mammoth64

thanks for the advice guys, I will certainly give it all a go and post the results and pics, hopefully get the young fella onto a nice fish.

Hi all, I am planning a trip up to Lithgow with my young son (11 y/o) and hoping to put the boat in but I haven't really done a lot of fresh water fishing except for the odd trip fishing for carp with corn, I was wondering if anyone could pass on a few tips and advice as to what to use as bait in the Lake system, I am guessing corn, maybe worms if I can find them but after that I'm not to sure. Would a dough mix work maybe. Cheers all Greg

thanks so much to everyone for the replies and advice. Planning on heading out on the 25th planning on staying over for the night, if the weather holds together. Berley I'm using is minced pillies, prawns and squid (old bait) with chicken pellets and tuna oil holding it all together and frozen in blocks. After reading the recipes I'm hungry now Would be good to catch onto some bi-catches especially a Jew. Definately be posting the resulting pics, even if it's an old boot and a plastic bag hahaha. Again thanks so much cheers and tight lines Greg

I hope I am not in the wrong place here. I am planning a trip with a mate out to Hawkesbury River, was going to head up Cowan after some Hairtail, I've only been out after them once and was unsuccessful. I was wondering if I could get some pointers, I have rigs sorted (watching videos) but can anyone tell me should I burley for them. Also if anyone would like share a few spots to try it would be much appreciated. Cheers and tight lines Greg

Headed out for a Australia day fish on the Port Hacking, I haven't been fishing in the Hacking in a very long time. Tried to get some calamari but nothing taking the lures, so spent a bit of time on the sand bar sucking up some nippers then headed off to have a crack inside the South West Arms. Caught 10 snapper best of them was 28 cm, all went back to do a bit more growing, still fun to catch. Wife hooked something and over the side the rod went after about 20 mins or so I'm onto something with a bit of decent weight, slowly pull a trevally to the top but notice that there's 2 hooks in the Trevally. I take out hook number 2 and pull in the attached line (quite a bit there) wifes slowly winding line as I pull it in, fish that pulled wifes rod over is revealed as a Trevally and wifes rod back on the boat. Trevally went back in to fight another day. After a few more good bites hooked into a 34 cm Whiting, a PB Flathead of 56 cm and a 34 cm Flounder. Young fella hooked into a big Shovel nose which took a bit of pulling in but his first big fish. Over all great family day

I would be really keen to have a go, never targeted hairtail but can brave the cold to have a go

Decided to hit the Hawkesbury this morning with the young fella, we set out and put the crab pots then headed over near the sandbar on the south side of Dangar. Nothing spectacular, couple of small flatties, a 22 and a 25 cm so back they went, the 25cm had a hook lodged in it's gills from a previous release so goes to show they do come back and not everyone is keeping the littles. Went and checked the pots, found they had been moved away from where I had set them so obviously someone had been kind enough to check them for me. Changed the location of the pots to the sandbar close to the freeway and fishing under the bridge, got 1 reasonable sized Taylor good little fighter but 2cm undersize so he lived to fight another day. Time to leave picked up the pots and bagged ourselves 1 good sized swimmer. So end of the day Dad and young fella had a great time and 1 crab for the pot.

Nice Jew, good to see some nice results

Mine is Chunky Bottomfisher

I also have a young "first mate" (9yo) I had a bit of a look for answers but this is all I could find. The only real info I found is issued by Victoria, WA and Q/land. I would guess that NSW rules would be similar owing to the fact that a lot of kids (under 18) do go fishing without an Adult. http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/fisheries/education/fishing-info-for-kids/family-fishing-guide Junior Code of Conduct You can help manage, protect and conserve fish and their habitat by following the six principles of the Junior Code of Conduct (below), which was developed from the National Code of Practice for recreational and sport fishing. Don't leave your tackle behind Quality catchments equals quality fish Fish with friends Take only what you need You're the solution to water pollution Throw the little ones back Hope this helps, Cheers Greg

Thanks for all the replies good to hear I am not the only feeling the frustrations and not the only ramp feeling the snarl. I will definitely look at Parsley Bay next time, and some of the other ramps mentioned by Kingie Chaser although I think the RMS have included a couple of private ramps owned by Boat Hire mobs. (I know 2 are) I did write an email to the Gosford Council, who apparently are the authority responsible suggesting that they sign post the area and maybe even rangers/security visit the car park from time to time during peak times, but over all I think finding another option is the best approach. I travel out there all the way from Campbelltown area so it does make it extremely frustrating. Cheers all Greg

True Jeff, Look at Botany Bay Ramp, it has full time Security during weekends and holidays, it works very successfully for all, surely a system like that would prove itself good for all.

