bookwa

Thanks Larkin. Much appreciated!

Are witches hats still legal? I was told by a tackle shop you can only use pots now and it was one each but has been upgraded to two each. I’m confused!

So you can manage to carry two pots on a yak! Amazing, I’ve been missing out on all this!!

I was in Coffs last week and drove down to have a look at the ramp. Couldn’t get near it because of all the dump trucks/ excavators etc!! That sounds bad but probably means they’re working overtime to get it up to scratch for the holidays. Give motackle a call,they’re on the ball and will know what’s going on. As for what fish—- everything ! Spanish will be a bit later , but could be some early guys around. Once again motackle will be right up to date.

Great report, great fish and what an outfit to fish from! As one who’s never been on a yak and a bit too old now to try it ,can I ask what is the gear laying diagonally across the bow? Congratulations on sharing the catch too!

Check out a pic of a scaly mackerel— also known as a shark mackerel.

I’m thinking scaley mackerel- Excellent marlin bait, and just the right size!

Not sure if it’s legal but if you want to bag out on trag this is what you do. Handline spool loaded with braid— brickies string is ideal substitute, probably better. On the end tie a large game swivel . First trag you catch, handle very gently using a wet cloth and tether him using the game swivel by threading it through the jaw and locking it up. Lower the fish back into the water and pay out to a depth halfway to the bottom. Then start fishing at that depth and you’ll clean up as the fish school up around their mate!

I’m most impressed with the whiting catch! The old wife is a dangerous fish Biag 72. If you get spiked you’ll know all about it! I keep a can of solarcaine on board for its anaesthetic powers. Old wife much worse than red rock cod spike but not as bad as bullrout! Wash the wound then spray with solarcaine and repeat spray every five minutes or so. Available in any pharmacy.

Pink works way best, 5/0 - 6/0 single straight hook with straight eye (the latter is very important,) ball or bean sinker in the head . Fast troll except for spotty or bar mackerel which go better at slow troll. This is also a great rig for snapper in shallow water - 10 to 20 metres—if you’re up near the sandon river or black rock in shark bay just north of iluka ( medium fast troll).

Check out Downrigger shop. Instagram.

Re ciguatera which I contracted way back in about 1966, no memory of diarrhoea but was very sick for about six months and the main symptom( and the one by which it was diagnosed) was the hot and cold reversal syndrome. Very weird. I ate only the recommended variety of fish on a trip to swains reef, but I think didn’t follow the rule later employed of eating only a small portion from each fish and definitely nothing from any fish over five kilo. I couldn’t eat any fish for twelve months afterwards as I would break out in hives and the area around my mouth and lips would swell up and tingle for a long time. Went back to swains a couple years later, followed the rule of eating only small portions from multiple fish and avoided the blacklisted varieties and I was fine.

Definitely sashimi!! Yummo!

Wish I’d thought of saying that first— followed by what I did say! 😁

Possibly the best , most informative post I’ve seen ! Thanks heaps!!

Thanks Zoran. I think you covered everything!! Very much appreciated.

Thanks Dunc333. Interesting, never considered a poly before so will do some research on that. Maybe just a bit big ,that one and what is the thinking these days on engine hours. This one I would think getting ready to replace but I’m not experienced on modern four strokes. Could be that it’s got heaps of life left in it. The unit looks great though, thanks for the heads up. cheers

Hi Noelm, new or near new. Budget high. I’m pretty old but very active!!

Thanks all for the replies. I’ll start looking!!

I’m appealing to the superior knowledge of fellow raiders to point me in the right direction for boat choice. Parameters are 12-14’ , single four stroke, plus electric motor with mount inbuilt, purpose is fishing and crabbing in Pittwater and the Hawkesbury. Aluminium preferred but open to suggestions. A removable floor for stability and comfort would be good. Many thanks!

Thanks Zoran. Much appreciated!

Thinking of getting a trailer boat, say 5 metres for first time. Always had moored boats previously. Can you get insurance all in one that covers boat AND trailer or do they come separately. Think I’m finding out that it’s going to be an expensive exercise!

When you’re in a tight spot mono will give you a sporting chance of avoiding injury . Braid is unforgiving.

Hi Aidan, I use live whiting for jewfish bait and they are great! Also easy to catch and keep alive on board. Don’t know how you’d go without a boat!

No backing, straight 80 mono all the way. If I can see the spool through the remaining line I just lock it!!😱. Sometimes I win , helped by the stretch in the mono, but if I was using braid that scenario would be suicidal!