indepth

G'day people of fishraider long time no speak only because o've had nothing to say or report. This fishing season has been terrible anyway my mate & I are going to greenwell point next week Sunday 7th for 3 days has anyone got any good news reports on the fishing down that way. We are thinking we might get out to the banks at some stage depending on the currents out there. Some news would be appreciated good or bad. Cheers Indepth(Tom)

G'day scratchie: Your right the sound of a screaming reel & the site of a really good fish is amazing how it can turn a trip around from nothing to a great memory. Awesome fish well done. Indepth (Tom)

G'day people of fishraider FYI: This is a quick run down of how our morning out off Bellambi last Tuesday 19th Sept went, arrived at boat ramp N/E blowing lightly after last trip decided we are going. Launched boat around 0600 decided we would go out wide to drift for anything, got a bit wet on the way out wind seemed to pick up a bit, arrived 50mt mark first drop 2 really good blue spot 40 & 42cm. We decided to do another drift this time threw the sea anchor which slowed us a bit hooked several more flatties 44 to 55cm ended up with a dozen smallest being 40cm. After a few drifts me mate had a double paternoster rigged scored a good flattie & a 96cm gummy shark then I hooked an 86cm gummy these are the first gummy sharks we have ever caught seemed strange catching them here but apparently there have been reports in the area of them being caught but rarely. Anyway the wind got really strong & the drift got too quick so we pulled the pin headed back to the ramp with some fish to take home which was very satisfying considering the lean season we have had. So get out there & you will catch flatties & maybe even your first gummy like us. Cheers Indepth (Tom)

G'day people of fishraider tried to go fishing off Bellambi Wednesday 12th just gone strong N/E blowing 1 boat went out we turned around & went home. While we were leaving the boat ramp looked like the guy was returning to the ramp. Anyway will be trying next Tuesday 18th so if anyone has any reports for this area it would be greatly appreciated. We have been trying to get out for 2 months illness, weather & work have been a major hinderance anyway enough crying if someone can help with info thanks. Indepth(Tom)

Thanks for the reply GoingFishing didn't end up going picked up some loogy crook as a dog for two days. Cheers Indepth (Tom)

G'day going fishing: Nice couple of snapper a mate & I are heading out of bellambi this Thursday will post report after the event. I suppose no signs of cuttle fish spawning yet as you did't mention them. Could you tell me what depth you where fishing if you don't mind.Have heard a lot of different reports about where they are as far as depth goes. Cheers Indepth (Tom)

G'day Phil: Sorry for the late reply but I'm looking at a computer all day at work & the last thing I want is to look at one at home.Anyway we had been trolling hard body lures around the reefs not far from the mooring of the house boat, we had already caught a few Cobia which is what I thought the jewie was so it was a surprise for all of us I used prawn for bait & we were drifting. It is the first balck jewie we have caught as well so maybe just lucky to catch it. Cheers Tom

G'day JonD: The tenders are part of the hiring of the houseboat which we tow behind. How big is your rib it may be fine to travel down to Pera. There are also a lot of locations closer than Pera that fire as well, you also have the massive river systems & what they call the sticks which are the channel markers for the ships which are very close to Evans landing boat ramp.

G'day Basil D: As lucky fil has told you go on the web site of weipa house boats & you will be able to get all the details it is an awesome place to fish but as I mentioned the grey tax men can be an issue. We arrive on the friday, Steve's troopy will be in the car park for you he will advise of details, usually stay at the caravan park that night get all our supplies store them at Steve's site to refrigerate get on the houseboat next day. We get off the boat the following Friday stay at the caravan park O/N & try to get a flight home Saturday. The last few trips flights we haven't been available though so we leave Sunday I think the mines people have priority so we usually hire the tenders from Steve or try & get a fishing charter for the day although this year was very windy so we cancelled. Select which way to go, the tenders are towed behind the house boat, I would recommend south as the range of different species is very good as you can see from photos. They have moorings at various locations along the coast with the furtherest being at Pera .The reefs around there are very close to the mooring so its not far & your into fish almost straight up. Boyd bay is north of Pera which you pass on your way down which is another very good sight which is easy to get back to in the tenders. Steve can fill you in on any info you need they have 2 houseboats we pick the smaller of the 2 because we only take 4 guys which is very comfortable. So when we return we stay at the caravan park either 1 or 2 nights depending on return flights come home either Saturday or Sunday & get depressed with the lack of fishing options. This year the trip costs $2653 each for all fuel food beverages use of troopy for 2 days, mind you we did not fish the Saturday this time. Hope this helps you with deciding to go but get in early as it fills quickly we booked 12 months in advance, Cheers Tom (Indepth}

