School holidays are on

[hookerbruce]

Thursday was first day of the holidays, my crew was eager. I headed out not real early, had a quick fish for kings near lilli pilli for zero. Went and pumped some nippers at mainbar then picked up grandsons at Wally's wharf at 830. The whiting I'd seen had disappeared we only got 1  at mainbar.

Fished 4 spots between there and lilli pilli for nothing. The sandflat produced 2  35cm bream then quiet. Then moved to the deeper water which kept the boys busy with small red bream. I perservered with squid bait and  pilchard hoping for a king. Decided it was time for a swim in a while, so I pulled in the kingie rods and dropped a nipper to the bottom . 30 secs and I hooked up on a king after a prolonged fight on light gear boated a 60cm fish that fought well above its weight. Swim was forgotten boys both dropped down nippers for a double hookup on light gear. After both fish swaping swaping up and down and round the boat knitting and unknitting the lines two 55cm fish were landed on 2 kg line. Ditto another double hookup for the boys 1 on 2 kg 1 on 3kg landed. The day was a success even though we didn't get a legal king.

Interesting kings only on nippers not interested in other baits. Will try again next week

Bruce

[big Neil]

That's a great report Bruce. Catching those rat Kings on such light gear would indicate a high level of capability in all of you guys Strange how sometimes fish will only take ONE PARTICULAR bait.

I had a similar experience yesterday where both Murray Cod AND Trout Cod, in numerous locations, would only take chicken breast and refused cheese and live shrimps.

Anyway, I hope that you all have a great time fishing together during the holidays.

Cheers, bn

[SquibblyDibbly]

Sounds like a great day. The young fellas would have been stoked.

[Rebel]

Great report. Good to see the kids fishing. Well done.

[GordoRetired]

Those Rat Kingies on light gear are a lot of fun. They pull line and take a while to get in so you are teaching your kids how to properly fight a fish rather that just skull dragging it to the boat . Good job. 🙂

[Yowie]

Shame about the size of the kings Bruce, but at least the boys had fun on light gear. 

The whiting must have seen you and disappeared. 😂

2 bream and a whiting is something to take home. 

Hoping to go outside with my mate for a few flatties sometime in the next few days.

[BDbrooker]

Hey Bruce,

2 weeks ago the kings only wanted fresh squid and wouldn't touch a plastic. Thursday saw the opposite for me, they're a strange fish sometimes. 

Or perhaps they just know what they want, like my wife. 

Cheers,

Bill

[jenno64]

Great post and awesome for the youngsters to get into the kings on light gear!

[FishyMcFishFace]

I always wondered if kings would be interested in nippers, now I know thanks! 

Nice report and cute pics  🙂

[hookerbruce]

On 12/19/2020 at 2:55 AM, big Neil said:

That's a great report Bruce. Catching those rat Kings on such light gear would indicate a high level of capability in all of you guys Strange how sometimes fish will only take ONE PARTICULAR bait.

I had a similar experience yesterday where both Murray Cod AND Trout Cod, in numerous locations, would only take chicken breast and refused cheese and live shrimps.

Anyway, I hope that you all have a great time fishing together during the holidays.

Cheers, bn

The grandkids have been fishing whole lives cut up bait, rig lines, pull up the anchor even help winch the boat on the trailer. Fish with 1kg line up to heavy braid bottom bouncing offshore will fish all day then fish at the ramp and ready to go out all day again next day

They had both caught kingfish before but this was first time they had caught 2 in a day. They didn't lose any on the day.

They are looking forward to a trip out to the fads soon.

Thanks for your comments. In the new year when covid settles down I hope to head out your way to try and get a legal M Cod. Might catch up with you.

Bruce

[hookerbruce]

On 12/19/2020 at 2:55 AM, big Neil said:

 

 

On 12/19/2020 at 2:55 AM, big Neil said:

That's a great report Bruce. Catching those rat Kings on such light gear would indicate a high level of capability in all of you guys Strange how sometimes fish will only take ONE PARTICULAR bait.

I had a similar experience yesterday where both Murray Cod AND Trout Cod, in numerous locations, would only take chicken breast and refused cheese and live shrimps.

Anyway, I hope that you all have a great time fishing together during the holidays.

Cheers, bn

Yes the grandkids fish well and are very keen.

Try blackfishing, several people fishing using same weed and only 1 getting bites even when floats are drifting cms apart.

Might head out your way to try those M Cod next year.

Bruce

Edited December 19, 2020 by hookerbruce

[hookerbruce]

On 12/19/2020 at 9:48 AM, Yowie said:

Shame about the size of the kings Bruce, but at least the boys had fun on light gear. 

The whiting must have seen you and disappeared. 😂

2 bream and a whiting is something to take home. 

Hoping to go outside with my mate for a few flatties sometime in the next few days.

Hi Dave from when I pumped the nippers to when we fished the tide had come in 20 cm and all the really good shallows had gone.  Couldn't find where the whiting had moved to.

I am aiming to fish late Tuesday or early wed.

 

[Yowie]

2 hours ago, hookerbruce said:

Hi Dave from when I pumped the nippers to when we fished the tide had come in 20 cm and all the really good shallows had gone.  Couldn't find where the whiting had moved to.

I am aiming to fish late Tuesday or early wed.

 

The whiting would have moved further into the shallows. By the time the water has covered all of Maianbar banks, the whiting will be scattered over the sand and much spread out.

Good luck with the next outing Bruce. I am heading outside this arvo.

[Pickles]

A great effort Bruce. I’ve experienced the same myself on many occasions. The very first Kingie I ever caught was on a cooked prawn. I’ve caught them on every bait imaginable (including chicken and salami when fishing for flathead and bream) and quite a few on nippers and prawns. Also caught big Jewies on nippers.

It was a great capture on light line - well done.