Gday guys ive just managed to book the KELS2 camp ground in shelter bay for next year. Gonna be bringing boat over from denham. My question is has anybody on here camped in that spot with a boat before?  is it safe to moor boat in front  ie is there any shalow rocks i have to look out for etc  and is there hard flat rock right on the water edge i gotta watch out for. Also is it worth chucking a line off kels rocks for a  fish or squid if the wind is up and i cant get out to the ocean?  thanks for any info

 I got an Evakool 70l fridgemate. All Evakool baskets are ones that almost reach the floor whereas I am looking for a half height one. Just wondering if anyone knows if another brand like Dometic will fit?

 Hi All

My 5 Amp C Tek charger of many years is finally giving up the ghost.

Was thinking of a Noco Genius to replace it as it does Lithium as well. Any thoughts on this

Thanks

Eric

 Hi Guys,

bought a new cmap reveal which won't run on my older simrad touch screen so was wondering which chart plotter people would recommend to run the cmap in the 7-9 inch size?

Finally got some good winds to clear

up the beach . Managed a early season

tiger weren't getting til the end of

November last few seasons . Got to

test out some new hooks were using

this year . Good night with added

lighting show . She swam off strong .

Cheers pirate .  

 I know its early but with the content on here turning to utter bullshit and complete crap  maybe some fishing talk might lighten the mood? I have had my pot in since before the snapper season ended Was getting good bags of crays when my pot was left alone,  hitting a spot i like from the past but this year someone was nearby they weren't only pulling my pot but actually stealing my bait can't believe it, but hey shit happens moved my pots still having trouble with them being tampered with but what do you do,  by the way fishing same spots last 5yrs and only lost 1 pot before now but at the moment nor stealing my pot just the crays. But anyway all of a sudden crays have dropped off for me making me wonder,  my experience with whites is that they always hit on a full moon you may get splurges on a big swell  but the main run is around the full moon. Which to me says  is it mid November or mid December? Any thoughts.  I have also been catching plenty of double shells lately. 

Enjoy 

 Hi all, I'm heading up to lucky bay near Kalbarri next month..will be chasing mulloway and Taylor from the beach. 

My question is will there be any mackerel around? Not sure it's worth taking the boat with the demersal ban in place. 

Cheers 

 Hey Lads I haven't been on here for a while, hope your all good. Anyway thinking of grabbing the swag and a couple of rods and heading up the fresh in the Fitzroy. Any suggestions like tips and secret spots for land based ? Probably do a bit of live bait and lure but be interested to hear what anyone suggests ? Probably getting a bit hot too no doubt, I'm down the Southwest so could be in for a bit of a shock.

Cheers fellas

Around September 2021 I exchanged posts on a NZ fishing site with a fellow NZ fisho I'll refer to here as AL. He escapes the NZ winter to fish Vanuatu waters where he has a second home located at Port Havannah on Efate Island, some 40 minutes drive from Port Vila. The initial discussion lead to some 1700 further email exchanges between then and now covering a wide range of fishing topics pertaining to fishing in Vanuatu, NZ and Australia. I think it would be fair to say that we are both rather passionate about our fishing even though we are both 70 plus years young. The pic below is the view from his front verandah looking over Havannah harbour, Moso Island on the other side. Depth of water in between reaches an incredible 130m. The drop offs are insane around all islands.

What you don't see in the above pic is the boat ramp, choice, no queues at this ramp.

AL's second home.

AL has the very same model of boat in Vanuatu as he has in NZ, a 5.3m Fryran plus everything else necessary to fish regularly, weather permitting. How could I decline AL's invitation to fish with him in Vanuatu once the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted from the respective countries? Well I didn't and this post is about my recent fishing experience with him in Vanuatu.

AL picked me up from the Port Vila airport on 29th September. Of my 30kg baggage limit some 20kg consisted of tackle that I just couldn't leave behind in Oz. Months of planning had gone into this despite AL's advice that you don't need to bring any tackle as I have all bases covered, and he was correct.

Fishing methods we engaged in included jigging, deep slow jigging, trolling skirts / bibbed lures / strip baits / dead baits / poppers and drifting dead baits as well as numerous methods of catching live-baits to be deployed as livies. In addition we would deep drop baits in mostly 250 - 400m water depths targeting poulet. Marlin were not on our radar despite regular hook ups and catches of small blues by charter boats in the areas we were fishing. Without going into daily reports AL put me onto some great fish and our captures included the following species:

Barracuda

Coral trout Coronation trout

Dogtooth tuna

Flying fish

Long nose emperor

Mahi mahi

Pygmy red poulet

Queenfish (not the same as the Oz Queenie, but similar)

Randall's snapper

Red bass

Red snapper

Saddle-back snapper

Scad

Sharks - too many but managed a few for the village

Silver jaw red poulet (Pale snapper)

Skipjack tuna

Sottel red poulet (Ruby snapper in WA)

Yellow fin tuna and I'm sure I've missed a few others.

