Consolidated Summer Report

[Jaso]

Well just back from a break over the new years (10 days or so) staying at Umina.

Managed to get out on my boat into BB, waded in Patonga creek, prawned from the boat in Patonga creek, and also managed a fish with Byron in his poly in the creek.

Since this is the lure forum I just wanted to mention a couple of the more enjoyable lure highlights for me over the time away.

First of all Patonga creek is a very large flathead nursery.. Each time I targeted flathead I caught multiple. A large number of them were undersize, but the quantities made it very enjoyable.. If anyone wanted to learn how to switch from bait to lures Patonga creek would be an ideal place to give it a go. The scenery is great also, and very peaceful during those early morning raids on the creek.

I have read multiple posts in this forum previously which say "..trolled round the joey for zip". Well I gave that a shot also when I went out into BB and just as I was about to give up trolling round the joey, a decent salmon jumped on. Just east of the bommie round from where the reef breaks. On the same day I found schools of small tailor working and had some fun throwing hardbodies at them. Each fish I brought into the boat spewed up whitebait. I also went round to the Basin the same day and found its a haven for squid just at the dropoff directly in front of the shark net (where it goes from sand to weed). I only managed one squid as Im a novice when it comes to jigging for them.

Managed to get a few prawns on Wed night in Patonga creek, and a few fish on the live prawns which was good also. I usually prawn at the Entrance so it was good to compare locations. The only problem with Patonga creek is navigating the channels at night, but its definately worth a shot for prawns.

Brown underpants moment for the week was nearly stepping on a large ray whilst wading barefoot in Patonga creek. Theres a large amount of ribbon weed that moves with the current in the creek. I saw [what I thought was] a piece of weed on the sand about a foot in front of me and I thought it looked a bit odd. I traced my gaze to the end and looked closely and could just make out the shape of the head of the ray (covered in sand), then I saw the eyes sticking out of sand! Gave him a prod with the rod tip and sent him on his way.. but he didnt move a bit until I gave him a prod even though I was very very close.. amazing.

Anyway - good times over the summer..

[Trouble]

Good going jaso, Sounds like a productive trip

[Martin]

Top report, you certainly tried a few diffrent things. The Hawkesbury / Pittwater is agreat place.