lakelad

Hi @zmk1962 & @noelm I've run some tests. The larger prop gets the boat out of the hole better, and still allows revs to max out (WOT 6000rpm). Top speed is perhaps a little slower, but not much in it (1-2 knots maybe). Hopefully the info from this thread will help others, there is also some great info in the user manual with a 'Propeller Selection' section which pretty much matches the advice in this thread (RTFM hey..).

Thanks @Noelm and @zmk1962, I appreciate your logical advice and time taken to share, that all sounds fair and makes sense to me. Will run some tests assuming it fits, both motors are Mercury of similar ages and hp if that helps.. otherwise it might be a short experiment! Will post back after I have had a chance to try them both.

I've got the option of two propellers and would like recommendations on what one to use. The boat is a 4.75m Quintrex Freedom Sport (Aluminium Bowrider), with a 60hp Mercury 4 stroke (2004 hull and motor). The two props are both stainless 3 blades: 1. Apollo (10 1/2 inch x 13) Michigan Wheel XHS - https://www.propellerdepot.com/michigan-wheel-apollo-10-12-x-13-rh-993406-boat-prop 2. Solas (11 3/8 inch x 12) - https://www.propellerdepot.com/solas-new-saturn-11-38-x-12-rh-3331-114-12-prop The smaller prop is on the Mercury 4 Stroke 4 cyl already from previous owner, and the second prop is off a 2 stroke 50hp 3cly Mercury. I'm looking to use the boat for fishing, and pulling kids in a tube.. a quick Google tells me a larger prop (Solas) may be best to pull a family worth of weight out of the hole and tube etc. I don't mind losing a little top speed. Am I on the money? (Note I found a user manual, which had a range of props but not these sizes.. http://www.dunnva.com/images/Mercury_Mariner_Download_2001_Service_Manual.pdf)

Nice haul @GoingFishing, out of interest how do you put the worms on the hook typically - up the middle of the worm so to speak, or back and forth through it's side to fit more on?

Feeling bites is very much down to the line being taunt, and the equipment being used. If the line is loose between you and the hook you won't feel a bite. You're right, everyone will recommend different things.. What works for me when fishing for bream I'd use a 1-4kg rod with smaller reel (1000-2500) and 6-8lb braid (no stretch), 6-8lb fluro leader. I use size 2 hooks BTW for bream typically 20-40cm around our way. I'd have no hope to try and get the same feel on my bottom bashing rod (24kg) or a basic surf rod (12 foot heavy things..) to the 1-4kg bream rod. I recall a holiday where I only had a beach rod and we ended up in a inlet fishing with nippers for whiting, was much harder on the 12 foot rod (graphite rod) than typically with a lighter 1-4kg setup - still got some whiting but less feel, more hit and hope and think I nearly ripped the heads off some when striking 😆 Enjoy the fishing, you know more than enough from these posts to get out there and see what works and get dinner. Every day on the water is a different day, keep the reports coming!

What a well written report, enjoyed that while I ate my lunch in the office. Great to see you found some fish. I guess you can continue collecting evidence for your hypotheses next time, good to see the second option of lures paid dividends. Keep the reports coming!

I feel like I've been click baited 😅, glad you managed dinner!

Nice report and good fish, we caught some salmon last week and bled them straight away and cooked up in pieces in flour a couple of hours later. Everyone raved about how good it was, definitely worth eating this way even though they get a bad rap in the forums. You've also taught me that Rock Cale are called Cocky's, found some good info in this thread below, gotta love fish raider!

@Scratchie Nice haul! Aspiring snapper fisherman here.. I catch a lot of squire.. what do you mean by the bait thinning out causing you to move on, are you throwing plastics at known snapper spots where you see bait on the sounder then seeing less bait on the sounder?

Well that's a nice surprise! We were anchored fishing Saturday night in the lake bait fishing for bream/snapper/trevs and an unlucky blue swimmer swum over and right into our net, I didn't knock that back either

Often we see the largest Snapper falling to plastics in these reports. Nice fish!

