luderick -angler

Dad would have been 76 this year. He used to haunt all those places. One long gone been Erskine St ferry wharf opposite the Northern Rivers Hotel. That wharf you refer to as the shark boat wharf was known as the Tuna Boats. I got my first fish at the chains in 1981 a luderick of 2 1/4 pound on a 6ft spin rod. Cause that’s all I could handle as a knee high grass hopper. Dad told me the story of why fishing got banned at the Zoo. Resulted in the local crown seargent attending. I was just lucky enough to be versed in the lore of Sydney Harbour luderick fishing and met some of the great anglers in their twilight years.

My old man regularly fished the zoo with Abby, now he was good but I reckon Russian Joe was better. The luderick fishers used to meet at Quay amd converse then disperse on the various ferry routes depending on spot of choice or just stay and fish the Quay. Dad fished with them all in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Rocky Nelson, Des, The Chinaman who was our neighbour in later years randomly, Bill the Hungarian. They all had a nick name.

I’ve chased blackfish for 40 years and the number of bream caught on weed as a bycatch is quite a few. I had one session in the Parra River where the first four fish, were bream, using weed. I would average 20 plus bream a year whilst solely targeting luderick with weed.

no malice intended but good luck on the Sportex every bugger wants one now!

The Sportex were one piece. Cut by the builder. Back in the day it was a storage and travel thing, also personal preference. Remember people took bus trams and trains. Does not overly affect the action bar a small flat spot as the action was parabolic. Hope that helps. I’m deep into a bottle of gin!

The 662 and 663 were both 12ft there is no difference in the blank wall thickness it was the taper. The 663 had a slightly thicker taper. If you put them side by side you can see it. The early ones were brown amd later varying shades of yellow. And yes Killer still have the 662 pride of the collection. It’s had a full refurb and epoxy wash.

Sportex 403, 404, 287, 662, 663, 3902 Butterworth 5144 in light medium and heavy, 3145GP, 4126, 4138, 4144MT, 3126, C108 Slazenger b5 b10 b15 b38 then there were Jarvis Walker, Fenwick, Conolon, Grizzly, Silaflex. That’s the most common used in the 1960’s amd 70’s a bit later you had rods from Shakespeare, Diawa and Snyderglas. You need any more info just ask.

Always a bonus when someone with experience takes you out. Your on a long journey now enjoy the highs lows, the successes and frustration that’s luderick. Well done

Sempii predator fibre, buck tail, h2o SF blend and h20 baitfish brush

Some tense moments near a few pylons and oyster covered rocks! Average fight time was 5-6 minutes. You actually subdue kings quicker on fly than spin gear. The fish is dragging that fly line with all the resistance and working against 9 foot of parabolic rod

Aggressive reactionary takes! Works sometimes but not all the time. My point is I prefer the whole package of fly over spin and with flies some fibres impart a very fishy swim with the way the fibres move.

There are times when kings are tuned in like trout on a particular bait and it is tiny, the only feasible way is to present that imitation on a fly rod, them there’s the times it don’t matter. But kings on fly are so much fun. To me it’s about the cast the presentation and finally the take. Job done landing the fish is a bonus. There’s a lot of feel in fly casting and the visual takes are spectacular.

Don’t post much these days but thought I’d share a few pics of topwater rats taken land based on the long wand around Sydney. Yep I’m still fishing!

Vision Fisu 7/8 outfit sub $400 rod reel and line casts like a higher end outfit

The green weed is scarce at the moment. Try looking around the ocean pools and the lagoons south of Port Hacking. Google maps is your friend. Do your recon, you should find a bit.

