Long reef advice and company and sounders

[slothparade]

I have been doing some research about trying some deeper water fishing my kayak. I have noticed long reef in sydeny seems very good but I have never tried there. 

I have a few questions; 

What types of fish are there? I've heard kings, reef fish, snapper. That's it. So was there much els worth it around? 

I have seen the GPS coords so I was going to try thoes and the drop off around the reef. 

How far out do you have to kayak? Is it dangerous? How hard would it be to get out and how high is the rock of flipping? Should I anchor? What kind of gear should I bring? 

What rods and reels should I bring? And what bait works? I was thinking of more deep sea rigs with a bigger sinker. I was thinking some squid I was going to buy from the bait shop, I don't have time to catch any. 

My kayak is a seak mako 3.9, it should be alright for all around there? The original owner said it's easy for it. Just want to make sure

I have motors for this, 54 and 24, should I ditch these and go the rudder or do I keep 1 of them and use it for trawling and getting around? The better is about 24 kg but the motor is about 24 kg so it balances out the weight. 

I have a luck fish finder that came with my kayak, should I upgrade and what to? I don't want to carry another battery, my kayak already weights 90kg without me and I'm not looking to add to much more. 

Finally, I would really like someone to come for company and incase something goes wrong, I have already contacted derik, but would like to know if anyone is able to as I'm not to flexible with time. 

[slothparade]

Also, any good spots to pick up live bait around here or could i just buy some fresh squid? I have a bait shop near by that gets fresh squid 

[noelm]

Personally Squid is the very last bait for me (others will disagree) but Pilchards or some kind of flesh bait (Striped Tuna is great) or just some Yellowtail fillets.

[slothparade]

1 hour ago, noelm said:

Personally Squid is the very last bait for me (others will disagree) but Pilchards or some kind of flesh bait (Striped Tuna is great) or just some Yellowtail fillets.

thanks. I have only had luck on tweed bait squid 

[slothparade]

12 minutes ago, motiondave said:

well done, Ive never had much luck with tweed squid, only squid/calamari Ive had success with is from the fish shop. Californian calamari, about one hand long, very frozen fresh, very white, hardly any pink, and it gets wrecked by the fish, and at $18 a kg box....

lunds squid? 

[slothparade]

8 hours ago, motiondave said:

Pardon?

Lunds?

What's Lunds....

isn't that the brand of california squid you use? they come in a blue box 

[dirvin21]

A few considerations, 

 An you flip the kayak and get back in which is important in open water,

I wouldn't anchor a kayak in the ocean you're likely to flip trying get it back out of the reef

With gear keep in mind the lack of leverage ypu have on a yak especially with trying to bust off snags with swells

And have a pre plan for landing fish and especially big fish, I know frim personal experience 

Lije I previously said I'd ditch the motor and keep the sounder, it'll keep the weight down 

 

[Rebel]

Long Reef is tricky. Be carefull.

[rickmarlin62]

If you havnt paddled in open ocean  i would suggest  throw it in at palm beach  paddle round to edge of barranjoey and poke your nose out there  you can catch good fish in that area  if not comfortable with swell n chop head back inside broken bay

[zmk1962]

On 10/9/2021 at 2:22 PM, slothparade said:

I have been doing some research about trying some deeper water fishing my kayak. I have noticed long reef in sydeny seems very good but I have never tried there. 

I have a few questions; 

What types of fish are there? I've heard kings, reef fish, snapper. That's it. So was there much els worth it around? 

I have seen the GPS coords so I was going to try thoes and the drop off around the reef. 

How far out do you have to kayak? Is it dangerous? How hard would it be to get out and how high is the rock of flipping? Should I anchor? What kind of gear should I bring? 

What rods and reels should I bring? And what bait works? I was thinking of more deep sea rigs with a bigger sinker. I was thinking some squid I was going to buy from the bait shop, I don't have time to catch any. 

My kayak is a seak mako 3.9, it should be alright for all around there? The original owner said it's easy for it. Just want to make sure

I have motors for this, 54 and 24, should I ditch these and go the rudder or do I keep 1 of them and use it for trawling and getting around? The better is about 24 kg but the motor is about 24 kg so it balances out the weight. 

I have a luck fish finder that came with my kayak, should I upgrade and what to? I don't want to carry another battery, my kayak already weights 90kg without me and I'm not looking to add to much more. 

