Saturday, August 30, 2008

Weekly report 30/08/08

Botany Bay has been a little bit on the quite side over the last few weeks, but the water temperature increasing the fish will start to get a lot more active. There has been plenty of silver trevally and leatherjackets to be caught off trevally alley, the sticks, the drums, Watts Reef, the oil wharf and at the end of the third runway. A steady stream of berley and peeled prawns are the go.

The oil wharf also has a number of tailor and yellowfin that have been taking baits on the run-out tide. Half and full pilchards are the go and make sure that you berley.

Dusky flathead have started to show up in numbers off Silver Beach, Towra Point, Brighton- Lee Sands and in Yarra Bay. Live poddy mullet, small yellowtail, white bait and slimy mackerel are the go for bait. You could also try drifting a few strip baits like mullet and striped tuna.

The Georges and Woronora River have been producing great catches of luderick on both the run-out and run-in tides. Chopped up weed and sand for berley and fresh green stringy weed for bait. You could also try using squirt worms and small pink nippers for bait.

Bream have been feeding along the rocks wall from Como Bridge and up stream to the Milperra Bridge. There has also been the odd mulloway caught to 8.9 kilos. Mullet have also been on the chew near the baths at Picnic Point.

Bonnet Bay boat ramp has been producing the odd dusky flathead on a rising tide for Charles Benning form Menai. Charles has been using Gulp Poddiges on a 3/8 oz, 2/0 Nitro Jig head.

Sand whiting, yellowfin bream and the odd tailor and Australian salmon have been caught off the sand banks at Maianbar and Lilly Pilly on the rising tide. Fish with very long leaders and try using the Sunline Basic FC Fluorocarbon for your leaders.

Johnny Jewfish fished in Botany Bay with a few mates for 12 silver trevally, 3 legal snapper and a 52 cm dusky flathead. A few weeks ago he off the rocks at Wattamolla with a few mates for 14 drummer and 2 bream on cunje, 3 silver trevally on peeled prawns and a Australian salmon on a metal twisty.

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Cannon EOS 300 Camera (Not digital)
Cannon Lens 22-55mm Wide angle
Cannon Lens 35-80mm Standard
Cannon Lens 75-300mm Zoom
Nissin 32AF Flash unit
Marumi 58mm C-PL Filter

Cannon Powershot A520 Digital
512 mb Memory card
2 sets of re-chargeable batteries
Water Proof Housing for the A520 Depth to 40 metres

$600.00 for the lot or nearest offer (send me an email)

LATEST NEWS

Yabbie Bait and Tackle is no longer. The shop has been brought by Marcus Unkuri and is now called Southside Bait and Tackle and is situated at 2a Toorak Avenue Taren Point. Marcus is opened 7 days a week and has plenty of winter special on at the moment.

So when you are next in the neighbourhood call in a have a look around. It may only be a small shop, but I am sure that Marcus will help you out and also give you a few spots that are worth fishing.

FISHING CLASSES.

My next fishing class will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.
Windybanks Bait and Tackle
523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079
Ph (02) 9477 1501
Annette and John

If you can’t make that class I will be running another class later in the year on 3 conconsective Wednesday nights. The class will start at 7.00pm and finish at 10.00pm.

For further information you will need to ring or pay them a visit at the shop.
The cost will be $80.00 per person.

Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April

CHECK THESE OUT.

When you next get a chance have a look at the following on http://www.youtube/

No 1.

Here is a video of the world comp that was held on the weekend of the 28th & 29th of June were 92 casters from 14 nations took part. This fantastic event that was hosted by the Belgium club. There was one guy that cast a ¼ oz lure 266.29 metres.http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dreoDJ3a6EE

No 2.

Terrific Bass action. Check out the way the angler works the worms & spinnerbaits action to entice the bass to bite. Brilliant! Interesting to see how the fish react to the lures too - sometimes grabbing the tail before inhaling the rest, or just gulping it down immediately!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX9x7A_QE2I&mode=related&search=
No 3.

Just check out how this angler can skip the soft plastic on top of the water and into the back of the snag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcusiZFxjKY&NR=1

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MORE REPORTS

I would like to welcome onboard Scott Thorington from Haven Sports Fishing Charters http://kingfishjigging.com/ who fishes out of his Custom built in 1995, the Freedom was designed with one thing in mind - chasing marlin!

Scott Haven Sport Fishing Charters was established in 1987 and is owned and skippered by Scotty, who has fished throughout the Pacific including locations such as Hawaii, New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In Australia, he has logged thousands of sea hours as skipper or crewman on commercial and sport fishing boats from Eden in the south to Lizard Island in the north. During one of Scotty's charters you may encounter one of his regular ride along guests. These may include tackle industry reps, TV hosts, tackle shop proprietors & designers, game fishing crew & captains from Australia and around the world, all who are only to willing to share their tips techniques & experiences with Scotty.

The boat has a fast cruise speed and is dry and stable on the troll and at anchor. She has a clean, bubble-free wake that makes her perfect for lure or 'bait and switch' fishing for bill fish. A bow thruster adds to her nimble manoeuvrability.

The Electronics onboard include GPS, Depth Sounder (fishfinder) 27meg & VHF radios. A Next G mobile phone is also carried ensuring phone communications at the continental shelf.
For up to date reports on what is happening offshore on the central coast go to Scotty’s blog at http://havencharters.blogspot.com/ there are some great photos of kingfish that have been caught over the past few weeks onboard the haven charters boat

Tackle World Goulburn www.tackleworld.com.au/store_pages/goulburn.html is about looking after anyone who would like to experience the enjoyment of Fishing & Shooting. We cater for all levels, from the humble first time worm drowner & can plinker to the big game angler and trophy hunter. Regardless of your taste we have the products and more importantly the advice you need to succeed in your chosen endeavours. If we can achieve this and you leave with the sense of fulfilment our job is done. Goulburn is located in a country area so we pride ourselves on personal service and friendship in a comfortable environment for everyone who enters the store therefore we have a motto by which we live. "There are no strangers here only friends we haven't met".

In the next few weeks they will also have a fishing report up for you to find out what is going on in their neck of the woods.

Tackle Word Goulburn316 Auburn Street, Goulburn, NSW 2580Phone: 02 4822 1929 Fax 02 4822 1929

To view what is coming up with Scotty Lyons you will need to go to (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) reports that what’s coming up on the fishing trip scene or give Scotty a call on 0418 169 439. For more information and some great photos you should go to Scotty’s web site at http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ and have a look.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au
reports that in the estuary, blackfish numbers are as good as they have been all year, with the south wall and Limeburners in particular fishing quite well. Good to see a bit of quality about with quite a number of fish around and above a kilo. Some nice lizards to around 2 kilos have continued to be caught over the past week, despite the cooler waters, with whitebait and mullet strips achieving the better results. The lower stretch of the Maria seems to be well worth checking out. On the bream scene, as expected the full moon saw the night time action down a little, however I expect results will have improved considerably by now.

To the south, it appears Lake Cathie has once again closed up, with a massive amount of sand now where the entrance once was. Whilst the big seas have seen a bit of water flow in around high tide, unfortunately, it is no longer flowing out. I guess the next week or so will most likely dictate whether mother nature is capable of a quick re-opening, or whether we will need to await another council assisted opening when the criteria is met.

Off the rocks, the big swells last weekend saw most of the more favoured ledges either out of bounds or difficult at best. As such, local reports have been limited apart from a few blackfish around Shelley’s and the odd tailor from high rock at Lighthouse. Further north, Hat head is reported to be holding droves of bream, however there are plenty of barely legal fish among the better ones. The drummer scene remains in a bit of a slump, however don’t be at all surprised if the recent big seas prompt a beginning to their late season spurt.

