Went for a surf today at trigg, and with all what is happening with the sharks at the moment it was in the back of my mind. Anyway, I had a big (3ft wide by 10ft long) dark object move a few feet away from me, and the water was all stirred up so I couldn't make out the object, anyway after about 10 seconds I made it out to be a huge clump of seaweed....

Just wanting some feedback from any of you southeners that might target BIG flatties. ave any of you ever targeted them on popper, have been reading a few east coast stories and i know where quite a few big flatties dwell inthe Pilbara so i think it might be a good thing to do on the spring highs in the creeks on the flats.
If anyone has any stories / experience they wish to share on what worked tackle wise and technique wise i am pretty keen to hear your stoies

cheers

All in good working order everything including mounting brackets and harnesses. $300 for them both...

After a bit of a quiet time away from fishing I had the chance to hit it up big time last night and this morning after getting the thumbs up from the missus.
First up, Tackleshack Doug and I headed down to a little bream spot down Caversham way.
While this spot normally doesn't really start firing until at least late January, we were hoping that the recent hot weather might have brought some bream this far up stream.
Alas, it wasn't to be - although I did land one small bream - which was an indication that they are coming. Soon I hope.
We did manage to catch a large number of grunter and a turtle, but we can hope for better action in a few weeks time.
While the fish weren't what we were chasing, the location and the weather was fantastic.
We also spotted a dolphin in the area - which was a surprise for this far up the river at this time of the year.

After a few hours sleep, Sherbs and I hit the coastline in the search for some tailor and herring.
We arrived at the beach just as the light was starting to appear, to find pretty good conditions - with a light south easter and a low swell.
We tried a few mulies on paternoster rigs before Sherbs suggested we take the weight off.
I went for a totally unweighted mulie, while Sherbs tried a rig he has been having some success with, which features one smallish sinker.
Sherbs was right on the money and I soon had three tailor in three casts. Two about 38 cm to 40 cm and the other a bit smaller, which went back.
The action slackened off a bit after that as a rising breeze began to make it a bit harder to fish without any weight.
As we were only there for a hit and run trip, we peservered with the rigs we had and Sherbs soon pulled in two very nice herring and I managed another 38 cm plus tailor and a nice flathead.
There were a few other guys fishing this location and we did as well as anybody, though one guy did catch a cracker tailor and a thumping buff bream, and one of Sherb's acquaintances seemed to be pulling in quite a few herring.

So I ended my short fishing drought with two good sessions with two great blokes and I am hoping the rest of 2009 will be the same.

A few of the fish Sherbs and I caught this morning. The reel is a new Abu Garcia Soron which I had teamed up on my Moonraker rod. It proved a perfect combo for casting unweighted mulies.

All the best,

Colin Hay

Anyone interested in a rotto trip in the next few weeks ???

Dive for some crays,or fishing if ya dont dive then meet back up at thomo's bay for a seafood barby stay the night get on the piss or go home whatever ???

Happy New Year everyone!!

On reading the previous thread it seems a few still have the effects of a hangover or spend way too much time living life on the internet. This is a forum for opinion and not a place to throw cheap shots from a keyboard. Because this is a forum and I do have an opinion I feel strongly that I should go ahead and express that opinion.

The job of every human being is to look after each other and to create a safe society. Nobody has defined where human beings should live and go about their daily business be it work or pleasure. We weren't born with gills but we have an ability to venture into the water to gather food etc. It is our responsibility to make sure that we do whatever it is to make things safe. Allowing a large predatore to lurk around in waters close to where large numbers of human beings congregate for whatever reason is not acting responsibly. I agree in the first instance that this creature should have been tagged and tracked and if it is apparent that the predatore is not moving on then it should either be forced to move on or be destroyed. Sitting on our hands doing nothing is bullshit.

I respect the opinions of those who adore nature and advocate for the rights of the shark. I myself find it most upsetting that we should need to consider dealing with this creature but it is, in my opinion, necessary if the shark continues to hang around as it seems to be.

Hi all, hope everyone had happy and drunken new years.

One more day here in Port Vila & then back to reality, looking forward to coming home to do some more fishing if weather permits ( not looking good on seabreeze ). Went fishing for marlin & maybe a nice big yellow fin that the locals rave about, well it started off good with the first strike on the right rigger with what was estimated to be a 50-60 kg fin, but only a few minutes into it the hooks pulled, damm. Then the deckie (dicky) put out a little skirt out the back on the centre rigger for a the fin, well thats when all hell broke loose with a little blue smashing it but not hooking up, but just hanging round hitting it and out of nowhere a much bigger fish smashed it and we where on. Being the wifes strike into the chair she went for what she thought would be walk in the park on 37kg gear, 2.5 hrs later we managed to get this 170kg blue up from the depths after being tail wrapped and dead. So back trolling again & only 20mins into were on again with nice little blue hooking up on on the big 130 tiagra, in the chair I go & we have this little doin his stuff out the back giving us a nice show of areobatics. This time the story ends well with us tagging him, estimated to be around 60-70kg. 

