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I bought a 4.9 Anglapro Predator 3 years ago. I use it heavily. I just clocked 800 hrs on the motor. It's powered with a Mercury 100hp 4 stroke. The engine has been flawless. I fish for marlin with it and regularly fish it 15 miles out. I fitted it with outriggers and live bait tank on the rear pontoon. I tow it up and down the coast with a Ford Territory. It is well equipped with Lowrance HDS9 GPS / Plotter. The rod holders and rocket launcher are sturdy enough to handle Tiagra 50s no problem. It's a good looking boat and really wide beam and solid. It rides exceptionally well for a 5m alloy boat but being a center console it can be a wet ride in a chop with the wrong wind direction. I've been very happy with it for the price. A couple of not so good things about it though have been a bit of electolysis on the hull in certain areas and the floor bowing in the heat which gets noisy when you walk on it. Overall it's been a good rig and Goodtime Marine have backed it up with servicing and a few warranty issues. I have uploaded a picture. Hope it turns out. boat.jfif

Oh good fun. And the lady has nice casting tecnique. Nice timing and release. That comes from years of practice. You need that to chase those things. Pity you didnt hook up on the clip but you obviously do.

I went out today. Worked 50 - 65 fathoms out from Botany. Water was superb especially around 50 fathoms. 26 degrees and probably the bluest i've seen all summer. Glass calm but alas still dead. Saw no bait or birds or even dolphins, Ran lures, skipbaits and teaser strings , Not fair considering the effort but who do you complain to? Will take the boat to Port Stephens now try to luck into a bite there.

I put in the afternoon shift out there today. Worked between 50-60 fathoms. Glamour conditions , lots of bird activity, surface bait but no shots unfortunately. Did hear a couple on the radio but I missed out. Way it goes.

I plan to head out tomorrow too, Im in a 5m centre console called Predator. I will be on ch21. Will be fishing pretty much the same area as you but I have tried it a couple of times in the last week without a shot. Im due.

Thanks Scratchie, I want to bring my boat up for some inshore blacks and stripes. Wont be doing the carpark in it but more than happy out the front and Broughton etc. Just need to time it with that nice inshore water you talk about. I will stay tuned. The water here in Sydney is pretty crap too at the moment.

Gday Mikey/Damo, where were the smaller blacks mate? in close off Port? Thinking of heading up but will be targetting the close grounds. Tim

Fished offshore from Botany today and toured the Peak to 12 Mile with another Fishraider onboard. Didn't turn a reel. You get that..... There was a big south swell running all day and the water was green and cool. We called it a day about 1.30 and headed back in. As we passed Bare Island we noticed a boat capsized on the bommie with 2 people in the water clinging to the hull. We moved in to them and managed to get 1 of them onto my boat. The other guy got picked up by a jetski. They were at least wearing lifejackets but for gods sake its time some people learnt some common sense. The swell was pumping, and solid 6 foot waves were breaking regularly on the bommie. The white water was obvious even between waves. Anyone with the most basic boating skills would not go near that bommie in a big south swell. These 2 had NO SKILLS WHATSOEVER. What were you doing out there guys???? Cmon. You will be on the news tonight but at least you will be able to watch it. Im sorry but it makes me mad that some people are so stupid. I have to applaud the rescue services at this time too. I called it in on VHF and within 10 minutes 2 Police launches and a helicopter were onsite. It must piss them off too having to deal with such stupidity from people with no business being on serious water. Safe boating everyone.

Good on ya. Nice fish

Yeh I found the slop! Was horrible hey, hate easterly against the tide. I tried trolling out to 120m and brushed it. 3 other boats around me did the same. Hopefully some calm days coming soon.

Nice dolly, pity about the marlin but I bet you dont mind really. Its still exciting getting emptied. What did you hear on the radio? I'm spewing I didn't launch today, looks glamour.

Striped marlin are notoriously hard to hook on lures. They will make you think you are doing everything wrong, but its just the way they take a lure from behind while swimming towards the boat. Skip baits and live baits are best but you need to be on the fish as you don't travel far at the slower speed. I like switch baiting them as you get lure speed coverage with bait hookup rates. You just need the right people to fish with who will stay alert.

Cleaning is easy and Im happy to do it myself but some help is never refused. I have a big esky onboard so food and drink can be kept cool. Easy to bring along. I let so many good days slip last season because I had noone free to fish weekdays with me. Its too hard to chase marlin on light line by myself.

Hi guys/girls. I have a 5 mtr sportfisher (nice and new) and am fully fitted out for light tackle marlin fishing. I would like a boatless person who is available for mid-week trips out of Sydney as I dont like going offshore alone. Usually launch out of Botany Bay but sometimes other places. I dont need anyone experienced in game fishing as I will show you anything you need to know, BUT....it is important you dont get seasick. I pretty much target specifically marlin which will all be released. I want to start fishing offshore again about November and will be looking to fish a couple of days a week in Sydney until March. I will only be targeting nice weather days so you dont need to be a viking.... You can chuck in for fuel but its only about $50 for a full day. My aim is to get someone who is available mid week regularly and keen to catch billfish.

Congrats, cracker flatty. Love watching you guys releasing them. Keep it up.