For beach fisho’s, the most frustrating winter season in many years just continues to roll on. Just when we get a decent period of weather, some good formations and few fish about, along comes another big sea once again. This has been the case pretty well all winter, and to make matters worse, the regular periods of big swells have coincided with pretty well all optimum tide and lunar phases. Lets just hope the weather gods play fair during the latter half of the year. And quickly on to what has been about when conditions have been reasonable, just refer to my comments last week regarding the absence of salmon this season, and completely disregard them.

Little to report however on the offshore front, with the consistent winds and swells keeping most boats ashore nearly all week. If the seas back down in the near future, I expect the close in snapper action to remain excellent, as it has been for several weeks now.

On the beaches, there are a few nice bream to be had although as has been the case pretty well all winter, conditions turned pear shaped just in time for last weekend. Whilst beach anglers are somewhat conditioned to having a bit of time out due to strong winds, big swells etc, this winter has been the worst I can recall for many years. Not only has the sea been ugly more often than not, the lack of any permanent deep water close in has been notably absent this season. As a rule of thumb, winter generally provides the premier fish holding structure of the season, however the constant seas this winter have unfortunately ensured this did not occur to any great level. Rather than seeing high sandbanks and deep gutters, the converse has occurred, with predominately shallow water in close, and a distinct lack of sand on the beaches which in turn has created numerous erosion problems along a significant section of the coastline. Let’s just hope the summer nor easters arrive early this season, some solid structure develops, and the fish hang around a little later, as they did last season. If not, I suggest keen beach fisho’s start experimenting with new and creative salmon recipes.

Off the rocks, drummer remain patchy however a few anglers are managing the odd nice fish. Point Plommer and the surrounding headlands have again been the pick of locations for those keen to tangle with these tough fighting fish. Tailor numbers have been reasonable, with a few reasonable fish taken both locally and further a field at both Plommer and Diamond Head. The big swells last weekend however ruled out most of the more desirable ledges. On the positive, blackfish remain excellent however few reports of groper recently which is not unexpected given the rough seas.

In the estuary, at present the water is running quite clear, with a good drop of rain now needed to both add a bit of colour to the water and stir the action up. Blackfish remain consistent, with good catches reported from both break walls, the coal wall and areas further upstream. Bream numbers in the estuary have also been a little slow, however the tides this weekend are excellent for a night time session. Could be well worth exploring further upstream in the absence of any solid rain. Flathead numbers have been reasonable with whitebait and prawns being the most successful baits. Expect the flathead action to begin to pick up considerably as the water begins to warm over the next month or so.

Outside reports have been fairy quiet, with the strong winds and big seas seeing most stay put until early in the week. Those venturing out after the winds continue to report excellent snapper off the closer reefs, with Jason Sewell scoring a top 8.37 kilo fish close in off Cathie on a strip of sergeant baker. Now that’s certainly an upgrade any fisho would be delighted with.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
it was like somebody flicked the switch off last week because the blue water fisho’s battled for a feed with the reefs off Grassy only producing a few Snapper, Pearl Perch and the odd Morwong. There are Flathead about off the Lighthouse grounds and Tailor are still running in close off the rocks down to Green Island. Leather Jackets are still about here out wider but there not in big numbers, most of the action last week was around Fish Rock with good numbers off King Fish taking baits, most are Rats with the bigger Kings taking live baits and its worth trying the metal knife jigs for these bigger fish. There was a fair current running down there late last week.

Smoky Beach was the best of the beaches last week with nice Tailor coming in down towards Hat Head with a few Bream and Salmon. North Gap is producing some Tailor and Salmon. Rock Hoppers are picking up Drummer, Salmon and Tailor off the ledges.

Our river has been very quite over the last few weeks. Black Fish are still on the bite with most fisho’s getting a feed. It’s hard to find a good Bream along the walls at the moment but fish light for better results. There has been some small Jew and the odd Bream around the pylons of Jerseyville Bridge with good Flathead on the flats, while Smithtown Bridge is producing fair Bream and Flathead.

For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

Steve Williamson from Jindabyne sent me a news letter about The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge 2008/9 NSW Series which will be held at the following places.

Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Pambula Beach
5th, 6th and 7th September 2008

Gerroa Shores Beach Resort – Gerroa
3rd, 4th and 5th October 2008

Shadrack Beachfront Resort – Two Fold Bay, Eden
7th, 8th and 9th November 2008

Snowline Holiday Park – Lake Jindabyne
20th, 21st and 22nd February 2009

If you are interested in finding out more about this great competition you can email Steve at swtrout@airlan.com.au or just pay a visit to his web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au
A FEW FISH THAT
WERE CAUGHT AT
EMOUTH IN
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Friday, August 8, 2008

Weekly report 8/08/08

Carl from http://www.kyakafishingsydney.com.au/ reports that work is still the bane of his existence, but at least it keeps the wolves from his door. It was a week and a half ago that Terry and Carl ventured out of the Cooks River and over towards the runway as during the week Terry bagged a half a dozen salmon on SP's over the flats. Showing the stability of the Hobie Outback, Terry stood to cast a popper at a few surface boils not far away, but to be honest, Carl thinks he was trying to temp the Qantas jet. Thank God he didn't hook up! : )

Unfortunately, the boils only proved to be small chopper tailor that were no bigger than 25cm's. There were no signs of any salmon on the surface and our submerged SP's couldn't raise a scale either. They started to target the marker buoys and eventually picked up a few legal bream, but nothing to write home about. Carl hooked what felt like a nice trevally (thump, thump, thump coming back up the line), but he pulled the hooks on it 30 seconds into the fight. A minute later, Terry lands one but he's in a generous mood and sets it free to grow a little more.

Heading back Carl switched to a TT Switchblade and start working the flats, hoping for a flathead. No flatties, but he did manage to rack up another species on the blade, this time a Flounder that came home with me and tasted magnificent once filleted and dipped in a beer batter and served up with fresh lime wedges, Maldon Sea salt and cracked black pepper. Mmmm Mmmm...

Holly Cow something was hungrey
LATEST NEWS

Yabbie Bait and Tackle is no longer. The shop has been brought by Marcus Unkuri and is now called Southside Bait and Tackle and is situated at 2a Toorak Avenue Taren Point. Marcus is opened 7 days a week and has plenty of winter special on at the moment.

So when you are next in the neighbourhood call in a have a look around. It may only be a small shop, but I am sure that Marcus will help you out and also give you a few spots that are worth fishing.




PRESS RELEASE


USA: KING KIM BAIN WINS HER 2nd PRIZEBOAT

Globe-trotting Brisbane born fishing writer / photographer, Kim Bain, who grew up catching mackerel in Moreton Bay, has stamped herself as an international king mackerel angler of note with a nail-biting outright 2nd place finish in the prestigious Jacksonville King Mackerel Championship held over the weekend in Florida, USA. Kim, or 'Junior' as she is often referred to as the younger of the Bain fishing clan, took home a 6m boat package and $16,000 in cash winnings. The Jacksonville King Mackerel Tournament is the largest in the USA with 670 boats competing this year.
The versatile Bain, who earlier in the year in April became the first Aussie to win a pro bass fishing tournament in the USA (which came with a $50K boat prize), has the American's searching the record books to see if she is the first angler in history to win the benchmark 'prize boat' in both saltwater and freshwater in the same season. Bain's other multispecies angling achievements of note include being the only angler in US history to win prize money in bass, walleye, redfish and mackerel tours in the USA. Kim, Australia's greatest ever performing international tournament lure cast angler, also currently leads the Women's Bass Fishing Championships in the USA already qualifying for the 2008 grand final and has now qualified for 5 world championship finals in America.

Kim's two day aggregate mackerel catch out of Jacksonville north Florida, included a 29lb fish on day one and a 43lb fish on the second and final day for a 72.35 pound aggregate which earned her (and her Aussie named boat 'Crikey') second place overall. In dramatic fashion Kim says she was seriously a jittery wreck when the 43 pound fish tore the gaff out of the professional gaffman's hands at the side of the boat, breaking one of the guy's ribs, and then the gaff fell out, 'Fortunately we had a second gaff on board and I managed to stay connected to the fish and we got a second and successful shot...we might have lost a $100 gaff...but we could have lost a $40,000 fish.' 'My dad, Steve, normally gaffs the big fish for us but he had just returned to Australia' explained Kim.

