mrchrisnofish Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Hi guys, I am new to the forum and to the pittwater area. I have recently started going fishing with my old man on his boat around flint and steel and lion island, we wake up early on a Sunday stay for a good 5+ hours with lots of bait, tackle etc.. and we never seem to have any luck catching anything decent. I am thinking its a local knowledge problem. We have been using squid, prawns mostly, tried live worms last time with no luck what so ever. I guess what I am looking for is some good advise for where we should go, when we should go ie should we be waking up at 4am or is 7am good enough on a Sunday... What rigs, bait do people recommend, I have mainly been using a 30-50 cm trace with running sinker between the swivel and hook with a prawn or squid on the end. Are there any good bait and tackle shows around the area as well because the one I go to is in Pennant Hills on my way to a day of fishing. Any advice or help would greatly be appreciated... What do we need to catch something decent.. ie bigger then my hand.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutboy Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Hi mrchrisnofish sounds like you have the bait sorted, does the boat have a sounder? If so look for baitfish or irregularities in the bottom structure, dropoffs weedbeds etc. re your trace, I would have a sinker running on the mainline to a swivel then a length of flourocarbon trace about 60cm long not with the sinker between the swivel and hook. This will allow your bait to waft around with the current and fish to pick up the bait and turn before feeling any resistance and dropping the bait. With the water warming your chances of finding more fish will increase. Keep at it my friend good luck cheers troutboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Rock Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 G'day Chris A couple of pointers to keep you going: 1. 7am is PLENTY good enough to get into the fish - the fishing might be better at 4am but I wouldn't know as I've never got up that early. 2. As Troutboy said - you've got the bait sorted (although I wouldn't bother with live worms unless you're fishing shallow, sudsy water for whiting or bream). Fresh prawns, squid and pillies should all work fine. 3. Again as Troutboy says - move the sinker above the swivel - don't rig it below. You want the bait to drift naturally in the current. 60cm of trace is fine. 4. Fish as light as you can - mainline no heavier than 10lb. You won't land a big kingy on it (well, OK - you might if you're lucky or good) but it will be fine for all bread and butter species. To be honest you should get away with a good quality 6lb outfit in most situations. Heavy gague line is a real turnoff for fish in heavily fished areas. 5. This is the key - target your fish. There's no point simply driving around until you 'feel' like you're in a good spot and then chucking down whatever's in the tackle box in the hope that you might catch something. Pick a target species, learn about their habitat, and then target them. Good fisherment always know what they're expecting to catch, the feeding behaviour of their target and the favored habitat of that fish. My suggestion (thanks to Martin for this info) is that you try drifting out in front of Gunya Beach at the mouth of the Hawkesbury between the starbord markers for flathead. Martin uses whitebait for bait, however pillies, prawns and squid should all work, as long as they are dragging along the bottom. Good luck - and if you're out this Sunday I might see you there!! Look for a white, open top Quintrex with a Fishraider sticker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bashir Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 questions like this get asked a lot. My advice always is to first work out a particular species you would like to target and go from there. I never just fish with the hope that something good will climb on, I am always targetting a particular species PS just read mondos post and he has said exatly that lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 questions like this get asked a lot. My advice always is to first work out a particular species you would like to target and go from there. I never just fish with the hope that something good will climb on, I am always targetting a particular species PS just read mondos post and he has said exatly that lol bashir is spot when saying to target a specie. by the way mate as you are coming through pittwater on your way to flint and steel there is a live bait ground known as west head where you can pick up live baits there and also puts you in with a great chance of picking up other fish such as kings bonito and other sought after species Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numbnuts Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Hi, the advice given is spot-on ,learn the habits of the fish you are targeting and then "think like that fish" where it would most likely be found or feeding at a particular stage of the tide etc.But if you really want to learn "hands-on" then my advice is to join a fishing club, there are many good ones around with expert fishos who are willing to show novices the ropes, they often have talks by guest speakers who are specialists at catching bream or jew etc.It is well worth looking into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolan Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 There is another thing that you and your dad must learn through these trying times. Don't tell the wife, mother or girlfriend that you are going fishing.Real winners like myself have now learnt to say that we are going "boating". This saves the embarresment of having to explain why you went out and burnt 150 litres of fuel, spent $60.00 in bait,you million dollar Lowrance sounder coupled with your outriggers, downriggers and other bits of highly expensive equipment failed you. Failing to catch a fish just allows for ridicule and sniggering when you get home. My Wife didn't buy the "boating" change of tact but it makes me feel better! Regards in "boating" Stumpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWZAT Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Hi guys, I am new to the forum and to the pittwater area. I have recently started going fishing with my old man on his boat around flint and steel and lion island, we wake up early on a Sunday stay for a good 5+ hours with lots of bait, tackle etc.. and we never seem to have any luck catching anything decent. I am thinking its a local knowledge problem. We have been using squid, prawns mostly, tried live worms last time with no luck what so ever. I guess what I am looking for is some good advise for where we should go, when we should go ie should we be waking up at 4am or is 7am good enough on a Sunday... What rigs, bait do people recommend, I have mainly been using a 30-50 cm trace with running sinker between the swivel and hook with a prawn or squid on the end. Are there any good bait and tackle shows around the area as well because the one I go to is in Pennant Hills on my way to a day of fishing. Any advice or help would greatly be appreciated... What do we need to catch something decent.. ie bigger then my hand.. G`day Fellas , Chris , the best local knowledge is only obtainable by the following Method. 