Sounds like a great plan to refit a boat and show the young fella the ropes.

Meanwhile, I've persisted with fishing outings every 1-2 weeks off Freo, targeting the same as always (tailor, herring) but trying to learn techniques and locations for new species like skippy, squid and whiting. Crays have been pretty steady. Have put away the demersal rods and reels and now all my gear is 5-10kg, with one 20kg outfit on standby  in case largish pelagics turn up (not yet). Usually get a feed of something, but the tailor have been very erratic, sometimes there but often not or just a single fish on the first cast, but the anchor and burley routine for skippy has been frustrating. The last three trips, each to a different place 3-6km apart, anchoring and burleying in the hope of skippy and floating a 1/0 hook with fresh squid strip down the berley trail. On each occasion the first fish I've caught has been a pink snapper. Last week in 8m I caught 4 pinkies before a skippy. Most of the pinkies were 50-70cm, so plenty of excitement on light gear with 12lb trace, but then you have to gently handle them and release. So now I'm using cicrle hooks and a lip gripper, which make a gentle release easier.

I'm no wordsmith but I might see if I can form one of those Japanese Haiku poems, to try and express the mixed emotions about the ban...

Did a charter of Steep mid-June on Apache, this was booked last year before the ban kicked in so getting out deep for 5 days of slaying fish on Jigs was true medicine for the sole!

Just got back from Monkey Mia with the family, towed the boat up with the knowledge I might only get 1 or two trips out, this with the family too, but with a bit of burley the daughter pulled a meter plus mulloway out of one of the channels mid day out going tide, great pics and family memories there. Was great on the chew, donated the first slab to a family at the caravan park there.

Planning another Steep trip for next year already, taking my own boat with a mates and there boats this time. Bit of a mission staying at Shelter bay and all the gear required.

Trips out in the sound have been squid based, or chasing herring and skippy for bait for the monkey mia trip, the mully took a full herring on snelled hooks. As above always put a big bait out in hope for a gummy, but no luck there...few solid pinks as bye catch. Will back in the water diving for crays again next few months.

Welded and fitting my bow rail yesterday, this I had to tack weld in the driveway so got it sorted while the winds were low, came up ok. Its been 2 years since my refurb which I posted on here, fiberglass work was stressful to start with but as you read and learn its a very satisfying job.

Would love a bigger boat in the future, 8m, thoughts are to buy kit and build a big Ali, or try pick up an old glass boat, do another full refit.

Having the young nephew keen would be a great motivator, and an enjoyable experience also...Hope you find what your looking for.

  boat show coming up so looking for a bargain for hydraulic steering and trim tabs.can only hope. A new 4 stroke would be nice but 20 grand is a little steep convert that into fuel and accessories Over a few years and I'll be still ahead.

Some very differerent variety of activities going on!! Not a poet but good luck with the Poem! 

 Steep point would have been amazing!! And bloody awesome getting your daughter on to the mulloway!

Ive got a few trips planned but I dont rekon I will get out fishing again until our Gnaraloo trip next year which sucks!! Hoping the ban lifts sooner rather than later but have a sneaky suspicion they will extend it.. Bloody labour government!!