The successful Bain father / daughter duo had previously won pro-mackerel prize money earlier in the American season. In doing so they became the first Australians to taste King Mackerel success. It seems king mackerel tournaments are full of action. In a previous event in the season the team was robbed of a second place prize-winning fish when a barracuda snipped the mackerel's tail off at the side of the boat. Fish with bites from other fish are unfortunately disqualified. All fish weighed in on the king mackerel tour are donated to charity. In the past four months Bain has amassed over $100K in tournament winnings. 'I used to have a job in the Myer centre in Brisbane when I was at high school,' she mused, 'but my boss said I had to make a choice between cooking and fishing'.

Not just an avid angler but a success story on TV, Bain formerly worked four seasons on fishing television in Australia before heading to the USA where she featured in the Emma Winning cast of presenters for the ESPN's Great Outdoor Games and won a Telly award for advertising and promotion with the Kellogg's fishing DVD. The outdoor face of Special K in America, the photogenic Bain's 'headshot' has also graced the side of Kellogg's cereal boxes and semi-trailers in the USA. Kim's Kingfish Ride, aptly named Crikey , is a 3x300hp Evinrude E-Tec Powered 120kph 36' Centre Console custom-built by Invincible boatworks in the USA. And it's trailered behind a dual wheel pick-up truck.

FISHING CLASSES.

My next fishing class will start on Thursday the 28th of August starting at 6.30pm and will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.

Windybanks Bait and Tackle
523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079
Ph (02) 9477 1501
Annette, John and Luke


If you can’t make that class I will be running another class later in the year on 3 conconsective Wednesday nights. The class will start at 7.00pm and finish at 10.00pm.

For further information you will need to ring or pay them a visit at the shop.
The cost will be $80.00 per person.

Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April


CHECK THESE OUT.

When you next get a chance have a look at the following on http://www.youtube/

No 1.

Here is a video of the world comp that was held on the weekend of the 28th & 29th of June were 92 casters from 14 nations took part. This fantastic event that was hosted by the Belgium club. There was one guy that cast a ¼ oz lure 266.29 metres.http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dreoDJ3a6EE

No 2.

Terrific Bass action. Check out the way the angler works the worms & spinnerbaits action to entice the bass to bite. Brilliant! Interesting to see how the fish react to the lures too - sometimes grabbing the tail before inhaling the rest, or just gulping it down immediately!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX9x7A_QE2I...ted&search=

No 3.

Just check out how this angler can skip the soft plastic on top of the water and into the back of the snag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcusiZFxjKY&NR=1

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Hooked with Dave Butfield Series 2

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MORE REPORTS

I would like to welcome onboard Scott Thorington from Haven Sports Fishing Charters http://kingfishjigging.com/ who fishes out of his Custom built in 1995, the Freedom was designed with one thing in mind - chasing marlin!

Scott Haven Sport Fishing Charters was established in 1987 and is owned and skippered by Scotty, who has fished throughout the Pacific including locations such as Hawaii, New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

In Australia, he has logged thousands of sea hours as skipper or crewman on commercial and sport fishing boats from Eden in the south to Lizard Island in the north. During one of Scotty's charters you may encounter one of his regular ride along guests. These may include tackle industry reps, TV hosts, tackle shop proprietors & designers, game fishing crew & captains from Australia and around the world, all who are only to willing to share their tips techniques & experiences with Scotty.

The boat has a fast cruise speed and is dry and stable on the troll and at anchor. She has a clean, bubble-free wake that makes her perfect for lure or 'bait and switch' fishing for bill fish. A bow thruster adds to her nimble manoeuvrability.

The Electronics onboard include GPS, Depth Sounder (fishfinder) 27meg & VHF radios. A Next G mobile phone is also carried ensuring phone communications at the continental shelf.
For up to date reports on what is happening offshore on the central coast go to Scotty’s blog at http://havencharters.blogspot.com/

Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) reports that what’s coming up on the fishing trip scene;

Last Friday was a cold and wet out on the Bay, Trevally are still rather good at Trevally Alley but Sunday morning I couldn't`t find them, They might be better on the run in tide.

Scored a few nice Flathead on soft plastics just wide from Towra these were the first for a while and we had to work to fine them, Both caught on a Squidgie Blood worm wriggler.

Saturday Morning it was the deep sea singles day, Nathan had the boat for this trip and filled up with the small Slimy Mackerel and head to the Peak, and what a day high speed jigging and live baiting well the photos tell the story.

Sunday I had the Botany Bay Singles day so I started at Trevally Alley, but no good, trolled Yarra bay and pick up a few small Tailor but dropped one right at the boat and a lure with it.

Headed to the drums and filled up with Slimies and then push just out of the mouth in around 46metres as last weekend we did well on the sand Flathead.

Today they were all in 45 to 47 metre and a little slow but a few good fish in the mix two of them both up around 57cms great for sandies, We ended up with a nice catch of around 20 fish for the day.

WHATS COMING UP

*WEATHER IS LOOKING GREAT FOR NEXT WEEKEND

AND THE KINGIES ARE ON, I HAVE SUNDAY OPEN.

*AUGUST THE 9TH IS OPEN, BOTANY BAY OR DEEP SEA.

*AUGUST FISHING SCHOOL IS ON THE 18TH 6PM TO 9PM AT HUNTS MARINE THIS INCLUDES A FULL DAYS FISHING.


*DON`T FORGET THE LAST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IS THE SINGLES DAY JUST GIVE SCOTT A CALL AND JUMP ON FOR THE DEEP SEA TRIP OR THE BOTANY BAY TRIP.

*HEAD OUT MIDWEEK WHY WAIT FOR THE WEEKEND.

Give Scotty a call on 0418 169 439. For more information and some great photos you should go to Scotty’s web site at http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ and have a look.

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours reports that fishing has picked up a lot with 7 bream to 35cm, 4 trevally to 35cm, 4 pike to 40cm, 3 leatherjackets to 38cm and 1 red morwong 45cm all caught at lion island in 4 hours and caught on squid, mackerel and peeled prawns in our burley trail. Then went jewie fishing for nothing.

Flicked plastics in Brisbane waters on sat with a mate as I had no booking, we caught 2 large 40cm whiting and 4 flatties to 45cm with a few throw backs all in the channel in front of lobster beach, then tried the rip on the turn of the tide for only small jackets and reds but I did drop a big flattie as we were trying to net him I reckon he was over 90cm and would have loved a photo with the big girl before release but my mate poked it off the line with the net, and all he could do was laugh.
To find out what type of fishing has been happening in the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Brisbane Waters area you could have a look at the reports that have been put up on http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ web site or you could email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports In the estuary, blackfish numbers remain as good as they have been all season, with both break walls still giving up plenty of fish to around a kilo and varying catches all the way further upstream. Flathead numbers and quality remain quite good for this time of year, with both whitebait and lures enjoying equal success. Bream remain in solid numbers, with night time bait soaking achieving the better results. Many long term bream enthusiasts believe the colder the better for bream, so conditions right now should suit perfectly, especially given the good tides and moon at present. Lure enthusiasts too are doing well during the daylight hours, with blade style lures in particular achieving excellent results. These lures are certainly the flavour of the month at present, and based on their results, it’s hard to see this changing. At least until the next new toy is released that is.

