Soft Plastic Shredded But No Hook-ups At Manly Cove

[jamesds]

9:30am started fishing from the rocks at manly cove about 300m south-east of the moorings ( 33°48'25.50"S, 151°16'26.19"E for you Google Earth lovers out there). Stayed for about 2 hours during which time we had lots of little nibbles but no hookups.

I was using 10cm soft plastics which got absolutely shredded. There were lots of chunks taken out of them. They got lacerated. Obviously not by a fish with a mouth big enough to swallow the damn thing. So I tried some smaller S.P.s and not even a nibble. Weird.

My mate had his bait taken (squid or prawns) but again, no hookups.

So we moved around the headland to the rocks at ( 33°48'38.57"S, 151°16'28.95"E) and braved the wind. Tried a mixture of soft plastics and no hookups. At least I wasn't getting snagged (unlike my mate). I reckon the design of the SP & jig with the hook on top of the plastic helps a great deal here. I'd be a convert if I could catch something

After a couple of hours there, we went back to our previous spot (gluttons for punishment?!) and still no luck. After that, my mate went home and I stayed for a while longer. Hey, even when there's no fish it's great being outdoors!

We were berlying with bread and pre-made stuff from the bait shop from a berley bucket hanging in the water at all locations too. That attracted lots of tiny fish, not any big ones though...

Disclaimer: I am a complete novice when it comes to fishing. I've been fishing every Saturday for the last couple of months and a few evenings at Thames Street Wharf, Balmain because it's good for a quick session. My catch so far: Lots of eels, a flathead just above legal and a few flathead below legal.

Any kind fishermen out there care to offer me any advice? Is it all about location? Or do we just suck?!

[Dougz77]

Hi jamesds,

If your on the water and having a go then you don't suck. I often go fishing and come back with no fish but that does not make me a bad fisherman because each time i go i learn something new about the art that i did not know before.

My most recent learning experience was to not try and lift a big flattie out of the water onto the jetty using just the line. Even though the hook was secure the lizard still managed to come off with wild head shakes as i was lifting her up.

I now have a self made extendable gaff for these occasions!!

I have certainly learnt heaps from fellow fishos on fishraider.

My usual haunts are not far from your local area (pyrmont area) so i know what you mean regarding eels. Mate they have a habit of making a productive session into a time wasting effort trying to stop them wrapping themselves in metres of line. Lost a well made and expensive rig with a dirty smelly brown eel.

As i am a shore based fisho from Sydney Inner west if you would like some company on a session or to swap ideas on landing bigger fish then i am happy to offer.

All the best keep on fishin.

Dougs77

[jamesds]

Sounds like there were jackets about.. You could of tried a small long shank hook with a little bit of prawn, or a little piece of the gulp. Usually the fan bellies there, they are not bad tucker either..

Better luck for next time mate...

Hi ~TaNgLeS~,

That's awesome advice - seems so obvious with hindsight. I guess of there's only a small piece of bait it's harder to yank it off without getting hooked. I'll give that a go next time I'm out.

Thanks!

Hi jamesds,

If your on the water and having a go then you don't suck. I often go fishing and come back with no fish but that does not make me a bad fisherman because each time i go i learn something new about the art that i did not know before.

My most recent learning experience was to not try and lift a big flattie out of the water onto the jetty using just the line. Even though the hook was secure the lizard still managed to come off with wild head shakes as i was lifting her up.

I now have a self made extendable gaff for these occasions!!

I have certainly learnt heaps from fellow fishos on fishraider.

My usual haunts are not far from your local area (pyrmont area) so i know what you mean regarding eels. Mate they have a habit of making a productive session into a time wasting effort trying to stop them wrapping themselves in metres of line. Lost a well made and expensive rig with a dirty smelly brown eel.

So far I've managed to unhook them all - but I think I've just been lucky. But I know what you mean about the tangling line. What a mess!!

As i am a shore based fisho from Sydney Inner west if you would like some company on a session or to swap ideas on landing bigger fish then i am happy to offer.

I would really appreciate that. Although with my limited experience I'm not sure what advice I can offer you!

Edited November 16, 2008 by jamesds

[Flattiehunter991]

couldve been those annoying toad fish, they love tearing up gulp plastics