Davofishing

Hey Legends, Over the next two weeks, I intend on heading out into Botany bay via Tom Ugly's Bridge Boat Ramp. My intention was to fish somewhere between Tom Uglys Bridge and Captain Cook bridge and just let the current take me whilst I throw some lures/hardbodies and servo bait, nothing fancy. The intention was to get there at sunrise so I can take my time at the boat ramp. I will be with another person too. boat is nothing fancy - 4.5m, 40hp. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for the area? Anything I should look out for? Anywhere particular I should target? Anything to avoid? This will be only my second time out on the boat (first time was with a very experienced skipper) so if anyone is aware of any reason why I maybe shouldn't head out here, let me know!! I live in the Hills area so I'm trying to find somewhere that isn't too far away but with conditions that aren't too harsh (preferably low wind/low swell) and I'm hoping this is a good compromise. If anyone has any other better recommended locations that are better suited for an inexperienced skip, please do let me know

Hey legends first time boat owner here. For a boost I’ve recently purchased, I’m looking to buy and fit a fish finder and transducer onto the transom. Here is a photo of the back of my boat currently I’m not too sure how to mount it exactly? Is it safe to drill into the back of the boat? Where should it be mounted? I’m assuming I should only drill a certain depth so I don’t go the entire way through? I’m planning on starting cheap and getting the Garmin Striker Plus 4. any help is appreciated😌

Thanks for your feedback mate. I only had an opportunity to fish where you mentioned was quieter. Caught a 37cm bream which I was happy with. Thanks for all the advice provided - appreciate it big time 😌

Cheers mate, I’ll likely stick to the beach as it’s local. just to confirm, should I target the bay or the beach and just smash the flats there? Picture for clarity

I appreciate the response and time taken to provide this info mate. Much appreciated. I’ve decided it’s probably best I stick to land based fishing and leave the boat at home. Given it would be my first voyage, I think I need to practice more with the boat around my local areas before rushing into things. In saying that, are you aware of any decent land based fishing spots around Callala? Would prefer to hunt flatties if possible. Happy to travel to Crookhaven if this area if less affected by wind and generally better for fishing. Thanks again for all your help

My apologies guys 4.3m quintrex 40hp cable steer - hope that helps Great point @thepud - appreciated. I plan on printing something out like this and laminating it so I also don’t forget something stupid like the plugs 😂😂. It’s bound to happen but hopefully learn from it. I’m so excited to head out for the first time but also finding it very daunting/anxious. Practice makes perfect 😌 apprwciated @Green Hornet . Definitely after sheltered waters - whatever provides the best conditions (least wind, choppiness etc) would be perfect. Both alternate options sound like better approaches - thanks for the suggestions. I’ll do some reading up around these spots. Any recommendations on which might be better for a newcomer or both much the same?

Hello first time boat owner as of tomorrow and I have a holiday down at Callala bay in two weeks time. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on conditions, where to embark, basically tips for someone who’s fairly new to boating in general but have an idea of conditions there. I mainly chase flatties but happy to hunt whatever is gong. would like to avoid chop if possible, do prefer lake/river fishing so not sure how I’ll go with any roughness. With this in mind, is maybe the basin a better option? Any help is much appreciated!

Yeah agreed - prices have shot you from when I was causally looking around a year ago. I really like the idea of new, with warranty, no worries, slowly adding what I want to it when the money is there, but also don’t want to be royally ripped off. I guess it the same as a car, you’ll lose value the second or leave the lot. Thanks Dave - will definitely take you up on your offer when this COVID crap dies down. I really do appreciate everyone’s feedback - I have a much clearer picture in my head of what I want. Just need to clear the mud in my head on what to look out for when purchasing. Feel free to keep the discussion going!

Appreciated the feedback - I'm in Western Sydney mate. I feel like 40-50HP is my aim, enough to get me out of trouble if required. I alot of people are recommending aluminium, I think I'll aim for that for now. Thanks @Salvatore - totally agree with the size and bimini requirement - I will aim around this size whilst hunting. Thanks @Fab1 - appreciate the detailed feedback. Getting someone to look over it seems like an expensive exercise ($500 from my little research) but I think it's justified if you're making such an investment, especially given I don't know much about boats. But I do totally agree - I'm hoping a lot of it will be common sense (rust, condition etc). I appreciated everyone's responses. I feel like I have an idea of what I'm after and what to look out for, let's hope I don't find a lemon Thanks again!

Thanks Frank. I did have a look at that but I’m afraid of buying something too old purely because I dont know what to look out for. The requirement of a paint job kinda scares me too - no idea where to start with that. Thanks campr, awesome insight. Them additional wish list items totally make sense - appreciate the feedback. is there a specific model/brand and year model I should stick to? What is too old? Or is the condition of the boat the main factor? always scary going into something like this not knowing much about it but keen to learn as much as possible!

Gday everyone. I’ve finally obtained approval from the better half to purchase a boat. Ive never owned one before and I’m honestly not sure what to look out for when purchasing used, what’s brands and models to target or stay away from, what price is fair, how to ensure the motor works etc etc. This is where i was hoping to get some help from more experienced folk like you legends. My aim is to go out with my family (of 4) or fishing with one or two mates (main use will be fishing) - only lake fishing, nothing rough. Nothing too fancy, just something that will get me from A to B without fuss. From my limited googling and informal chats with mates, this is what I think might be a good starting point: - deep hull, good for the kids - 40hp motor, gets me out of trouble/swell. 2/4 stroke? Not sure what’s more appropriate - roughly 4-4.5, enough for 4 people plus storing stuff - a retractable shade, good for kids my budget is around 11k-12k - I’m not sure if this is unreasonable for my expectations? I’m only really looking on gumtree/Facebook marketplace around the Sydney area at the moment - not too sure if there are better platforms for this. Any assistance around this would be much appreciated.