On the mulloway front, whilst the odd good specimen has been encountered, such as Craig Mulley’s terrific 30.6 kilo model, what has been interesting is the sharp increase in incidental captures or juvenile fish from several Mid North Coast waterways of late. There have been numerous reports of multiple fish in the 20 to 50cm bracket being caught over recent weeks, something we have not seen for quite some time. This is a terrific sign, and perhaps signifies a repopulation of this species, which is most welcome. If you manage hook any of these juvenile fish, please ensure they are released in the best possible condition, so they can grow to the size many anglers look forward to as perhaps the catch of a lifetime. Alternately, if you intend keeping a feed, bear in mind the minimum legal size in NSW is 45cm, although realistically, their table quality significantly improves in models at least twice that size.

Off the stones, drummer numbers remain solid although the seas have seen quite a bit of sand moving around our headlands over the past week. Drummer rarely fire up when there is a lot of sand in the water, so searching for locations where the water is clean will generally pay dividends. Bream have picked up following the recent full moon, with Hat Head and Plommer giving up good bags, whilst Lighthouse locally has also held some quality fish. Tailor numbers haven’t been great, although the odd solid fish has been encountered during early morning sessions. Better results have been reported from the ledges around Hat Head and Point Plommer. Once the seas back right down, testing the back out chasing a few groper could be well worthwhile.

Of the beaches, once again conditions have not been kind, as they have been for most of the year to date. Once the seas settle, bream will your best bet with either live worms, pipis or mullet strips likely to achieve the better results. This weekend’s tides are excellent so hopefully conditions will be at least reasonable.

As for offshore fisho’s, a similar story with the seas not being at all friendly on most days. Best bet would be to look for a few snapper of the closer reefs, or alternately head wider for a quick feed or leatherjackets.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
on the beaches at present, bream remain the star performer, with some terrific fish on offer from most local beaches. In particular, North Beach and the lower end of Lighthouse have produced some top fish, with the vast majority in excellent condition as is usually the case at this time of year. With the full moon and big night time tides now on the wane, the next couple of weeks could prove excellent as long as the seas and winds remain reasonable.

Tailor numbers however remain somewhat disappointing with a few small choppers here and there, the odd big greenback after dark, and few consistent results in between. Salmon numbers are slowly increasing, although this season to date has seen the numbers and size down significantly from recent years. Few seem to be complaining though. On the jew front, the recent full moon phase once again did not produce the results many had hoped for. For whatever reasons, they simply have not shown up in any numbers at all this winter.

In the estuary, blackfish have been the main attraction, with the break walls in particular fishing well on most days. Both the run in and run out tides have proven productive in different sections of the walls, with fish to around and over a kilo now on offer. Flathead numbers remain quite good, with Blackman’s Point and the flats around Pelican Island well worth a go on either whitebait or lures. On the bream front, this coming dark should again be excellent, with Limeburners and areas further upstream now at their prime. As for bait, gut baits have been particularly successful as often is the case at this time of year; however we have also had some terrific results from those using the humble school prawn. On the whiting front, the Hastings remain a little on the quiet side, however Lake Cathie has been producing some good fish, particularly after dark, along with plenty of nice flatties.

Of the rocks, good reports on drummer continue to come in, with Hat Head again giving up some nice bags over the past week. Locally, Rocky’s, Shelley’s and Lighthouse have all produced fish. On the tailor front, some reasonable reports continue to filter in from Point Plommer and areas further north, with a few isolated greenbacks on offer. On the bream scene, the full moon saw results down a little as is to be expected, although the odd big fish was taken, including a magnificent 2.44 kilo model by Cameron Doak. Plenty of blackfish still around too for those keen to toss a bit of cabbage, with Miners giving up a few nice bags of bronzies early in the week.

Offshore results over the past week have been quite good however the swell which has built in the early part of this week may keep a few boats at home for a few days. Ocean Star has been continuing to achieve some great catches for their customers, with plenty of good sized snapper and pearlies, along with a steady stream of difficult to avoid leather jackets. As per recent weeks, make sure you have plenty of wire on board if you plan to fish between 40 and 80 meters.

The return of rotten the weather at the end of last week meant the fish had it to themselves outside apart for a few die hard’s fishing the close reefs for a few Snapper, the odd Pig Fish and small Pearl Perch. Heading south there has been Mac Tuna and good Tailor in close down to Fish Rock where the odd King Fish and Snapper have been coming in. Early last week the calm conditions brought some better results like Ronny Vandriest and his 1 meter 10 kilo classic Snapper between Grassy and Scotts while Bar Cod are in the wider locations. Jackets were out there again but not in big numbers.

Flathead were on the bite last week with Back Creek producing some good fish while through the cut to Stuarts point and the entry to Spencers Creek have been productive as well. Nice Bream have been caught along the Break Wall early mornings biting well on live worms, nippers and chicken gut. Black Fish are still biting on the rising tide but fisho’s have had to work for them because it’s been a little tougher to find them over the last week.

Richard Pitt and the boys from Walcha fishing club fished Hat Head beach and rocks for fair Tailor to 1 kilo but most of the action came from Smoky Beach with some monster Salmon and good Bream, their highlight, three unstoppable runs on tailor slabs during the night.

It has been a very quite time out on the ocean over the last week with only a few fisho’s coming back to the ramp with something to run a fillet off. Reports from the charter guys are the Leather Jackets are back with vengeance past about the 30 meter mark. There were a few Snapper out of the northern reefs with a return of some reasonable Pearl Perch with one crew of visitors doing really well on the 5 and 7 inch Gulp Jerk Shads. The only other highlight was a few keeper King Fish around Fish Rock along with heaps of rats to get your bait past.

Blackfish have been keener to take a bait over the last week with a lot of fisho’s getting near their bag. Jew Bite along to the wire fence are still the hot spots and if you can get on the water the walls along the Cut Through and further up to Stuarts Point also have been productive. Bream and Flathead have been a little tougher to find, with once again locations up river have been more productive.

There were Tailor and Salmon back on the beaches last week with the Hat Head end of Smoky working well. The North end of the beach has had nice Bream in the gutters on the bigger tides. Gap Beach has been fishing well for Salmon and a few Tailor and Bream. Salmon have been caught of Back Beach which is great fun on light gear. Rock hoppers are pulling in some big Tailor off the rocks around the Lighthouse casting metals or floating Pilchards.

For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

Steve Williamson from Jindabyne sent me a news letter about The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge 2008/9 NSW Series which will be held at the following places.

Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Pambula Beach
5th, 6th and 7th September 2008

Gerroa Shores Beach Resort – Gerroa
3rd, 4th and 5th October 2008

Shadrack Beachfront Resort – Two Fold Bay, Eden
7th, 8th and 9th November 2008

Snowline Holiday Park – Lake Jindabyne
20th, 21st and 22nd February 2009

If you are interested in finding out more about this great competition you can email Steve at swtrout@airlan.com.au or just pay a visit to his web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Weekly report 14/07/08

REPORTS

Over the past 2 weeks I have been out on the water a fair bit chasing yellowfin bream, dusky flathead, sand whiting, silver trevally, tailor and Australian salmon with hard bodied lures, soft plastics and bait.

The Georges River has been producing plenty of luderick at Silo Point and Lugarno on the run-up tide. The Baths at Picnic Point have also been holding a few luderick and yellowfin bream. Try using either squirt or blood worms here.

George Klew from Milperra fished the Milperra Bridge on the run-out tide for 3 yellowfin bream, 2 small dusky flathead and 1 jewfish. All were caught on blood worms.

Johnny Jewfish fished Congwong beach in Botany Bay earlier in the week for 14 silver trevally, 2 snapper. They measured 32 and 35 cm. All were caught on pilchard tails. He also fished down at Burning Palms in the Royal National Park for 5 drummer to 52cm, 1 bream to 36cm, plus a few silver trevally and a 9 kilo groper. All were caught on cunje and crab baits. Johnny also managed to get his first jewfish on a soft plastic at Chipping Norton. The jewfish weighted in at 3 kilos and was caught on a 4 inch Gulp Pogy.

Jake Whitlock fish with his dad Alex in Cowan Creek. Jake managed to get snapper, jewfish, silver trevally, bream, leatherjackets and tailor, while Alex caught tailor, silver trevally, bream and leatherjackets. Most of them were released.