Hope you can help in identifying this fish.  I had a great day catching 20+ of these on my bream gear.  I was out in the middle of the sound and there was a huge school of them attacking every lure I chucked at them.  They were all in the 40-50cm range so awesome fun on 6lb.  Fight is real hard like a large skippy etc.  Hope someone can help because I wouldn't mind taking one for a feed if they are tasty and ofcourse of legal size.

Regards Dave 

If I didn't know better I could legaly go out and catch a bag limit of 8 repeat 8 crays according to the brochure I got with my licence and still be within the rules and I think a judge would find it hard to prosecute someone if they did take 8. I think if fisheries are going to reduce bag limits as they have (and I dont have a problem with the new bag limits)sorry the fisheries minister, they should ensure the litterature sent out reflects the new rules, it's not like I renewed it before the announcement of the new bag limits I only did it a couple of days ago!

hi all again

3rd post for the day (sorry).

ive just changed jobs for the past 9 monnths i was working 6 nights a week, hence why i havnt been fishing for awhile and prob caused why my boat played up yesterday(boating section).anyway with a 15ft boat i have only fished cockburn and warnbro sound.my boys r now 12,14 and would like to try further out. obviously conditions would have to suite being a smaller boat. i have heard of the 5 and 7 fathom bank r these easily to get to from warnbro and how far out r they how wide apart they r from outer edge to inner edge.basically if someone has any co-ords  to these just to get me there and back, i dont want your personal spots but just a starting point so me and the boys can try our luck somewhere else thanks in advanced.



                                          dakka and boys

Fisheries and Marine Officers, patrolling the ocean off Perth’s northern suburbs now have a faster, more flexible, vessel to carry out their compliance work.

The powerful new 12.5 metre boat, named the PV Waterman, was built at Henderson by Kirby Marine Fabrications and has been specifically designed to meet the wide variety of tasks required for Fisheries and Marine Safety patrols.

Department of Fisheries’ North Metropolitan Compliance Manager Todd A’Vard said the new vessel provided a much safer working platform for patrol officers who would be required to carry out compliance work in difficult weather conditions.

“It easily handles the worst weather the 'Fremantle Doctor' can throw at us, can cruise at 30knots fully laden with six crew and has enough range to go well offshore,” Mr A’Vard said.

“But, importantly, it has outstanding manoeuvrability. It can turn within its own length and also has a very shallow draught to deal with inshore compliance issues.

“The community has a high expectation that we will monitor compliance of the State’s fish laws closely and enforce the marine safety rules as well and this boat vastly improves our capabilities.

“It has also been given a name to honour one of the coastal areas it will serve that also has a connection with departmental history. In 1908, fisherman Alfred Waterman built the first house in modern day Waterman and for many years the Department of Fisheries operated a research facility on the coast at Waterman before its current research centre was established at Hillarys.

“PV Waterman, which will be based at Hillarys, will generally operate between Wedge Island in the north to Fremantle in the south and also conduct patrols through the Marmion Marine Park, to ensure the special rules that apply there are being followed.”

Mr A’Vard said the new $482,000 vessel replaced an aging patrol boat that faced limitations in certain situations and poor weather and ocean conditions.

“When you are inspecting and boarding other vessels at sea, the design of this aluminium fabricated rigid inflatable has clear safety benefits, when it is alongside other boats at sea and it is also capable of working rock lobster fishing gear and carrying out numerous other tasks out on the water,” he said.

“PV Waterman is a much faster vessel than the patrol boat it replaces, which will be very useful in case of any emergencies we assist in or in responding to reports of shark sightings or marine incidents along the coast in Perth’s northern suburbs.”

I've never fished on a boat up there, but I'm hoping to take my tinny up there sometime between the 7th and the 13th. My brother and his friends are all into freediving and spearing, but a I hope to catch a  few fish while I'm up there as well as dive for a few crays.

Any tips or reports from recent trips perhaps?

Ta,

till

just wondering about getting a new good small reel for chucking lures. my budget is around $100 but id prefer to spend a bit less than that . any suggestions?

What hopes, dreams and wishes are you looking forward to in 2009.

Apart from winning lotto and world peace, I am hoping we have a much better salmon season than last,
All the best, Colin Hay

spotted around Esperance or Albany yet?

hey guys fished out from mindarie today started off in 29 meters got 5 big kgs then thought go out to the 42 meter line and try for some dhuies we got 1 fox fish and not another bite come back in to the 29s and didnt get another fish so ended up with 5 kgs and a fox fish for the day was out for about 6 hours weather wasnt to bad at all today

For a week from next monday i was just wondering if there is much in the way of fish and squid going on down that way?I will mainly be at the jetty with my little girl but hoping to get a few casts in on my own.Any info will be appreciated and if need be will be kept to myself .Thanks and have a good new years Tony.

I am hoping to head down to chase some bream later this week. Does anyone know if the bream have moved upriver in the Swan yet?

