anyone out there have the new lowrance hds5x thinking of buying one can pick one up for under 1k.

have read alot about them but cant find anyone that has used one yet.

 any help would great

thank Gibbsy

My oldest Ugly Stick is looking like crap with the clear coat all peeling off. It's still a great stick so I want to give it a facelift. Is anyone here able to help me with the type of coat I should apply and where I can buy the right stuff? Is there an art to this?

Any info would be fantastic and well appreciated.

Cheers,

Vince.

Ok so the missus had spoken. She wanted to be able to fish with me when i would drag her along and she demanded that i bought a second rod & reel.... poor me

So i ended up getting a Tiralejo 10' spinning rod and a Ryobi 5000A Fishing Safari and wrapping 10kg braid on the new reel.

We headed down to Floreat Basin last night as i just wanted to give this new combo a bit of a workout. Now, i've never used braid before and none of my fishing mates have ever used braid before (as far as i know) because it just wasnt all the popular back in the day...

I decide to ping out a short cast with an 50g slice to let the line get wet and get a feel for the rod. Definately stiffer than i'd used before and i did a quick adjustment to the reel seat to make it a little more comfortable. But the second cast i was ready to 'load it up' and see how far i could cast this baby!

'FLING!' and all i can say is WOW.... My slice was flying through the air and definately much further than it would have gone on my old rod/reel combo... However, my line wasn't attached anymore! The braid snapped right near the top of the cast! I thought WTF? This is 10kg braid?? So i rig up again and decide to back off a bit with the casting and get a better feel for the rod. Whilst rigging my son said 'Wow Dad how big are the fish here if he snapped your line like that' which resulted in a slight scowl on my face.... bloody sarcastic ba$tard (I wonder where he got that from?)

As i soon discovered it wasn't like my old rod where i would put an enormous amount of flick into the action but instead the new technique was more like a pendulum action by just swinging the rod without a flick. The result... I end up getting a bit further out but the action is totally different (and feels effortless i have to say).

As for the new reel all i can say is wow, how smooth is the action.... it feels great! The braid does make a noise though during a fast retrieve which i'm not used to but all in all i'm quite happy with the new gear. Braid also feels like cotton when tying knots and can take a little getting used to given the winds on the beach.

Oh and for the record, my wife outfished me with my old cheapa$$ gear by landing a 70mm whiting

off to Exxy at the end of this week - dont like to read this in another post Adam.."If its any consolation, I went fishing today and yesterday arvo and got stuff all."

Q. Are the whale sharks there yet?

Q. We have only ever been in August s have missed the sharks but would LOVE to see them and maybe jump in for a swim ... BUT what are the risks of doing this regarding the biting type sharks?

Have printed out info regarding keep away distances etc... but not really anything on the other sharks dangers! (dont actually know if I would be game enough to jump in but maybe I'll throw the hubby n kids in so at least one of us can say we've done it!

Will be sure to post a "report" when we get back at the end of the month!

Donna

Seriously thinking about a Flat Rock session in the morning. Weather is looking ordinary. Is it worth the trip do you think?

Hi All,



Me and a few mates are thinking of trying to get down to busso for a couple days before the easter break.  We plan to do a dive off the buso jetty plus go on the hunt for a few salmon.



Does anyone know of any half decent chalet / caravans to sleep 4 people in down busso way?  It's just for the boys so accommodation doesn't have to be flash though was hoping someone could recommend a place to try?  As long as they've got room for the boat that's my main proirity:) cheers



Wayne



PS:  Has anyone dived the busso jetty?

Was viewing some video's from the BBC youtube channel and came across these, awesome HD video's...

Humpback whale gulps an entire shoal of fish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCH3TXq6VG8&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=769661F6DEB6BA55&index=3

Army of dolphins, sharks, whales, seals and gannets hunt down the billions of sardines along South Africa's east coast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBd4sNHBnYc

Unreal!

Does anyone know if theres any restrictions regarding spearfishing (gidgie) around garden island?

havn't been there for ages but i remmeber snorkelling there as a kid and there was quite a lot of decent looking fish.

If i change my mind and want to stay dry, wheres good for a cast?

Hey everyone,

I’ve narrowed it down to these reels, stuck in deciding between these two as a replacement for my Penn 850. Only 3g difference in weight, .5 difference in retrieve ratio, both have 6 bearings and both come in just under $300. Will be primarily used for spinning from the stones, casting poppers and jigging offshore for species such as Mackerel, Tuna, GTs and everything in between on a variety of different rods, for anyone wondering. I know a few people on here have or have had experience with these reels so any good or bad points on either would be greatly appreciated and opinions very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

All roads lead to South-West events
Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the South-West over the next week for three exciting events - the Great Escapade WA bike ride, the Drug Aware Pro surfing competition and the Quit Forest Rally.

