the skipper

Thanks everyone for the feedback and I agree with alot of what you say. It would have probably saved a lot of anks if security , a contractor, had an answer like it is clean up the foreshore day etc. Yeah I use that ramp a lot on weekends and must admit it is a very rare problem but for others who are time poor these days are trying to have a day out fishing in their pride and joy have no patience and I find this is when the problems start. Personally , I think it is a good facility considering the amount of boat traffic it handles. Cheers The Skipper

Morning to all ! Found some time yesterday morning to drag the boat out for a fish with my son on a cracker of a day that was until I got the boat ramp at Foreshore Drive where we parked in the right turn bay for around 15 mins as it seemed a lot of other fishos had the same idea with the weather being on point. It wasn't until I actually crept into the line of boats waiting to put in that the problem became obvious for the hold up. There would have been at least 50 cars parked without trailers in the parking bays for boat trailers which caused a huge problem and some heated exchanges between boaters and security who clearly did not care about the issue this was causing. I approached the security guy but his defence was that it is a public carpark and anyone can park anywhere. At the south eastern end of the parking area there is a section that has a sign that reads cars only parking where the gate was open but no cars were parked in there. I travel good 45 mins sometimes longer to use this ramp as I think it is good facility and it easy access to a wide variety of fishing grounds in and around Botany Bay. Do not know what can be done to remedy this but if security had simply stopped the cars without boats and directed them to the cars only section then it would have gone along way to it not becoming an issue in the first place. Apart from that had a great morning on the water hooking into a school of bonito inside the bay. Cheers The Skipper

Nice job Pickles . Was this Sydney Harbour or the bay ? The skipper

Mate no better feeling than being the skipper of your own boat and a wise move taking someone experienced with you. Regardless of how many times you put it in the water you will always find different things that need to be done and that you will learn to do things your own way. You can listen to everyone who will give you advice on how things should be done , and there will be plenty of those, but for what it is worth from me listen to what they have to say and make your own decisions on what you think is best for your and your crew. I hope it brings you as much fun and enjoyment that I get out of my setup with my family and friends. Stay safe out there and tight lines. PS. happy to meet up when you are ready to share a day out on the bay. Cheers

Nice bag Scratchie.. looking forward to Easter> The Skipper

Mate, I have bought two boats from Qld and towed them back into NSW . I had to hand the plates in before I left QLD which then deregistered the trailer so I had to get a permit to tow it back which only lasts a couple of days and you cannot diviate from your trip otherwise you need to get another permit at around $40 a pop. When you get it back here you then have to get a blue slip for the both boat and trailer before you can register in NSW absolutely ridiculous it is like we live in a different countries as nothing is recognised from one state to another. I had a road worthy certificate on one of the trailers I bought that was done by the previous owner in QLD which was done the week before I bought it and RMS NSW would not recognise that hence the blue slip which are not cheap. You also need to register the boat in NSW where you have to take it to licenced inspection person to check all its number etc cost around another $200 plus. Absolute bullshit this country !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you start to use your electric motor you will get addicted to it and a normal battery will not cut it and may leave you stranded. Keep your battery as close to the electric as possible to also save amps. Do yourself a favour and invest in a deep cycle 100 amp or better and only use it for the electric that way you have a solid back up if your main battery goes down. With me if you are going to set up a boat with the bells and whistles do not skimp the pennies on the important items.

Mate regardless of what hook you use I would always flatten the barb . I find you get more hook ups and less trauma to fish you need to release. I do not use long shank hooks on dropper / paternoster rigs and still hook good catches of flathead etc. The Skipper

Hi Raiders , I am shooting up to Lake Macquarie on Saturday to wet a line has anyone got any numbers / GPS marks they would be willing to share ? The Skipper

Nice reds Jeff ..

Mate, I was married in 1980 and coming up for 40 years September next year. We have four grandchildren who will never experience what I did as a kid growing up in the 60's and 70's. As a kid I would ride my bike everywhere without any worries of road rage or getting caught using my mobile phone while riding. I actually feel sorry for the kids of today as their life is constant video games and social media bullshit! Yeah I am old school and proud of it and would not change a thing in what we did bringing up our kids but as sad as it is to say it will be lost on their children. However the 80's was a good era to raise your children and I am very proud of how they have turned out the rest is upto them. Anyway enough of this crap get out there and take your kids fishing it is one thing we can all share together. Tight lines.. The Skipper

Hawkesbury prawns are in stock.

yes mate they take some getting use to but I am a fan at the moment.

I have my dream boat but it now needs to be the bigger version a Sailfish S8 Platinum but I do not have $250k which mind you I would pay in a heart beat given the opportunity so I will settle with my 6m Reef Runner. On top of that there is the cost of the truck to tow it Dodge Ram or F250 so throw in another $120k plus the mods I would make to the boat and call it a cool $400k there we go, done and dusted For those who have not experienced a twin hull once you do you won't go back in my opinion.

Nice Reds Jeff I will get up there one day soon this summer. Cheers Paul.