GreyNurse

Interesting condition, this Lordosis. I'll have to read up on it. I wonder why the dorsal fin disappears over the affected area? I'll come back here with an answer if I find out. Cheers, Nursie

Not so expensive, but I've lost count of the number of times I've locked my keys on the car when I've gone fishing. I almost know the NRMA guys on a first name basis. Before joining said association, I destroyed a couple of door deals retrieving the keys myself. It's all about developing the good routine and sticking to it.....but that's not always easy.

Good things come to those who wait. Santa left me a nice little gift voucher from Bi Catch Fish. So last week I traded said gift voucher for another Rovex Nitrium 2000 to replace the lost one (although this one, the last in the place, strangely did not come with a spare spool), and a Shimano Sonic Pro 2-4kg 2 piece 7' spin rod to replace the Rovex Air strike. Took the combo out for a test today and couldn't be happier. It casts a mile, is very accurate, and i could feel every little bump of the lures along the sand flats, as well as a lovely shimmy at the rod tip with my blades. Just a pity there were no fish co-operating at the time. But that's OK, I wasn't targeting, just testing. Now, I wonder how I can go with a birthday present this Friday. Perhaps that Takedo rod? MMMMMMM!

Allen, That was inspirational. I was down at Dolls Point today. I didn't catch anything, but that wasn't the point as I was getting the feel of a new combo. However, the amount of boats and jet skiers made me think that most of the fish would be spooked. Your effort proved otherwise. I know that area and I'll bet you rode the wake of more than the occasional boat. But those kingies were aggressive. Your berleying no doubt played a big part in that. Well done on both the results and the video report.

Awww, come on Salty, Gotta have an excuse for coming home empty handed. Can't tell the missus and cat that I can't fish!

The problem with getting big tackle involved is that, while Australia is a substantial enough market place, they may not see us as not being substantial enough on a global economic scale to be worth getting involved in this issue. Pity. Us recreational fishos need some muscle to back us up on this one. Otherwise, we will likely get steamrollered, not to mention the ocean environment.

Thanks for the kind sentiments, people. But every cloud has a silver lining. As I'm resigned to never seeing the left behind (can't call it lost) gear again, Santa has promised replacements. I've got my eye on a Takedo coastal spin rod and Shimano combo. I've decided to get another Rovex Nitrium as I've got a spare spool from the first one, loaded with line. Seems a pity to waste it, especially as the reel is only $55. Don't let the price fool you. it's one helluva nice little bait runner. I really deserve a lump of coal, but I'm not going to argue with my darling Santa.

OK guys, depends on the socialising tonight. (Friends coming over that we haven't seen for a while). if we break it up early, I'll be down at the Yowie boat ramp about 5.30. If we kick on, then I'll probably beg off and sleep in. Same deal if it's windy, although the forecast looks promising.

Hi Raiders, I feel a bit silly posting this, but I might get lucky. I was fishing at Yowie bay boat ramp last Friday. When finished, I toted my gear back up to the car and headed home. One thing lead to another and I didn't bother to get the gear out of the boot for the usual post fish shakedown until this afternoon. Would you believe that I left my rods behind? I can't remember if I left them on the pontoon, or at the car. I was parked in front of the bottle shop there. Anyway, description as follows; 1x red Rovex Air strike 2 piece rod with Rovex Nitrium bait runner reel and 1 x yellow Shimano hollow glass two piece rod with a Gladiator BB200 bait runner reel. If anyone came upon them, can they please PM me? It's not that I'm going to rush out and replace anything immediately, but I love my bait runners and it sucks not having them. It hurts even more to realise that I had a "senior's moment", costing me those two outfits.

Guys, don't get too excited. Look at the weather forecast for the weekend.

Yes, you can launch from there. You have to "portage" the yak down a stepped pathway, so that means a brief carry down. The problem is getting back up at the end of the day. when you are tired and muscle weary. Yowie boat ramp would be easier. Wally's is OK if you are early, but it's a long way to Lilli Pilli from there if the tide is going the wrong way.

