Goanna54

You can get very small ones on eBay, but if you have access to old computer hard drives, pull them apart and retrieve the magnets. Watch your fingers!

Yes, I'm a mover too. I fish with lures and fan an area which looks the goods. No interest then I'll move to another location, or I might swap lures and have another couple of casts and then move on. I figure they'll either bite or ignore, not go away and think about it and then come back for a chew.

:)

Thanks Witha, yeah I was thinking for a while there my lure fishing days were over.

It's been weeks since I've been able to have a flick, (arthritis and sinovitis in my casting wrist). Had a steroid injection on friday and felt OK this morning so I headed down to Banjos with my 1-2kg Daiwa and an Atomic crank. 10 minutes in and off we go! After a couple of runs in comes this 37cm Luderick. I knew they were in the area but didn't expect to land one on HBs. Back to the river with him and next retrieve a little 30cm bream. Quite happy after a 30 minute session and no pain.

I live in Hunters Hill, i.e. Gladesville/Ryde area Cheers.

I will need a boating licence shortly and was wondering if any raiders have had a recent good experience with a service provider. I have done many accreditation courses in the past and some trainers take the rubber stamp approach and just get you through the basic requirements while others provide useful and relevant training. I'm after the latter as I've only had limited on-water experience. Also I'm tossing up between a Stacer 449 Seaway or Quintrex 450 Fishabout. These are very similar boats and I would appreciate any comments on either. I'm thinking estuary use only and there's the possibility of grandkids down the track. Cheers, Tim

I'm always looking for knots which my boofy fingers can tie relatively easily and this one works well. Great accent too! I think I'll call it the Lancashire Knot (youtube link):

Can't fault that reel, but I'm around his age and prefer the sustain 1000 because it's light and easier on the arthritic wrist, coupled with a Daiwa wild weasel. That'll flick 1/2 ounce all day. Exactly $400 for the combo!

I thought I'd throw my inexperienced 2 bobs worth in. I've literally only been fishing since last winter when my son in law gave me a department store combo and since I had no idea I went looking for an active and informative site which was relevant to where I live. Fish raider fitted the bill perfectly. Inspired by the exploits of the likes of Gianni, Seamus,Witha, Ryder and others who fish my estuaries and the info I've gleaned from numerous other posters, past and present, I can now go fishing with decent gear in the knowledge that I now have a better than even chance of catching and releasing something respectable. If I post it's usually because it's either a milestone for me or new bit of gear which has excited me. If someone takes the trouble to reply then that's a bonus, not an expectation. Far from stagnating, this seems a vibrant and active forum. Maybe members of long standing don't post or reply very much, but judging by the hits most posts receive there are heaps of interested readers out there. Cheers, Tim

Great work at the end of the holidays!! Some of those fish look big enough to have dragged you guys in with them. It's a pity they don't have angling as a subject at school

Same spot, another good result! It's good to see the Lane Cove producing good sized fish. Sometimes (often) it's doughnuts for me. Lovely spots for a flick even on a bad day.

Hi Calvin, I just give a couple of quick winds to crank the lure to the right depth, then a slow roll, varying the speed a bit as you go. I guess the lure is travelling about a slow walking pace. You'll feel the lure "wobbling" if you've got it right. Another thing I find useful is don't stop the retrieve if you feel interest, the fish tend to get spooked if you stop. Bream are very skittish, but if they want it they'll smash it and you won't be left wondering! Find some clear shallow water to practice in so you can see what's happening. I'm no expert but I hope that helps. Cheers, Tim

Thanks Witha, fishing with good gear is a pleasure.

Land based on the Lane Cove River at my new bream spot. I tried here earlier in the week at a similar tide time (mid run-out) for a few 25cm bream, a 25cm whiting and a respectable flattie, so I knew they were around. This morning after a few casts I thought things had gone cold, when as I was retrieving past some pylons, Ziiiiing!! Isn't that a great sound? The result was the fish without the gloved hand. Back in the water with him and the adrenalin is calming. 2 more casts and away we go again! Even better ziiiiiing and a bit of a tussle later this beautiful fish at 35cm! Unfortunately the back treble was pretty much cactus after that but time had run out anyway. Great fun!! Gear: 2 drunkenmonkies rod Sustain 1000 reel 6lb braid, 8lb fluoro leader Atomic crank 38 mid Muddy Prawn