Dave Steele and Andrew Letho fished their first Bream competition. It was a social event that was run by the guys from the http://www.thefishingsite.com.au/ and was run on the 6th of July

Venue: Hawkesbury River. Meeting Place: Deadhorse beach. (next beach immediately south of Parsley Bay)

Competition hours: 7am and weigh-in at 2pm.
Fishing Boundaries: Lower boundary is a straight line from Middle Head to West Head. Everywhere else up into the Hawkesbury and Cowan is open for fishing. The protected area in Parsley Bay will be off limits to comp fishing

Dave managed to get first place for the non-boaters and Andrew managed to pull in first place as the boater with a 938 gram fish. Dave told me that the water temperature was 13 degrees in places making the fishing very tough going.

Andrew and Dave were out on the water again chasing bream over the weekend of the 12th of July and they managed to get amongst a few. They caught 12 yellowfin bream and 2 jewfish between them. The biggest jewfish weighed in at 5.194 kilo.Not bad on Gloomis DSR 820 4 to 8lb with twin power 1000, 10lb PE Castwaywith 6lb Sunline fluro and 1/0, 1/8 TT Jig head and a 2inch banana Gulp soft plastic.

Dave said that it took about 10 to 20 minutes to get the jewfish back to the boat. They were fishing in 10 to 12 metres of water not far from the road bridge. Dave has also now got the club record for the Windybanks Fishing Club.

BREAKING NEWS

Yabbie Bait and Tackle is no longer. The shop has been brought by Marcus Unkuri and is now called Southside Bait and Tackle and is situated at 2a Toorak Avenue Taren Point. Marcus is opened 7 days a week and has plenty of winter special on at the moment.

So when you are next in the neighbourhood call in a have a look around. It may only be a small shop, but I am sure that Marcus will help you out and also give you a few spots that are worth fishing.

FISHING CLASSES.

My next fishing class will start on Thursday the 28th of August starting at 6.30pm and will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.

Windybanks Bait and Tackle
523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079
Ph (02) 9477 1501
Annette, John and Luke


If you can’t make that class I will be running another class later in the year on 3 conconsective Wednesday nights. The class will start at 7.00pm and finish at 10.00pm.
For further information you will need to ring or pay them a visit at the shop.
The cost will be $80.00 per person.

Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April


NEW PRODUCTS

DVD No 1.

Australian Fishing Championships Series 4.

This is a 2 part DVD.

Approximate running time is 5 hours

RRP $39.99

The AFC Outdoors presents Series 4 of the Australian Fishing Championships from the Hawkesbury River in NSW TO Lake Awoonga in Queensland. There are 4 teams of 2 anglers competing for the ChampionshipTitle at places like the Hawkesbury River and Forster in NSW and the Gold Coast chasing yellowfin bream. Australian Bass are the sort after species in places like Lenthalls and Lake Boondooma dams and Lake Cania in Queensland and last but by no means least Barramundi in Lake Awoonga in Queensland.

I have watched these DVD’s over and over again and I am still finding a few different techniques that will have improve my fishing. You don’t have to be into competition fishing to enjoy and learn plenty from these DVD’s.

DVD No 2.

Snapper Down Under by Brendan Wing and Warren Carter

This is a 2 part DVD.

Approximate running time is 4 hours and 16 minutes

RRP $39.99

Fishing identities Brendan Wing and Warren Carter from Victoria have already brought you Great Grey Submarines (gummy sharks) and Secret Silver (mulloway) DVD’s, both of which I have reviewed in earlier reports. They now have put together this great DVD on how, where and when to chase snapper in Victoria.

If you are after a DVD on snapper that tells you all, while at the same time will keep you on the edge of your set, then Snapper Down Under is the one to get.

I have fished for snapper for many years and have caught my fair share of them, but after watching these DVD’s I can say I have learnt plenty more about how to fish for snapper in my home grown area of Sydney.

There is loads of tackle tips, how to present your baits, scenery profiles, maps and aerial footage of places to fish in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Spenser Gulf.

This is not just a catch and kill type of DVD. The boys release most of the fish that are caught, some of which are in excess of 20 pound. They will take you through ways to catch snapper with bait and soft plastics.

Watching these DVD’s has made me green with envy and the next time that I am down in these areas I too will be chasing the Big Red Experience.

MORE REPORTS

Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) reports that what’s coming up on the fishing trip scene;

*Saturday the 19th is open.

*Fish the school holidays mid week I have days free just give me a call.

*I have one spot left for the Fishing School on the 14th this is a Monday night plus a full day out fishing on Botany Bay.

Singles day

Saturday the 26th Deep sea only three spots left.

Sunday the 27th Botany Bay day Four spot left.

Weipa trip in September 8th to 14th only one spot left six nights seven days of tropical fishing up on Cape York for all detail give me a call.

Give Scotty a call on 0418 169 439. For more information and some great photos you should go to Scotty’s web site at http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ and have a look.

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours reports that he is back after a short holiday I am back fishing again and some days have been good and some bad. They caught hairtail down Jerusalem Bay in Cowan Creek to 4 ½ foot, but dropped a 6 footer right next to the boat on the first night down there. On the first night they caught a total of 4 and the second night which was about three days later they caught 3 then the third and fourth nights which was only last week we got none, but no one down there was getting any so I didn’t feel so bad.

Ron has his own rig set up for hairtail, but people use all sorts of rigs from gang knots to single hooks, but nearly everyone uses Pillies for bait and burly. I will put up a photo of the rig I use and you can give it a go if you’re down that way fishing for them.

Ron have joined a fishing chat room called smellsfishy.com.au and joined them on their Hairtail social. There wasn’t many hairtail weighted in but it was a great time down there and everybody had fun. It was very nice to meet and chat to other fishos. Check out the website if you like it is very informative with not as many members as other sites so you know who you are talking to and if you post a really good fishing report you won’t have 100 people there the next day.

Ron has been catching a few Kingy’s down Pittwater mostly at one wreck, but also around Scotland Island. They aren’t’ big fish with the biggest only 75cm and we are still catching rats of about 60cm which is surprising for this time of year because you usually only get the bigger ones in winter but not as many.

They are taking live slimy mackerel or live squid, but don’t seem to be interested in the Yakkas and Ron has been trialling my new Shark Downrigger Bomb from Flybridge.com.au which has been catching most of the fish. They look fantastic in the water and attract the fish a lot better than a piece of dull lead.

Squid are hard to find some days but some of the squid are huge. One of my customers Michael came out with his dad Neil and had never caught a squid before and he landed a monster (see photo). We could only get one small one for live bait and he was eaten by a 60cm kingfish at Scotland Island. Then we only had Yakkas left and they weren’t interested in them so we went fishing elsewhere.

We are still getting a few Jewfish at the Rip Bridge on soft plastics but they are only throw backs and up to 55cm but still a Jewie with the odd big Flattie thrown in. We go through a few plastics there because of all the Leather Jackets taking chunks out of them. Go with the Gulps if you are going to give it a go with a 3/8 jig head to get you down to the 30-50 ft they are at.

Blue swimmers are still around surprisingly we are getting about 8-10 a day but no real big ones. They are only just legal but with 8 of them you get a good feed. The spots I put my traps in down the Hawkesbury are in between the road and rail bridge, Mooney Creek mouth or between Juno Point and Croppy Head and no one place has been better than the other. Lion Island has been hot and cold as well with some days not even a bite and other days full of Bream, Trevally, Leather Jackets, Tailor and Pike. Burly is a must and the best bait has been big peeled Hawkesbury prawns. The pelagic fish have been very quiet and we have only seen small schools of Salmon and Tailor in Broken Bay and only a few times. There aren’t even many birds flying around except for around the trawlers.