Finally, I would really like someone to come for company and incase something goes wrong, I have already contacted derik, but would like to know if anyone is able to as I'm not to flexible with time. 

I notice from your questions that you seem to be new to fishing Long Reef. I don't mean to put a cloud on your intentions but just want to make sure you have done all the research and have given your self time to gain the necessary experience to have a safe outing.... perhaps even find some experienced companion's to journey out with. I think you'll find most Raiders will advise take it slow and build your experience.

I don't fish off a Yak but I do fish Long Reef from my 6.3m boat. Long Reef is an extended reef system that stretches more than 10km+ east (Long Reef wide). .. depth varies from 10m to 25m closer in, and to 60M+ wider out.  It's a typical reef system  in that regard with many nooks and ledges and drop offs.  

When it fires up it's red hot. It also is attracts all the predators and great white sightings and encounters are not uncommon. There was an incident that was recorded on video back in 2008 where a 5m GW tipped a kayaker into the water. Fortunately he was with a group of yaks and a tinny fisherman that rallied to assist... the footage is 2008 quality but you'll get the idea.

If you search YouTube for Long Reef and Kayak ... you'll get a sense of what fishing is like there and what folks have encountered.

Being a reef system Long Reef is prone to rogue waves ... there have been several incidents of boats as large as 6m flipped there by rogue waves. 

Remember: everyone starts boating with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience, the objective is to fill your bag with experience before you run out of luck.

Cheers Zoran

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by zmk1962
typo

[kingie chaser]

16 hours ago, motiondave said:

Pardon?

Lunds?

What's Lunds....

 

5 hours ago, motiondave said:

I'd have to go have a look at the brand...I think I've got a box buried in the freezer. The box is blue, however I used to buy it from another fish shop and the box is white. 

Still....for that price and the hit rate on fish I've had, I'm certainly not going to spend up to $45 a kilo for leathery bait. 

The thing is though is if you dont catch anything with the Lunds on the day if you look after it you could eat it when you get home.

Its actually a food grade product as far as I am aware, people just use it for bait because its that good!

[slothparade]

1 hour ago, kingie chaser said:

 

The thing is though is if you dont catch anything with the Lunds on the day if you look after it you could eat it when you get home.

Its actually a food grade product as far as I am aware, people just use it for bait because its that good!

a shop bait freezer catch clean cook?

[slothparade]

2 hours ago, rickmarlin62 said:

If you havnt paddled in open ocean  i would suggest  throw it in at palm beach  paddle round to edge of barranjoey and poke your nose out there  you can catch good fish in that area  if not comfortable with swell n chop head back inside broken bay

yeah was gonna take the wind surfer there for an afternoon then set some shark baits in the evening. thanks for the tip tho

[slothparade]

2 hours ago, zmk1962 said:

I notice from your questions that you seem to be new to fishing Long Reef. I don't mean to put a cloud on your intentions but just want to make sure you have done all the research and have given your self time to gain the necessary experience to have a safe outing.... perhaps even find some experienced companion's to journey out with. I think you'll find most Raiders will advise take it slow and build your experience.

I don't fish off a Yak but I do fish Long Reef from my 6.3m boat. Long Reef is an extended reef system that stretches more than 10km+ east (Long Reef wide). .. depth varies from 10m to 25m closer in, and to 60M+ wider out.  It's a typical reef system  in that regard with many nooks and ledges and drop offs.  

When it fires up it's red hot. It also is attracts all the predators and great white sightings and encounters are not uncommon. There was an incident that was recorded on video back in 2008 where a 5m GW tipped a kayaker into the water. Fortunately he was with a group of yaks and a tinny fisherman that rallied to assist... the footage is 2008 quality but you'll get the idea.

If you search YouTube for Long Reef and Kayak ... you'll get a sense of what fishing is like there and what folsk have encountered.

Being a reef system Long Reef is prone to rogue waves ... there have been several incidents of boats as large as 6m flipped there by rogue waves. 

Remember: everyone starts boating with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience, the objective is to fill your bag with experience before you run out of luck.

Cheers Zoran

 

thanks for the heads up, I have watched every kayaking video there on yt. 

I wanted to stay in a bit on the reef, about 2 km from the point, not sure how safe that was. 

Was also thinking about sticking a shark deterring sinker on the bottom of the kayak for som eextra protection. 