The majority of the boated fish was distributed among the local indigenous population (Ni-vans), shark being their favourite. Hard to figure but they seem to prefer shark to mahi mahi or poulet.

Every fishing trip has a hard luck story and mine was to drop a 'fish of a lifetime' wahoo according to AL at the side of the boat just seconds before it was about to be hit with the gaff. The first run was huge despite 15kg of drag, impressive stuff.

I was fortunate to experience a good stretch of weather and we fished 16 of the 20 fishing days available. Lay-days only on the day after arrival, the day prior to departure and two sightseeing / shopping days.

For me the highlight of the trip would have to be the dogtooth tuna. We had experienced bust offs after being buried in the reef by others before we finally boated a 30kg doggie a few days before my departure. It was a huge buzz with the fish being hooked in 20m of water. 15kgs of drag on the reel again and trying to led it (perhaps bully it would be a better word) into deeper waters before it could bust you off on the reef. Bejesus they go hard. Two happy guys when it hit the deck I can assure you. Job done, tick the box, we eat doggie sashimi tonight, better than YFT.

AL was a great host and one of the most modest guys I have ever met. His knowledge about how to change tactics and fishing methods to catch fish in a fishery that has been seriously depleted (read fkd) by the Chinese long liners and purse seiners is impressive.

AL doesn't frequent this site however I feel obliged to thank him once again for the invitation and his hospitality. Tusker time; cheese, red onion and tomato on crackers; sashimi, fresh pawpaw / banana and yoghurt breakfasts and especially deep fried fish in the secret batter recipe will all feature in my many memories of my journey to Vanuatu. A few pics to finish.

Fruit and vege market in Port Vila

Fish & chips with the secret batter recipe, very yummy.

Trolling at sunrise near Nguna Island

Poulet and Randall's snapper

Mahi mahi time

And another

Dogtooth tuna

Sharks were a problem

But we took a few out

When the onshore terrain looks like this you know deep water is not far away.  We were probably in around 300m when I took this shot.

There are some shallower waters though.  The next two pics is coming through the gap between two islands.  We were pushing the boat through at 5am one morning.  Pics of each side.

Launch a little further down Moso Island.  Broke its mooring during cyclone Pam 2015.

I just had to take a pic of this

This is what is known as a banana boat.  Multiple uses and often used to transport people and produce between islands.  20+ persons in one of these is not uncommon.  Not much freeboard.  Adults on the outside, kids in the middle.  Everyone sits upright and stiff, scared to move so as not to rock the boat.

Lastly the fire dance show on Mele Beach.  Not my pic, I stole it off the internet, great show.

Late edit:

Just to clarify the background effect; there is a guy there which the pic doesn't see rapidly swinging a container around which generates the effect.  This is not a Catherine Wheel fireworks show.

Another tough day in the office.  This was the best weather day I had.  We were at a location called Scott Rock, approx. 6kms east of Emao Island.  There were a few lumps coming up to about 12m from 100m+ not far away from one another.  Doggie country but sharkie.

Locals were always friendly, happy and would give you a wave.

Many of the Ni-Vans do it hard.  These structures are typical of their houses outside of Port Vila.

During WWll the Americans introduced a fast growing vine to act as camouflage for their equipment.  It has taken over in places and just smothers the natural jungle / landscape.

We later added a single hook further back to the FF rig.  We went 100% hook-up rate on this rig but AL's since missed a couple.

My last nights scooping efforts, eleven fresh FF for AL to rig up. 

Hi

I recently hit a floating cray rope and unbeknown me at the time, the motor suffered substantial damage.

The drive shaft sheared in the driven gear but a sufficient length of splines remained intact and allowed me to continue boating on the day and subsequently until the service as detailed below.

I only discovered the damage when I started to do the 1100 hour service and dropped the leg to carry out the impeller replacement.

Once the leg was off it was immediately obvious that the shaft was damaged. The top of the shaft had sheared off and remained stuck in the driven gear in the powerhead.

I submitted a claim to Club Marine and was told to get a quote from a Marine Mechanic. This was not realistic as the powerhead had to be removed to ascertain the extent of the damage which in itself was 50% of the work so I decided to proceed with the repair.