Someone mention my name? Weather permitting there's every chance. I just received my motor controller for the Watersnake and I'll want to try it out. I'm keen to do a bit of trolling, but up till now, the two speed switch on the motor is either too fast or too slow. Now I should be able to get that Goldilocks speed without compromising battery usage. I just watch this post while you guys settle on the launch spot and other details. BTW, I've been doing a bit of lb from both boat ramps the past couple of weeks and it's been hard work. Lot's of just undersized pinkies, a squid (finally), but very little else other than pickers from those locations. All baits (salted pillies, squid and prawns) are attracting fish, just not of any size. Hopefully, the bigger fish are where we're going.

Does anyone know what is happening at Lilli Pilli baths? I was down there this morning, but could access the jetty as there were some kind of council works going on. Looked serious.

I'm the same as flatheadluke. I store my rods and reels in my basement workshop. I lay my rods on the underfloor beams where there's a space between the beams and the floorboards overhead. The temp rarely varies throughout the year. I just have to be careful not to knock the runners when I laying them down and taking them out again. The reels are also stored in the workshop, so the lines only see sunlight on an outing, which is why, I'm sure, that my mono from the late '80's is still as good as the day I bought it. Having said that, I've never had a fish big enough to bust me off, but I have had a few bite-off's. Interestingly, though, my yellow braid is going pale since I've been fishing Port Hacking, not getting darker, which has happened to me on other waterways.

I shouldn't worry too much. Like it has been suggested, if it's a surface scratch, a layer of varnish is all that's needed. No point in fretting over what you can't see, and therefor can't really do anything about. If the carbon blank is damaged, it will go someday, but that day isn't today. Keep fishing with confidence, but have a spare rod with you in case it does let go.

There was a report a in September that one of the Hawkesbury rail bridge piers was badly crumbling and needed to be repaired within the year. It would appear likely the structure is the bridge repair rig.

Hi Krause. If your kayak trolley utilises the scupper holes, then what you do is take the kayak to the water's edge and roll it over to one side. The trolley should just slide out of the scuppers and onto the sand (or whatever). I've seen some people advise to roll the kayak into the water and "float" it off the trolley, but you would want to have the wheel bearings absolutely water tight. Most kayak trolley wheels are usually not that good, so i wouldn't recommend it. Of course, this means that you don't load the kayak up until after you take it off the trolley, but it's no big deal. Practice routines at home until you find one that suites you and your gear. Getting the kayak back on the trolley is the reverse of taking it off.

Hi Krause, I'm not a big spender, so I keep my brands affordable, but still try to adhere to a standard. For yak fishing, 7' rods are probably the optimum length, just so as you can clear the bow or stern if the fish decides to play it's own game. A 2-5 kg rod is a good all rounder that is light enough to handle bread and butter fish, but has the strength for the unexpected big boy that will eventually show up. A fast taper would be desirable to give a good bit of casting distance. Match it up with a 2000 - 3000 series reel. A baitcaster would be the go here as you can drop a bait down and set it in the rod holder while you use your other rod. You could start as low as $70 for such a rod. The other rod would be in the 1-3kg class. Once again a fast taper and 6.5' - 7' in length. This would cover you for light lures, finesse breaming, lightness in hand so you can cast all day, if needed. Match it up with a 1000-2000 series reel. Look to start at around $150. As far as butts are concerned, the two section butts work really well in kayak rod holders, keeping the reel high and as far away from splashing salt water as can be. You can improve on that by using a PVC "extension" to fit in the rod holder to give it some extra height. Just make sure that your rods reel seats and guides are of reasonable quality. Go with the good brands of hardware. I haven't mentioned brands as my knowledge of most brands comes from what I read, not what I own, but other members can fill in the gaps. I'm happy enough with what I use, but you might not be, so I've just kept the advice generic. Hopefully, I've been helpful. BTW, despite your discomfort with some of your gear on the weekend, well done on the rat king. It's nice to have a plan to target a species and it comes together on the day. You must have been doing a lot right, even if the gear was not ideal.

