How To Get Results, Jewfish Come Out Of No Where

[jewgaffer]

Hi Everyone.

Rather than typing a lengthy one finger reply to several pm's I have received from other members, some of whom it seems have all but given up on targeting jewfish, I have decided that it would be better to do a topic on the subject to address their concerns, and for others who may be interested as well.

I also address this topic to the twin brothers, Twin1 and Lumpookey, Marcel and Ray, who contacted me seeking advice on when it was best to go, and where they should fish when targeting jewfish. I have spoken with Marcel and Ray and they are good blokes, at peace with the world and, being both brothers and best mates, have a love of one another's company, and look forward to every opportunity to fish together, and have always been trying as best as they can to catch jewfish.

I'm doing some thinking at the moment, and when I think the time is right Marcel and Ray will be on board my Savage side console on the Hawkesbury for a two tide, up river day session.

First of all for other members who have sent PM's and for those who have tried hard without having any results to show for the effort :-

I can see what's happening here quite clearly, for starters it is the locations, the quality of the baits, the times available to fish, the timing itself, and the size of the gear and the number of jew rods used.

If you have had no success to the point of giving up on this elusive species, for want of a better word, just pause for a minute and say - Hey what's going on here with these jewfish ? - I use fresh bait and no matter where I fish and how hard I try, I don't even look like catching one. Fishermen may well say, I've almost given up, I go to all the prime spots, I've acquired all the right gear - Where are they ? Are they an over exaggerated species or something ?

Now that's fair enough and I am sure many others can relate to that. As to there being a shortage of jewfish, I can reply to part of the question in this manner by saying, "No there is no shortage, look at the size and bag limits of jewfish which, I believe, have been carefully set for recreational fishermen, and there is an abundance of jewfish in comparison to similiar prized species, which are still regarded as being somewhat prolific as well".

That's my answer and it is worth thinking about, even if you only have a little think about the Hawkesbury and the Georges as to what part of these rivers, separate packs and schools of jewfish are likely to be at a given time, and take into account the marauding night jew that come into the Botany Bay area alone looking for food, and remember that jewfish are natural river, harbour and estuary fish as well.

It's only natural that your own failure to catch one like other fishermen do, becomes personal, and you will say or think out aloud "Why can't I catch these fish like the hundreds of others I see in photographs in magazines and tackle shops" ? Now that's a starting point and a good incentive for you to gain confidence and think harder, an incentive that will be aided by the fact that we all have noticed jewfish proudly shown in photographs, and more likely than not have seen jewfish scales all around the cleaning tables at boat ramps, and we all know that jewfish exist in estuaries as well as off headlands etc, beaches and off shore areas.

You certainly can't blame a fisherman for giving jewfish away after spending time and money fishing for them, and only occasionally striking a good out of area bi-catch. You couldn't blame fishermen for getting back to basics and fishing for other fish while specialising in other easier to catch larger species seasonally, and for fishing in general off a jetty etc, according to tide or in shallower water in accordance with what they know about wind and tide for other fish on quality light gear etc., rather than fishing all day for something they think does not frequent the areas where they are fishing. It's quite the opposite, jewfish come out of no where to any coastal area where they have enough water above them to hunt in and out if necessary, in order to survive.

In my case, no matter where I fish in coastal areas, I always have jewfish somewhere in my mind or in the back of it, and often in so called wrong jewfish waters. However in those "wrong waters" I am fishing with other species in mind as well.

I have always had at at least one rod out the back of the boat or off the shore, with a medium size or a large live bait on it even in shallow water, because that is the only way to present a bait that will last and is aimed at any larger predator that comes along, again with jewfish on my mind regardless.

