michaelrdoyle@gmail.com

Hi all I'm not sure it has been mentioned yet - but it needs to be! Transport NSW (Maritime etc) are doing some surveys to hear what people think about boat usage - make sure you have your say! http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/engagement/nsw-regional-boating-plans Mike

Mate....... I love boats. I love fishing. And I love your enthusiasm. But I'm going to act like a wet blanket - sorry! Buying a boat will be the worst financial decision of your life. They say the best day in a mans life is the day they buy a boat - and the day they sell their boat! It's a depreciating asset. It will cost you big $$$ to keep it going. Petrol. Servicing. Repairs. Insurance. And you'll only end up using it a dozen times a year. And in 10 years it will be worth - much much much less. $75k would go a long way to buying a house, paying off a mortgage, investing in shares or an apartment, or something like that - and will keep going. The blunt truth is - spending that money on a boat is bananas. And there are alternatives - if you hire a $75k boat a dozen times a year at $300 a day (say Boab Boats) - it will only cost you $3.600 pa - which will be less than the insurance and upkeep of a boat by itself. Over 20 years it will cost you $75k - whilst your own $75k has appreciated at 5% per year - and is now worth well over $200k. however....... just to throw a little bit of light - and stop being such a negative nancy.... Owning your own boat is a lifestyle decision - not a financial decision. If you fully realise the real costs and the opportunity costs - which is big money - and you say "it's worth it" - then go for your life. Don't have regrets. Get the baby you're after and enjoy it! (I speak from a relatively privileged position of borrowing a family members boat - and dreaming of my own boat!) Mike

As requested - here are some of the pics. 98cm Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish) One of the few Kingfish that was actually legal. First catch of Dolphin Fish - lots of fun. Sunrise on the last day. It looks rougher than what it was. A 67cm Dolphin Fish (Mahi Mahi) on my kids rod. Lots of fun on very light gear. A great last day - 18 Mahi Mahi, some snapper, flathead etc (a mixed bag)

nice work. Very nice work.

Good to hear the mackerel are around! They weren't when we were there (was hoping - but it is early in the season). I've heard rumours of a decent amount of beakies being around to. Looks like a good summer.

A couple of weeks ago headed to SW Rocks for 5 days of fishing. Wonderful time. A few highlights: Fish Rock. Lots and lots of kings. Mostly undersize - but a few legal. Some snapper, trivially, and other fish. Found it hard to find snapper - but eventually hit a spot on the last day for a mixed bag of snapper, jewfish, flathead etc. Fished the FAD for the first time - lots and lots of fun. Took home lots of Mahi Mahi. The last day we took home 18! (and for every one we kept, we returned 3 that were undersize). Biggest was 98cm. Lost several bigger ones. that's one intense bar. Crossed it every day in a variety of conditions. Gives a shot of adrenaline. Interesting enough - the last day the weather conditions were meant to be rubbish, and we crossed it at low tide both in and out - and both times it was the easier cross of the week! Great place up there - and really appreciated the good coverage of Marine Rescue Trial Bay.

I just wanted to say a public thanks to Shimano I have a Shimano Spheros 12000FA reel with some serious pitting and corrosion around the spool. It's about 7 years old. I went to their Taren Point service centre to buy a new spool - worth about $70. They replaced it for free - which I certainly wasn't expecting. High quality products. High quality customer service. thanks Shimano! Mike

We headed there two weeks ago - had a great weeks fishing. We were in a 4.8m Quintrex Bayhunter. A few thoughts: Lots of dollies at the FAD (about 13km from the river entrance). They were taking pink skirts, floated pilchards or squid, soft plastics, and knife jigs. Yes - anything you threw at them. We also picked up kings at the FAD - but all undersize. Fish Rock - head south around the point. Lots and lots of kings. Most undersize, a few of size. Be aware that anchoring with 100m? and bait fishing within 200m is banned. Grey Nurse shark protected area. There were also shark, snapper, and other interesting fish Heading 10km north to Scotts Head - heaps of reef spots heading out to at least 80m. Locals told me they are getting snapper when the current is running in 60-80m. We didn't score. Got a range of snapper, flathead, jewfish at some reef about 2km north east of fish rock (can't remember the name of the mark - but a standard one). The bar crossing is challenging. And scary. But we handled it fine - even with some pretty big breakers. It's all about timing and hitting the whitewash head on. But be careful. Have fun. Mike

wow! Thanks for the great tips guys! Really appreciate it! The Jewfish possibilities look great (I hand't even thought of Jewfish). Great photos. We're also hoping to head offshore (when the weather/bar is good) - hoping to target snapper, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, and whatever else is running (if they're running).

Heading to SW rocks next week - with a 4.8m quintrex. First time fishing there. Any suggestions for spots? Or techniques? Any other info I should know about the area? Where to get bait and gear from? Fishing techniques? Anyone heard of anything going at the moment? thanks Mike

Fished down their last weekend - 72 take home fish in 4 days :-) A few things: Couldn't raise a squid. Flathead everywhere - especially south head Snapper on middle ground Loads of Kingies off Currarwong big bommy - mostly undersize, but a few off size. Wouldn't tough a live bait (slimy or livie), but would take dead bait - fish, prawn, squid ect. Old and frozen. Couldn't understand why. Have fun. Mike

I'm heading down to fish on Monday - would also love to hear any reports of what's happening.

Hi all Wondering if anyone can recommend a mobile outboard motor mechanic down Culburra (Nowra) way? Also need to get some boat electrics down (some re-wiring and testing for a short). Can anyone recommend anyone? If you could PM me - I don't think you're allowed to post names publicly. thanks Mike

that's great to hear! What an encouraging encounter. Good to know people are looking out for each other. Mike

very very nice! Ive been dreaming of a bar crusher! so - tell us the stats! What size? What fittings? Where did you get it? How long did you look? Why the bar crusher? How long between ordering and getting it? And of course - we all want to know....how much? Mike