Richie

Hi Wilbaforce, I fish Cowan a lot. When I come across conditons where I can't see any fish (baitfish or otherwise) I put away the flick gear. One of the great things about using a kayak is if the fishing is slow you can enjoy a paddle! Pulling a lure behind of course. Kayak when you fish or fish when you kayak. Sincerely, Rich.

Hi mate, To hit WB, Appletree bay is your ramp. You wouldn't be able to use the Bobbin Head ramp as it is for paddlecraft only. Cheers, Rich.

1. Top End - Barra 2. Christmas Island - Bonefish 3. Mongolia - Taimen Hopefully #1 will be done April next year! 2+3 is waiting on Mr Lotto.

I dont know of any built in spots in google earth. I downloaded some google earth files in ".kmz" format from the net. Google "fishing locations on google earth" and you should find them. Just open them using Open from the File menu. Also worth enabling the "marine parks" under layers.

I noticed yesterday that Barry O'Farrell said, "Evidence should be basis of policy not the Bob Carr-style approach, which was whenever there was something that happened there would be another piece of legislation," (source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-10/27no-evidence27-nsw-crime-policies-slammed/3765778) Considering the amazing rebound of Sydney Harbour and Tuross Lakes since the removal of commercial fishing (whilst still allowing recreational fishermen) there would be a strong case to push to get rid of these unsustainable practices from Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury. The money to buy back the licenses is supposedly part of the fishing license fee I think. This also make me look sideways at a marine park or two that have no evidence behind them. If you want to hit up your local member or the Minister for Primary Industries, NSW (Katrina Hodgkinson), have a quick google for "effective lobbying" or similar. Excuse the blurb, I haven't slept...

Thanks for that Slinky. Lol, I'm not that retentive to try and align the gears like that. There is an elliptical gear and an eccentric one that needs to line up is all. I'm going to open it up tonight again to see if I can hunt down the noise. Is seems to originate from the AR bearing or maybe the pinion.

Hi Mate, You answered your own question If you are talking about Wallis Lake, or particularly Smiths Lake, they can be a there in almost plague proportions at times. Now I'm kayak based I can move out of their zone. Cheers, Rich.

I had a suspicion that was wrong. If the two elliptical gears dont line up, the gearbox just jams or freespins. There is a noise that I'm trying go get out of the thing, it seems to time with the bail rotor. It feels smooth though.

I'm just putting on record in case anyone else has an Okuma Mystique reel and is looking for the schematics. You can use the schematics for the Okuma Ignite of the same size. I have a Mystique 2000 so the Ignite-IT20 is eqivalent http://www.reelschematic.com/schematics/Okuma/Ignite/IGNITE%20IT20%282006%29.pdf Now I just need to work out an easy way to time the elliptical oscillating gears properly... Cheers, Rich.

Thanks for the quick replies! I've got a River2Sea Bully I want to try... I saw one on an episode of River Monsters and thought it looked the goods as a bass lure. Cheers, Rich.

I'm thinking of heading out to Yarramundi this weekend to chase after some bass on my kayak. I can only get access to the car after 10:30am and have to have it back by 6. This is a situation I face most weekends. Do bass still strike on the surface during the high sun? Is there anything I can do to be increase my chances? Cheers, -Rich.

I've not seen a bream that colour before. Congrats on both the PB and a kayak-buying girlfriend! I just got my kayak about 3 months ago and love it! In the last three months I have more than tripled my catch from all last year! Cheers, Rich.

I envy the lucky person if you go down this path. Good karma for you too!

Hi mate, Hit up your tackleshop for that info too! They know the area and can usually point you somewhere. I don't know the rocks you are thinking of but rock fishing is sometimes classed as one of Australias most dangerous sports. Maybe head out with someone who knows the ropes? As for gear, I bought a $120 rod and $110 reel from my tackle shop. My wifes mum laughed and got a $50 special. The $50 special died in the first season, not even a year. My rod and reel is still alive and going strong after 10 years. You don't need to spend $600 on a rod and $900 on a reel (as much as I'd love to!) but the cheap stuff is just that. Keep your eye on the sales too! Good luck with a fantastic new hobby! Sincerely, Rich.

Hi Tom, I use a lefty's loop when using lures or saltwater flies HERE. I've tried a few and settled on this as it has not failed me when needed. I've noticed that when using light (limp) leaders a loop knot isn't a must but when I start scaling up to a thicker, stiffer leader, a loop knot really improves the action of a lure. I use a blood knot for flies and bait (http://www.animatedk...linch/index.php) Cheers, Rich