G'day people of fishraider I have just returned from a fishing trip to Weipa with 3 mates. We left on Friday 13th with no mishaps at all, for all those superstitious people, tied up on the mooring at the mouth of the channel by 5:30 pm with all supplies & fishing gear at the ready. We decided to head north towards the Nomonade & Pines rivers to try for barra & jacks this year as we had never been that way before. Unfortunately the barra & the jacks weren't to be found but I did manage to hook a 1.24mt spanish mackeral it was about 13kg on my Barra spin gear (5-8KG) spinning for qeenies. After a few days of trying we decided to head south to Pera Head our normal hunting grounds which was agreed to by all the boys & it was the right choice as we caught many Cobia, long tail Tuna busting up, more queenies, black jew, reef sharks & many Tusk fish one being over legal which was our first. The 2 cobia's in the photo are 1.03 & 1.2 mts each,the jewie was 96cm & 6 kg the quennie was 97cm & very fat through the middle. The locals rave about the taste of Tuskies & after eating it we now know what they are talking about it is absolutely delicious as was all our fish. We only eat what we can on the boat not choosing to bring stuff back & a lot of the fish we loose to the grey tax man. We have learnt over the years that if you can see the sharks actually attacking your fish we free spool & the fish out runs the sharks then we chase the fish to get line back then if we don't need any more to eat we release them which does work but not all the time. We returned home on Sunday the 22nd April & we all had withdrawals for fishing straight up so myself & one of the other guys went out the week after at Bellambi just doesn't compare to Weipa were the water temp was 30 deg compared to 19 here. I hope you all enjoy this short but hopefully interesting little story of our trip. Cheers Indepth

Went out at Bellambi NSW today headed up to headlands pub reports of snapper zero lots of port jackson & wobby sharks 1 keeper mowong no current again but great weather. Frustrated we headed out to the 50mt mark to drift for blue spot flatties mate hooked up a keeper Maui Maui out of no where only caught flatties to 36cm we only keep stuff 40 & up. Heading to weipa for our annual trip in 2 weeks hopefully will have lots of pictures & a good report. Cheers

Went out on Tuesday 6th Feb at Port Kembla the weather was great small seas no wind but unfortunatley no current either so no fish. Tried Tom Thumb island first couldn't anchor finally managed to hold bottom very slow then mates reel started screaming thought it was a good size kingy the way it ran. Finally got it to the boat it was a massive sting ray so we moved to Martin Island to the south drifted very slowly caught 3 kingies was the wind started moving the boat 60cm & 2 @ 50. Not having a real good day water police arrive for safety check all good till they asked for end date on flares out by two years let off with warning when I got home straight to a shop new flares so check your flares people not a good day but it beat working by a long shot. Cheers Tommo G'day people I have just signed up with fishraider I have been meaning to do it for a long time, anyway finally did.I was thinking of going out to the FAD at Port Kembla or out to bandit reef from Bellambi next Thursday with a mate anyone had any reports of dollies around the FAD. I have had vague reports of some small marlin off bandit can anyone confirm this as it may sway where we go. Cheers Tommo

G'day people I have just signed up with fishraider I have been meaning to do it for a long time, anyway finally did.I was thinking of going out to the FAD at Port Kembla or out to bandit reef from Bellambi next Thursday with a mate anyone had any reports of dollies around the FAD. I have had vague reports of some small marlin off bandit can anyone confirm this as it may sway where we go. Cheers Tommo

G'day people thinking of going out on Tuesday 6th Feb off Port Kembla any reports from this area would be much appreciated.

G'day people I'm new to this forum just wondering what you got the marlin on paddyT I've caught a lot of fish but never a marlin am really keen on getting one this season.