Escaped

Even if the weather isnt fantastic, dont discount dropping the boat in and going just round the corner and trolling some lures 100m off the lighthouse. There's some great structure there and i've caught nice spotties, spanish, mac tuna, bonito, snapper on ordinary days where other boats have all pulled the pin. Also definitely head out to both the wave rider and the fad for marlin and dollies.

Well done on the fish mate. Is that a 575 Cruise Craft Explorer?

I have got a 450 Escape with a Yammi 50 4 stroke, and the wife and i regularly fish well beyond the shelf and tangle with +150kg marlin, deep drop etc. They are a capable little boat, handle big seas surprisingly well, great on fuel, easy to tow, store and handle. But they are a harsh ride when choppy and the wave period drops, they don't have a whole lot of deck space, and can be a wet ride. The 520 Formosa is a great boat, much nicer ride and the wife will be more comfortable in this boat.

I see what you did there lol Congrats on the fish.

Awesome Waz well done. It's a great river, you will have a lot of fun exploring it. There's plenty of muddies about now too if your in to catching them.

You don't want to try and go through the mouth at Old Bar or Harrington. The best option is to launch at Crowdy Head, there's no bar to cross and it's got a great 4 lane pontoon ramp. Or there's Forster to the south, there's a bar to cross, you can view the cam here http://www.marine-rescue.com.au/bom/liveCam.html Was fishing off Old Bar a few days ago, there's a lot of pearl perch, reds and flathead about.