I was extremely happy with the work which was done by a marine mechanic in Perths Northern suburbs and I submitted the final invoice to Club Marine for their response.

Unfortunately Club Marine have declined the claim for the following reasons (as submitted by their assessor) I personally find the finding totally unacceptable, unreasonable and unrealistic. They have decided the +- 25mm shaft failed as there was wear on the splines which allowed movement between the splines and the shaft. I find this an incredible assumption as in my opinion, the splines should have failed and not the shaft. I believe this was not a gradual failure as is being ascertained by Club Marine, but an instantaneous failure on impact with the cray rope. The sad fact is had the shaft failed below the splined area, I believe the claim would have been honoured as the boat would have been rendered unusable immediately leaving no doubt as to what had caused the failure.

I am asking for opinions as to the damage on the shaft and the views put forward by Club Marine and for any advice from anyone who might have had similar damage and a subsequent claim to their insurer. Be great if anyone with lots of metal experience / knowledge could comment

Thanks - Eric

 Watched a show on 7 Mate this morning and it was about snapper fishing in Port Philip Bay. The state government has bought out prodessional fishermen in order to get 1 million recreational fishermen out in the bay fishing. Could not be more different than this state government in that they realise the impact to the local community both health and economical.

Port Phillip Bay Commercial Fishing By-Catch Limits Announced | Premier of Victoria

Enjoy 

 Hi Fellas, 

Just bought a boat from geraldton, driving it down next week to perth. Going to do a bit of trolling, anyone get any Spanish around there?

 With the booking system to get a spot already being virtually impossible,  check out this from the latest DPIRD Catch! newsletter

Did you know, that the Environmental Protection (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) Regulations 2018 state that it is an offence to release a balloon into the air?

This new regulation aims to prevent plastics from entering the environment where they can be ingested by wildlife, break down into microplastics, and pollute our land and waterways.

Although balloon fishing is not illegal, the regulations will apply if the balloon is released either intentionally, by cutting it loose, or otherwise and the balloon tie to the main line breaks.

If you see a potential breach of these regulations or would like further information, contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at plastic-action@dwer.wa.gov.au

so if the balloon bursts, or your balloon leader snaps- you gonna be in for a swim to get the pieces

 Hi all,

Little 4.5m boat, inshore fishing.

What would you target ?

Squid, tailor, King George, snapper(demersal ban?) mulloway? 

I suspect water is too cold for mackeral.

Thanks in advance !

 Hi Everyone,

I have a 6.2m Seafarer Vagabond and I'm looking at fitting a pot tipper for next cray season, (back can't take it anymore). Already have the winch installed.

I'm looking for a reliable, reputable company to manufacture and fit, any recommendations most welcome.

 Hi guys, just chasing some feedback on the Shimano Torium 16HGA Vs the older model (silver), after 18 years I have decided to retire my Torium 16 (silver) and am looking at the 16HGA, this reel will be matched to a Shimano deep jig 200 and mainly used for bottom bashing spooled with 50lb braid, would like to hear from anyone who has used both models and interested in thoughts of new vs old

Cheers Yewie 

  Hi wondering if any one knows of some one who has a cer trailer or tilt truck . Need my car towed from High Wycombe to Bayswater . Car booked in for the 3rd november . 

  Can not afford much may be a slab of beer or fuel for the job . 

  Hope some one can help 

  Cheers

I listened to Minister Punch on the radio yesterday morning state that “no one had provided him a solution”.  I find this statement hard to believe as there are alternate solutions, you just need to have an open mind and evaluate them properly. 

From my reading of the situation, a potential solution is: 

1. Determine and create fish sanctuary zones for the purpose of protecting demersal scalefish breeding areas in the West Coast Bioregion;
2. Divide the West Coast Bioregion into geographic zones (North, Central and South?) and examine the breeding biology of demersal scalefish within each zone, with a view to imposing total commercial and recreational fishing bans as required to protect breeding stock (breeding times can vary over a 900km distance);
3. Change current regulations to minimise overall mortality to demersal scalefish from recreational fishing (bag and size limits, minimising barotrauma – conduct education campaigns);
4. Provide resources to properly quantify recreational catch (reporting methods), and increase Fisheries active enforcement of regulations (officers need to be seen – relevant data could also be collected by officers).
5. Review the current research program by Fisheries to ensure that all key indicators of demersal scalefish populations are measured with certainty, before introduction of “blanket” bans; and
6. Provide “adaptive” fisheries management strategies to aid demersal scalefish population recovery, noting that populations have been recovering over the last 10 years. 