Hi Allen, It's funny. When I built my yak trolley, I started out with this fancy horizontal H-frame design, with a threaded rod for the axle, nuts that never stopped turning and in short, more work than was worth it. In the end I pared it down to the same design as yours and lost the nuts securing the wheels and opted for some stainless split pins instead. Once I did all that, I've never had to do anything to it, other than service the bearings occasionally. So, good job. Next practical thing you'll need is a storage crate with PVC rod and net holders. Then think about an anchor trolley. There's plenty of ideas posted here on this site, as well as you tube destructions that will keep you busy. Another good little project is what I call a brag paddle. PM me for the details, but it's just a hand paddle made from PVC box downpipe with a folded rule attached so that you can measure and photograph your catch while sitting comfortably in your yak. I take it with me wherever i go, land based or not. Anyway, I think you're going to have a ball kitting out your yak. Just remember to be patient when using adhesives and give them time to cure.

Just goes to show that even photos are not the best evidence. Those striations i mentioned, if Taronga Zoo staff are right, and I have no reason to doubt them, must have been the result of decomposition. Still it was fun trying to ID the remains.

Razz and Rod, I'm up for a kayak sesh with you guys. I started a new job recently and have been bedding down my hours. I have Fridays and the weekends off and occasional Wednesdays. I'm just waiting to take delivery of a PWM controller for my watersnake motor so I can do a bit of trolling, so I'll be keen to try that out at the same time, if possible. Ideally, the weather will settle down to something more spring like, after the southerly and following rains blow through. Send me a PM for when you want to go, and. hopefully we can organise a mini social.

Just to put some contrast on the topic, I was delightfully surprised when I went to Wally's Wharf on the hacking last Friday for a bit of a land based sesh between 8 and midday. The ramp was quiet enough at first, but as the morning wore on, many different craft were launching, retrieving and picking up / setting down at the Wharf and everybody, without exception, were considerate, polite and obeyed the rules (at least within eyesight of the ramp). The few times I had to wind in were preceded by a quiet heads up and there were no dramas. Not a lot of fish to report, just undersized tailor and trevally, but it was a lovely morning in almost every way. However, I'm sure most of us have shared Camo's experience. And he's right. It isn't the sole domain of jet skiers to be seen breaking the rules and being obnoxious about it. Long weekends and the start of summer holidays will see a lot of that reported behaviour. It has a tendency to settle down over the holidays as "part timer" boaters start to relax, but long weekends are the pits, as these guys just keep coming before the new week sees them pack up until the next long weekend.

It has been said that the return in numbers of sharks is an indication that our waterways are improving from the toxic dumping grounds that they once were. But, not being a marine biologist, there's plenty I don't know, so that theory could be rubbish. You're right, though, when you believe that 99% of the time, you won't have a direct encounter with a shark in the vicinity that you're swimming, but you should carefully weigh that 1% chance that you will. I'll never deny anybody the opportunity to have a swim in our wonderful ocean beaches. Just be sensible about it. Have someone stand lookout, if possible, Surfers in the vicinity are a great source of information about what is swimming out there. If they report lots of bait fish, mullet, etc. then there's a very good chance that a predator is nearby. Personally, the only species of shark that really concerns me is the bull shark. Nasty creatures. And they are equally at home in salt or fresh water. I love beach fishing and while I don't go in past my waist, I remain very alert for the presence of sharks. It's good to be concerned. just don't let concern prevent you from doing things sensibly.

Thanks Ambrose. Actually, I made a small error. It's a 24lb thrust motor. Still draws 20 amps (the 18 draws 15 amps), so Nothing has changed as far as what I need.

Hi raiders, I've decided that the two speed switch on my 18 lb thrust Watersnake, while being OK for getting to and coming back from fishing locations has been good enough, it does not allow for a good trolling speed. I want to fit a PWM controller to the motor. That part is easy, but can anyone recommend any particular controller? I take it that I would need at least one rated at 20 amps for my particular motor, as the fuse sold for these is rated at 50 amps. Would I be better off paying $10 + for something sourced locally, or can I trust a sub $10 unit bought on line?