Central Coast Fisherman

Great job guys! What was the lure you were casting?

Great report! I love how you put a small ball sinker above the 3g metal lure. I assume this is to aid with casting distance and sink rate? I’m considering purchasing a knife specifically for sashimi and noticed the knife in your photo. Is it a sashimi knife? And how do you find it? There are so many knife options and I have no idea which one to get. Are you able to provide details of your knife? Cheers, Phil

Do you know what brand, type and size the hooks were?

G’day everyone, I’m after some advice for snapper fishing from the rocks. Over the last few years I’ve been fishing for snapper in winter off my local rocks using half pillies under a float with moderate success, normally landing a couple of snapper in the 30-40cm range each session. However I normally fish pretty heavy (50lb braid and 50lb leader). After doing some research and reading reports on here, I decided to try fishing today with my 9’6 rod I use for squid, 3000 size reel with 15lb braid and 20lb leader. I had some success landing a 59cm snapper after an epic fight and the leader breaking just as I washed it up with another fisho managing to grab the fish for me before it got washed back in. However I hooked another even bigger snapper which took off like a freight train, huge head shakes and line peeling off my reel, I managed to turn it and get some line back but then it went for another run and ping, leader broken and a few choice words from me. It made me think perhaps it wasn’t the best decision using such light gear. So my question is, what line and leader do others use when fishing for snapper specifically off the rocks? On one hand I think maybe I should up my leader to 30 or 40lb to give me more of a chance if I manage to hook more big snapper, but I am worried it may make the fish relunctant to bite. Cheers, Phil

I have the coltsniper 962 mh pe3. I throw metals and hard body lures between 40 and 65g no worries. I find the ideal lure weight seems to be 55g. I use it for bonnies, tailor, salmon and have caught plenty of kings up to 70cm with this rod. It’s a great rod although if you are chasing bigger kings it doesn’t have the strength to turn them. The heavy pe4 coltsniper would be a better choice. What reel will you be using with the rod and what’s your budget?

And what time of day was it? I fished the skillion this afternoon but it was dead.

Little fisho what did you get the kings on? Live bait or lures?

Shimano Coltsniper MH PE3 or H PE4 in either 9ft6 or 10ft paired with a daiwa BG 4500 with 30lb or 40lb braid. You should be able to pick this outfit up for a bit over $500.

Daiwa AIRD 3000 Daiwa seabass 4-8kg 9ft6 I use this outfit for throwing 5 inch jerk shads for Bonnie’s during summer then squid during winter.

Very next night I caught this Jew. Estimated weight of 14kg.

Jew I caught last week. Estimated weight of 25kg

The mangrove jack speared at terrigal last year (the one hanging on the light pole next to the boat ramp) was speared by my eldest son. He also speared a blue barred parrot fish last year at terrigal too. I have caught a small cobia in terrigal haven and speared a spangled emperor at Copacabana. Over the years I’ve also seen 2 other mangrove jack speared on the central coast. Ive caught Sampson fish and amberjack on the central coast too but I don’t think they would be considered unusual. Cheers, Phil

Anyone??

Hi guys and girls, I am heading up to Iluka in 2 weeks to spend 3 full days fishing. I am planning on chasing mackerel and tuna from the breakwall during the day and Jews at night. Does anyone know if people have been catching tuna and Mack’s from the break wall recently? I have never fished for tuna or mackerel so I’m after some advice on what lures I should be throwing and what live bait can I catch from the wall? And what leader and wire should I be using? My plan is to spin with lures early and late in the day then use live bait when the sun is higher throughout the day. Also is there any particular spots I should be fishing along the wall? Or do I just head out to the point and try there? Any advice people can give me for fishing from the stones for mackerel and tuna in that part of the world will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Phil