DarkHorse

Fisheries need to organise a few police patrols to go with them. Not many people will get fired up with some police officers standing there as well. Unless fisheries/police start doing something more and more "locals" will continue/start to do the same thing. Dont worry about green zones etc there will be no fish there in the future if these scum bags keep taking undersize fish.

G'Day Clem, Sorry I cant help you because I dont catch any fish In botany bay, try anchoring near the hot water outlet, all I know it is near the big wharf, dont know the exact position. Also try just off the end of the runways (outside the yellow markers - security) for bigger fish. Botany bay can be very noisy obviously due to the aircraft. Regards, Rob

Woohoo Slinky, you are no longer an electric virgin. Keep up those cold showers but watch for the water restrictions Nice mullet, although I have seen bigger on your local bogan I lost three $30 lures yesterday for nada, zilch so I know how you feel. They are a great piece of the electric, I am still trying to get the hang of driving it with some finesse. If the water police seen me driving the leccy they would "pull" me over for sure! P.S. Interesting colouring on the flatty's small dark banding, never seen anything like that before

Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate all the good wishes. Sounds as though Clem could be my twin brother! I must admit I have watched ALL the squidgy and berkley DVD's but still hasnt helped. I understand the principles of what I am trying to do but to put it into practice on water is another thing, get out there and just start flicking left right and all over. I wasn't bragging about having good gear, more to the point that you don't have to spend a small fortune to catch fish. Having fished the NT and catching 1.1m barra regularly doent help either. Lived in Darwin for 2 years and catching fish was relatively easy. In fact we caught so much barra one day that we had to stop because our arms hurt so much! Tight lines everyone!

As I said in the title having some of the best fishing gear/boat does NOT maketh a good fisherman! I have spent a small fortune on loomis rods, daiwa luvias reels, shimano aspire's, Lowrance HDS-7 sounders and a new Stacer Barra Elite with electric bow mount motor. Can I catch fish................NO It is becoming a huge joke in my circle of friends and family that I spend all this time and money on fishing and can't catch anything LOL. Might be time to hit up a guide?? Need to look at what I am not doing right instead of buying more gear hoping that it will help me to start catching regularly. I have only caught one fish on a soft plastic, 55cm flatty on a DOA prawn and that was in god's own back yard Tuross Heads! Oh well, maybe I should take up an easier hobby such as golf. I actually have a 5 handicap! IT TAKES ME 5 TIMES TO HIT THE BALL! Regards, Rob. May all raiders have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a great New Year. Take care and be happy!

Captin, Didnt go to Botany. Due to tides and where we live off the Hume Highway/M5 decided not to fight the city bound traffic. Instead went to Minnamurra, beautiful spot, run in tide, crystal clear water and could see HEAPS of whiting, bream and actually seen a big kingy cruising around! Also seen a flatty hit my soft plastic and spit it out and continue swimming off Only a few small hits for about 4 hours fishing. Lost 3 $30 lures.......... Water was probably too clear???? My son enjoyed a nice swim though before heading back to the ramp and home Regards, Rob

G'Day Crew, Thinking of heading out to Kurnell/Towra point and surrounds tomorrow morning. Low tide is 5.30am of 0.6m and high tide is 1.5m at 11.30am. Wind should be about 8kts during that time and strengthening about midday. Targeting Flatty's and whiting for a feed, what would be the best time to head out? 2 hours before high tide???? Any other tips for the area?? Regards, Rob

G'Day Crew, Mentioned in another post I have a new shimano stradic Ci4 2500F. Certainly not as nice as my daiwa's but nice none the less. Anyhow is a 2500 size reel too big for finess fishing for flatty's, bream, whiting etc? I already have a 1000, 2000 size reels and was thinking that the 2500 could also be used for slightly bigger fish such as snapper and jewfish?? Not too sure if I should swap it for the 1500 size?? Regards, Rob

I am glad I am not the only one! I also forgot to mention that I broke a toe, when the boat and trailer ran over it when pushing it around the drive way Very clumsy when it comes to working with my hands just ask LOL. Merry xmas crew, please be safe Regards, Rob

Wow Hodgey! You are the man. I going to have to come back down and take you and Dene out on the boat and get some expert instruction! They are awesome fish, and it is an awesome spot. We cant wait to get back down there. It is such a beautiful place. It's attraction certainly has not been lost on me, like a magnet I am drawn back. You really do live in Gods country! Take care Hodgy and Dene, tight lines over Xmas, more importantly have a very safe and merry xmas. Rob

