michael2203

I've been finding chicken breast satay'd in fish sauce works well lately.

Yes mate. All fish are catch and release. I don't eat fish (ironic, I know). If I ever catch anything legal I offer it nearby fisho's.

G'day Raiders, For a while now I have been eyeing of the Parra River and all the spots that look fishable on google maps. So yesterday I obtained some bravado and headed north! After an hour or so at spot#1 and not much action happening, I decided to move. In one of those bizarre twists of fate, I got to the end of the road I'd driven in on and had 2 options: left or right. I was meaning to head right and to another spot I'd researched the night before, but something in the universe was telling me to go left. So with nothing more than an inkling, I turned left. On arrival I got another sign that I'd made the right move - despite a lack of parking, someone was leaving just as I got there. What happened over the next few hours was nothing short of phenomenal. Over the next few hours I landed 20 fish (in addition to the 4 at spot#1). There were some thumping bream, a flounder, toadfish and a total of 13 small snapper! I've seen so many! In addition, I got busted of by something slow moving and quite heavy. I'm thinking perhaps a ray? Towards the end of my session, another few guys turned up and were using bread mixed with something (not sure what) but were floating it on the top of the water. These guys pulled 5 thumping bream in quick succession (one must have gone at least 45cm). So, needled to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the Parra river and I am sure I will be heading back there soon. My conundrum as I write this is now finding the time to get back there (i'm itching at the bit). Till next time, tight lines everyone. Cheers Hodgo

Sorry Matt, just saw your post. Yes, chicken works there as well (it has when I've been there before).

G'day Raiders, I was up early this morning and headed over to the George's around East Hills and Picnic Point. After reading some other posts about using chicken soaked in fish sauce, I thought I'd give it a whirl. All up, I landed 15 fish in 4ish hours and lost a few more on top of that. Apart from a small tailor and whiting, the rest were bream. A few photo's are attached. I'm planning on getting up early tomorrow and having another crack. Hopefully I manage to attract some larger specimens. Tight lines. Hodgo

G'day Raiders, I always fish land based and have recently been toying with the idea of using burley to attract more fish and improve my chances. I'm wondering if anyone else does this, what's your experience, any hints/tips etc. Thanks in advance, Hodgo

Hi BrassRoots, Like StinkyDonut, I also enjoy the Cooks and have pulled some decent bream from there. Try either the boat ramp at Kymeeagh or my other fav spot is behind the Concordia Club at Tempe. I haven't mastered the SP's yet, but usually use chicken breast as bait or the occasional prawn. If you're ever up for some company, let me know. Cheers Hodgo

That's huge. I've caught a 'bigger' monster flattie...

Thanks Damos. Grays Point sounds good (and looks the goods from Google Maps. I've been down to Illawong before and got some good fish. I've also been busted off by some huge fish there as well. I usually prefer to go to the park near there which has a little jetty. It's a great spot early in the morning.

G'day Raiders, Last year I bought a Shimano Sienna 4000, but have struggled since to pair it with a decent rod. So, with a gift card from the big red fella at xmas and a sale at the same retailer, I picked up a Daiwa Crossfire 862. What a purchase! The in-laws live around East Hills and I've driven past it heaps, but have never been into the Georges River National Park. So with the 2 daughters in tow, off we went. While the fish weren't massive, I ended up picking up 3-4 bream and a few whiting. The new set up landed most and a few of them ended up being skull-dragged across the river. My youngest daughter Kyla picked up a toadfish and small whiting and was stoked. I think the girls just enjoyed paddling around the edge of the water. Halfway through the session, I did have a run in with a few douches in a boat. Despite having the whole river, they felt that it was necessary to hover right where we were fishing (one of the morons jumped in for a swim). Anyway, they came right up to the shore, right over one of my lines and I wasn't game to move it in case it got caught in their engine. Now I'm quick to acknowledge that no-one owns the river, but common sense should prevail. So when these muppets just sat there talking about their boat and what they needed to when they got back to the boat ramp, I 'politely' asked them to move somewhere else. One of them mumbled something about being an accident...yeah bullshit! Anyway, after a while we packed up and went around to Fitzpatrick for a quick session, where I picked up a good size bream (maybe around 20ish). As it happens I was getting Kyla off a snag when my new combo bent over. So a quick dash and olympic-style hurdle over one rod, I've caught the other and had a great time. So, I'm off again early tomorrow solo. I was thinking of trying near the Audley Weir. I'd appreciate any advice/experiences anyone has had there as I wonder if I am wasting my time. Thanks for reading and tight lines. Hodgo

Way ahead of you Shakey. I only ever do catch n release anyway, but I am well aware of the Cooks' history and issues. No way I'd ever eat anything from there...unless I wanted time off work..lol!

Hi, They launched from Kyeemagh boat ramp and went out in the bay.

Hi Fufu. All fish were caught using chicken breast.

G'day Raiders, It has been a while, but with my chauffeur skills not required on a Sat morning, I headed out early last Saturday for a long awaited crack. So I get to spot #1 and bugger me...there are a whole stack of speedboats for a ski race piling up. Anyway, after battling for a park, I persisted for a quick session and headed off before they got started. During this session I managed a small baby snapper, smaller flathead , whiting, puffer fish, small bream and 3 stripped fish (as per pics) which I have been told before are a Stripped Trumpeter? The larger of these (going about 35cm) pulled like a train and was great fun. Anyway, with the boats starting up, I got out of there and headed to my old faithful spot upriver. Apart from picking up some nice bream (as pictured) I got busted off a few times by something bigger. But, them's the brakes right. Anyway, it was a fun morning out, away from work and away from the wife and kids (ha!). I'll be back out there again tomorrow, for another crack. Well, that's it from me. Tight lines everyone, I hope you get some fishing in during the xmas and new years break. I hope Santa brings everyone a shiny new reel or their desired rod Cheers and merry xmas, Hodgo

Ouch re the rod! I've caught a few small ones before and this was different. Whatever this was was trying to run in any direction it could whereas the Ray's i've caught before just generally are happy to be towed along.