We have been doing a bit of Black fishing lately and Brisbane Waters has been the best. We have caught them to 38cm at Lobster Beach, Rileys Island, The Rip and Paddys Channel but I have been catching more of the banks at Davistown on my days off. A lot of people haven’t fished for them before and are always keen to try different styles of fishing.

We have been catching a few Flatties on soft plastics in Patonga Creek and in Brisbane Waters but they are no where near as thick as in summer. But they are my favourite eating fish and always welcome in the esky.

If you are keen to come out Ron has knocked $100 off the price of a mid week charter for winter. So if you have 6 people it will only be $80 each and although it is cold there are still plenty of fish to be caught and there aren’t many boats out even on the weekends which is great.

To find out what type of fishing has been happening in the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Brisbane Waters area you could have a look at the reports that have been put up on http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ web site or you could email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that off the rocks, drummer numbers have now really hit their straps with good numbers of fish taken from most ledges. Call them what you like, eastern rock blackfish or drummer, but the appropriately titled pigs are one species that perhaps more than any other, is eagerly awaited by many rock hoppers along the NSW coastline. You only need to experience a good session on some knuckle busting pigs to understand what all the fuss is about.

Locally, Lighthouse, Rockies and Shelley’s are beginning to give up increasing numbers, as too are Plommer, Hat Head and Point Perpendicular, whilst most other recognised ledges are also providing fish when conditions suit. With the pigs favourite morsel, abalone gut currently prohibited from being used, cunjevoi, large prawns and bread are all yielding results. Elsewhere off the stones, bream remain on offer albeit patchy at times, with Lighthouse and Diamond Head producing some nice fish. Tailor numbers too have been a little inconsistent, however the salmon have turned up in good numbers to provide a bit of sport if little else. Also on the continual improve are groper, with the westerly winds and calm seas seeing ideal conditions for tackling these tough fighting fish. Blackfish of course remain in good numbers for those willing to float a bit of cabbage around the washes.

Off the beaches, things are certainly looking up, with Lighthouse and North Beach now holding better formations than we have seen all year. Let’s hope we don’t get any big seas for a while and these formations develop even further. Whilst tailor have been a little slow over the past week, there have been a few isolated reports from the beaches around Laurieton, including the odd fish well above chopper class. Mixed in of course, are increasing numbers of salmon. To date we have not seen any complete inundations like the past few years, however time will tell as to what numbers make their way up the coast this season. On the bream front, results have been a little below expected, however a few good fish have been coming from Lighthouse and North Beach over the past week, with mullet strips accounting for the better fish.

In the estuary, blackfish numbers continue to improve however remain somewhat inconsistent. The south wall as often is the case, is fishing as well as anywhere. Flathead numbers are down a little as expected with the water now cooling considerably, however the good news is there are large numbers of bream now in the lower reaches. As far as bait is concerned, pretty well anything will catch fish in varying numbers, however gut baits or yabbies fished with minimal lead will prove a deadly combination. The next few nights leading up to the full moon should fish as well as any time of the year, although a bit of extra clothing will be mandatory given the bite in the westerly winds at present.

Offshore, wire is now essential if you plan to go wider than about 40 meters, with the jacket population beginning to make their presence felt. If you can get past them, some nice snapper and pearl perch have been on offer of Plommer, whilst closer in off Cathie and Nobbies, the better reds continue to respond well to plastics of all types.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
there has been plenty of fish’os taking on the cold mornings to get a feed with some good results.

Its wild and woolly out wide so most guys are targeting the closer reefs. Nice Snapper are still coming in from Grassy in around 30 meters as well as in close off Scotts Head and as far as Nambucca. Reports of 6 kilo plus have not been uncommon over the last week. Down south has been a hot spot for nice Bream around Green Island and the odd Green back Tailor. Fish Rock has small Kings and the odd Snapper but the conditions have been only ordinary. The Pro’s are working the wider reefs for Leather Jackets, out there in huge numbers.

Tailor were on the bite off the rocks late last week with quite a few over the 2 kilo mark while Bream and Trevally are in good numbers. Bitter cold mornings on the beaches have rewarded guys with some good Bream, Tailor and some monster Salmon off the north end of Smoky beach.

We are well into our Blackfish run and they just keep coming. Biting on a mixture of weeds and tides they can be a little tricky to hook but the good news most are keepers. There are plenty of Bream around along the walls down river while Jerseyville and up to Smithtown are fishing well for bream with the odd Flathead. Small Jews are about taking live bait and assorted Plastic baits.

For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.

Steve Williamson from Jindabyne sent me a news letter about The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge 2008/9 NSW Series which will be held at the following places.

Koala Shores Beach Resort – Lemon Tree Passage
2nd, 3rd and 4th May 2008

Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Pambula Beach
5th, 6th and 7th September 2008

Gerroa Shores Beach Resort – Gerroa
3rd, 4th and 5th October 2008

Shadrack Beachfront Resort – Two Fold Bay, Eden
7th, 8th and 9th November 2008

Snowline Holiday Park – Lake Jindabyne
20th, 21st and 22nd February 2009

If you are interested in finding out more about this great competition you can email Steve at swtrout@airlan.com.au or just pay a visit to his web site at www.swtroutfishing.com.au

Friday, July 4, 2008

Weekly report 5/07/08

Wow, what a month it has been for me. So much happening at work and so much fishing, no wonder I haven’t had enough time to put a report together. During the month just gone I have competed in 2 bream competitions, had six pre-fishes, 3 fishing classes and five times out on the water just to get a few fish for a feed.

0n Sunday the 22nd of June Carl Dubois and I competed in the WSBB Bream Scramble in the Parramatta river and Sydney Harbour and much to our delight Team Pflueger came out winners by 55 grams. So rather than re invent the wheel I have included in this report Carl’s run down of the competition from start to finish.

WSBB Bream Scramble 2008
5:30am and Team Pflueger (Gary and I) were chomping down our Bacon & Egg Rolls and finalizing our plans for the day. 44 teams had turned up and after the key-tag draw, we’re going to be the 36th boat past the starting line, which gave the number 1 boat about an extra 10 minutes worth of fishing time. This can make a huge difference at the end of the day, so we had a plan. A cunning plan…: )To counter this, Gary and I made the shortest trip out of the entire field to our first spot. Straight onto the flats in Exile Bay and we proceeded to throw TT Switchblades about and hop them back to us. First up was a small flathead, then a few timid bumps that failed to hook up. I get a huge hit and feel one head shake and my 6lb leader is sawn through. Must’ve been a big flathead…or at least I hope it was?

An hour quickly passes for no bream and we’re talking about moving when Gary loads up on something that bolts off and peels line off his reel.“If this is a bream, it’s a beauty,” says Gary and we watch the braid slice through the water, first out into the open water and then back towards the mangroves. Gary plays it out perfectly, keeping the rod high, staying calm and easing off the drag as we get first sight of the leader. After a couple of tense minutes, what we’ve been hoping for slowly appears out of the slightly murky water. We hold our breaths as I slide the net under her and then simultaneously yell “YES!”What a fish to start off with! 39cm’s to the fork with big, thick shoulders and I guesstimate about 1.2kg’s. What a relief and it spurs us on to keep working the flats.

But that was it from here and keeping an eye on our watches, we stick to our plan and motor up to Silverwater and work the rock walls with SP’s. Finally I get one that’s just legal (25cm fork length minimum for this comp) and that’s 2 in the well. 5 minutes later it’s another one for me that’s just legal and we’re on our way to a full bag.A quick check of the time and it’s off to our next spot, fishing the down current side of some buntings. I get a flattie, then Gary gets a bream that goes 27cm’s fork, quickly followed by one of 29cm’s for me.

