TheCount

Just one of the reasons I now have a video with me each trip.. TC.

I'll be hitting it within the next few weeks. Working just around the corner, I have been eyeing it off for many months now... I have tried under the bridge on the Western side with just plastics with no result - just put it down to expecting too much!!! TC.

I'll second the vote for Buckandeera Lodge. Stayed there a little while ago and was the only place we could get mud-eyes... Might be different now with the rains. Nice trout about!

Mmmmmm, small front wheel drive with 400kg strapped to the back axles... Don't think so... Not having a go, just does not sound safe and I am sure you'd agree that safety is not an afterthought.

Excellent work mate!! I never thought to remove the seat in my 475 Freedom Sport and your photos have just given me more room!! Cricket season is over after this week - got to make up for lost time before the New Year kicks in again...

Excellent work mate!! I never thought to remove the seat in my 475 Freedom Sport and your photos have just given me more room!! Cricket season is over after this week - got to make up for lost time before the New Year kicks in again...

Always a good day for the riders out the back on a tube..... I corner as much as the rider can handle. Start slow and sweeping so they get their confidence and then you can rip into it later. It all depends on the experience of the rider. My 2 had never done it before. Daughter (15) is an adrenalin junkie and we went straight to DEFCON 1. My son (12) on the other hand is not so inclined but within 15 minutes he was at least DEFCON 2... Enjoy!!

The hoover-ing up the Hawkesbury has seen my last fish in the area. I'll do some research about where the Commercial rigs are sanctioned and post up some maps for us locals..... I found an old series called "Fishing the Hawkesbury" on Youtube and was looking forward to prospecting some of the nicer areas mentioned... Tunks park is only an hour away too, so might be travelling there once cricket breaks for the year....

Sitting in the channel since about 3 this morning and can add 2 more species to my beginners list. A 40cm tailor and a juvenile snapper both returned.. Going home soon-one more cast... Tc

Mate - are you throwing all 10m out at one time? Seriously though - sounds like a little feathering of the drop may help if you have that much steel out. Feel the anchor hit bottom and let the drift pull the chain from you. Bit of trial and error but also consider shortening (halving) that chain... TC.

I start a new job tomorrow and had a trip by myself to Patonga this morning. Overcast but the sunrise pointed the way.. Arrived about 6 and no swell so getting in was a breeze. Headed straight to Lion Island and drifted around it a few times without much luck. I thought I could feel a tug here and there but nothing too serious. Came back in the sheltered bay area of Patonga to find 2 trawlers going for it! I didn't know they were OK to trawl there.. Oh well, I'll find another spot to enjoy the next time I have a day off... I'll also try and find out where the commercial guys roam so as to steer clear in future. Might do some beach based at Ettalong on Sunday morning - all depends on how Junior is.. TC.

Sounds like a good boat for the money. I bought the 2004 475 Freedom Sport with 50 hours on the Merc 75 for $22k about 6 months ago. How is the trailer looking? Any chance of taking it for a run first? TC.

Hearing the increasing stories of theft of family members, I have taken drastic measures to make sure my boat is secure. Have installed an IP security camera - easy to do and just like installing a power point. Now I can also get an idea of that little %$#@ that keeps busting off my agapanthus too!! Sad that we have to go to such lengths to make sure our boats are safe, but I see it as a $20k+ investment in my family's fun and want to keep it. TC.

Hit the trifecta on Saturday!! Found out that I have an automatic bilge. My switch is a two click and I thought it had to be on position 1 to be auto. Good news as it kicked in after 10 minutes out on Brisbane Water. Lesson 1 - Next time i'll check the bungs are TIGHT. Quick swim and we're back in business! After another 5 minutes the alarm starts blaring in the control box - had no idea what it was for so tilted the engine up little and it went away... Another 10 minutes it goes off again so this time I thought it was "for real". Stopped, pulled the cover off and immediately saw the oil level!! Lesson 2 - Oil is a high priority item and should be at the top of the shopping list. Luckily had about 200ml in the boat to get me back to the ramp. I need to buy a new trailer lock. You see, when I unlocked it and placed it on the trailer so I wouldn't forget to put it in the car I hitched the boat up and drove off. Retraced my steps when I was on my way home but no luck. Lesson 3 - Take your time when leaving home and it takes mere seconds to "do the right things right". I didn't like the padlock I had on it (non-marine) so it's a good excuse to buy a good one. Sunday was a great day on Brisbane water - uneventful! TC.

Good point Viper - I use tank water when flushing the motor and find it easier to taste the water for salt... TC.

I have a Merc on the back of my Quintrex and I don't like the steel arm to brace the motor. I wedge a nice piece of 10" x 2" pine which has alot more shock absorbancy when you roll over the inconsistencies in the road.. TC.

Another vote for the Cruiser TD 4.2. Worth shopping around and if you know a little about cars get under the front to make sure it hasn't been bashed around and it appears to be straight. After a test drive take another look underneath to make sure oil traces aren't on the outside of where it is supposed to be on the inside.... Have owned a jeep for tarmac driving and traded it after 3 months for a Kluger and that was 6 years ago. It now has 220k on the clock and tows the Quintrex nicely. Good luck with the decision making.

100% of the 500 people fishing Sydney Harbour surveyed said that they fish Sydney Harbour. Wow - more Labor spin!!! TC.

Northbridge (Tunks Park) is also an option. Small car park so get there early. Have a good look at all the houses on either side of the water - magnificent! TC.

Taking my 11yo out on Sunday morning. He is as keen as I have ever seen... Reports out that the winds are down so might even broach the heads... Make sure you post Sat night - OK? TC.

Must remember this tip when leaving early Sunday morning

Hope you have more success than me. A couple of just legal flatties (put back) is all I could attract. Tried daylight, dusk, dawn, burley, lures, plastics, prawns, chicken, the bridges, Mullet Creek, Flint&Steel etc... not much around for me I am afraid.. Good luck, but my boat is tucked up in it's blanket to ride out the rest of the colder months... TC.

Not flaming here, but maybe a better question may be along the lines that you have already done some research and located a few places near you that prices range from X to Y. Also, use the search facility on the site as you will definitely see some posts within the past month on the topic. .. Simply asking to be spoon fed won't get you any info. . . . TC.

How calm does that water look!! Good work. What part of the river? Also with your burley, did you drop it down or release from the boat? Cheers. TC.

I have taken out comprehensive with NRMA as the home and contents are with them. $22000 agreed value for $500 a year (inc. waterskiers) and $200 excess. Club Marine was a little more but only if you chose the $500 excess.. TC.