big Neil

Brilliant report of a very full day on the water with your friends. How many times does it happen that staying that little bit longer produces the goods. Certainly the case with you and Eagle. Not only did you get some excellent fish but you have gathered a lot of valuable information for future outings. That's what fishing is all about...having fun and learning something new when you get to do it. Well done, bn

Fabulous late report Zoran. Having recently had my first taste of Mahi Mahi, and thoroughly enjoying it, I would have to say how envious I am. Beautiful boat that you have Zoran, a fine complement to the skipper and 1st mate. Cheers, bn

Hi Frank, old buddy. Saddened to hear that you are feeling that life has little to offer. I fully understand where you're coming from, and perfectly aware that we older folk are all in the same boat. As disheartening as it seems to be I would encourage you to contact Donna and look at what options are available. I think you will be surprised to see that our circumstances have been studied and there are options available for us to take. Don't give up! You have enjoyed a very full and active life. You have contributed to many peoples enjoyment and you are not yet ready for the scrap heap. Your skill and determination have provided many of your friends and acquaintances with positive results to their problems. You are a true and loyal friend and though your list of friends is diminishing, you still have a loving wife by your side. Sure life has changed and will continue to change, but you can still make the best of what's on offer. If the offer of hospitality is still open I will come up and see you towards the end of May...let me know. I will look forward to seeing you and Val again. Look forward to hearing from you Frank. Always your mate, bn

An exciting report Fobbie with some good fish landed. Great to get out on the water with mates, especially if they are mad keen and you can teach them a thing or two. Shame about the lost fish but totally your own fault as you need a good landing net to improve your chance of landing the good fish. You don't need anyone telling you that, I suppose. Good luck with your future fishing adventures with your friend, hope they manage to get onto some fish too. Cheers, bn

I can't add anything to the comments already made. You angled the fish in and with some luck on your side got it to the edge. We have all probably learned the hard way that graphite rods are no good for deadlifting, just make sure you remember that because, with your hook up skills you will definitely get the opportunity. Good advice from Little Flatty to salvage what you can from your broken rod, for future possible use. You certainly are a very keen angler...good report. bn

Gee wizz. I'm not that keen to be chomping on an old Tuna frame. I'll stick with the Franks and a piece of cheese now and then. Cheers, bn

Hi Dave. Not much happening in the fishing reports so your post is the pick of the crop. I would love a feed of fresh saltwater fish at present, been a while. As usual you always manage to get enough for a feed, well done. How do you cook the Tailor? bn

Ur a card...you should be dealt with LOL bn

A rewarding report for you guys. Chasing Kingfish and catching Luderick...can't complain about that. Well done. bn

Welcome to Fishraider and its many benefits. Plenty of advice and heaps of opportunity to meet other members if you are keen. Well done on the Tailor and you now have a good opportunity to practice what you have learned. Look forward to following your progress. Keep the reports coming. Cheers, bn

Excellent photos of the pointy end of the Tailor Mike. Great fun to catch, spirited fight, and ok for fishcakes or even better when smoked. They, along with Aussie Salmon, make up the bulk of good catches in numbers in many estuaries. I have many happy memories of big number catches using gang hooks and the humble Pilchards. Cheers, bn

Another great report. You certainly are a keen angler. You have mastered the Aussie fishing very well. Cheers, bn

Great to hear from you mate. The bush is full of stories, all of them well worth listening to round the camp fire whilst quenching ones thirst. Hope YOUR fishing starts to improve. Cheers mate, bn

Believe me, I'm not. Drives me nuts on a regular basis. Glad you enjoyed it...you and I know it's good for the soul. Cheers, bn

Waste not want not Fil. Good conversion. I used to go to SWR to stock up from the Winter Tailor run and we used to smoke some of them. They were very good when smoked. Same with Trout I reckon. Adds a whole new dimension to the edible quality of the less popular (edible) fish species. Good catch of healthy looking Bream there. Cheers, bn

A few healthy looking fish Dave and those male Blue Swimmers are very good looking. Hopefully your conditions will soon clear and bring the fish on again. Do you usually find the fishing is poor as Winter approaches (compared to Summer fishing)? bn

Great report Jordy. I too always desired to do a trip like that and to capture the elusive Barramundi. However, I have missed the boat so reading such an enthusiastic report like yours has to fit the bill these days. I fully understand your enthusiastic response to using braid laden baitcast outfits. I do a lot of hunting down Murray Cod with my gear. Amazing how accurately you can learn to cast into the tightest of snags with them and how well they respond to hooking into powerful fish trying to escape. They are a whole new dimension in fishing experience. Thanks for the report. bn

I love your infectious enthusiasm linewetter. You certainly have been listening to Derek and your natural inquisitiveness coupled with the skills you have learned have provided you with the ability to really challenge yourself and still be successful. Regarding the comment about the existence of "good spots"... they are very real. As you mentioned most lure and soft plastic users remain mobile and this can be very successful. Your discovery of a place where you decided to stay and use the "many casts option" worked. The reason it worked is that fish need very little to survive. In fact they only need food and safety. Where you were having success was obviously such a place, so different species are congregating there. Having the skill to be able to cast right into the structure of the boat keels enabled you to be right in the zone. I have never seen a Fastach clip bend like that and I have caught some very good fish while using them. I think they are very useful for lure and soft plastic fishing. I think the fish you didn't identify was one of the Trevally species and definitely a Tarwhine in the mix too. A fantastic series of reports, well written, and with good photos and videos enables the reader to feel that they are right there with you catching the fish. I think that this series of reports deserves some recognition. What do you reckon Donna? Tight lines young fella. bn

Thanks Waza. I will do that. Never think of the obvious, do I? Hope that you're well mate and getting on with things. Will catch up next time I'm in Sydney for some fishing. Cheers, bn

Thankyou Dr Raymond Snapper. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. As you say living in the scrub is a great place to be. I love it. I have fished the Namoi quite a lot, though not recently. Plenty of Carp but also lots of Yellas and Murray Cod. Great fishing when the water has a good flow in it. Much drier country than the Riverina, where I now live. bn

Many thanks linewetter. I am an old person and it was a mammoth job learning how to compile a video with music...I am not very technology savvy. Anyway, I managed in the end. I am very pleased that it reminded you of your fishing in the USA. We are very fortunate to be living in a country with such diverse fishing opportunities. I like to fish saltwater but am most at home on my own doorstep fishing for native Australian freshwater species. The ambiance of being the only person on the river, at one with nature, is incredibly peaceful and relaxing. I love it. Would you like to put some posts up about your USA fishing experiences? I'm sure there would be Fishraiders who would be interested in your experiences. Cheers, bn

Welcome to the forum Speedy. Hope that you manage to find some like minded people who will join you for some fishing. There are plenty of members in and around Sydney so hopefully you will get to catch up with a few and enjoy some quality time on the water. Looking forward to reading your reports down the track. Cheers, bn

Howdy folks. Anybody on here got any info about fishing in Williamstown (Victoria)? I will be heading there for a few days on 21st April. Thought I may fish the wharf pylons with some light gear, any other suggestions? TIA, bn

Fried, though steamed will probably get their interest. bn

Still the best bait by a country mile are the Bardi Grubs. Alas, I can't get them any more as my knees are wrecked. Dim sims are the latest fad with some very nice Cod being caught on them. What next? bn