G'day all, any chance any member has recently been fishing around wilbinga/loonies/flatrocks area? I have some spare day's and thinking of heading up & stayin a few day's over the New Year break. Have not fishied the area for 3 months so appreciate any heads up.

Hey just wondering where you guys get your weather reports for two rocks from?

Is it ok to take the weather report off sea breeze for Lancilin? or better for Perth?

Looking at heading out tomorrow morning, but the weather report for Perth isnt the best, but the Lancilin one is pretty good!!

Any info would be great!

Cheers

Media Release
The Liberal-National Government has set aside a record $1.7million and significantly increased the maximum amount that can be allocated as part of the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS).

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said local government and other authorities could now apply for a maximum grant of $500,000, an increase of $200,000 on the scheme's previous limit.

Mr O'Brien said the increase was in response to the escalation in costs related to building maritime infrastructure.

In addition, local authorities would now be able to apply for up to 75 per cent of the total cost of minor works and planning studies and there would be an extended application period for these two categories. Funding for major works projects must still be matched dollar for dollar.

“We are also encouraging community members to approach their local authority if they have a proposal to improve or create a boating facility,” he said.

“The RBFS provides funding for new or improved facilities benefiting Western Australia’s growing recreational boating sector.

“Boat owners make a direct contribution to the ongoing improvement of facilities because the scheme is funded from boat registration fees.

“The RBFS gives recreational boat owners access to upgraded ramps, jetties and other facilities in key locations along the coast and on WA’s many inland waterways.

“Each project is monitored by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure to ensure the funds provide new and improved facilities of the highest standard, allowing improved access and increased safety for the boating community.”

The Minister said in the ten years since its introduction, the RBFS has seen $7.53million allocated to 189 projects throughout WA.

Recreational boaters in their community are encouraged to discuss proposals with the local government. Individuals can not apply for funds; applications can only be made by eligible authorities.

A brochure with information about round 14, application forms or more information about the RBFS can email the department contact them by phone on 9216 8917 or log on to the website at http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/rbfs

Applications close on April 2, 2009.

Minister's office - 9213 6400

Ok, so a mate is in town and wanting to fish tomorrow night.  It's been blowing like mad every evening and tomorrow doesn't look any different.

So besides enjoying a few cold ones and watching the sunset, I'd like to catch a few.

In my limited experience, I haven't caught anything in windy conditions.

So what do you reckon?  I'm leaning towards hitting Hillary's north wall with southerlies on the go.  But what tactics do you use to catch fish in windy conditions?

cheers!

lost a few paternoster rigs this week and the lead weights are a couple of bucks a throw. Does anybody make their own as I see you can buy the moulds to DIY, is it worth it and where do you buy the scap lead

larry

Norman Moore, the Fisheries Minister for Western Australia, announced today that he was pleased with the results of his plan to reduce demersal fish catches over the last six weeks. Under the minister, fisheries have implemented a new method of reducing the demersal fish catches.  This new method involves modifying weather patterns to ensure that the vast majority of days are unfishable for offshore boaters due to strong government-implemented winds. Increased winds during the trial period have meant that only a few fishable days were experienced in the last six weeks.
"This new method is working really well" said the minister, "We have reduced the number of fishable days since the trial started to only a handful. Of course, even a few days over a month is completely unacceptable, so we will endeavour to reduce the number of days to zero over the remaining summer months. However, we are on track to have strong winds all next week".
When asked what the fisheries minister thought about boat users with larger boats and larger balls able to brave the conditions, he responded with "I dont have much concern about that as those boaters will be able to show everyone else what is out there, aggravating them further. We have also solicited the services of a few northern fishermen to supply photos of barramundi and other northern fish to further increase the envy quotient of southern fishermen".
In recent weeks, many fishermen have been forced to fish in inshore areas raising some concern that the V516 could be even further threatened. The minister was confident that there would not be too much concern as the goverment was ramping up its blowfish breeding program.

When a local fisherman was asked what he thought of all this he said "Well, hes better than that old minister who thought bottom bouncing was something that you did in rough seas. At least when he promised to review the V5 ban, he ended up not ratifying it. Its unusual for a politician to do such a thing, so we werent all that surprised to hear that the minister was responsible for this abnormal weather we have been having. Wait, wait, i'm on.... yes! Oh, its a blowie. *F&%!"

Merry Christmas Fello Fisho's

I hope everyone had a fantasic few days, days of family, eating and drinking 

I recieved quite a few lures for Christmas including a Shimano Lucanus!

Have anyone had any luck with them? what did you catch? and can some one give us some info on what depth should I use them around Perth?

Cheers

 Johno

Not a bad show last week on the screen!!! How many Reds do you want???

The Brad man and his boat (with some new Barra virgins on board no doubt) spotted leaving Karratha 1pm Boxing Day. We will no doubt have a great story soon for us to all drool over!!

Good luck Brad and Happy New Year!

Neels

Another pic out of the archive

I jsut cant decide seabreeze sasy a little windy swell 2 - 2.2 toomrrow/Friday  mmm to go to rotto or not anyone ? 5.75m to much waves and breeze or not ? ...