chopper tailor

[Benzeenees]

Friday morning we headed out from Mossy Point planning to spend at least some time close to the rocky headlands in the bay. Picked up 3 choppers (about 35cm) on 15cm rapala x-raps which dive to 6m. The gear we were using was a bit heavy for these fish so they didn't put up much of a fight. They were the first tailor I have caught from the boat in the 5 years I have had it! Probably because we mostly fish a way offshore looking for snapper, flathead, kingies and morwong. But I plan to do some more trolling in close using light gear.

Out wide we were looking for kingfish. Plenty were showing on the sounder but almost no wind made the drift difficult and the patches of fish were very small. But, as in the past, there was a layer of blue specks showing on the sounder (Lowrance HDS 5) about 10m off the bottom. We were in 45m of water. A small squid bait ended up nibbled to almost nothing although we didn't feel any bites.

Any thoughts about what we were seeing?

Edited May 5, 2012 by Benzeenees

[PowerFisher]

Mate,

Ive got the same sounder and get the same on the sounder cant tell or read what kind of fish they are.

Im about to do a firmware update of the lawrance site 192mb update, so fixes alot of things.

[Benzeenees]

I don't think its artificial as it doesn't occur everywhere - only over some reefs. And there's something small down there quietly chewing on my bait! In other locations I have red and yellow clouds with fish showing as well. And that's where we catch the kings.

What's the difference between a firmware update and the software update released earlier this year? I've already updated my software and it did improve the clarity of the sounder image.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Benzeenees

[PowerFisher]

I don't think its artificial as it doesn't occur everywhere - only over some reefs. And there's something small down there quietly chewing on my bait! In other locations I have red and yellow clouds with fish showing as well. And that's where we catch the kings.

What's the difference between a firmware update and the software update released earlier this year? I've already updated my software and it did improve the clarity of the sounder image.

Correct sorry i meant the software update i have yet to do, the firmare updates are usually more for hardware fixes.

The problem with mine a couple weeks back was fishing near the bommie in botany bay not too close offcourse and all of a sudden from behind the boat i see all these bubbles coming from the bottom of the water i was thinking whale many bubbles then i rembered there is divers downthere sometimes was worried to accidently hook one they or one was down under the boat for a while i quickly looked at the sounder and it was empty supprosed nothing came up even at times catching kings before a hookup its completley empty. but at other times the sounder is full of fish, its annoying but hopefully the update fixes some of the issues.

[Benzeenees]

when you update your software you will download a setup launcher file to a data card. You then install it. But before you put the card in your sounder, remove the setup launcher file (move it to your PC). Better still, download the setup launcher file to a folder on your PC, install it and then move the new files (HDS 4.1.36.68-standard-1.upd 257M, update.conf 1k) to a data card. Put the card in your HDS and turn it on. The software loads automatically. I mention this because the instructions from Lowrance don't make it clear that you must not have the original downloaded file on the data card. It won't cause any damage - just won't load. Good luck.

[J Hooked]

I have once seen a similar image on my HDS5 then saw a whale pop up 40m ahead of me. A little while later I saw that same whale with a calf. I don't know if the image was the calf or something else.

E-mail Lowrance the image, you never know your luck, they may have an answer. Let us know if you do get a response.

[sharknett]

Over reef and baits being shredded I would guess leather jackets but then you would expect to be getting bitten off occasionally.

Great eating but murder on baits and gear.

[PowerFisher]

when you update your software you will download a setup launcher file to a data card. You then install it. But before you put the card in your sounder, remove the setup launcher file (move it to your PC). Better still, download the setup launcher file to a folder on your PC, install it and then move the new files (HDS 4.1.36.68-standard-1.upd 257M, update.conf 1k) to a data card. Put the card in your HDS and turn it on. The software loads automatically. I mention this because the instructions from Lowrance don't make it clear that you must not have the original downloaded file on the data card. It won't cause any damage - just won't load. Good luck.

Thanks mate , really appreciate the information, will attempt later today.

[dogbox]

Yar

leather Jackets those small one that bite through all your gear

Dogbox

[Dangas]

Hi Benzeenees,

Nothing wrong with your sounder, I got the same HDS5, When you are drifting over reef in that depth in 19 deg water and you see those blue clouds 10m off the bottom, they are generally either:

1. Leatherjackets

2. Sweep

3. Slimies

Drop down a paternoster rig with a size 2 long shank hook with a small bait and more than likely you will pull up one of the 3 mentioned above.

[Benzeenees]

thanks everyone - don't think it's leatherjackets or whales. Not getting bitten off, not getting lifted out of the water. Will try a small hook on a paternoster as suggested. Heading for the coast this afternoon - will take some more pix and post them.