There is a Facebook page Stop the Lockout guys, If your not already signed up do so. Macman is right a clear head and reasoned argument in your submission here's a copy of mine I put in the other day feel free to use it and amend it if need be. Get your kids to put a submission in. The proposal has far and wide ramifications beyond just stopping anglers from fishing an area. Write to MP', local councils and DPI minister Niall Blair. Don't use threats or swear. We don't need to give the Greens the ammunition to say we are a pack ofuncouth bogans that don't respect fisheries. This below ismy submission. I disagree with the Marine Park proposal based on the fact that the majority of sites that are proposed particularly Bondi to Coogee. Factors include 1. This will concentrate a majority of anglers to a smaller area resulting in increased pressure and potential conflict between land based anglers and spear fishers. 2. You will be removing access to some of the safer rock ledges forcing anglers to more exposed rock ledges hence causing an increased risk factor to peoples lives, why do this when your department and the government went to all the expense of the Rock Fishing Safety act? 3. The economic impact to charter operators such as Alex Bellisimo, Justin Duggan, no no no and the impact on local and small businesses, including tackle shops up and don the coast, motels and caravan parks that rely on tourist trade during peak holiday periods as a fishing destination. 4. Potential lost revenue to DPI Fisheries as people refuse to pay recreational fees as the no longer want to fish which may lead to a collapse in funding for native breeding programmes and stockings as an example 5. Fishing is a proven therapy in mental illness and PTSD, one which has helped myself over the years and others. The Bondi to Coogee area is an area I frequent as I do not drive and access is good by public transport. This would take away an important resource for my personal well being and potentially for many others. 6. Fisheries are already well managed with reduced bag limits and increased minimum size limits, the cessation of commercial trawlers in Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay catchments. The reduction in pollution from ocean outfall sewage, the ending of the kingfish traps. All these factors have led to a healthy fishery. 7. The arrears proposed ar shared by divers and anglers, currently anglers pay a fee to fish, yet dive groups continue to use artificial reefs paid for by anglers without contribution. 8. In 28 years of rock fishing I have not had any conflict with member of the public who is a non angler. What is this supposed conflict between anglers and other users? Are these isolated incidents blown out of proportion by over zealous individuals. 9. I have invested $150 in a Australian standard inflatable PFD specifically to comply with the Rock Fishing Safety Act along with many others who have done the same, what is the point of this purchase when I may not be able to fish my regular ledges. The proposal at best seems over reactionary and biased towards a smaller percentage user group than anglers. Have DPI surveyed the general NSW population as to scuba divers versus anglers, What are the impacts for tourism? I strongly disagree with this proposal and see no reason to change the status of the current state of affairs

All I am going to say it’s killed a lot of anglers and if your not familiar with the ledge watch it closely for 15 mins before fishing it. Slopes southwards can become inundated with water and if yo UFO in it’s hard if not impossible to get out. It’s rough country there. All ropes and chains were removed in an attempt to prevent access due to multiple drownings in the early 2000’s. My advice if you are not experienced on low level cabbage covered ledges is stay away

Recently got into fishing with switch rods, the evil two handed version of fly fishing! Well two hands is better than one! The beauty is you can Spey cast or overhead cast. Just gives so much more versatility. So out I went with the new toy last weekend and landed two nice fish off a lower harbour rock shelf. A few fish about but takes were tentative. Still a load of fun.

Mate I’m at Rockdale so if your after a few basic lessons happy to meet up with you somewhere.

Drop into the local tackle store there’s local trout streams, Murray cod in nearby rivers and dams there is plenty of fishing out there! Just do some research

Good to see you back on the board Andrew! No amateur hour comments from anyone either lol! Nice effort mate got a few in the area myself on fly that morning.

You bet and I have a copy! Some good blackfish territory in there!

It’s the section of rocks between south maroons amd yellow rock it’s called dead mans gulch. Hard to access

All I’m going to say is stay away from Yellow Rock. I’ve been home there many a time since the early 90’s. The access ladders are slowly rusting out. It’s getting dodgy but o get down. The place is a death trap it’s killed many anglers. It ain’t worth it. As for Magic Point Depends where abouts your fishing it as to access. I’ve never used ropes at Magic Point some access can be restricted by swell if heading into Dead Mans. Homestly if your Not sure of the area find someone who is to show you.