arpie Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 (edited) Hi Raiders, (This is actually from Sails/Cam!) as Roberta has been reporting, the blackfish have been on fire up here at Forster of late and I have been getting a crash course on the local rock fishing and bait gathering. With the bait; seems they wait for a big storm to pull lots of cunjie off the rocks, wait for it to ripen on the beaches until it is bursting out of its skin(?)and then harvest it as a number 1 bait. The stuff is so ripe it is hard to find something to compare it too. I left some bait in the rear of the tinny last week for a 24 hour period and it stank, but this cunjie is something totally different to rotton fish. But, the fish seeem to love it so that is the main thing. I arrived on Sunday afternoon, and Roberta and I visited the rocks that evening, but did no good. Monday morning we hit it up again at the same spot and we bought home 11 fish with my first line caught drummer as a bonus. I joined the neighbour for another fish yesterday afternoon, and after visiting 3 spots we settled in for an exciting session which ended up with 7 blackfish and one good sized bream. The neighbour, who has caught about 100 fish in the past 7 days also catches fish for his cat to eat, so he suggested that he would keep all the by-catch for his cat and he would give me his blackies, as he really had more than enough. I thought that was a pretty good deal!!, so I gave him all the Wirra and butter bream and wrasse I caught and he gave me his blackfish. A fair deal. I woke Roberta around 0615 this morning to a damp overcast sky, but after a bit of time wasting (breakfast)we headed over to the rocks around 0745, back to the same spot we were at yesterday. Swell is much smaller, and not as much white water and it was much quieter with little pickers,with me excelling with 3 toads and Roberta with a couple of Wirra. Around 0900 I suggested we move on and Roberta said she would just get rid of the bait on the hook. As always happens, within 30 secs she pulled in the first blackie for the day, so we settleed in again. My next bait got hit by a steam train I suspect was a bigger relative of the drummer I caught yesterday. I'm using my beach rod which is quite stiff with about 25 lb line, and the drag was locked up as directed. The rod had a beautiful curve in it according to Roberta and it was all I could do to keep it from dropping to the water, until the inevitable release of pressure as the hook straightened and pulled. I have read Roberta's posts of hooks straightening and now I know the disapointment she must feel every time it happens. As the swell dropped we moved to another area and managed to hook into another eight keepers, with the largest going around 42cm. I have had another lesson about the areas where the fish hang out in this type of swell, and managed to locate and plunder one hole by myself before Roberta came over and joined in the fun. Hope to post more catches soon!! tight lines Sails Edited January 8, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 (edited) Hi guys ooops Something funny happened there - Sails was logged on, but it wouldn't allow any photos to be added, indicating an error, then it posted under my name!! Ah well .... my turn now!! It was great going out this morning - a bit quiet to start out with, but finished with a terrific haul of fish. Cam's 42cm one was a beautie! We hooked up to some really nice fish that also got off, in the 'new' hole that Cam discovered. Then he was off on a mission to discover more holes, which is where he caught the 42cm one! I had already put a couple of baits there for nothing - & our neighbour had indicated "Nah, never fished there'' yesterday! Them's fightin' words to Cam, hence his new found fervour for new spots! Had a funny thing in one gutter - Cam hooked up on his first cast & I had cast out. Cam then cast out again & got snagged, so was walking up the ledge trying to retrieve his line & I had to follow him, as my line was in front of his!! Somehow I managed to hook up to a good fish & was trying to control the fish whilst avoiding Cam's line, all this, when I am walking along the ledge into an oncoming wave!!! I reefed the fish out & was trying to catch it under my arm, keeping an eye on the encroaching wave! I missed the fish, the hook came out & it flopped onto the rocks & I was still keeping an eye on the wave. The fish wiggled down to the next level on the rocks & was still 'catchable' & to Cam's cry of 'Put it in your bucket' .... I just watched it wash down the rocks & back into the gutter! It was a really nice fish, about mid-high 30's Later I tried the other side of the ledge (a smaller gutter) & got a really nice fish there! Then joining Cam on his newfound spot, got another one first toss & another one, so gotta be happy with that! By now it was almost lunchtime & I was calling to Cam to return home & some food & cuppa ..... must be deaf!! Cam & Gordon's fish from yesterday afternoon Cheerio Roberta Today's effort! Smoked fish for tea tonight .... if Cam gets back from fishing in time! Edited January 8, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 9, 2008 Author Share Posted January 9, 2008 Hi guys More blackies yesterday morning - Sails comprehenisvely outfished me too!! Must have taught him too well! I only got 2 of the blackies & Cam got all the rest, from his 'new found' spot!! Terrific Spot - I reckon the fish will be there regularly, not just on the rough water! Our older brother came up yesterday (excited to go fishing after hearing of our exploits!) We took him down yesterday afternoon & Cam & I got one each & Neil dropped 2 He was disappointed with that, so we will go down again shortly to see if we can get him a couple before he heads back to SYdney again today!! Fingers Crossed he gets his first blackie, landed!!! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Hook Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 You guys are on fire...well done...we haven't had a chance to fish much due to heavy workload but just started a 3 week break so will be wetting a line definitely... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 10, 2008 Author Share Posted January 10, 2008 (edited) Hi Capt Hook Good luck when you go out!!! Hope you get into some! The boys are having so much fun, I have left them to it!! Looks like they will be getting the 8 fish needed for the dinner party tomorrow night!!! Neil's first Blackie and the Boys having fun! That particular rock really only holds two fishos, so I tried the ledge with no luck & after losing 2 sets of tackle to snags, came home for a hot cuppa!!! Cheerio for now - will advise of the fish caught when they get home! Roberta Edited January 10, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 10, 2008 Author Share Posted January 10, 2008 (edited) Hi again OK, The boys came back with 17 fish between them & Cam's rock didn't fire up at all. They all came from 'Gordon's Hole'. Neil wasn't complaining - he mainly fishes the NT & is used to Barra & Mangrove Jacks & has just had so much fun down here!!! Fishing Paradise! A good day's haul Cam onto another one Neil is taking 8 back to Sydney for dinner tomorrow night! Happy Chappy! Cheerio Roberta The boys & their fish Edited January 10, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luderick59 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 great catch cam and neil are they still on cunji and is it still rough up there you wil both remember this holiday for a long time good work peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 10, 2008 Author Share Posted January 10, 2008 Hi peter Yep - still on the smelly cunje!! Nowhere near as rough as it has been, so I was expecting the fish to disappear! Fooled again! The swell is still pouring over the rocks, creating the wash required for them to come in, so that is great!!! We'll take Cam's boat out tomorrow & have a go at the blackies around the leases on float this time!! If Cam has enough to take home, some lucky ones may go back into the lake ...... Cheerio Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roosterman Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 ..well done guys.... thats great fishing from the stones.... its always good to get out there when the swell dies down enough as nature has created a massive burly and usually they are on the chew bigtime..... those bream are a welcome bycatch also.... wish i could fish with someone who is willing to swap the ol boots(wirrah)bycatch for niggas cam we have to catch up when you get back... cheers...steve.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yaulpang Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 lovely catch there, always love reading the forster reports. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 (edited) Hi Paul & Steve We've been very lucky to be getting into the fish we have recently!! Cam went down with Gordon yesterday & Gordon got 2 blackies & 2 very nice bream (average 1kg) and Cam got nothing!! However, we went out into the lake with our 83 year old buddy & did some sedate float fishing ...... he was actually quite keen to try the rocks, but we wanted him alive to continue his holiday trip north ...... and we all caught fish, but Cam was the only one to catch keepers - 2 which we then gave to Kerry (plus 2 more) to take to his next destination for dinner! I had done a major 'tidy up' on Kerry's old blackie rod, re-binding all the runners for him & putting epoxy on all the trim - also did a cunning repair on his Avon Royale handles (both of which had fallen off, leaving only stumps.) I used the carcass of a black pen as the handles & dental floss & araldyte to create the 'bump' to make sure they don't come off again! He was absolutely Stoked to have his rod back in useable condition!! It is the rod in the picture. the three amigos where the keepers were caught We went down to Seven Mile in the pm & got some worms - WORM CITY!! They were everywhere! Not really huge ones, but perfect for bream & whiting & just use 2 for jew!! Cam has just come back from trying for bream in the low tide wash & got a bit fat ZERO! Very disappointed! Cam's wife and daughter arrive today, so that may curtail some of the fishing activities ..... then we bring out the yaks & the boat again! Cheerio for now Roberta Edited January 11, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roosterman Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 roberta i really am now starting to regret not coming up there this year,the enjoyed the time out anyway so alls not lost.... conditions looked good on the lake there shame the was not better but im sure a good time was had by all... its so beautiful there eh...... that sounded like a beaut job you done on that old luderick gear... you should do a post with any pics in diy spot as im sure others can get good pointers in doing same.... cams boat looks like it came up a treat,all that hard work really pays off once you get it on the water again.... enjoy the rest of holiday guys... cheers.... steve..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted January 12, 2008 Author Share Posted January 12, 2008 (edited) Darn it, Steve _ I didn't even keep photos for myself!! Kicking myself now for not doing it! He only left with it yesterday!! Ne'er mind, I'll be catching up with him in Sydney in the near future, so will get some then! The dental floss is terrific for binding as it is soooo strong! Sometimes the real binding breaks when you apply a bit too much pressure & you have to pull it off & start again! Not with Floss! Shame you didn't come up - we had soooo much fun! Very windy today - went down with the worms for no luck - just lost some tackle. Very strong wind! Quite uncomfortable. Looks like the blackies may have headed back to their normal spots - mind you, we didn't have the cunje to tempt them into a bite, really! We picked up one piece & it absolutely stunk - I can still smell it on my hands! Cam's boat looks terrific! Almost didn't recognise it! See ya when we see ya! Roberta Cam & Kerry fishing yesterday in Spot no 1 Edited January 12, 2008 by Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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