Hi all, I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that Santa was good to you all. I'm a first time poster on reports, so hope I don't sound to much like a whinger but I'm an avid fan and hope to be adding more successful reports over the 2017 year and hope to get into the annual Hairtail event this year, couldn't last year because of work commitments. Took the family for a fish yesterday Thursday 29/12 and decided to launch the boat at the ramp beside the F3/M1, I've been fishing on the Hawkesbury for a few years now although still have lot to learn. Been chasing the elusive Jew for a few years now, only soapies so far biggest to date is 690mm but I keep trying. We arrived at the ramp at about 7am and was greeted by complete chaos, while the wife and the young fella went of the toilet, I readied the boat to drop in the water. I managed to get in beside a parked car and a Mobile home that had decided that the boat prep area was the best place for him to park. After backing the boat down to the ramp and launching it was now time to find a park for my car and trailer. What a wondrous adventure this was, cars were parked in the trailer parking area preventing anyone from parking a car and trailer, mostly people camping along the back tree line and of course more motor homes. Place looked more like a caravan park than a boat ramp. (I am truly surprised they haven't started charging to use the area by now) I noticed 4 people sitting in their 4wd and asked them if they could move and go round to the carpark area so that I could park my car and boat trailer as that is what the area is reserved for, I was told rather abruptly where to go. I noticed a Highway patrol car and started walking over toward him, at that point they did decided to move, and I managed to park the car and trailer. I spoke to the Highway patrol officer and was informed that the police have no jurisdiction over the carpark and they cannot tell people where they can and cannot park, and here was me thinking it was a public domain. We finally set off although, tried fishing near the oyster leases but the wind kept pushing us away so near the top of the tide we tried under the Rail Bridge, unfortunately nothing on the chew apart from undersize Bream and Tailor, still young fella got to christen his new rod and reel on some smaller fish (start out small only, way is up from there). We decided to head upstream and found a nice little beach to have a picnic and a soak in the river. After arriving back at the ramp and finally managing to get back on the jetty, we were greeted by nothing short of complete and utter chaos, there were cars parked in the prep area 2 deep, as well as special mate with his motor home, I spoke to a couple of guys waiting to launch, (they had been waiting for nearly 1/2hr to get their boat in the drink) boat owners were now having to line up beside the fish cleaning area down past the toilets so they could either launch or retrieve their boats, which in turn lead to the exit being blocked. The whole area was pretty much stuffed, more cars parked in the trailer parking area than boat trailers. I told the blokes I was talking to that I would wait til they launched before moving my car so they had somewhere to park. After a 3/4hr wait I finally managed to retrieve my boat and I had to drive up to the roundabout to clean up and get the boat ready for the road trip home. The area is shocking especially considering it is designed and laid out as a Boat ramp for boats, If the police can't do anything about it, whose job is it, are the RMS responsible for it or Council. I know the area was opened up so as to enable more boat trailer parking but all this has done is attracted more cars to the area and made it nearly impossible for boat owners. Anyway happy to report was an excellent fun, family day out fishing. Wishing everyone tight lines and a Happy New Year.

Hi Zack, Congrats on Boat and forthcoming bub. I am pretty much in the same boat (no pun intended) I have my own boat (16ft with a 60hp) but also short on fishing buddies. I go fishing with my young fella (8yo) a fair bit. But it's a bit hard taking him out overnight fishing and he's not to keen on lumpy water. Hoping to have another crack at Hairtail and Jew this year as well. I spend most of my time fishing on the Hawksbury river down to Pittwater/Broken Bay. I'm starting to look towards exploring Sydney Harbour as well. I'm in Campbelltown. Anyone else keen to fish feel free to contact me.

Gday all, my names Greg, I passed 50 and going strong, Been fishing most of my life, I'm a kiwi but been over here for over 25 years now, some top fishing over here. I have 1 young fella, 8 years old gong on 40, we head out fishing whenever we can. I have a 16ft Aussie Flightcraft with a new 60 ETEC goes well. Used to have a 18ft Seafarer with a 140 on the back but was a bit much to handle solo so down scaled. Haven't been able to get out much this season, either too much rain or working, been a drab season for me. I got onto these forums researching Hairtail, It's still 1 fish that has eluded me but I keep trying. I prefer to fish the Hawkesbury. I love chasing Jew but so far nothing big to report only the small one, throw back ones. Cheers Greg