frankS

After watching The Bronko's demolish the Warriors I thought this is a team that can beat the Panthers and my tip was for a Bronko's win. With 20 minutes to go I thought I was correct to tip the Bronko's . The Panthers truly deserved the win. I think the man of the match should have gone to the Referee. Frank

The truth of the matter is whales get barnacles all over them and at times they irritate the whale. They see a boat as a scratching post and rub their back on the hull of a boat to dislodge the offending barnacles. I was fishing off Wollongong back in the late 60's earlt 70's in my Pongrass 15 foot half cab and several smallish whales were swimming close by. One of them came a bit too close and rubbed up against the boat. It was approx the same size as the boat and pushed it about 8 feet sideways, luckily it didn't tip and the whale slowly swam away looking back at the boat as it went to join the others. I have had a few close encounters with whales and this was the closest I have come to being a victim. I have old video tape of whales playing around my boat for several minutes but can't upload it here. Frank

It works for Manly Dam and Prospect is 10 times the size so I can't see a problem with allowing fisher folk in there. I would think no outboard motors would be a good thing as with some areas in the A C T . Have the outboard on the transom but always tilted up and not in use. Otherwise it's a real pain removing anything heavier than about a 25hp motor specially if it's forward controlled. Frank

I for one would love to see fishing allowed in Prospect reservoir . As a teenager back in the late 60's early seventy's I had a mate who was a security guard at the site and I would visit him sometimes at night. I would walk around the walls of the lake and there were huge Cod swimming close to the walls . I never took a line into the area as this would have got my mate in big trouble IF I were court fishing the lake . I would also like fishing to be allowed in the Warragamba catchement . Wow what a fishery that would be. Frank

That is a great haul. The Nannygai is the largest I have seen in quiet a while. You got to be happy with a catch like that. Thought it was a Red Snapper ( not the common Snapper to it's right of photo ) but looks like it's got 6 dorsal spikes where the red snapper has 7 . But then again the curved shape of the head is evident of the Red Snapper. Any experts care to comment ?. Frank

I have 2 of them , use them bottom bashing on offshore reefs for Snapper and the like. Good no thrills rods. Frank

One of my trailers is fitted with one and I have never used it. towed the boat all over NSW up and down the coast for thousands of miles and never had an issue with it. Got the trailer 2nd hand many years ago and although I have re-built the rear end of the trailer the draw bar with the swing away section has never been touched. The trailer also has a beach launch drawbar fitted when needed, that also has not been used. Frank

My Fishraider shirts have good design on the back. I have both Black and White Frank

I have always been of the opinion that IF fuel was older than about 4 months old I would get rid of it somehow, either give it to someone to put in their car (always mixed fuel) or some other means. I recently bought a boat with a underfloor tank, I guess about 150 ltr capacity and it had some fuel left in the bottom of the tank. My intension is to remove the tank and give it a good flush out before using the boat. (straight fuel with no oil added) . I have never used stabilizers as I am under the impression that they are just money makers for someone. I have used Metho on occasions to get rid of water moisture. This thread has got me thinking IS all the hassle of removing the tank worth the effort. Frank

I for one would love to see fishing allowed in Prospect reservoir . As a teenager back in the late 60's early seventy's I had a mate who was a security guard at the site and I would visit him sometimes at night. I would walk around the walls of the lake and there were huge Cod swimming close to the walls . I never took a line into the area as this would have got my mate in big trouble IF I were court fishing the lake . I would also like fishing to be allowed in the Warragamba catchement . Wow what a fishery that would be. Frank

Congratulations on your success so far and all the very best for the upcoming trials. I'm sure you both will be able to hold your head up high. Competing and doing your very best is an achievement in itself and the trophies will come to add to the many Rosie has already won. Frank

Get yourself a can of this stuff and follow instructions. I was a carpet layer for the first 30 years of my working days till my knees and back gave way. And I used this way back then and it's still on the market so it must do a good job Frank