I have been tryin gto get company to come out with me. 

 

[slothparade]

also what finder sound I get;

gamin stricker 4 or a lawrance hook 4^2 x

also I dont really want to get another battery for my kayak, the 100 AMh is to heavy already 

Garmin:

https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/marine/marine-electronics/fish-finders/garmin-striker-plus-4-fishfinder-gps-plotter/90150974?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-4SLBhCVARIsACrhWLW65zrpAntIsk0tHHxBAyjRDSAqmQpYCF9jojkAov5aAxrpXs7DucUaAtdsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Lowrance: 

https://www.a shop.com.au/p/lowrance-hook²-4x-gps-fish-finder-bullet-transducer/551790.html

[slothparade]

Should I buy some frozen slimies or lunds squid? or any other bait recomdations, probs take to middle harbour

[slothparade]

also what finder sound I get;

gamin stricker 4 or a lawrance hook 4^2 x

 

Lowrance: 

https://www.a shop.com.au/p/lowrance-hook²-4x-gps-fish-finder-bullet-transducer/551790.html

[James Clain]

Definitely many spots inshore: Pittwater, Brisbane waters, Middle harbour, North harbour and down in and around the main harbour like lavender bay, Cremorne, Clifton. That have the potential to be just as good as long reef. Give them a try!   

[PaddyT]

I fish Longie all the time in the boat and one of the things that has me on my toes on a busy day is kayakers-especially in pre dawn light when there is a bit of a swell running they are very hard to spot-ive never seem one with a sensible light or flag set up (on at least a 2m pole)-its not a spot for beginners-go with someone experienced and if you havent kayaked at sea then get some practice before you hit such a heavy traffic area. On the fishing side Longie is at its best with a decent amount of north to south current , also in a swell a fair bit of it becomes surf zone in an unexpected way. 

[slothparade]

On 10/10/2021 at 5:49 PM, motiondave said:

Garmin Stricker looks to show more detail. I've got a 4x and it's not very good. I'm thinking of buying a Garmin to replace it soon

thanks, ill get one

[kingie chaser]

Id also question the Lowrance transducers.

Ive got a Hook2 4 & is never worked over 10nts & yes I have it in the right spot on my hull & adjusted at the right angle

Well its actually the only spot really.

I had heard that a lot of people having trouble with the units which is why I suspect they were going so cheap not long ago!

Friend of mine got a Hook5 for his boat, same deal.

 

I hate to give negative feedback but when its warranted then yeh.

I wouldn't be keen to buy a Lowrance again no matter the price!

[zmk1962]

@slothparade regarding your original question I recommend you read @GoingFishing’s fantastic summary on how to fish reefs - it will give you quite a few ideas on how to approach long reef. 

Cheers Zoran 

Edited October 11, 2021 by zmk1962

[BigHorse]

13 hours ago, kingie chaser said:

Id also question the Lowrance transducers.

Ive got a Hook2 4 & is never worked over 10nts & yes I have it in the right spot on my hull & adjusted at the right angle

Well its actually the only spot really.

I had heard that a lot of people having trouble with the units which is why I suspect they were going so cheap not long ago!

Friend of mine got a Hook5 for his boat, same deal.

 

I hate to give negative feedback but when its warranted then yeh.

I wouldn't be keen to buy a Lowrance again no matter the price!

Ive Got a Hook 7 and it shows me water death at 23 knots. 

Just making sure you put the sounder where the wash from your prop does not affect the readings when going at speed.

[slothparade]

17 hours ago, kingie chaser said:

Id also question the Lowrance transducers.

Ive got a Hook2 4 & is never worked over 10nts & yes I have it in the right spot on my hull & adjusted at the right angle

Well its actually the only spot really.

I had heard that a lot of people having trouble with the units which is why I suspect they were going so cheap not long ago!

Friend of mine got a Hook5 for his boat, same deal.

 

I hate to give negative feedback but when its warranted then yeh.

I wouldn't be keen to buy a Lowrance again no matter the price!

might explain why there aren't any decent reveiws on yt and the bad reveiws on their website. thanks for letting me know

[slothparade]

3 hours ago, BigHorse said:

Ive Got a Hook 7 and it shows me water death at 23 knots. 

Just making sure you put the sounder where the wash from your prop does not affect the readings when going at speed.

thanks, im on a kayak so shouldn't be much of a problem