Because of my back these days, I am also likely to join every other jetty mute myself, you know the ones that look straight ahead at the water and never say anything whatsoever. My company suits cretins like that. They may well be the real original jetty mutes miming a song, because I am half deaf anyway. I am always hoping for a jew to come in and finish up presenting the best of large baits and, although trying my hardest on nice days in the day time, I generally finish up matching the jetty mutes myself in catching their friends the rays, and other indigestable freaks on heavy game type gear, and somehow they manage to net these freaks after I have cut them loose. During the permanent silence of the jetty mutes, my littlest grand daughters are outcasting everyone by miscasting all over the place and catching table fish at their feet on unnamed combos, more than likely made in Bangaldesh. If someone half sensible hooks up something that slightly resembles a table fish, the silence of the jetty mutes fishing with home made puke and ganged frankfurts is more deafening than ever.

Still jetties are easy to fish land based spots, and if they have a drop off into sufficient depth within casting distance, jewfish can be targetted off jetties especially with live bait in the darkest of nights, in the roughest of weather when everyone else is asleep.

Now the important thing for you to consider is a fact, should you be resticted to landbased fishing. You have to fish accordingly and only fish the known jewfish grounds until you are able to establish your own spots.

Now we come to when and where you should go out and fish for jewfish.

Jewfish are natural estuary and onshore blue water fish. They inhabit close in reef areas and although they have been found offf the continental shelf areas, jewfish are known to travel to and from close in reef to reef areas, and are known to select the safest ones where and when they spawn.

They actually inhabit suitable estuaries like the Richmond River and the Hawkesbury and others like the Georges to some extent like residents in an itinerant and roaming come and go manner. It is very important to note that in all areas that incoming night jewfish, which I call "marauding jew" frequent, they come on the hunt in packs during the night hours, particular when the tide tops and begins to run out, which forces baitfish and other food for the jew out with the tidal pull, just as the incoming tide makes it easier for them to come in, and it is particulary easier for baitfish to gather and school up away from predators when the wind is blowing into the shore. As to what tide is best for the estuary roaming jew or "resident jew", is a matter of having to work it out. In the areas you do well night time or day time it is always continual and their antics are repetitive.

It's good to be able to ge a few jewfish under you belt in order to establish the pathways they travel along. Jewfish are a lazy, self supporting predator that will general always travel and hunt in round up packs, along pathways that suit them best and continue along in the same boring manner, until they break away and round up their food and so on.

Remember that other fish will be always be waiting for food and, particulary in the case of predators like jewfish, the eating of baitfish and other fish is absolutely necessary for their survival. So late at night watch out for solitary bird scouts here and there and keep your eyes open where and when the flock comes in.

Being slow movers compared to other predators, jewfish either ambush from behind cover or hunt in large packs to round up baitfish like sheep dogs do with sheep to some extent. They boof and manhandle the baitfish school to stun as many as possible. You often see birds picking up whole baitfish. Jewfish do not rip their prey apart, they stun them, crush the backbone and swallow their prey whole, and often come back and go back down deep for what remains of the school. When you're fishing for jewfish you may well strike a solitary ambusher or two. When a boil up on a school of baitfish happens or when a jewfish school is in the area or a hunting pack of four or five just coming thru escorting a female, as is their habit, you are always in with a chance if you fish on and wait with well presented baits.

I have my work cut out myself at the moment as to finding out what has happened to the school sized jew, 7kilo and upwards, that come into our estuaries to congregate at this time of year, before they go out to sea to spawn. There seems to be a shortage so far of the school sized jew in the estuarys that have been caught over the last two months or so around the beaches, both northside and southside, as some of you would know.

It is quite possible that these school size jewfish might well be in other parts of our estuaries due to temperature and other conveniences. Places like up river Berowra, Bobbin Head, McDonald River, Cooks River, come to mind. Perhaps they are in places coming out to meet new stock on the run in tide, whereas the coastline and river mouth etc fishes best on a run out tide. Perhaps they are in wide spread upriver congregations and in situations where hardly anyone fishes for them. These are the type of occurrences that have to be considered as well.

No doubt if time permits, the waiting, the expectation of a rod bending hard, the excitement of the drag screaming hard as a jewfish peels off line can be enormous and the wait monitoring the rod spread for general bites can be exciting.

