big Neil

You're quite a card Dr Raymond. Many thanks for your medical diagnosis of my recent ailment (aka coughing my guts up syndrome)...bloody annoying. Not sure I can totally avoid cities, I have a lot of friends who live there and I do enjoy catching up with them for some "different" fishing. Personally speaking, they can have city life, but each to their own. I love the country life and not much beats chasing down some Aussie native species. I'm not a big drinker and don't know if I've ever had OP Rum. Didn't do the 1st fleet mariners any harm so you're probably right about its medicinal properties. Appreciate your reply, tight lines Dr Raymond, bn

A well-orchestrated plan produced the goods Rob. Gotta be up there as one of the best-looking fish in the sea (Jewfish)...beautiful shiny bodies and always clarity in their eyes. Well done. bn

Wow Niall that would have been a fabulous buzz having it on for so long. Great bit of angling to just take your time and enjoy the experience...made even more difficult by the fact you were in a kayak. Very well done. bn

Technology is such a massive industry these days and it must be very frustrating to be working with substandard technology Mike...bit like being a bus driver when the bus keeps breaking down. The speed of change must be hard to keep up with too. I don't think that industry has ever been exposed to such changes, so quickly, since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. One good thing about being old is that my generation has witnessed probably the most significant changes to everyday life, ever experienced by humankind. Even in our chosen pastime of fishing, technology now plays a massive role in the pursuit of our quarry. Cheers, bn

Many thanks Gordon. I know how fit and healthy you are, exact opposite to me. I have friends who have experienced the whole range of impact. One cited it as the best thing that has happened as he had to stay home and got twice as much work done. Another ended up being hospitalised and still has effects that he could do without. I'm well on the road to recovery although I'm going to re-test on Thursday to see how the results are then. Cheers, hi to the family, bn

Gee mate that's a long time to be suffering the symptoms. I sincerely hope you make a FULL recovery and get back to enjoying life. Take care, bn

An interesting reply Zoran. Good line Braid, but it makes me wonder how we survived in the dark ages before its conception. It certainly has its benefits for me and accurate casting into snags with lures using baitcast outfits...something much easier these days. Very interesting conclusion about the salt build up on the top eye of the rod. Cheers, bn

Interesting discussion topic Linewetter. Not sure how many Raiders are using these "newer" type rigs. I think most still enjoy using soft plastics in the traditional way...they are still VERY effective on many different species. Good luck with your research. bn

Great example of that old adage "you never know what you're gunna get" Yowie. We truly live in the best country in the world for saltwater fishing. Lovely Snapper, how will that be cooked? bn

It's a bit heartening to read that you, who I see as a snag, come unstuck on the technology. It annoys me continuously. Not everyone is techno savvy, nor has their whizz kid on tap to sort problems with it. On a brighter note I managed to get my bisque kiln unloaded, waxed, glazed and decorated it all, and fired a glaze firing yesterday. Coughed my guts up last night but, what the heck, that would have happened anyway. Feeling a little improved this morning and will no doubt be terrorising the lawn bowling greens very soon. bn DISCLAIMER #1: Reference to the word snag (sensitive new aged guy) is merely a perception of how I see the modern, upwardly moving young guys of today. They are intelligent, driven, caring, and considerate. However, they actually believe that they have a good understanding of what makes females of our species tick. We, the older generation, know this is not possible. DISCLAIMER #2: The content of the above post is to be considered as my attempt at a bit of humour. Lastly a question for our medically trained Fishraiders. Why do we cough our guts up when the temperature drops in the evening? bn

Good onya Bob and Caleb. Got some bigger ones than I did. Still have some unfinished business with the Kingies. bn

A month or so ago I decided that I needed a bit of a "sea change". I hadn't been to Melbourne for quite some time so I thought I would have a look at what was on offer. Naturally, it had to involve fishing but I also wanted to check out some galleries and museums. I booked my accommodation for Friday to Tuesday, and my fishing charter for Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning I was going to check out the local market. Galleries on Monday then head home Tuesday morning. In between those events I was organised to do some light tackle fishing from one of the piers in Williamstown. I last visited Williamstown about 6 years ago with my wife and we had a lovely time We left the car at home and went down to Melbourne on the XPT, a bit of a novelty. We stayed in the city and travelled round on the trams and ferries and that's how we found Williamstown, a lovely gem of an arty place across the bay. I was feeling pretty tired as I headed off on the 5.5hr trip in the COW. Got down there in good time and eventually found the accommodation and underground parking. Lovely hotel and a massive room with all the mod cons. I unloaded what I needed and then went for a recce to see what the access to the piers for fishing was like. This is where things started to go pear-shaped. I drove round and round trying to see a vacant parking spot. Eventually I found one and pulled in. I knew it was pay parking but the parking machine was hopeless. You needed an app on your phone to be able to arrange payment for the limited parking. Those of you who know me would know that I have no idea about technology on my phone. So I couldn't park there or anywhere for that matter. I headed back via a supermarket to the hotel. That night I fell asleep early and woke shivering and sweating. Great, I'm coming down with the flu.. The morning saw me feeling somewhat knackered and definitely under the weather. However it was fishing charter day so I stocked up with medicine and headed off to find the pier where the charter was going from. I parked about a mile away in some side street, and joined the 5 hour charter. My spirits lifted as the skipper took us to different locations and we caught Snapper, KGW, Flathead and Trevally. We trolled lures around when the skipper spotted some bird action and found a school of Salmon that kept everyone entertained. There was only 2 of us plus the deckee who knew what we were doing so I helped the deckee out with showing some of the others what to do and re-rigging the rods. It was a good 5 hour session and everyone caught some fish. When we got back to the dock the deckee asked for my phone number and said he would call me Sunday if he was going fishing and I could tag along. "Great something to look forward to" I thought. I didn't want any of my fish so gave them to the others. I had a bite to eat and then headed back to the hotel for the night. I had the worst night ever...even more sweating and shivering, even after taking the cold and flu medicine. In the morning I knew there wasn't going to be any point staying for the other 2 nights so I checked out and started the long drive home, feeling the worse for wear. About half way home my phone rang and it was Trevor the deckee asking if I wanted to go fishing with him, I explained the situation to him and we agreed to keep in touch. I took a different route home, just for a change. After unloading the COW I had a cuppa and did a COVID test...POSITIVE. Something of a disastrous "holiday". These things are sent to try us! bn

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