hookerbruce Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 The last couple of years we have been spoilt with good dolphin fish runs. This year the reports have been very quiet. We decided to give them a go. Launched the boat at 630 and decided to use some time and catch some livies, they were even slow. Got out to Botany FAD near the peak and saw 6 boats fishing around the FAD and nothing happening. Set up to drift live baits to the Fad but were surprised to find the current running to the north not the south, not a good sign. Slow trolled the livies 250 m to the Fad and beyond without a touch. The other boats all dispersed so decided to try different tactic. Motored up near the FAD and cast a 5 gm slice on light tackle instant hookup with a 65cm dollie. Next drift floated out a pilchard fillet on light gear a 68 cm fish. A half pillie on light gear a 70 cm fish. Then no bites for 3 drifts so headed for the wide Fad. aught a cotton mouth trevally which swallowed the hook, kept it. Nothing else happening so ran back to the Peak for nothing then back to the ramp by 1230. Not a huge catch by sizee or numbers but changing methods produced a feed. Going to give it another try on tues Hookerbruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 I have done about 8 trips to the FADs and blue water this year so far resulting in only one dolly hookup. Your right this years run has been terrible especially for those in close and can't get out to the traps on the shelf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike2153 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 This years dollie run is the best in the last 3 years!! Forget about the fads drive straight past them, you need to be heading out towards the shelf, between 12 mile and the shelf and fish the traps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Mike I think you skipped right over the part where I specially said its been bad for those of us who can't get to the traps along the shelf not everyone has boats capable of going that far !! I am one of those persons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydneyfisher12 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 theres heaps out there just gotta move around to find them it's been my best ever season on them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 If my memory serves me right the last dolly report from you saw you some 40km on the fish trips, if that's where your fishing then it looks uve missed the point too Otherwise- please guide us to where these tonnes of dollies can be found ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingFishing Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 40kms out on the fish traps ** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookerbruce Posted February 26, 2016 Author Share Posted February 26, 2016 Hi Guys On Mon we did find 3 traps east of 12 mile but they were not holding fish. When we are travelling around we scan the ocean. On mon we found a helium balloon, a larger heart shaped balloon and a lump of polystyrene, could find nothing else in the water. We will head east of the wide Botany Fad on tues and see what we find. Any information on likely areas to visit would be appreciated eg approx. water depth and distance out. Thanks Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydneyfisher12 Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 If my memory serves me right the last dolly report from you saw you some 40km on the fish trips, if that's where your fishing then it looks uve missed the point too Otherwise- please guide us to where these tonnes of dollies can be found ??? they move the other day i headed 40km out didn't get any there and ended up getting 15 over 70cm 11km off sydney it pays to move around if the water temp is up and the water is blue they'll be around just have to locate them on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farvos Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 They can be finnicky and fussy. Have found them easy to catch one day, impossible the next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double shot Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 They get wised up and hang off when there are lots of boats visiting / trolling round fads.(understandably) You need clear warm water and a downhill current, livies / casting lures /fresh strip bait, sometimes fisheries fads will only have schools of rats Dollies have good eyesight and can see heavy traces, large hooks etc so try light gear and get a more hook-ups. If you can get wider the larger ones tend to be from 80 fathoms onwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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