Nice haul, and the wife is definitely a keeper. How'd you get the squid @GoingFishing, do you throw a larger size squid jig out when bottom bashing just in case the squid or cuttles are there?

Fantastic @reelemin, sounds like a hot session and the best memories for you both to share. There are some good whiting tips in a couple of the Australian Lure Fishing pod casts episodes, I think fresh bait is best as you found but I have thrown some worm soft plastics in my bag for those 'just in case' days.. I find the podcast is something different to throw on in the car to work.

Yum! Nice catch, I've been meaning to give blackfishing a go, I have some floats and those small green hooks and have read the black fishing tips thread on this forum. Your post has made me keen to give it a go!

Nice fish @campr shame about the hook, a reminder for us all, really only a matter of time for most this type of thing. @wazatherfisherman I was wondering the same thing, the approach described here to disengage the barb with the needle is clever. I got a treble stuck in my finger recently (Zerek vibe trebles are bloody sharp!), was at home preparing the boat for a fish at the time and went to the local hospital which is pretty close. In my case they took an xray to check if it was caught on anything, then got some big pliers and pushed the barb in further till it went back out the of the finger, then they cut the barb off and the hook easily slid back out where it went in. I think in many cases you would be OK to push it through yourself, but no doubt there are cases where it could be caught internally or push through a vein etc. and cause more damage and so it really depends on the situation and your risk tolerance. Flushing the wound, and ensuring a recent tetanus shot would no doubt be important.

I see the PLB as a necessity for that situation KB, most offshore style life jackets have the pocket for PLB/knife/strobe. That man was lucky to have his knife and PLB on his person and accessible when he got knocked off the boat.. scary stuff.. It's mandated for offshore yacht racing now, and PLB's are good value, I remember paying almost $2k for one to do the Sydney to Hobart years ago and it was bulkier. The life cell looks great for the situation where you have enough time to grab it, and much better than the plastic crate I've got hidden under the bow on my boat.. time to do some online shopping and pick one up.

Great report and photos @Fergofisher, were you fishing whole squid and yakkas, or strips? Two hooks and paternoster sinker? Nothing like watching the busy world/traffic blast by and be relaxing in the boat, great way to clear the head, and to snag some soapies is a bonus. Keep the reports coming!

I was thinking the same thing, if I broke someone else's rod I'd be replacing it for sure, that's just the done (right) thing yeh?

Great report Gents, some good time on the water, a quality Blue eye and raising a marlin 👍 I haven't done any deep drop fishing as yet, interesting to see another boat in the background that far out I guess it's a known spot! Prices aren't too bad online for sinkers, Viro 3kg are $15 delivered online, depends how often you lose them I guess.. and how many spare house bricks you have lying around 😆

Another great squid session in a number of days @danielsydney, awesome! Some crackers there and looks like you have them worked out in your area! I put a post on your other thread from Saturday similar to Zorans questions around the rig used, are you just using a single large squid jig (33g) without a sinker?

I'm also keen to hear @danielsydney's reply for this also @anthman. Also, any tips for cleaning squid ink off a painted rear section of aluminium boat, I've left some there for a while now and it's pretty well stuck on! We've been working paternoster rigs with two smaller jigs in the lake here for arrows, works well for that smaller variety and can adjust the sinker for windier/faster drifts. Haven't tried it offshore for green eyes, but am keen to try it out. More info here on this style of rig:

Thanks for some great tips @Pickles, I seem to get yakkas quite easily most days in the ocean out of Swansea Heads using the standard bait jigs (sabiki), however I need to find some backup spots for those days when they don't fire and your tips sound like good advice for those days when they are not dime a dozen. I keep a sabiki rod rigged up in the boat, which helps reduce tangles and be instantly ready for slimies, just need to remember to wash it with fresh water else the hooks from last time rust. I buy the sabiki rigs in bulk off ebay and find the green ones seem to work better here than red.

Those TD Black rods look sweet@Rock hopper, how balanced is the 2500 on the 10-15kg rod?

That session was really informative, some good tips on catching flatty's on bait and lure and some good education around the significantly positive impacts of returning large females as identified via formal research.

Making memories, good times!