For Port Hacking Desperates

[Isaac Ct]

Hi raiders,

Seeing that so many raiders struggle to catch fish during winter I'm going to post a couple of my favourite spots for those interested and those who fish the Hacking.

1. South Lilli Pilli drop off- On the southern side of Lilli Pilli sand bar there's a drop-off that is my number one spot. It drops of from about 1.5m to 10m. I regularly fish this drop of in all moths of the year and have luck most of the time. This can be said for most drop-off's but the reason I like this one is because in the shallow water their is numerous weed beds which hold luderick and plenty of baitfish. I often will drift over this spot with a float and a size '12' hook with a bit of bread and will catch Luderick, mullet and even pillies. Anyway, with the amount of bait their I try to match what is their on the day. Sometimes I will see little flicks on the surface indicating that pillies are around. I would then use some pilly and often will hook up to some snapper, trevally and flatties. I have also been on a boat with my friend with live pillies and have caught John Dory their in the winter moths. Another tip that some people may seem weird for this spot is when I hook a small pinkie I don't crank it in so I can get another bait out. Instead I reel it in slowly, as I have had big flathead and John Dory swallow the pinkie but not actually eat it, you will see the fish and it will have the fish in its mouth and when it gets to the boat it just lets it go. Occasionally the bigger fish will come back for a few chews but rarely get hooked. This is my number one spot for using bigger baits and slower live baits such as sweep, mado and trumpeters.

2. Yowie Bay Boat Ramp- This is a spot that can be accessed by land and can be fished from a boat as well. Some people may argue against that but I use a Minn Kota to steer through the moorings. I find cast lures back into the mooring and jetties can produce some big bream and trevally. I've recently started using the Ecogear Zx40 range and have found the brilliant. It is risky using 8 pound line with 10 pound leader next to a jetty/mooring with a $20 lure but you catch some cracking fish. I have also caught a couple of squid around the jetties as well so always keep that in mind. I have caught bream, snapper, tarwhine, trevally, leatherjackets and even a flattie around these moorings/jetties. The vibration of the lure gets the fish active even if the conditions aren't favourable. 

My gear of choice-

Shimano 2500 reel matched with a 1.8m 1.3kg rfexy tip shimano rod.

8 pound mono with 10 pound mono leader

Zx40 416, 412 and 411

Bait-

Pillies, fresh nippers, prawns and worms

Hope this helps!

Cheers Isaac CT

[Rebel]

Great Info. Well done. Will help a lot of Raiders.

Cheers.