put up a report – it’s what makes a good forum a GREAT forum. After putting out some burley on the forum for company to chase some Blackies, managed a few replies- thanks Squid Jig and my somewhat mentor Pete ( Luderick59), and also Nibbles ( Carl). Organized to take Carl out to the harbor on Saturday afternoon, so on Saturday morning I went down to the rocks at the beach near my place and collected some weed as there isn’t many places I know of around the harbor where you get good weed. After the huge seas of 2 weeks ago, most of the weed on the Northern Beaches has been totally annihilated, so I had to ferret out some spots, and found literally a patch of 1x 1 meter long patch of string weed. I even had to get my bucket and wash the area of sand to expose the long strands- lol seriously!. From my personal experience, the Luderick in the harbor prefer long weed as opposed to cabbage. The good long weed is few and far between – I know about half a dozen places to find “reliable” sources, and this was one of them. I generally use weed for bait, and cabbage to chop up for burley. Met Carl at around 130pm – yes it was a short afternoon interlude, he mooted something about a new work venture et al, however I could see that "scream for help” that the girlfriend had trapped him in some other deception, or maybe he was telling the truth????. We got to the spot, exchanged pleasantries and I showed him my way of rigging – which has always been to use the lightest possible rig for black fishing. This has been reinforced to me by Luderick59 – Pete being the purist, showed me ways of rigging, and always highlighted the rationale of going light. I’m totally sold. Everyone has their favorite method, but for me it involves light pencil floats, 4-6lb line, Gamakatsu Panfish hooks, and float stoppers instead of splitshot. I also tie pure snell knots, and am convinced they make a difference. Carl had some 4lb fluro – I think it was old and weathered, as the first cast I hooked onto a decent fish ( Carl couldn’t believe it was 1st cast – and I was happy too!), and then snap!. I use a 14ft custom Blackfish rod, and the line pinged with little fight. Then Carl cast – LOL, hook up too, then snap!. The next words out of my mouth were “ Ok 6-8lb is the go!”. We proceeded to hook,catch and land and lose a load of fish. The day was about as perfect as you could ask for- nice and warm, no wind and water clarity good. Unfortunately because of the timing we were fishing around low tide, and for me personally, I find the best time around the harbor is the rising tide. Nonetheless, it was productive. Carl was funny as he was so caught up in the moment that quite often as we were talking he missed good “downs” and I had to tell him to strike – hahahah pretty funny. We fished until about 5pm – until it was fairly dark. The tally for the 3 or so hours was 9 good size fish. 1 or 2 returned undersize, and at least 9-10 dropped. You win some you lose some!. We gutted the catch, I explained to Carl about bleeding them and removing the black lining etc, and gave him the entire catch. We ended the evening early – he had a party to go to , and I had the best Fish n Chips to go eat from my pals that own Kirribilli Seafoods. A good way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon, in a beautiful harbor, in a beautiful city. Carl was great company, and a very keen and astute fisherperson, and a pleasure to angle with. Next weekend it will be 3 of us, and hopefully the weather will be good. Might even get out the 5wt and do some fly “pussyfooting”……

Really good, report coming tomorrow I think Nibbles ( Carl ) won't sleep for a week!

Anyone wanting to go chase Blackies around the harbour or Northern Beaches tomorrow, and wants to meet up, then please PM me. I have loads of fresh cabbage and long string weed. Cheers, Nanook

Waratah Bay is gonna be like the Apple Store on George St soon, when a "new" product is unveiled.

GATE OPEN/CLOSE TIMES I haven't been down there at night for years, but you used to be able to drive through at any time of night.

If coming from Nth Turramurra - follow Bobbin Head Rd all the way to Bobbin Head, then at the bridge turn left across water then head up the hill and take the road on the right just after carpark and park , follow for 5 mins to Apple Tree Bay. If comming from Mt Colah take Ku-ring gai Chase Rd all the way down, it is the same rd, but on your left.

This is why I love fishing the deep little spots far away in the mountains. I've been fishing the harbour the last few days, and so much rubbish around, and lots of old tackle everywhere Good on you for wanting to take it to the media, but sadly they rarely do anything as it isn't sensational enough. Oh how I can't wait to move out of Sydney again soon. I feel bad for you guys that can only fish places like that cause it makes it not as special. In Kanangra creek we can drink straight from the water - that's how clean it is there! Thanks for the post.

Well done, what a great haul. if only you could get them on fly!

1: Kogluktualuk River, near Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada ( Arctic Char ) 2: Lago Strobel ( aka Jurassic Lake), Santa Cruz, Argentina ( Rainbow Trout ) 3: St. Francois Lagoon, Alphonse Island, Seychelles ( Bonefish)

WOW, what a monster!!! Well done Pat, and congratulations on a superb looking fish. You can hang this taxidermed behemoth in my lounge room if you so desire...lol!

I've spent the last 2 arvo's down at the harbour - FILTHY water!. Caught 2 decent Blackies, got my weed from Narrabeen rock pools, but had to search hard. Also caught the smallest fish ever - check this out. The hook is a Gamakatsu #10 for reference! Think it was an elver that ???? got onto the hook...LOL!

WELL HOW TO TELL THE WIFE TO PACK UP HER MAKE-UP AND SHOES AND LOOK FOR A PLACE ON THE eUCUMBENE, AND CONVINCE DEAN AND ANGUS TO MOVE THERE TOO! GREAT FISH, GREAT FISH MATE!

looks like a sort of Walleye!

WOW , you guys cleaned up big time- WELL DONE!. So good to see magnificent fish being produced from such a frustrating and desolate place. great report FFJ!.

Nice one Scott, Jealous of course!