madasacutsnake

You were just on the wrong beach. Seven mile is the go for whiting . You should have sayed right where you got the bait! Stallo

For Kiama....... Yes, people have lost their lives near the blowhole but they were mostly inexperienced or couldn't swim. There are other spots that you can fish from that are higher ledges like at kiama heights, just drive right out to the end of the headland or alternatively drive down the road 10kms to Black head at gerroa. The water is not as deep at both these locations but shallower water means less surpises from sudden water at waist height. I have been washed over by waves on a couple of occasions at black head but never looked like going into the ocean, just a bit of bark off on the rocks. It is mainly the deep drop offs where the water seems to rise out of nowhere and drags you in. Deep water also equals bigger fish for land based game but I would recommend finding a happy medium for the first couple of years. Stallo

Thanks for all your help! If any of you are down around Gerringong and keen for a fish or a beer, let me know, I owe you one. I'll post a report when I get back. Stallo

Thanks Roberta and Kingpin. I remember reading your post Roberta, about the very lively, dead barra. I am lucky enough to have a couple of mates at gladstone that fish awoonga fairly regularly and will be spending a few days out there for sure. Iceman: I have a 5.1 plate side console Tabs with a 115 etec and plan to do a bit of fishing out around facing island, gladstone harbour area and around the front of curtis island. Any info you may have would be great. I have a decent sounder and GPS to get me around. My cousin lives up there and talks about some spots they fish and dive but I have no idea where they are talking about. I will have to get a map when I get up there. He talked about a hot water outlet they fish and some place off the front of curtis, may have been called yellow sands or something like that. Cheers, Stallo

Hi All, Had about enough of the cold water, cold weather and wind down here on the South Coast! Going Up to Gladstone for 2 weeks next Monday. Got a house to stay in at Tannum Sands and plan to do plenty of fishing around Gladstone and will definately give Awoonga a go. Any tips would be great. Except "be good to your mother" someone already told me that. Thanks Stallo

I can confirm the tailor. There are plenty of them from about 25cm to 35cm. We were the last month and could see them chasing bait fish on the surface and caught about 20 on lures. I'd think there would be jews in there too but not sure about kingies? Stallo

Well said Huey, I spent months comparing everything and was certain I would end up with a yami four stroke but the etec just made more sense and everyone I know with one is very happy. Stallo

I got the 115 etec about 3 or 4 months ago and it has been great. I have only done 50hrs so far but will be servicing it at 100. The only thing I have found is that you need to use the etec oil with it as recomended. The dealer I ordered my boat thru was a mercury dealer and he put mercury oil in at the start. The motor was taking 2 or 3 times turning the key to start, even when warm and the 5 ltrs of oil was gone after a few trips. As soon as I ran the etec oil, no more problems and the oil has lasted 3-4 times longer. Stallo

At a guess....... How about a marbled flathead? Stallo

I've caught 2 of these at greenwell point too. It took me a while to figure out they weren't grinners. Stallo

Nice work! I wish I was out there. I might get out on boxing day. Do you know what the water temp was out there off port? Stallo

The trick with skinning is to leave the fins on the side when you fillet them. This will give you something to get hold of to rip the skin off. This method is by far the most efficient. If you stick your thumb thru the flesh above the ribs and then back out the top, the skin will come straight off and usually leave the ribs with the skin and fin. We used to gut them and scale them and leave the skin on for cooking and they were fine but the way we do it now is about 3-4 times faster. Stallo

yep, I've fished stokes a fair bit. Good on the inside for drummer and big groper on the outside. You can get in without a four wheel drive, but only if you have an older car you don't really like Stallo

Thanks guys!!!! I will let him know. And I'll get him to post a report on his return. Stallo

Hi Clutch, I'm heading over at the end of Jan for 2 weeks. Any good spots on the sth island on the west coast? Stallo