iamthecowgodmoo

Hey Undy, Nothing too fancy. Just a 2.5 size jig on the end of some decent leader (12 pound flouro I think). There was very little current flow, I forgot to check but I think it was around the change of tide. I consider myself very much a novice at squid fishing, but I've found that the tide has played a big part. If it's the last of the run out, then there's usually no action.

With the lack of wind on Saturday night, I thought I would try my luck for an hour or so down the spit. The water wasn't very clear, but it wasn't too bad. Usually there would be more people around, indicating more action, but I was by myself for around 20min, only bagging one squid, until another regular showed up with a light to help attract more. For the next hour, we pulled in three each, and dropped a heap. So, not a bad result considering there hasn't been anything to brag about for the past few weeks. We were using a variety of coloured jigs, and they seem to be hitting them all..... they weren't too fussed. The mrs cooked them up by adding ginger, shallots, dried chilli, cumin seeds to hot oil in the wok till fragrant. Then added the squid - cooked for a minute, then soy source, salt and coriander.

Great result! I find surface lures for Bream, the most fun and rewarding way to target them. Just a couple of pointers that work for me: Water - No deeper than 2ft deep, 3 or 4 slow twitches - just enough to throw a little water with a long pause, Berkley Pop Dog in yellow, and some tiny 20mm clear popper do best around my area.

Took the kayak out this morning, with the Mrs and jack russell in tow. Mrs was using prawns and landed around half a dozen decent size bream, around legal size. Meanwhile I was flicking SPs and scored a few good flatties around 40cm, a couple of bream, and a whiting. We were targeting the edges of weed beds and drop-offs. Was better than the last few weeks, where we would struggle to get 1 or 2 bream for the session. Still lots of tourists on paddle boards and "hire" kayaks, that just paddle straight through your line, while looking at you and thinking "...what...?" The whole lake at your disposal, and you decide to paddle straight through my line.....great... Plenty of nippers around, if you have a pump to get them out. They last about 2sec before being nabbed by a bream of any size. SPs doing the damage, where 80mm wrigglers in dark green and clear - getting hit almost every cast. Bloodworm colour was barely getting a touch.

Not a report I want to see when I'm heading out to Narrabeen first thing tomorrow morning! Hope you have some better luck this weekend.

Awesome catch and report! I'm there most weekends (at night), and squid have been few and far between this summer. No shortage of tailor though. Half a pillie under a float will put you on to some decent size ones right where you were.

Welcome to the kayaking family! I'm usually in the lake on mine too, so if you see a green Jackson Big Tuna with a Jack Russell onboard, don't be afraid to say g'day. A good launching spot is Wimbledon Ave, as there is usually plenty of room to load/unload, and launch into the water. I don't think you need a sticker to park there, but check first. It won't be long before you will be investing in a trolling motor and marine battery..... it does make life a whole lot easier! If it is a bit on the heavy side, look up a company called "Boathoist". They do a good electric kayak loader, and are located in Coffs I think. Thule do a decent manual one too. As for the parking sticker, there is usually someone selling them on Gumtree for anywhere from $50-$120 depending on the seller.

I've gone a little lighter - 1-2kg 7ft graphite, with a ci4+ 1000 size reel. 5lb Berkely Fireline Exceed line (best braid I've ever used) and 5lb leader. Landed a couple of flatties on the weekend using 80mm wrigglers, with the biggest going 47cm. No sweat at all. I find this set-up great, as I cast twice as far as my 3-4kg spin gear.

What a stonka! Surface lures are so much fun on the sand flats.

I've caught plenty of Trev's at night on soft plastics. They go nuts for the squidgy wriggler in dark green.

Awesome catch!

Berkeley Pop Dog in Warrigal. Best Bream lure I have ever used.

What a horse!

Great report! That's an area that I've never fished, but keen as to get down there. Does it produce much land based around the wharf?

I have one of these loaders for when I had my Prado. Essentially the same as the Nautic, but with an electric winch, which loaded it really easily. Cost around $1k from a company in Coffs Harbour.

I've seen far too many sharks only metres from shore. Not just at the beach, but in middle harbour as well. We only let our jack russell swim in the lake, and even then only up to waist deep - 10m from shore.......mainly out of paranoia!

I use the Sea to Summit trolly on my Jackson kayak. Holds up very well.

Awesome catch! Probably getting a bit late in the season for kings at this stage. The more known spots might still be holding a few though. If you strike out on the kings, stick on a metal lure for some tailor. There's plenty of decent size ones around and they are a fun by-catch.

Great report. I will be up there on boxing day and can't wait. I will remember to stock up on some salmon first!

I will look into them a bit more. The thing is, my steering is foot controlled, so I would have very busy feet in tight areas!

Great report. I'm heading up there in a couple of weeks, and chomping at the bit to get there! Are there any restrictions up there? I was up there 5 years ago and there was none, but my brother (who doesn't fish), said something about that you can't fish somewhere near the marina. Hopefully I'm not hijacking the thread...apologies if I am!

Hey Brains Trust, I have a Jackson Big Tuna with a 50lb Minn Kota transom mounted. The power switch is a knob is mounted near the seat (I will put up some pics in a few days to show what it looks like) and was wondering if someone has a similar set-up - what you are using for your speed/power selector. The power switch/knob that is pictured is what I currently being used and is ok, but I wouldn't mind upgrading to something a bit better. Any and all suggestions appreciated. Cheers, Scott.

I have a Jackson "Big Tuna" with a 50lb Minn Kota on the back, and absolutely love it. Picked it up on eBay, fully loaded with oar, rudder kit, 2 seats, motor and battery for $1600. The same set-up with Hobie, would probably set you back well over $2k 2nd hand. I think Jackson gets over-looked a lot because for a little more you can get a Hoblie, but the thing with the jackson is that they are just as stable, around the same weight and turn on a dime. Loads of storage, I can fit the girlfriend, dog, all my gear and still fish comfortably. Don't get me wrong, I do like the Hobie kayaks, and if I saw one at the right price, I would find it hard to pass it up!

I'm in the same school of thought. I would bother trying for bream on surface lures in any water over a metre deep. A sand flat around 2ft deep with scattered weed is prime pickings.

Thanks everyone for the kind words