That’s a full bag now but we really need to upgrade the 2 smallest guys.Off to some more flats and Gary comes up with the goods and gets a 33cm fork bruiser that looks like it’s been eating non-stop for weeks. That’s a good upgrade and as the wind picked up we moved to our penultimate spot.Gladesville Marina worked well for us in the Squidgy Comp and we planned to give it another crack for 40 minutes before moving back to exile Bay for the last 30 minutes of the day. The wind made it difficult to stay in position and we were constantly buffeted by waves from passing boats but it didn’t stop Gary from hooking up (yet again) and strike me pink, it’s another cracker that’s 35cm’s fork length and fat as, as well. As I tossed our last small bream back into the briny, we had a look at the 5 swimming around and thought ‘Hey, we can do this.’

As we approached the flats again, I half joked, half challenged Gary. “I’ve got the 2 smallest fish in there; you haven’t got the balls to kick them out.” We counted down the final minutes. ‘Gary, 7 minutes left,’ I said. ‘Ok, 3 more casts and that’s it,’ he replies. Cast number 1: nothing. Cast number 2: nothing. Cast number 3 and Holy Moley, he’s hooked up again! I laugh as I compare it to my smallest fish and say “Well, it’s at least 100grams bigger, so it could make a big difference.”

As we walked to the weigh in, I saw Alan Loftus and Ross Cannizzaro releasing their fish and there were some thumpers in there, too. On the scales goes our bag and it settles on 3.835 kg’s, our best bag to date, but was it good enough? Gary’s big bugga went 1.285kg’s and was the leading big bream until the very end when Jorge van Hussen weighed in a monster 1.315kg bluenose.

We nervously waited as they tallied the bags and then started the count down from 5th place. When 3rd was announced at 3.737 kg’s, we suddenly realized how important that last fish was and when 2nd was called out as 3.780 kg’s, we knew we’d won it.We were over the moon as it’s our first big comp win and we put our result down to the facts that we stuck to our plan and never gave up. The $1,000 prize money will definitely help restock the tackle bag and the beer (or bourbon) will taste extra sweet from the winner’s mugs. Thanks for a great comp, Gary and you certainly put the runs on the board for us today. I’ll get the big guys next time, okay?

And of course, a big thanks goes to the great team from Western Sydney Bass and Bream (http://www.wsbb.com.au/) who certainly know how to run a good competition.




Andrew Homer hauls at the Clarence ABT Bream super Series Event

New Pflueger Bream pro Andrew Homann claimed one of the most coveted titles in Bream fishing recently, securing the Shimano Clarence River Bream Challenge.Smashing the competition by nearly 2kg, Homer took home a cool $10,000 for his efforts.Never having fished the Clarence before highlights Homer’s dedication to his fishing. Researching the area, homer pin pointed some likely looking spots using maps of the Clarence.

Obviously his hunches paid off, working the boat parallel to the bank casting the lure ahead and drifting it under the overhanging cane grass. ”I’d add the occasional pronounced hop to raise interest and work the lure out from the bank and through the 3-8ft deep strike zone’ said Homer.

The money lure that delivered the win was the new Berkley 2” Gulp shrimp in Banana Prawn, rigged on 1/12 and 1/16 oz Nitro Bream Finesse jigheads.“The new banana prawn Gulp Shrimp worked exceptionally well over the weekend. It’s the most life-like of all the colours and the Bream responded accordingly, eating it with gusto.” Said Homer.

To deliver the deadly Gulp banana prawn Hommer uses a 7’ Pflueger Supreme, 2-4kg rod and a Supreme mg 8030 spin reel spooled with 3lb stren microfuse and a 4lb Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon leader.

REPORTS.

Lance from the Windybanks Fishing club and a few mates chased a few tuna at Browns Mountain and beyond. They caught some albacore, yellowfin and stripies. Lance told me that the weather was a bit rough. There was also a few gemfish and Blue eye landed on electric reels

Richard Blayden from Redlands Bay in Queensland caught his first jewie on soft plastic. It was just over 4 kilo's and great fun on light gear.

Craig from Watto’s Fishing Tackle sent in a report from a days fishing with Glenn Hunter from Billfisher. The five of them were met by awesome conditions. Frank picked up a stripped tuna while trolling. They then started cubing and within a short space of time we had an 4 fish onboard - the boys on billfisher really know their stuff.The bite went quiet but the skipper Glenn said "don't worry they be back by 2pm" - well he was out by 30 mins. At 2:30 mayhem set in and they ended up with 7 yellowfin tuna and 1 albacore.

They thank the boys from Billfisher enough - they made the day very enjoyable.

Ron Osman from http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ reports he would like to welcome his new sponsor ‘Fly Bridge’ who have put some gear on my boat including my new walker downriggers to replace my old Scotty ones, some soft plastics, one of their Fastnets and some Sea deck along with a few other bits and pieces that they import. You can check out all there products at http://www.flybridge.co.au/ or you ring 02 43538723 and talk to Nathan he will help you out. These guys are the importers so you won’t get it cheaper anywhere else. I will let you all know how these products work in the next fishing report as I have only just got them.

FISHING CLASSES

My next fishing class will start on Thursday the 28th of August starting at 6.30pm and will run for 3 consecutive Thursday nights. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.

Windybanks Bait and Tackle
523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079
Ph (02) 9477 1501
Annette, John and Luke


If you can’t make that class I will be running another class later in the year on 3 conconsective Wednesday nights. The class will start at 7.00pm and finish at 10.00pm.
For further information you will need to ring or pay them a visit at the shop.
The cost will be $80.00 per person.

Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April


More REPORTS

Scotty Lyons from Southern Sydney Fishing Tours (http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/.) had a nice weekend for a change, but the fishing on Saturday in the Bay was tough and Scott had to work for every fish they boated. Silver trevally are in smaller numbers at Trevally Alley and you will need to burley hard to fine a few fish, try adding a very light trace of say 2 to 3kg this might help in hookups and peeled prawns and pilchard cubes as bait.

Scott and his crew trolled one nice tailor by the third runway and a solid kingie followed him right to the boat. They then anchored and sent a live bait over the side, but no good. It was also very quite on the cut baits as well.

Nathan called Scott on Saturday afternoon from the Peak and said the Kingies are on. He had boated five nice fish to 8kgs and missed lots of hook ups as well.

Sunday morning with all on board they filled up with live bait and headed out to the Peak and as with all the other boats out there we should have been there yesterday, We boated one small Kingie and then played catch up boating a few flathead, morwong, and jackets to end the day.

Scott bumped into a few boys back at the ramp on Sunday and they did rather on Yellow fin out at browns fishing a cube trail, most of the fish were around 15kg but they said a few other bigger fish were caught up to 40kgs.

Port Hacking is fishing well for Luderick on the run out tide.

WHAT COMING UP

*Sunday the 11th is open.

*Saturday the 19th is open.

*Fish the school holidays mid week I have days free just give me a call.

*I have one spot left for the Fishing School on the 14th this is a Monday night plus a full day out fishing on Botany Bay.

Singles day

Saturday the 26th Deep sea only three spots left.

Sunday the 27th Botany Bay day Four spot left.

Weipa trip in September 8th to 14th only one spot left six nights seven days of tropical fishing up on Cape York for all detail give me a call.

Give Scotty a call on 0418 169 439. For more information and some great photos you should go to Scotty’s web site at http://www.fishingsydney.com.au/ and have a look.

Steve Williamson from Jindabyne reports that it is finally snowing and they have had about 20cm over the last couple of days and there is more on its way. For most of us this is at least a bit of water for the lakes next summer but we need lots more yet so fingers are still crossed.

There is plenty of accommodation deals for fisherman at the moment and there are actually more anglers around now than in previous years. The bait fishing has been good with plenty of brown trout getting caught. Worms and ‘Chunky Cheese’ Gulp bait is catching the brown trout. Rainbow trout are taking lemon, or orange twist Powerbait or the newer Gulp baits in various colours. Salmon are coming in on worms under a float. Trolling has been OK but not many boats on the water. Minnow lures like the Rapala’s are doing best when trolled a little faster than normal. A bit of chop on the water makes all the difference to the fishing. Very quite if the lake is glassy.