1. Walk into the bar of the Local PuB 2. Seek out a porky type character sitting in the corner of that Bar , wearing shorts , thongs , and a Blue work singlet . 3. Shout him a schooner of his prefered brand of ale ,and pull up a bar stool. Say Cheers , and then ask him where there`e Biting , and how do ya fish for them. 5 schooners later, not only will you know where , When , & how to Catch your quarry , but you will know evey spot within a 20 kilm strip of coastline from the pub you are in , who all the local thieves are , where they live, where the breathalyser will be at a certain hour , and especially.....who`s sleeping with who . Works for me every time. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 There is another thing that you and your dad must learn through these trying times. Don't tell the wife, mother or girlfriend that you are going fishing.Real winners like myself have now learnt to say that we are going "boating". This saves the embarresment of having to explain why you went out and burnt 150 litres of fuel, spent $60.00 in bait,you million dollar Lowrance sounder coupled with your outriggers, downriggers and other bits of highly expensive equipment failed you. Failing to catch a fish just allows for ridicule and sniggering when you get home. My Wife didn't buy the "boating" change of tact but it makes me feel better! Regards in "boating" Stumpy Hey stumpy not all the wives and girlfriends are like that !!!! My advice is to INCLUDE the wife, girlfriend etc... You may just find she is an excellent fisho and great company for you. I am sure all the female anglers on here will agree with me on this point too Cheers mrsswordfisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightmanager Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Something else to increase your chances of a take home fish...... BURLEY! Bread , tuna oil , chicken pellets , wheat, chopped pillies , cat food , everyone has their "secret recipe" , learn how to use it , and make it, then off you go . 1 hours fishing with burley is as good as 4 hours without ! Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jewel Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Jesus Mick!!! If your price is only 5 drinks its a shame you dont live closer to Sydney!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrchrisnofish Posted October 19, 2006 Author Share Posted October 19, 2006 (edited) wow thanks for all the quick feedback and replies, will seriously look into the advice given. I guess what I have to do now is decide what kind of fish I want to catch... I guess I am very happy to catch brim for the time being as long as its fun to catch and of a decent size. Now my next dilema, on the boat we have a gps/sonar/fish finder - which we thought was awesome once we worked out how to turn the fish finder part of it on, now all we see is mountains of fish in the water in certain parts but we still can not catch them, now we are either useless fishermen or this thing is clearly pulling our legs.. Does anyone know how accurate the finders are, because its very off putting see a screen full of huge fish and not even getting a bite... We have started turning the damn thing off due to frustration... Also re joining a fishing club, does anyone have any good ones surrounding the pittwater/flynt&steel/lion island type area? That would be ideal... Edited October 20, 2006 by mrchrisnofish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OWZAT Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 (edited) Jesus Mick!!! If your price is only 5 drinks its a shame you dont live closer to Sydney!!! Jewelery , I`m even cheaper now mate , Only drink on Social occasions these day. Miss the smoking though , not a day goes by after 10 years , where I don`t feel like lighting up . Mick Edited October 20, 2006 by OWZAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danielinbyron Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 (edited) Mate .. I'm a long way away.. But from recent posts i've read .. If i lived in pittwater i'd be haulin butt around to find some kingies and throwing lures at em.... There is nothing better than a worm and squid bait for "easy fishing for old fellas.." but if i were new to the area i'd be trying to find the bait in the location... I used to hang a livie out while I was cleaning teak decks on yachts in that area , usually a yakka.. And always got a feed... Right in amongst the moorings... ps re the wife front and boating/fishing v funny. My beloved can't cop seeing a fish harmed...