Michael Pitt

Could have been the same bugger that stole your rod ,or one of his gang. Yeah, could've been. But,after that fiasco on Monday I immediately went out and bought a new combo on Tuesday, fished with it yesterday (after the excitement of the Kingfish died down) and pulled in this 1.2kg Snapper.This is in the harbour so was quite surprised to see something so big. Should I be surprised or not? Are there big Snapper in the harbour? Anyway, maybe losing my original rig was the best thing ever. Learnt a lot from that. MultiQuote

Now I can say I've hooked a Kingfish. Can't say I've landed one though .Never have but one day maybe!. Happened to me twice. Once yesterday and early this morning. Fishing for Yellow Tail off a wharf so I could see directly down into the water. Yesterday was Sunny so could see right to the bottom, today cloudy but could still see. Crazy really. A tiny piece of salted Yellow Tail on a size 10 hook on a light line from a short rod when all of a sudden out zips the line, nearly tearing the rod from my hand. Of course, the line snapped just like a piece of cotton. But nevertheless, exciting to see. So close but yet so far.

Luv it. Whata larf!. Just made my day

Unlucky on the rod mate! Bet you never do that again. Sometimes it costs us plenty to learn lessons, but that's life! Did you manage any other fish while you were there? Or were you to disappointed to continue? Cheers scratchie!!! Lots of Yakkas. It was their fault...like baiting up to try for something bigger but after I lost the rod too dejected to do anything other than sulk!! A good tip from Troutboy....."always open the Bail Arm when putting down the rod". Yep, a lesson well learned.

Thanks guys for your sympathies. And now 6 hours later all I can think about is the fish I lost. But you're right...go out and get another combo!! It's another day tomorrow.

I am so embarrassed that I'm not sure I want to share it with anyone...but I will 'cause I have to let it off somehow. There's a fish right now swimming around Sydney Harbour trailing a rod and reel.Lord only knows what's going to happen with the fish. I mean, getting on with its' life towing a fishing rod wherever it goes. How does it feed itself with a hook still in its mouth...how does it chase food with a heavy rod pulling it back...does it interrupt its sex life. Or it falls prey to some larger fish and that too trails a fishing rod for the rest of its life. Best thing would be of course if it bites off the hook. If it doesn't the line may inevitably get tangled around an anchor chain, or a pylon or rocks or whatever. So that means it will be anchored somewhere. Or someone fishing and pulling up a rod...a double bonus, rod and fish, providing the fish is still alive of course. The imagination runs wild with all the possibilities. I'm embarrassed because it was such a stupid error on my part...and sad because I lost my favourite rod and probably a big fish into the bargain. The rod I can replace...that particular fish I can't. So, how did it happen. Fishing from a wharf with one rod, not getting any bites so I laid it on the ground next to me and started setting up another rod. Just about to thread the line through the eyes and all of a sudden off whizzed the rod on the ground. Stupidly I thought I'll just lay the rod here for a sec while I set up my second rod little realizing that I was just about to get a strike. I still reckon it must have been a big fish given the speed with which the rod disappeared and length out from the wharf that it landed.

Thanks Trout Stalker. Am now well armed!! Will add to my dictionary on 'what's what' in the fishing world

I'm relatively new to the fishing world. My Dad and I used to go fishing on the Macleay River every morning. Caught lots of Bream, Flathead and eels. But that was many many years ago and since am now in semi-retirement am attacking it with a vengeance once more. I've gotta say this sight is absolutely fantastic. So many tips; so much info shared by the professionals that I find myself going back to reports many times over.Would be great if one could capture it all in one location and publish it as a newsletter. One thing I am at a loss tho...give it age, but I do puzzle over some of the names you guys give for fish. :Like...what's a Yakka; a Ballyhoo; a Rat King (guess that must be a small Kingfish...and livies. Does anyone have a list of fish names with their equivalent in the Oz language?