Fly anglers haven’t been doing so well, not that there are that many trying anyway. Lure spinners have excelled with good catches in the late evening. The mild weather has been favourable to the late night fishing.

Mornings at times have been a little cool but then we have had some mornings last week where the temperatures have been a manageable plus 5 degrees. Not bad for an early morning spin.

The couple of times I have been out I have been experimenting with soft plastics over the weed beds and have had no trouble catching a rainbow trout or two each session.
My boat is still away getting the new canopy fitted and when it’s back on the water early this month it will be very pleasant fishing with the new wind protection.
Tours will be back in full swing for the July school holidays.

NEW LOCAL DOWNRIGGER
Good friend and manufacturer, Dave has come up with a very simple downrigger suitable for local conditions. Manufactured from easily obtainable Australian parts, Dave has crafted a downrigger that is simple to use and simple to fit.
Available in several base plate options to suit different gunnels and rail mounts as well.
Starting from $299 plus base plates if needed and only available from Steve Williamson’s Tackle Shop. Check out the pictures on my ‘Shop Page’ on my web site. Dave also has available ‘side planers’ to suit all types of boats.

DISCOVERY HOLIDAY PARKS FAMILY FISHING CHALLENGE – PAMBULA

The next competition in the Discovery Parks ‘So you think you can fish series’ is in September at Pambula Beach. The competition at Holiday Hub (Discovery Holiday Park – Pambula Beach) will most likely be the largest and most family friendly of the series.
Holiday Hub is a ‘real’ resort with activities for the whole family to enjoy.
You need not be a serious angler to enjoy this competition as there are heaps of other events to keep the whole family amused for the weekend.
A real carnival atmosphere will be experienced as there will be lots of entertainment to enjoy for the whole weekend. Experience some of the local bands and enjoy some of the local foods at our Saturday displays.

Where – Holiday Hub Beach Resort, Pambula Beach, NSW.

Cost - $50 Adults* and $25 Children* or $140 Families* (2 adults and 3 children)
*for Guests of Holiday Hub Beach Resort.

Which includes the cost of two BBQ lunches and 1 dinner.

Timetable
The ‘Holiday Hub Family Fishing Carnival’ is a fishing competition held over 2 sessions.
Friday - 7pm Registration and reading of the rules.
Saturday- Dawn to 4pm – Fishing session 1
Saturday- 4pm – Session 1 Weigh in and BBQ Dinner at 6pm

Sunday- Dawn to 11am – Fishing session 2
Sunday- 11am – Fishing session 2 weigh in
Sunday 12 noon – Presentation BBQ

Only the best fish species nominated for the competition, caught by each angler will be ‘weighed’ in at each session. The length of each fish caught will determine the winners of each section.

Other Events-
Casting competition, Kids colour the fish, Fishy face painting, Fish cooking demonstration, Treasure Hunt, Build a fish sandcastle competition, and lots more fun things to do! Lots of fun and prizes to be won!

FISHING COMPETITION PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded for - Longest fish of each chosen species and includes lots of lucky length draws also for each species. Best lady angler. Best child angler under 16. Dress up your fishing team for the team prize categories.
MAJOR PRIZES - Lucky entry prize and Secret length and many more.

For bookings and competition entry – Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Phone: (02) 6495 6363 Reservations freecall number: 1800 677 808

In association with event organizer – Steve Williamson (02) 64561551
‘Steve Williamson’s Fishing Adventures’ swtrout@airlan.com.au

The Discovery Holiday Parks Family Fishing Challenge

2008/9 NSW Series

Koala Shores Beach Resort – Lemon Tree Passage
2nd, 3rd and 4th May 2008

Holiday Hub Beach Resort - Pambula Beach
5th, 6th and 7th September 2008

Gerroa Shores Beach Resort – Gerroa
3rd, 4th and 5th October 2008

Shadrack Beachfront Resort – Two Fold Bay, Eden
7th, 8th and 9th November 2008

Snowline Holiday Park – Lake Jindabyne
20th, 21st and 22nd February 2009

BOAT TROLLING COURSE and DOWNRIGGING COURSE

Next trolling weekend course will be 22nd and 23rd November 2008.
I will be having a one day Down rigging course on the 25th October and the 1st November.
You can however book a private course at any time.

SNOWY MOUNTAINS FLY FISHING WEEKEND

The advertised weekend has now booked out and I am trying to get another one together so if you are interested please give me a call and I will see if I can come up with a date.
Complete details of the weekend are on my web site.

TO SUBSCRIBE TO ‘TROUT TALES’ e-mail swtrout@airlan.com.au or check out his web site.

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au
reports that there are drummer are everywhere off the rocks. All the local ledges have been producing fish daily, with Miners and Shelley’s arguably the pick of locations. In the absence of abalone gut, cunjevoi has been the pick of baits, however prawns, hermit crab tails if you can get them and bread have accounted for plenty of fish. If you prefer to travel, Plommer, Point Perpendicular and Diamond Head are also producing well, with the ledges to the south if anything giving up a slightly better class of fish on average. Also off the stones, tailor remain solid although not quite in the quantities encountered during the past few weeks. For night time anglers, bream remain excellent, with Hat Head and Plommer fishing exceptionally well. Plenty of blackfish around the washes with fish to over a kilo common.

Off the beaches, the news is quite mixed. On the positive side, the seas have settled and begun to reform which is most welcome. Bream numbers have been reasonable with a few solid fish about, particularly from Lighthouse, although in general the numbers are bit down on what is expected at this time of year. However with the seas now settling, don’t be surprised if the fishing improves considerably in the short term. Tailor numbers however have gone somewhat AWOL, with little consistency. Reports have ranged from a few small choppers to the odd big greenback and not a lot in between. The lead up to the next moon should see a significant improvement. For the sport fish lovers, salmon numbers are on the increase, however as yet, the seasonal inundation has not really begun. When the water cools another degree or two, expect an influx as per recent seasons.

In the estuary, blackfish numbers and quality have been excellent, with pretty well all locations from the lower reaches producing fish. Best results have been achieved from the south wall, although the coal wall too is well worth a look. Bream numbers have been just about as good as they get these days, with night time sessions in pretty well all locations producing good fish. As usual, yabbies and gut baits have been achieving the better results. Flathead numbers have been solid with good fish taken on both bait and lures. Again the lower reaches have produced the better results.

For outside fishos, as expected there have been some top snapper off the closer reefs which is generally the case after a period of rough weather. Live slimeys or yakka’s have accounted for the better fish, however cut baits and lures have also proven successful. Closer in off Plommer, still a few cobia about with fish to around 20 kilos taken over the past week. Wider out, the leather jackets are getting thicker by the day. Needless to say, wire is essential should you plan fish deeper than about 55 meters.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that

We have had a week of great conditions and some nice fish caught both out of the river and outside off the closer reefs.
There were thumper Blackfish caught along the wall from the Jew bite to the Wire fence coming in good numbers out of the clearing water. Back Creek is fishing well for Blackfish with most success coming from a dirty black weed. There’s plenty of good Bream about along the walls and if you can get hold of some Blackfish gut its great bait for these fish. Jews are still on the bite well into the night with one reported 20 kilo. Smithtown is fishing well for Bass and Bream, slamming those TT Switchblade lures but don’t forget the closed Bass season at the moment.

Here come the Leather Jackets so get those wire rigs ready. Snapper are about, not in big numbers but most crews getting a couple. Grassy and Scotts reefs in close have been productive while Dan Casey from Kempsey fished out wide for four Snapper to 7.2 kilo. Fish and Black rocks are slow with just the odd Snapper about. Locals Maurie and Geoff fished the Dot for nice Flathead and Leather Jackets.

The North end Of Gap beach has fished well for good Bream and the odd Tailor while Smoky has been productive down towards Hat Head for Bream, Dart and Tailor. Drummers in fair numbers have been caught further around from the Gutter along with some Bream but good Tailor are getting harder to find.

For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.