Maniac

On 7/23/2022 at 12:56 PM, bobthelob2341 said:

I’ve got the airmar tm275lhw and it suits my needs perfectly doing similar things to what you’re wanting to do, I chose the tm275 because it has a wider cone making it easier to mark bait when trolling and travelling between spots etc. I’ve marked kings in 120m travelling 20kts not sure if I’d be able to do that with another transducer. I’m also running a Simrad nss evo16s. 

Thanks mate, this was the transducer I had in mind!  

Hi all, my first post in a while.. was hoping someone would be able to help with some transducer advice (transom mount). I'm going to purchase the simrad NSS7 evo 3 and a 1kw transducer, so many different choices its a bit overwhelming. Ill be chasing jewfish, snapper & kings inshore and also occasionally game fishing out to the shelf. 

I'm from the Illawarra and the places that sell Simrad down here have been no help... 

On 11/21/2021 at 10:33 PM, Ragnar said:

Have you had any luck yet @Maniac?

A lot of casts between fish with the big lures, I’m still looking for that 80+cm model on swimbait, I landed a 72cm earlier this year after dropping a much bigger one the session before.
I went for a flats mission last night, had a couple of missed hits with the Jackall gantia. Shame the cloud cover spoiled the full moon! 

I think the key thing is to really work out a spot. Go there at low tide, even with no fishing gear and suss it out for lays, pay attention to which direction they’re facing, that will give you a good indication of what part of the tide they’re in the area (run in/run out). And fish the same area on that part of the tide. And also look for any weedbeds or drains that they might sit in around waiting to ambush! Doesn’t have to be much of a drain, even if it’s only an extra 10-15cm deeper than the area around it they will use that.

If you’re wading around at night it really pays to stay as quite as you can when moving around. I had something belt some bait less than 2m from me last night, nearly filled my waders up that’s for sure haha

Also talk to some locals in the area, you’ll be surprised what they might tell you! I bumped into this old bloke at this spot I fish, he had hand drawn mud maps of the mangrove areas and would go there at every low tide and document the size and number of lays in the area, I think he was writing a book on it. That morning he counted about half a dozen lays over 1m, could potentially only be the 1 fish moving spots during the tide phases, but knowing that is enough for me to drive the 1 hour there for a few hour session haha I actually took a photo of a one of the lays. That’s an 18cm Jackall gantia sitting next to it!

Hi mate, I haven’t been in ages works been crazy dying to get out cheers for the info, I haven’t got one yet.

On 9/12/2021 at 4:41 PM, Maniac said:

I am on a mission, chasing a 80cm + flathead in Lake Illawarra on a glide bait. I’m using the MMD whiting, went for my first flick Friday morning on the incoming tide, had one big hit but it didn’t stick! I Disturbed an absolute croc would have been 90cm plus when moving location. I am Fishing in 2-5ft of water, I will keep this report updated, as I continue the pursuit.

Day 2 - not a touch or a follow…

On 9/14/2021 at 4:03 PM, Mike Sydney said:

Good luck Maniac and I hope you rip out some big ones. What setup are you using for these? 

There was an episode of ALF podcast a few months ago about chasing flathead with jointed baits that got me interest  and there seem to be a lot of specialised rods for these types of lures. I’ve been eyeing up a Daiwa Tatula .
 

Hi Mike,

I am using a spin outfit shimano sienna combo HD902 6-8kg running 12lb braid and 15lb leader handles it perfectly. 

I am on a mission, chasing a 80cm + flathead in Lake Illawarra on a glide bait. I’m using the MMD whiting, went for my first flick Friday morning on the incoming tide, had one big hit but it didn’t stick! I Disturbed an absolute croc would have been 90cm plus when moving location. I am Fishing in 2-5ft of water, I will keep this report updated, as I continue the pursuit.

2 hours ago, noelm said:

Yep, beaches are dead at the moment, that's for sure, there's a few Bream around the rocks, but that's about it.

Sure are, I’m going to give the beach a rest and chase some bream in the lake.

I fished Windang last night, not even a touch and the crabs are still there!

On 8/10/2021 at 5:31 PM, reelaxation said:

I have used a 15-37kg rod with a Spinfisher 950SSM and it was the worst rod and reel I have ever picked up- hard to cast unless casting 250gm+ and felt like I was holding a broom handle not a fishing rod. I have fished the beaches ALL my life and the most I have ever needed to use is a 8-12kg can ping 8oz leads and whole yakkas a blasted long way. I can cast my MT9144 glass rod further with same weight than my mates who have ABU, Daiwa and Shimano high end graphite rods...

 

My personal opinion- Graphite rods are completely over-rated off the beaches and off the stones unless you are throwing big plastics or hard bodies/metals around- for big baits I will go old skool fibreglass or composite EVERY time.

 

I recommend a Gary Howard MT9144 or Bulldog MT7177 for long distance casting, it will outlast, outperform and do everything better than any Penn (or any other graphite rod) on the market and prob a helluva lot cheaper.

 

As a fishing guide I only tech my clients with bait and we use Glass or composite rods 100% no graphite and I have been using glass rods for over 40years off the beaches - I have tried several "so called" top shelf graphite rods and they just dont do it for me personally, I dont like that action of the feel of graphite throwng any kind of bait in any conditions, but thats just me. For throwing lures I ONLY use carbon/graphite rods so I am not being a snob about my gear I just know what I like to use and what works for me.

