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I have been throwing these things back for years when chasing Snapper & Mowies. Looks like the next one I catch is going on the plate http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/375882/Eastern-pigfish.pdf

The fellow goes by panfried, pilchard.

My thoughts after owning 2 later brooker's where cheap and nasty? If you did want a larger boat there's always the option of adding in a hinged drawbar.

To answer your question Gazza, suggestions of a complete engine replacement based on a failed drive belt, overheated engine and the suggestion of a failed head gasket from the original poster. You suggested the replacement was Required due to a warped alloy head. There was no mention of make or model provided. How did you determine the engine was fitted with an alloy head? Gazza, I have read many a good post of yours in the past such as your drowned outboard repairs and your information has been great. As per my original post, I was pointing out the conclusions / diagnoses that where drawn with next to no information. Moving on I've said my piece, what a top bloke to stop and help a complete stranger out. Sounds like the old fellow was looked after as well as the repair cost sounds like genuine 1990's pricing to have the head gasket, water pump and drive belt resolved. Good on you.

At the risk of offending people, I am astonded by some of the comments above. Jumping to conclusions with minimal information is of no benifit to any body involved. How was any of the conclusions below drawn from the following information?: - Stopped to help another stranded motorist today after seeing him on the side of the road with steam pouring out of his engine bay. - Image of a failed drive belt, head gasket failure due to overheating and a very expensive repair bill for this gentleman.

Thats ok we all have to start some where. You dont have to go out and by a dedicated combo to suit. A longer rod fishing from a ocean ledge certainly allows you to keep your line and float away from potential snags but is not 100% nessiary. At times I've duced down to ledges using a 6ft6 2-4kg grapite stick that also gets used for soft plastics etc. This is only really a possibility when the swell is right down and you can effectively stand right on the end of the ledge. Stick with the gear that is available to you but alter your approach. You really need to fish with the rod in your hand, keep in touch with your float and control your line. By doing the above and picking your location so as the swell and wind are not working against you you will rearly loose a float.

When you targeting blackies, how do you go about it? Do you chose a location based on the conditions? Eg chosing a ledge where the wind is not blowing your line / float back onto the ledge. Are you holding the road in your hand and managing the line keeping in contact with the float taking up slack and letting line out when required to suit the drift? Are you aware of the location your fishing and setting your floats to suit the depth of the area and retrieving your float when it leaves your predetmined drift? Are you using a rod of suitable length? I have spent considrable time fishing ocean ledges and very rearly do I ever loose a float. If your loosing floats and you really want to target blackies then you need to alter your approach. Prehaps consider aproaching one of the sites Blackfish mentors in regards to organising a trip.

Sent you a PM

Nice work. If you find your self with an excess of fin, could I temp you with a trade of Abalone & Lobster?

Using a float when black fishing offers many advantages: - Adjustable to susspend at varying depths which is handy when the fish are there but you need to very depth to find where there feeding. - Allows your bait to drift thus targeting fish in a larger area. - Acts as a strike indicator, without which your baited vrs hookup rate will go to crap. - Stops you losing all your gear on the bottom. Liken it to riding a bike with no pedals. Sure it can be done but how sucessfull are you going to be without them.

Why? Your not a fan of convention methods of targeting blackfish?

In regards to Tabourie, never actually sounded the lake. In recent years have only fished it in recent years from a Hobie Kayak and the lake was closed at that point in time. Funny you mention the private property near the rock bar, it's owned by a friend of mine's grandparents. The property is a milking farm owned by the Anderson's.

Is'nt up the back of Narrawalle a magical spot! I guess it's remained that way as it's so hard to access. Most of the car tracks up to the back of the lake have been blocked off with the new estates going up. Tabourie Lake has been open for a while now and is worth a look if your after lakes to explore. There's a hidden boat ramp near the council caravan park on the northern side of the lake.

Paikea, do you hit the water often in Ulladulla? Based in Burrill Lake my self

Where from?

Had my eye on a Eco Kayak Mini Downrigger. They are supposedly designed for a kayak but at $50 is in my price range. Will have to go have a closer look at one.

Now thats a top tip, will be taking that onboard. Might just be the tip that saves me if I was to slip / get knocked out pounding home in heavy seas 1 up.

Did you confirm the regulations or are you just basing the information of what the "skipper" had to say? SA Fisheries website suggests individual bag limits up to 10 and has bag limits for fish over 60cm? http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/target_species/snapper

DPI's website is yet to be updated: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwater/fads/map

If there was any prawns in the lake they would be the size of Jellybeans at this time of the year. In terms of size generally there not worth chasing until late November. IMHO Burrill is one of the least productive lakes for prawns in the area.

Makocraft centre Console?

Watch out for Blue Ring Octopus if your poking around rock pools. During breeding season mothers have been known to coat rocks in venom to keep preditors away from her brood... Buy a battery operated airrator to keep your new pets happy during transportation.

Top effort What sort of depth did you find them at?

A couple of points of interest. If you do go down the Hand Held route get a unit that is switchable between 5W and 1W. Also depending upon how far out you go it may be advantageous to buy a unit that accepts a External Aerial. That way you can interface with a decent aerial should you require more range then the hand held can give you alone. Another point of consideration may be a unit that you can charge in the boat on extended trips or you have an auxiliary battery for the unit.

There are a few good articles on YouTube in regards to getting the best out of an Elite 5X. Did you buy one of the $319 clearance units?