{ or spider or snake or moth ] I watched her hitch up her skirt and swim a dazed and confused shovelnose out into the surf at night once...Thats when i was hooked . Edited October 20, 2006 by danielinbyron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 wow thanks for all the quick feedback and replies, will seriously look into the advice given. I guess what I have to do now is decide what kind of fish I want to catch... I guess I am very happy to catch brim for the time being as long as its fun to catch and of a decent size. Now my next dilema, on the boat we have a gps/sonar/fish finder - which we thought was awesome once we worked out how to turn the fish finder part of it on, now all we see is mountains of fish in the water in certain parts but we still can not catch them, now we are either useless fishermen or this thing is clearly pulling our legs.. Does anyone know how accurate the finders are, because its very off putting see a screen full of huge fish and not even getting a bite... We have started turning the damn thing off due to frustration... Also re joining a fishing club, does anyone have any good ones surrounding the pittwater/flynt&steel/lion island type area? That would be ideal... It may be silly but check its not on simulator mode. When I started it took me a 3 trips to realise it was in sim mode. Very embarassing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danielinbyron Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 (edited) It may be silly but check its not on simulator mode. When I started it took me a 3 trips to realise it was in sim mode. Very embarassing. easily done .. we spent a while with a new lowrance on land getting out of simulator then struggles for a little while again each time it rebooted.it was good watchin all those fish swimmin under the drive way but Edited October 20, 2006 by danielinbyron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numbnuts Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Chris , try Ku-ring-gai Hornsby Club, they meet every Wednesday 7:30 at Willow Park Hall on Edgeworth David Drive. These guys have been around for 40yrs as a club .They taught Craig Mc Gill , David Green and Bruce Schumacher how to fish - -look where they are now.You will find them very friendly and informative, they were for me, cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrchrisnofish Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 wow thats again for the info, I just bought myself a new rod + reel I wonder if I will have any more luck bought a 7' rod Penn and reel - was pretty happy with it.. seems to be more boat friendly then the 9'+ rod I am currently using - hopefully mixing it up between the two will find me a happy medium. As for the simulator mode - I would kick myself soo hard if that was the case.. I am a computer nerd by trade and would of thought I was a little more savvy then that... but it does sound like it could be whats happening... Whats the easiest way to tell? the gps thingy always shows the right depth and the geography below... would that also happen in simulator mode? Will have a good read of the manual next time I'm on the boat... I am sure me and my old man would get a big kick out of the fact that it did end up being simulator... at least then we know its not us hahah (well it is but we have something else to blame) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefa Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Its happened to us before ,but if it is simulator mode it should say it on the screen or in the menu if it is on or off.Some how our sounder seems to go back to it by itself sometimes.Also check the chart speed is correct as this could cause some inaccuracies.As for spots , the guys are spot on, research and trial and error are the best way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Easiest way is to see the "S" in the corner if its in sim mode. On the real dead days I dont mind putting it on just to give the old man the sh*ts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namesay Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Catching fish in hard fished areas like Sydney aint easy. You have lots of good advice from the folks at this site. The area you are fishing is one of the better kingfish spots around. Just have a look at the recent fishing reports. Just chucking out a prawn and hoping for the best normally gets you just trash fish. Target your quarry carefully and learn all about them... become a specialist and then you will have success. I am sure you will have more success as you spend more time on the water. Try getting some books like Gary Browns fishing Sydney. It gives you a start anyway.cheers Kelvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrchrisnofish Posted October 22, 2006 Author Share Posted October 22, 2006 ok so heres the master plan This coming Sunday 29th Oct we are going fishing for Kingfish and Brim. Whats the best bait for Kingfish and Brim? We are thinking fresh squid, mackerel, some pilchards and some burley as well. Will be heading to flynt and steel about 7am and will be staying around that area maybe go closer towards Juno and later on to lion island. Will also give the scanner a good read up so we are certain there is no funny business going on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bashir Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 mate turn that fish ID symbol off!! It will only give you false readings, learn how to read the raw data on your sounder and you will get a lot more out of it. If you are after kingfish, I wouldn't be fishing juno or flint and steel, try the headlands or the moored boats around pittwater. Fresh squid that you caught yourself is a good bait, as is live yakkas that you can catch at west head. Don't anchor right over reef, but rather over sand adjacent to reef, berley and the fish will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flattieman Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 (edited) mate turn that fish ID symbol off!! It will only give you false readings, learn how to read the raw data on your sounder and you will get a lot more out of it. that! Fish ID will identify anything from floating plastic bags to seaweed as fish! You're much better off looking for bait schools, fish arches, drop-offs, current lines, thermoclines etc. on your sounder. I do agree with previous comments about berley - it can dramatically affect your catch at times when used correctly. For baits, fresh is very good, live is even better. Look in the Fishraider Articles for some basic rigs for bream and kingies. I completely agree with the assertion that you must understand your target species in order to maximise your chances of catching them - so if you can, have a good read of info about bream and kingies. Good luck! Flattieman. Edited October 22, 2006 by Flattieman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namesay Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 If you are after kingies then you better arm yourself with some decent gear. These fish will laugh at the gear you use for bream and other bread and butter fish. Can't go past squid as the gun bait for kingies but you have to catch it yourself. Frozen squid is worse than a used condom as bait! Cheers Kelvin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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