inhlanzi Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 (edited) G'day Raiders I havn't posted for a while but here is a long one. Now as some of you know I have been trying to get a decent size Jewie for a while now and have had not much luck. In my quest to catch one of these amazing fish I have read heaps and asked a lot of questions. On Fishraider I met a bloke called Wayne and he has gone out of his way to teach me how he goes about catching big Jewies. Wayne has amased me as to the kind of tackle, bait and hours that are required to catch these fish. I like to think I am a fairly good fisho but I learned a whole new world of the Jewie Fisherman. I have learned about tides, knots, leaders, rods, reels, line, hooks, eskies, bait preparation, rod holders, rigs, sinkers, anchoring, boat accessories, moon phases, bait, bait rigs, gaffs, livie wells, things to do and things not to do. I spent two days and a night out on the water in his boat and got to experience the Hawkesbury at its best. There was a lot of rain about and thus not many people about so we had the place pretty much to ourseves. We didn't get any fish but I sure learned heaps. His boat is specially kitted for jew fishing only!!! In the last few weeks I have had a couple of close calls with these big fish and have come off second best. Two weeks ago I hooked a soapie of about 50 cm on a live squid and he got nialed on the way up by a big Jew and as the light was almost gone I realised something had my fish! I didn't realise it was a BIG FELLA and proceeded to yank the soapie out of its mouth. He then turned under the boat and I saw he big pearl spots go under the motor. I just stood there and could not belive what I had just witnessed. The soapie had come to the surface belly up in the big ones mouth!!! and then I yanked him out. The good part was I had found them and I had seen one! ... a big one! Last week I hooked a very nice fish on a livie and got it up to the side of the boat and I was going for the gaff and the big fella just looked at me shook his head the hooks came out and off he went. So close - but it left me in no doubt I had a chance... So to this week...well yesterday turned out to be just one of those fanastic days out on the Hawkesbury. The weather was awsome - minimal wind, nice and warm, got a bucket full of livies - yakkas and tailor and even a nice squid. I bought a new Baitrunner on Saturday and it was on the rod that got hit. The rod buckled and then that special sound of the Baitrunner going off!!! ( Those of you who fish with them will know what I mean... ) After my recent near misses I tried to stay calm and just played the fish a best I could. The moment that the fish comes into sight and you know it is a decent Jew is something very special indeed. Now I told myself don't stuff this up - loosened the drag and reached for the gaff, as he rolled on his side under his back and wham in with the gaff. Up and in the boat. Yabloodyhooooo at last . Into the esky and on bottles of ice. Now he only weighed 5.5 kg and went 90cm which most Jewie Fishermen will tell you is a baby - but I was stoked. What has got me more excited is to imagine what a 10 or 20 or OMG what will a 30 kg fish do!!! I think the essence of fishing is to set out to catch a particular species of fish using a specific method. When you do this it is VERY rewarding. My new Jewfishing journey has been given a huge boost by the help and encouragement of a top bloke who knows his stuff and has been willing to share it. So to Wayne I know this is a small Jewie by your standards but a very special one to me. Thanks for all your help mate - it is really appreciated. cheers inhlanzi This is a 90 cm and I estimate about 5.5kg fish. He has been damaged by a seal or a shark I think but he made a good account of himself . Edited September 20, 2006 by inhlanzi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jed38 Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Very nice jewie after all the hard work. With time they can only get bigger. Cheers Jed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy0884 Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Hi Mate, Congratulations on the Jewfish! it sounds like you have been dealt a wealth of info! i am sure you will be throwing 5kg jewies back in no time! I'd love to pop my Jewie cherry, they are an amazing fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR@ZY OS@M@ Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 nice looking jewie there mate still yet to catch my first jew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flattieman Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Mate, congrats!!! I know how hard you've tried for that fantastic fish - hope there's PLENTY more to come!!! VERY special catch there, mate! Flattieman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
netic Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Mate great report, Great to see you nail your first of what i think will be many. Wayne does know alot when it comes to jews and obviously he has taught you well. Well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kantong Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 congrats mate!! very nice jew!! Alot of people still waiting for a jew or the opportunity to catch a jew (me being one of them), I think if you can catch a jewfish thats something to be proud of! Congrats again! Cheers Kantong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fishrunner Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Great report and good to hear the persistance has paid of Hope the big ones come and say hello soon, sooner then later well done cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rzep Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Well done on a great catch and I am sure that you will only get better as time goes on. Regards Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrasseman Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Great stuff, onwards and upwards from here on. Cheers Col. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aron Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 well done inhlanzi Well done Wayno for sharing your advice, most fishermen keep secrets to themselves, shows that you are a geniune bloke who is willing to help another fisher when asked - very rare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abiasin Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 good stuff mate i too know what it is like to come up empty handed. great jew and hopefully the next will be even bigger. cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Rock Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Great work Inhlanzi!!! You nailed it with your call about the essence of fishing. It's the essesnce of life too - set yourself a goal and then work to achieve it!! All I can say is - I WANT ONE OF THOSE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick penprase Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Nice Fish.... All that hard work has paid off ! Congrats to Wayne... you are a gentleman for sharing your tips and thoughts.. Im still waiting for my decent Jew... NickFish.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysterythecat Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Now thats inspiring. My boat is moored up on the Hawkesbury and I try to get out there whenever I can - but catching a jewie (whatever the size - I don't care so long as its legal) has evaded me. There is obviously more to this than I realise. Maybe I should study at the feet of Wayno the Jewfish Guru too. cheers Mysterythecat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Well done mate Its mumma will be next Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Nice fish mate, cant wait to see the next even bigger one your sure to catch. penguin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 what an ugly looking jewie but a beauty at that. congratulations on your first goodie its an awesome achievement. what an amazing story about the soapie. i ve caught jews with leatherjackets and flatties in there guts, its amzing to see what they consume even more amazing is they consume themselves top stuff mate and good on ya wayno for helping out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Thanks for a top report & big congrats on cracking your first mate. Patience pays off when Jew fishing. You're not far away from a big one! Good to see those pesky Hairtail finally leaving your Jew baits alone! Well done. Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crow Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Mate well done!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inhlanzi Posted September 20, 2006 Author Share Posted September 20, 2006 Wow Raiders Thanks very much for all the good words. You got to love this medium, you have a great day fishing and then you are able to share it with 100s of other fishos and Jewnuts out there in cyberspace. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site especially in Ken's articles and then you get a bloke like Wayne who will go out of his way to steer you in the right direction with all his knowlledge and all his help. Thanks mate and hope this is the start of a really good season. Hey James I still have he 50cm soapie in my freezer with teethmarks and all. The sight of him in the bigguns mouth keeps me awake at night! cheers inhlanzi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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