This is just an initial view, but may be worthy of further discussion and action?

 Well the council have done it again. They must have some of the dumbest engineers in Australia working for them They have put a cross walk between the two foot path terminations. No thought gone into it. Not a single thought of the blind sopts that you have reversing your boat down the ramp and they have not taken the two big signs on either side of the ramp head. They have also put a launch and retreive sign painted on the concrete< launch on the west side and retreive on the east side. To bad if there is a strong sea breeze blowing and it keeps pushing the back of your boat onto the rock at the edge of the ramp. I have on two occasions asked to have a physical barrier to be put up so that bike riders and predestrans have to slow down before stepping onto the ramp area. What is work with tese highly educated UNiversity graduates that don't see the potentual danger of what they have in place,this is to say nothing of the potential conflit that is bound to occur when the cray run starts and ther are heaps of boats going in and out of the ramp.

Any thoughts on the subject 

Enjoy 

If we are going to post comments about Covid or vaccines, then maybe it should (again) have it's own forum/thread instead of junking up the fishing proposals thread.

The decreased Case Fatality Rates (CFR) over the years is clearly due to the less deadly strains of Covid and less to do with vaccines.
Any analysis of the data that includes dates, variant, cases, death, vaccinated status numbers clearly shows this.
The unvaccinated CFR's have also dropped from those early days of the Alpha Variant of 3%+ to now be below 0.5% (due to Omicron variants being less fatal)

If the vaccines are so effective, why are people still not queuing up for their boosters that they require at least every 6 months to be effective?
The simple answer is because the mandates are no longer forcing/coercing people to get jabbed against their will.
At the start of 2022, there was a period when Australia was averaging over 250,000 doses a day.
We are now down below 20,000 doses a day.

It appears that now people are allowed to make their own informed consent decisions about whether to get doses/boosters or not, they are choosing not to.
To me that either says people do not believe the boosters are effective enough to justify another shot or they only got those shots earlier because they were pressured to do so.

Hey guys just got into karratha for 2 weeks and looking to do some fishing, more than likely gonna hit the causeway this weekend but 

was wondering if there was anyone going out and needed a deckie, happy to chip in for fuel and bait all good either way, any suggestions

where to go landbased too would be great, mainly just going to be using lures.

Cheers

 Hi all, 

I am perhaps looking for some motivation and or advise and I know this questions has probably been asked but cannot find anything relevant for the moment. 

I just came back from a 2 week trip to exmouth having a great time casting lures, trolling and diving the islands as per some of the pics attached. Also managed to find some great ground for a few muddies. Couple of cobia and macks coming up as well so all in all had a awesome time enjoying the feel of something pulling the line on the other side. Over the last couple of trips telling up the fuel bill has been somewhat of a headache running a older 140hp Mariner 2-stroke on the boat and constantly have to lug one or two jerry cans with me when travelling a little furter than the normal. 

I have been looking at upgrading to a new Suzuki 140 as 2nd hand motors seems to be rediculously priced and supper hard to find. Current quotes are sitting at 24k and a second quote at 26k fitted with the 140bgx with all the controls and upper spec gauges etc. Approx brakedown is $19000 - Motor/ $4000 controls and gauges/ $2000 fitment. 

Does this seem to be a reasonable/expected price with a waiting time of 6 months or am I getting smoked. Happy to hear your thoughts on any of the above and if it is worth spending this much money for the benefits of a 4-stroke. 

Happy fishing

 Any recommendation for someone supplying cheap marine ply? Preferably in northern suburbs. Just need couple of 2440 X 1220 X 9mm sheets. Thanks all.

Enjoy 

well.. just when I thought i'd seen it all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlQNlWCRabU

 I've asked this question before and still can't really get my head around it. Kalbarri to Augusta is around 880kms. Why can't this be split in 3? The argument is you are only moving the problem to the next zone! We've seen by the take up of the petition that a huge majority of fishers are pretty bloody lazy! 18,000 signatures out of a few hundred thousand fishers in the zone. Do we think those people are gonna be motivated enough to travel a couple of hundred kilometres to go fishing for a few fish? Yes there will be weekends away planned (could be better for tourism) but there won't be the ease of just driving to the local boat ramps. Wouldn't mind hearing some thoughts on why it can't happen? I assume it's harder to manage more zones but will it make it easier for better research and samples? 

 Hi all. Im looking for a replacement tilt motor or my 20 year old Yamaha. Any recomendations about who I could see to get the correct part. Tilt motor off. Live 200km north of perth but coming to big smoke soon