A long fishing session with no result can be a complete energy drain and can leave a fisherman who waits so long and tries so hard disappointed and despondent in failure. Whereas a jewfish in the boat or safely gaffed or coaxed onto the shore will have an instant pick up effect, a boost of energy and a feeling of grandeur. That's what fishing for jewfish is all about and when you hook up a lot of jewfish, you get hooked up too.

As to giving it up, no way, just wait until you see a big school of oversize jew rise up on the hunt and bust up and scatter a school of baitfish right in front of you. It will happen as though it came out of no where and frighten the life out of you. You'll keep on thinking and persevering again and again, whether you catch one, or not, that's for sure.

Hope this helps you all and other interested members who are trying so hard and not catching jewfish.

Cheers

jewgaffer

Edited May 8, 2008 by jewgaffer

[james7]

Great advice Byron (as usual) and a good read.

I suggest any Raider interested in catching a jew only has to read everything you've writen about jewfishing and it will increase their chances 200%.

I'm sure everyone appreciates your knowledge and generosity. I do.

I may even give this jewfishing caper a go some time!

Cheers

Peter

[luderick59]

good advice byron

never give up trying

find a known jew spot fish all tides high and low use the freshest bait and put in the time [all night sessions]

persistence will pay off

you may catch schoolies at first but that should help you when mr big comes along

it took me about20years to catch my big jew

now i am happy to catch schoolies when i go fishing for jew

peter

[Rhino2099]

Great read as always jewgaffer !!

Another important point that I have learnt is to learn to catch fresh bait consistently before you can master catching the fish.

I have spent months trying to catch fresh squid and think I have finally worked out the 'where and when' to consistently catching them.

On friday night the 18th April I was standing on the sand in the howling southerly wind and rain and thinking why do I do this and then suddenly my reel screamed and 10 minutes later I had my very first jew on the beach. It weighed 7kg. Still buzzing I rebaited and casted out a fresh squid and 5 mins later I was on again. This one felt bigger, lots bigger and after half an hour of being pulled up and down the beach I landed my second jew which weighed 14kg.

So all the cold lonely nights finally paid off !!

Here's me with the bigger one

Cheers Ryan

[Tony Soprano]

Byron that's another great post, I always have to read them two or three times to take it all in.

You're a great bloke for sharing so much of what you know with everyone on the forums...

I look forward to going eel fishing with you again some time soon mate.

Cheers

Tony

Edit:

Ryan- how good is that!

Awesome fish mate, it's stories like that which keep us all coming back for more.

Well done.

Edited May 6, 2008 by Tony Soprano

[King slayer]

Hey Jewgaffer,

Another thanks for sharing the info mate. One day we'll get it!

while i lick my wounds from the last few heart breaking trips I might target some big winter kings. Jews will always be the dream and I will keep trying.

Tell you what, if you ever want another deckie, PM me and I'll do all in my power to get there. OUr little tinnie wouldn't cut it for you I don't reckon, there's not much standing up and no coffee making that's for sure.

Cheers again JG.

[Frantic]

Great post Jewgaffer its hard for a lot of people to keep persavering after a grand species like the jewie

especially when they are yet to catch one. There's been many cold,dark mornings where i've treked over mountains and down billy goat tracks to catch one of these beauties off the rocks .Many times i have came home with nothing to show and ive also seen double hookups and red hot sessions with multiple fish in quick time. . Its addictive stuff once you cracked thats first decent one and thats what makes me keep going back for more.(there always is the bycatch of bream,tailor and other assorted fish that make it hurt a little less .

craig

[Kit]

I think my post may have played a part in Byron writing this post

Its another great post by the way.

After trying consistently over the past 8 years.. I think for me, its starting to become a futile exercise...

I always leave the house with the hope that "tonight will be the night", but in reality, I expect to come home empty handed...

I fished supposedly "known" spots.. but I suspect the spots I do fish are the wrong ones.

Problem is, I don't know where else to fish other than those that have supposingly produced in the past.