G'Day Crew, For the last 12 months I have been using Luvias 1005 and 2000 reels matched to G-Loomis rods. Very nice outfits, pleasure to use: light and smooth in the rod and reels. Yesterday on a whim I decided to buy a new Shimano Stradic Cl4 2500F. Matched it to a new Shimano Tournament T-Curve spin XL 7', 2 piece. Used the new rod today. One word - AWESOME! very nice, lite, smooth action and loads up beautifully. Been playing with the reel at home, and she feels crap. No where near as smooth as my Daiwa's and there 12 months old. Am I expecting too much? Will it smooth out with a bit of use (loosen up)? Any idea's? Regards, Rob

G'Day Raiders, Been using the new boat alot recently. Already has 30 hours on the clock and been doing a few upgrades/mods. Washing down the boat the other day, I slipped off the trailer and damaged my left leg, shin and ankle the size of a football! Put drill bit through the end of my thumb yesterday. Dislocated one of my fingers taking cover off. Taken skin off hands/fingers just cleaning it after being used. Do you clean your boat gear down after EVERY trip? I clean everything, from the lures used to rods/reels, electric motor, main motor and boat using soap and warm water, then fresh water and finally toweled off, phew. It takes me at least a couple of hours after every trip. Hard work, but I know my gear is going to be maintained and working for years to come. Is anyone else as crazy as me? Regards, Rob

WooooHooooo you the cat! (man). Very nice Xmas pressy Mr Slinky. You will spend more time playing with the electric than fishing for the first couple of times, trust me. Very nice setup. Tight lines mate. I hope it gets you inside the zone. Regards, Rob

G'Day Crew, A mate of mine wants to fish middle harbour tomorrow. Any good spots you could recommend chasing the usual flatty's and bream? He is somewhat opinionated and very head strong but enjoys fishing and needs a break from the stresses of life. Would be nice to get some fish on soft plastics and hard body's. As a reference what do I put down in the tide calculator to see what is happening? Regards, Rob

Awesome boat, you would have to be happy with that, she looks great! She will do you proud, get you into some great action and tight lines. Doesnt look like she needs anything doing to her, looks like she has been very well looked after. Maybe down the track re-engine with a great deal from Craig at Huett's Marine (site sponsor). Now get her out and get her wet LOL. Rob

Austral, I am only new to the electric scene and the minn kota. Doing a lot of research on the net, found that the foot control unit tends to wear out/fail quite reguarly. BLA recommends just wiping over with soapy water and then dunking the whole unit in fresh water, hang it up and let it air dry. Dont spray it with silicon spray, inox etc. as these attract dust, dirt and sand which eventually wear down the protective coating on the foot control circuit board and then having problems. Could it be corrosion in the connecting plugs, I have read that it too can cause controller issues........ Minn Kota now reccomends at least a 50amp fuse or resetable circuit breaker. I have a large water proof fuse holder with a 50amp fuse in it. The wiring on the fuse holder is thicker than the wiring from the kota, it came like that from BLA. Maybe try Whitworths or Bias and see if they have a circuit breaker. Minn Kota also make one as well. Regards, Rob

Awesome pics guys! Great to see the young blokes enjoying themselves. My 10yo boy loves fishing, although he is a much better skipper than fisherman! Hahahah nice tree fish! Although my PB tree fish was ALOT bigger, had more timber in it than the Ark.......... Lost many a lure to tree fish as well, wiley buggers they are! Only ever caught one jack, awesome fish, great fighter. I miss the "tropics" and the fish: Barra, Jacks, GT's, Threadfin and Saratoga. Thinking of doing a trip to Hinchinbrook next year with the wife and munchins. Regards, Rob

Happy Birthday Dene! Sorry I didnt get to say g'day at the boatshed cafe, I had to go and pick up the from the ramp. Hodgey, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you in person (first fishraider in fact), I really appreciate you going out of your way to come and say hello, really made my day. Great to see the actual pictures of the fish you caught, and were describing to me. The family and I went out that evening, the hooked up a few but each time the fish threw the hooks, she was NOT impressed! Packing up the boat that evening I slipped off the trailer and hurt my leg I was planning to get out at first light Sunday, but could hardly walk. After taking some serious pain killers, I awoke at 8.00am looked outside and dragged my bung leg and boat down to the lake. A few hook ups, but again thrown hooks. Might have to invest in a small file. As I mentioned in Slinky's post, to be able to sight fish and see HUGE flatty's swimming around before they see me was awesome. When it came time to leave, we didnt want to go. Absolutely love Tuross and already counting down the days for our return visit. The lake and surrounds are so beautiful. The fishing is awesome, but don't tell anyone else on this forum, otherwise the secret will get out She who must be obeyed wants to sell up and move down there! Maybe find a small patch of grass and set up the tent in the short term! I lost count the number of flatty's I caught, the smallest being 52cm and the largest 65cm, all bar 2 went back. Seen a fellow fisho, whom I started talking too whilst having a relaxing coffee at the boatshed catch and land a 85cm monster croc! Thank you again for all your help, information and tips. I cant wait to get back down there. Regards, Rob. P.S. no pictures as the missus had the camera, being the typical tourist she is and taking family happy snaps in the town!