Tourism Minister Liz Constable said she hoped the events would provide the impetus for Western Australians to take a break and spend some relaxing time in the region.

“The South-West and its surrounds are world-class, with inviting beaches, a spectacular coastline, award-winning wineries, gourmet eateries and stylish accommodation,” Dr Constable said.

“These three events over the next week are the perfect excuse to take a short holiday in the South-West.”

The first event begins tomorrow with the Great Escapade WA, a cycling tour that takes participants through the towns of Busselton, Bunbury, Donnybrook, Bridgetown, Manjimup, Pemberton, Nannup and Augusta, before returning to Margaret River nine days later.

Nearly 1,500 interstate and international participants and about 750 Western Australians will cycle through the region, enjoying the scenery and sampling the offerings along the way.

The second event is the Drug Aware Pro Margaret River surfing competition, which runs from March 30 to April 5.

The Minister said the event had attracted some of the world’s leading surfers, including Mark Occhilupo, Jake Paterson and Leanne Curren.

“The pro is one of the most prestigious World Qualifying Surfing events in the world and one of Australia’s top tournaments on the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour calendar,” she said.

“We expect 128 men and 60 women from more than 20 countries to be competing in the event for an increased prize pool of $270,000.

“The event is a wonderful way to showcase Margaret River through the worldwide media attention it will attract. The international television broadcast will be shown in more than 48 countries and streamed live on the internet to millions of viewers.”

The third event is the Quit Forest Rally, which will be held from April 3-5. Drivers will visit Busselton and Nannup as part of this round of the Australian Rally Championship.

hey guys was hoping to

get a cheap fly combo wonna start hitting it up with schecky

any one got one for sale thanks heaps

danobigfish

Well, only 20 sleeps till myself and 7 other fishing junkies hit the Wallabie group.

The refreshments have been organised from the Big Pigeon Club. Corona and Tequilla.

Will be fantastic to go fishin back old my old turf. Did 4 cray seasons on Big Pigeon about 12 years ago.

  We will put together a great report to pass onto you all if Adam lets us!!!!!!!!

So hopefully we can succeed in getting our S__T together for everyones enjoyment.

Het Neale, what party trick have you got up your sleeve.

BJ, Damo, Dan, Garbo, and Big Red you will regret not coming along and supporting the South west boys.

Has anybody heard if there is any blue box squid available around Perth yet, as I am fed up with the yellow box crap.

Cheers

John

Along with the Sambos released, I got into some very nice Skippy between 40 and 45cm in 16 metres off Bunbury this morning. Kept 6 for a feed and released more. All fish were caught on unweighted Mulies floating back in a berley trail. Was out to catch Pinkies but they didn't show.

This was my 2nd Sambo that struck my 4kg gear for the morning. Was in 16 metres off Bunbury and this fish was released ok as well.

Went for a quick morning fish this morning and had a double hookup on 1 (ONE) set of snelled hooks. Sambo and Skippy. To top it of, it was on 4kg gear, Ambassaduer 6500C3 on Shimano Taipan Extreme 4kg line. Kept the Skippy but released the Sambo. Hope the pics are ok as it was only me in the boat.

Can anyone advise me on the best method to smoke up some salmon.Any advise is greatly accepted as i think it is the only way to eat them.

uniden marine radio 27 meg with mounting bracket,and mic free

Hey,

Was just wondering if anyone could help me out. Going out off Hillary's on friday we havent fished much up here so dont really know where the ground is so if anyone can point us in the right direction. Not asking for gps co ords or anything just some advice.

Cheers

heading down to pt peron for a fish this saturday arvo
any reports down that way??

and what should i be targetting as i never fished there?

worth putting out big baits?

cheers,

reuben

Gday fellas

i was just wonderin if anyone has seen or caught any salmon yet around rockingham??, thought they should probs be around by now..

cheers

I am looking at the GS-1503SFM 15 foot, 3 piece.