[marcel haber]

Great read as always jewgaffer !!

Another important point that I have learnt is to learn to catch fresh bait consistently before you can master catching the fish.

I have spent months trying to catch fresh squid and think I have finally worked out the 'where and when' to consistently catching them.

On friday night the 18th April I was standing on the sand in the howling southerly wind and rain and thinking why do I do this and then suddenly my reel screamed and 10 minutes later I had my very first jew on the beach. It weighed 7kg. Still buzzing I rebaited and casted out a fresh squid and 5 mins later I was on again. This one felt bigger, lots bigger and after half an hour of being pulled up and down the beach I landed my second jew which weighed 14kg.

So all the cold lonely nights finally paid off !!

Here's me with the bigger one

Cheers Ryan

GREAT CATCH THERE RHINO..... you have now joined that special club I envy you thats one great fish.

Jewgaffer thanks for the kind words in regard to my brother and myself, you are a very generous man

to share willingly you knowledge on this site.

Keep in touch mate and we are ready when the time is right for that phone call..... keep in touch.

Marcel

Twin 1

[jewgaffer]

Jewgaffer.....Keep in touch mate and we are ready when the time is right for that phone call..... keep in touch.

Marcel

Twin 1

Hi Marcel Would a Saturday two tide day session suit you and Ray ? At the moment it seems I need to fish the run in and the run out tides in different locations to have good results in the Hawkesbury.

......I look forward to going eel fishing with you again some time soon mate......

Cheers

Tony

Tony there is a sense in that. This time we might do o.k on the jew if we keep thinking eels, I reckon. Tony line it up with Stevie Roosterman, and Kingy slayer who's up your way can keep us company in the bow area. We need as many rods out as possible, and other good eel minded people on board.

Hey Jewgaffer,.....if you ever want another deckie, PM me and I'll do all in my power to get there.

Cheers again JG.

HI Kingy slayer, no worries, you are most welcome to come along with Tony, Stevie Roosterman and myself for a marathon. Looks like a Saturday session should suit you all. Line it up with Tony and Stevie Roosterman ay, one of them will call me.

Good effort on catching two nice jewfish, Rhino2099! A 14kilo specimiment is an excellent jewfish for anyone to catch

Cheers

jewgaffer

Edited May 8, 2008 by jewgaffer

[King slayer]

Jewgaffer that sounds great. Next Sat 17th would probably suit for me anyway. I'll try to work in with you though. cheers mate, very much looking forward to it!

Dave

[GK510]

Right !! Thats it !!!

All this talk about jewfish has got me keen as. I think I am going to have to start targeting them. I have only ever caught a 25 cm miniature version as bycatch but after reading this thread, along with all of Jewgaffers other posts on the subject, plus seeing photos of fish such as the one above, I have to get into some of this action

I know its been said many times before, but I really appreciate the time and thought that members such as Jewgaffer put into their posts. I know I'd be lost without all the knowledge given out on this site.

Awwwww....lets all have a group hug

But seriously, thanks to all that take the time to help novices such as myself

Cheers,

Graham

[roosterman]

Byron thats another great read... well i didnt expect anything less ..

this is full of some real good thought provocing stuff and should get alot of raiders questioning techniques /baits/spots etc..

i thing the big value this has is the ability of the angler to create the answers he is looking for and hopefully try something different and put some thought into whats going on and hopefully coming up trumps...

Rhino thats a real nice jew there and i think you have hit the nail on the head bait wise..

i try to have a variety of baits to give them a smorgasboard so to speak and as fresh as can be helped...

sometimes have to be self caught frozen but def not servo stuff...(not that you wont get em with it just not ideal imo)

i have found over the years that i have got more with slab/butterfly baits than livies so vary baits accordingly in my books.....

just my 2 bobs worth anyway...

guys its my birthday sat 17th so im out as im doing family time then after off to footy with best mate...

i will call you tomorrow byron an we can discuss an eel session... oops i mean a jew session.....

cheers....steve......

Edited May 8, 2008 by roosterman