Slinky, Congrats on the pending purchase! Dont forget to post some pictures when it is all done. I purchased my minn kota locally at a REALLY good price, has the auto pilot, co-pilot and foot pedal (obviously). This is my first electric, never even used one before. Took it down to Tuross Lake and it was AWESOME!!! Cant believe I did not get one sooner. To be able to position oneself over very shallow water and sight cast to large flatty's, whiting etc makes the purchase very worth while. It is that quiet that fish only spook when you either get on top of them, or the shadow of the boat passes over them I lost count the number of times, I actually seen flatty's lying in wait or moving slowly over the sand. Install took all of about 30 minutes, and works a treat. I love it. I spent more time motoring around on my electric than the main engine, even taking the boat back to the ramp/jetty. Because it can turn past 90 degrees makes it easier to pull along side the jetty. For now I have a 130 amp hour 12v Deep cycle battery, which lasts all day, in a battery box, but will get a frame made up soon in one of my spare compartments. Using a Ctek charger to keep it and my cranking battery in top condition. Seriously you will love it. I think I actually spent more time playing with the electric than fishing Enjoy, I hope it all goes well and produces more tight lines and plenty of fish! Regards, Rob

G'Day Crew, Managed to obtain a new minn kota 55lb at a very good price. Anyhow I find the instructions very minimal. I put the prop on, washer, then nut. The prop moves backwards and forwards on the shaft about 3-4mm Is this normal, or have I done something wrong? Are the shear pins readily available? Regards, Rob

Ian, As always an excellent read and awesome pictures. Heading down on friday! Can't wait and am so looking forward to it. Some excellent tips and recommendations! Thanks again for all your help and information. Regards, Rob. P.S. Is it worth brining my blue swimmer nets/pots???? Anything else I should bring?

Cheers, It all depends on usage, adding externals such as radar, structurescan and budget. I purchased the HDS-7, wanted the slightly bigger screen and it only JUST fits on my small console lol. Seen the -8 and it appeared twice as big. One word Awesome! It is HUUUUUGE and wish I could have afforded it, but it wouldnt have fit anyway! The -10 would be even better, obviously. Could probably hook up a DVD player to it when the fish were quiet (joking). Go with the biggest you can afford and space allows. Either way you will not be dissapointed. If you get either unit, then go with the Navionics Platinum Plus navigation card. It offers all the bells and whistles that the large screens can offer/use. Simply platinum plus would not be worth it on the -5 or -7.

AJB and Hueyy, How did you go getting your cable? Originally I had the 50/200 and the transducer head was MASSIVE, I kid you not it was about 3 times the size. Must have been the max wattage jobby. As I said I swapped it for the 83/200 which has been working well. I cant wait for the structure scan. I understand that they have hundreds of units in stock here in Australia, but are still awaiting government approval of some type............... funny as humminbird already have their sidescan operating. Given the cost and ease of design, the humminbird unit would be my pick, only when they release the new 8 series though. The 7 series screen was too small, the 9 series is awesome but big $$$$ I dont know why Lowrance has to use a 2nd transducer, why it cant be all combined into 1 ducer like the humminbird. I appreciate that it has a little black box as well, but a 2nd hole in the transom and possible another transom bracket to be welded pisses me off, but I think it will definately be worth it from the images I have seen! Regards, Rob

I was speaking with a navionics guy the other day, he said to be honest unless you have a large screen display eg. 10" it really is not worth getting the platinum or platinum plus for the 3D stuff as you lose too much detail on small screens............ SHop around for a good price though, as the pricing differs greatly. For now I am going to stick with the gold. Regards, Rob

Hi Guys, Thanks for the replies. Mixed reports! I hooked up on 2 small taylor and that was it. The conditions were not the best or what I was expecting. Would have been at least 15knots of wind and swell....... As they say bad days fishing is better than a good day at work. It seems every time I go to work and look out over the bay it is calm and heaps of boats! When I go it is crappy lol. I ended up trolling, drifting anchoring all over the bay for very little and then decided to head home. Before I did and went a had a look up the Georges River. I could not believe how beautiful it looks, quiet during the week (except for the guy that cut right in fron of my bow heading out the marina full speed in a no wash zone) It is the first time I have wandered in the river. It looks very fishable, I would assume that there are SOME fish in there??????? I was going to post this reply last night, but some huge thunderstorms came through so powered everything down to be safe. Take care and tight lines