Many thanks Colin Hay

The lonely fisherman

My 8000 Shimano Stradic combined with a Daiwa Moonraker

Sherbs shows perfect form

The headland at Salmon Beach

Went down to Asi Groyne this morning... got there about 630am.. parked car at start and walked out 3/4 of way out there.. about 30 mins later a BMW with to older italians rock up.. slowly climb over the rocks RIGHT NEXT TO ME... now come on.. there is a whole rock groyne with NO one else around and they want to hold my hand?... i didnt say anything until the fella moved behind me and then climbed up on the other side of me and was thinking of fishing there... thats when i told him my version of how things were going to go.. RUDE,... maybe its just me. growing up fishing down south where you can spend the whole day fishing and not see a person... Him on one side his wife on the other and 1km of rock groyne with no one else on...

Same goes for surfing you dont drop in on someone else's wave.. grrrr

Making preparations for the first big salmon assault

One of Uncle Stu's mouth watering breakfasts.

Heading into the unknown at Salmon Beach

My Moonraker waiting for some action

Sherbs dreaming of a big salmon school

Uncle Stu raedy for some salmon activity at Windy Harbour

Sherbs gets stuck into a stringray

Doug gives the ray some curry.

Sherbs and Stu deciding what to do with an angry Eagle Ray

I thought for sure I had finally hooked a salmon, but it turned out to be a not too bad tailor.

Was over at Garden Island today squidding and throwing a few s/p's around fishing in 2-3 metre's there is certainly plenty of decent size squid over there and what did suprise me what grabbed the s/p's was large king george whiting didnt matter what sp I used ended up keeping 4 for tea the largest one went 58cm totally blew me away that they were in such shallow water just near the beach,so tonight it whiting and squid with a few beers to wash it down,great conditions out there today

The Department of Fisheries has initiated surveys of the Swan River, near Eden Hill and Caversham, for feral pearl cichlids, after a member of the public found several of the unwanted species in the river last week.

full story at - http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25234587-2761,00.html

info regarding these species  

http://www.gcca.net/fom/Geophagus_brasiliensis.htm

Dan1, Good all round bloke and Fishwrecked member and Toyota owner had to recover Dan C, Nissan owner and non Fishwrecked member from being bottomed out! Ha Ha Ha!

A DESTRUCTIVE feral fish has been discovered in the Swan River, sparking a Department of Fisheries survey.

The Department of Fisheries has initiated surveys of the Swan River, near Eden Hill and Caversham, for feral pearl cichlids, after a member of the public found several of the unwanted species in the river last week.

Subsequent surveys by researchers have not yet located any further samples, but the find has raised concerns that pearl cichlids may have already established in the Swan River.

Director of Aquatic Management Greg Paust said the species was first located in Bennett Brook in 2006 and action was taken in a bid to control their spread.

“We fear that the freshwater aquarium species, which was probably dumped in a local waterway that  feeds into Bennett Brook, could end up impacting on the native fish species that currently inhabit the  upper reaches of the Swan River,” Mr Paust said.

“This common aquarium fish, which is a prolific breeder and can survive in saline waters, could impact on the local ecosystem, but the extent of its impact is unknown at this stage.”

Mr Paust said, when the cichlids were first discovered in March of 2006, steps were taken to limit their  spread through various control techniques in a range of water bodies – at Altone Park, the Altone Park Golf Course irrigation ponds, drainage systems and natural streams like Bennett Brook.

“The Department of Fisheries has spent approximately $300,000 over the last three years on the difficult  and challenging control program,” he said. “As recently as last year the fish poison rotenone was applied in Bennett Brook, to try and limit downstream movement of cichlids, but unfortunately, it appears that this may not have successfully contained the feral population.”

Mr Paust said the Department of Fisheries would continue to monitor the Swan River in the area where the cichlids were found to confirm whether the species has become established, but action to eradicate them was not considered a viable option.

“Likely impacts on the Swan River ecosystem are unknown because, while the cichlids could dominate native species in freshwater environments, their ability to reproduce, spread and compete in the more saline sections of the river is unknown,” he said.

“The Department of Fisheries is working closely with the Swan River Trust in respect to this recent
development and meeting key stakeholders again this week to discuss the issue. The Swan River Trust has also provided $12,500 funding for research on cichlids, since they were found in Bennett Brook.

“This incident highlights the major problems, costs and environmental impacts that can occur when people dispose of exotic species into our aquatic ecosystems.”

Mr Paust urged aquarium owners to never release exotic fish, algae or other aquatic life in our waterways as, in most cases, it was impossible to eradicate these unwanted species once they had been established.

Is it worth paying the extra money for an Epirp 406 with GPS locator. I can see no sense in thsi but thought I would ask.

Cheers

Neels