40HP will be fine for that boat. I have an OLD Quintrex 14 foot tinnie and it's rated up to 50hp. Frank

As I mentioned before, the previous owners were not particularly keen on doing things to suit a salt water enviroment with mild steel nuts and bolts everywhere. The trailer is fitted with 4 x clearance lights one on each guard. The red is facing forward with the white/clear facing rearward. and of course the steel screws that hold them on are all rusted up. This project may take a little longer than first thought. I haven't even started the engine as yet, just going by the video that it runs. If it turns out to be a dud I will be taking the 90hp Etec off my Savage Lancer and throwing it on as my funds have dried up. I know this will make the boat somewhat slower but I am not a speed demon on the water. The ETec has only 180 hours on it, I would service it before installing as it has been sitting around without use for about 5 years. Frank

Hoods. Always keen to see photos of any boat and chances are I may be able to give you some ideas. My email fastrailers@optusnet.com.au send some photos and give me some idea as to what you want to do. Frank

Neil. As you know I don't do anything in a hurry, my limited mobility takes me a lot longer these days to get anything done. There is quiet a lot that needs to be done to this boat to get it to the condition that I want it, full wiring job as the people that owned it before me had the idea that 2 wires wrapped around each other and wrapped in tape was good enough. Steel screws nuts and bolts all over the place, some need grinding off. silly plastic rod holders on all sorts of different angles, nothing looks uniform. Another thing the boat is over at a mate's place in Guildford and I have to go over there to do anything to it. I estimate 3-4 weeks work left on it and then I will be taking it down to Bermagui and leaving it there so I will have a boat down there and won't have to tow the thing down every time I want to go down there for a fish. When I take it down Sometime, I would love for you to drive down there, and I could take you out fishing for a few days. Free accommodation and 3-4 days catching good quality fish, you could fill your freezer. It's a bit of a drive but I'm sure you would enjoy yourself. And no pressure you could stay as long or as short a time as you like. Frank

Had to get 4 new tyres as 2 of the tyres had slight sidewall cracking. Overwise passed with flying colours. New hubs/discs/calipers and pads new submersible lights ( not fitted yet ) blue slipped with light board. Frank

I believe any form of device to help the plastic stay where you want it is good. Frank

Sorry Derek but I've gotta say it. What a load of crap! , like I mean technology is one thing but to try and get a jig head to lay at a certain angle to the sea/river bed is simply going too far. Like the river bad is NOT a flat table and who wants their plastic to sit on the bottom of the river/ocean anyway ?. You generally keep the plastic moving with motion Don't you ? OR am I missing something here ?. Tackle refinement is getting out of hand with these guys telling the average fisho that all this high tech stuff is important. Sorry for sounding negative but I feel I just had to speak my opinion. Frank

DD. I knew Geoff, He lived close by to me. I was not aware of his passing. He used to drop in from time to time for a chat . I am saddened to learn of his passing. Frank

I guess we have all been a bit silly with grinders etc If we care to admit it., I know I have had a few cuts and a few close shaves at major damage. I often take short cuts and with better luck than management most of the time I come out without damage My old age is teaching me to take things a little more cautiously of late. Small cuts and bruises heal without permanent damage but it's the BIG hurt you need to be worried about. Frank

Next job will be fitting new lights to the trailer, I have fitted new hubs,discs,calipers and pads. Taking it for it's blue slip on Friday. Need to modify the bait board to fit this boat, fit new rod holders etc. Updates to follow. Frank

Noel. Throw some sand in a bucket of paint and paint the floor with it, lot cheaper and better than carpet. If you let me know exactly what switches you want I could get them from electronics specialist and post to you. Frank

Noel. Hope you are going to show us some progress photos as the re-fab takes shape. Frank

I made up a seat base which holds 3 x double plastic tackle boxes and a basket at the bottom to hold leaders spare line etc and put my new seat on it I managed to buy 2x 21/2 kg and 2x 1 1/2 kg fire extinguishers from an auction very cheap so used 1 x 2 1/2 one here. More to follow as I do things Frank