 

Good luck finding the right rod for what you want mate

Thanks got the advice mate, I was afraid of it feeling like a broom handle. 
 

I’ll also be sure to check out the glass rods you mentioned.

cheers

1 hour ago, Green Hornet said:

Are you looking to cast these live baits, let them swim out themselves or slide bait them?

I personally haven't fished one but going by the stats the 15-37 may be the rod for you if you're set on a Prevail and looking at casting a legal size tailor. As said above, a rod that can cast 350g must be an absolute beast, but necessary to cast such a heavy bait.

If you're looking more to swim or slide bait your livies out, I think the 6-12 rod would be a more suitable choice. That's of course unless you want to beach some large sharks, which you'll most likely encounter using big baits.

Its a pity Penn don't make a Prevail somewhere between these two rods as their is a huge difference between them in specs.

 

 

I cast whole yakkas and swim everything else out or slide bait. 
 

I see they have a 13ft 8-20kg which I am thinking of going with, just don’t want to regret my choice… 

Hi guys,

I’m looking at getting a Penn prevail 15kg-37kg for chasing Mulloway. Has anyone else used one this heavy?looking for some feedback. I usually fish live yakkas or Tailor off the beach and if not live large dead baits. 
I am after the 15-37kg for the casting weight but don’t want to end up regretting the purchase.

cheers,

john

Went for a flick the other day chasing a big flathead, I have been throwing a 120mm sugapen in the hope of beating my PB of 70cm, with no luck, later that day ended up heading down the beach with the kids to land a few whiting later in the day, on beach worm which was great! Got 4 up to 40cm.

If anyone has any tips with chasing big flathead let us know, I’m thinking of throwing some swim baits.

here’s a link to a flathead session I had a couple of months back if your board in this weather….

Cracking flathead! Nice work

What a feed! Sounds like nice morning.

Hit Lake Illawarra yesterday morning on the top of the high tide, chasing flathead on the flats. I threw plastics around for most of the session without a touch.... I threw on a Daiwa double clutch 95mm and caught 3 within 45min. Biggest going 52cm.

Really enjoyed the hit on the hard bodies, so much more aggressive. A pain getting the treble hooks out though. 
 

I just bought the MMD whiting glide bait and will be throwing that next weekend hoping for a croc!

Great report! Looks like you had an awesome day on the water.

Sounds like a great afternoon! That is what it’s all about. Watching the kids catch fish is as good as it gets.

Awesome fish! I believe it put up a hard fight, look at the bloody thing it’s a big unit! 

1 hour ago, noelm said:

Saw a light on the beach in front of my place last night, wonder if it was you? Not trying to get your location, just an observation.

I wish mate would love to get them close to home. I was north of Wollongong

Decided to hit one of the local beaches for a Jewfish session. Chasing these fish hasn't been easy for me, many fishless nights but last night paid off and all the hard work was worth it. 

Started the night collecting fresh Yakkas and aimed to be at the beach by 9:30pm to fish up to the high tide at 11:45pm. Arrived at the beach and we had it all to ourselves and the conditions were perfect! set the two out fits  - Penn Slammer 9500 spooled with 40lb mono 60lb leader - 12 foot Penn rod & a Penn spinnfisher 8500 spooled with 20lb mono and 30lb leader both snell rigged. I use the 40lb outfit for larger baits. 

10:45pm the 20lb outfit goes off was running a yakka fillet and I was stocked to land my first silver slab measuring 84cm, not a giant but I am very happy with it. 

11:15pm the 40lb outfit goes off with a whole yakka, rod dragging across the sand........ ended up with another Jew and released it to fight another day. 

what a night! now i get to feed the family on good Friday with some fresh Jew!  

On 3/28/2021 at 6:14 PM, DaveBM said:

Awesome fish and vid.

Gave me nightmares though- what would easily be my best flattie (also in Lake Illawarra) was lost due to weed. I had it in 20cm of water, even touched it, then it spooked and took off for another run in the quick running channel. It picked up so much crap on the line that I wasn’t even sure when I lost it. Just couldn’t keep pressure on the business end.

That’s fishing though isn’t it! Always devastating losing a good fish.

The flatty I got headed for the weed pretty quick in the fight I could feel it rubbing through it...

Can’t beat a day on the water with a mate, even better when you land a few fish.

1 hour ago, dazamcstaga said:

Brilliant fish!

What rod are you using?

Shimano Raider 722 - 1-4kg

Stradic - 8lb braid

Been chasing Flathead on the flats on the night tide and it’s been very productive on the Zman 4inch minnow.

Last weekends session got a 50cm , 60cm and a 70cm in a 1 hour session had to leave due to work. The 70cm put up the best fight I have ever had from a flathead, they fight hard in the shallow water on lures. Check out the fight on my YouTube link https://youtu.be/tucTqgCjNoc

(warning language alert on video)

19 hours ago, SaltyGreek said:

Congratulations on your first Jew. Just wondering, was this caught at 7 mile beach. My dad has caught some jews there around Shoalhaven heads Surf club. Once Again, congratulations on the fish.

Cheers mate, got the Jew at Corrimal beach.