Man I must be doing something wrong, I fish a heavy rod compared to all the other replys. I use a miller beast buster, 30lb braid, 50lb leader on a branzino 3000 reel and I still get smoked every now and then!
I fish the hawkesbury and thats the mIn I will throw there. In the harbour I fish a Daiwa chilidog Stella 3000 with 11lb braid 20-30lb leader.
Jews aren't leader shy!
My 2 go to lures the tranny and the keitech paddle tails on either 5/8th 5/0 - 1oz 7/0s.
The bites are a little tap, very bream like so strike as hard as you can on everything. I strike that hard I move the boat and most of the time my feet are off the ground as I twist my body for the strike. Ever seen bass masters? If you have you'll get the idea!
Areas we fish are all very current rich areas with a mix of rock and mud bottoms. Target the edges of the river where there are big fast drop offs and it will eventually happen.
It's amazing how many jews we catch off the sounder, we see them first before we hook em! On Richards boat he has side scan so you can say left side 20m, cast out let it drop tap bang ya on! Mine is just a normal sounded but we do still see a lot before we hook em.
Time on the water is everything. We only fish one species per trip, back up plan is squid. This keeps us focused and not thinking other fish/ techniques. Our usual session is 5-15hrs and yes it does get boring looking at the same places casting such heavy lures on heavy gear but we do get the fish!
Good luck with it.
Greg