Having a rough time of it!

[Razzell]

Hi all,

From my last report I mentioned I am fishing a lot recently. That's true, but it hasn't been great! Here is some insight in to my last few trips. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Middle Harbour - Wednesday AM

Decided to head out in the morning and go to one of my old favourite haunts. It was bloody cold in the morning, but I got to Tunks at 6am because I knew the wind would be getting up early on. I launched pretty much on the high, so knew I'd have a couple of hours of good conditions.

The water was crystal clear and full of jellies. Another fella reckoned you could see 4-5 metres down.

Went to one of the bays which produced well for me last summer. Around this time last year the Sambo were in there, so I was hopeful. The flats normally hold good bream, as do the edges, but they're finnicky (and the water is filthy). That morning - nothing. One or two mullet jumping, but I couldn't get anything on the bite.

Gave up with the bay and paddled out round fig tree point to hide from the wind. Managed one tiny Breambo, but he must have told his mates because I couldn't find anything else. Tried another little bay, but no dice. Packed it in about 830-9.

Mona Vale beach - Last Wednesday

After the day before being OK, I went back to the beach on the same gutter. Knew the swell would be higher, but thought I'd give it a bash considering high tide was right on last light and the gutter was good.

Was hoping for Sambo/Tailor, so was on the salted pillies. Got absolutely bugger all and massive, dirty swell making fishing tough. Still, beautiful evening!

(Couldn't fish Thursday, Friday, or Saturay as I threw my back out at the gym - what an idiot)

Iron cove - Sunday

Another favourite haunt of mine. I was hoping to have better luck than last time as high water was around 8am, and I launched at first light (530).

Plenty of bait fish around, but again, crystal clear water and loads of jellies. Paddling round the boats and jetties on the northern side, I came across something harrasing bait fish on a jetty. Couldn't make out what it/they was/were, and couldn't get it interested in what I offered. I threw bent minnows, shallow divers, standard-rigged minnow SPs, and some tiny SPs I have that are wonderful for bust ups when wacky rigged.

I checked out all the bays but nothing was interested - same for the pylons. Bizarre, I've had really good success there for the last few months. On the way back I decided I couldn't leave with a duck, so threw for flathead. As usual, these guys came up good. Managed 3 around 40 cm in half hour, which cheered me up.

Rose bay - Monday

Still not at work (waiting for visa clearance), and seeing that there would be little wind in the early hours, I launched at rose bay around 6am hoping the harbour would be good (not exactly hopeful, but maybe a change of scenery might do me good).

Immediately at launch I was greeted by a harbour seal, so that was cool. He was having a great time, flapping about and rollicking in the glass waters. Again, the water was crystal clear. I could see seriously far down. Chucked about to see if there was anything, but not even a knock on the flats and edge of flats.

Headed for deeper water to try my luck. Not having a sounder at the moment, deep water is a tricky one for me, but figured I might as well. Hit the markers and the wind was lending itself well to a drift, so I trolled my little minnow plastics past them at depth. Picked up about 6 small snapper (20-30cm), which was better than nothing! Eventually jacked it in as the wind became quite strong.

All in all, not looking great for me at the moment. I'm wondering whether the water clarity makes it particularly tough, with the fish heading to deeper waters? Also, might it be worth me heading further in to the creeks? I see that other people are having success, so it must be the decisions I'm making. Just not sure exactly what to do now!

Cheers,

Razz

[BigRod]

Sounds like my recent trips recently got on to the prawn squidgys from the pro range been doing alot better with those

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