I am thinking of heading over to Rotto for a fishing expedition in the next few weeks. If anyone is willing to give away a few tips on good lanbased fishing spots over there it would be appreciated.
Many thanks, Colin Hay

Another Govt media release

Skippers need safety ticket from today
From today, the Recreational Skipper's Ticket (RST) is required for those operating recreational vessels in Western Australia.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today's RST deadline marked an important milestone in the introduction of one of the most significant marine safety initiatives in WA.

“After a two-year roll-out of the regulations,from today, people in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor of more than 4.5 kilowatts (6HP) require an RST,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“The Skipper’s Ticket requires people in charge of recreational vessels to have a minimum level of skill and knowledge needed to protect themselves, their passengers and to share the water safely with others.

“Skippers must have their RST to operate a vessel, or face an on the spot fine of $200.”

The Minister said strong support for the initiative from the boating community throughout WA had resulted in more than 84,500 tickets being issued by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, with another 3,000 applications currently being processed.

“There are about 87,000 registered recreational vessels in WA, so the basic ratio of tickets to vessels is pleasing at this stage of the introduction of the RST,” she said.

“Authorised providers of RST training and assessment report a continued high level of inquires and bookings, which will further boost the number of qualified skippers in WA.

“DPI Marine and Regional Transport Officers, Department of Fisheries Marine Officers and Water Police will be enforcing the new requirement on all WA waterways.”

For more information about the RST or for the contacts details of one of department’s large network of authorised training and assessment providers, log on to http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine

Alternatively, call the department’s RST hotline 9216 8966 for a copy of the free workbook or to obtain further information

Seabreeze is forcasting 3 days of not a lot of wind. They gotta be right for at least one of them

If anyone is heading out and would like a deckie, I would love to get out there. It's been too long.

This maybe a stupid question but has any one else seen Stella 16000's? I was fliking trough a mates old copy of nafa on jigging and it had two japanese anglers using them and I was wondering are they available in australia and what is there gear ratio on them, they look similar to Stella 20000 except the spool is different.

Gday,

Wondering where all the Gardies are around the metro area? need some troll baits for up north!

Cheers

Sam

hey guys heading up to green head in two weeks time just woundering if any one has been there before as where new to the area. any information regarding the off shore area, also keen to do some diving around the reefs ,does anyone know if theres a marine park there and if spearfishing is allowed any info on the area would be greatly apprciated.cheers

Has anyone heard of any salmon sightings in the Metro area?
A mate of mine fished at Yanchep yesterday and there were reports of some small schools passing through.
He tried a few casts with mulies at one school but they weren't interested and were't hanging around.
All the best, Colin Hay

do u think snapper would be close by?? near the rocks?? after a rain this morning? anybody trying to go after them?? btw does anyone knows whether the sound is still close for pinkies?

iv finally decided to buy myself an alvey abd im wondering what are some reccomendations. iv ben looking at the 500B surf and another one i cant rememebr

Would be interesting to hear different peoples opinions on fish stocks regarding the 5 fish mentioned in the new fishing proposals? Where do you mainly fish what area and depth etc? Have you seen a big or small decline in fish stocks or has it stayed much the same? How many years have you fished off the WA coast 5,10, 20 years etc? Would be good if peoples own opinions where respected and this forum didn't turn into a slagging match between who's right and who's wrong. You need to take into account new technology as better sounders and GPS make things alot easier. In the early days we relied on compass, paper sounders and a sumlog to tell distance so things were very hit and miss when fishing 40km offshore.

Jason.

If you had to rate the top five fighting fish you have ever caught what would they be?( on fighting quality alone) mine are
1. giant trevally
2. yellowfin tuna
3. baldchin
4. sambo's
5. cobia
It is a question that has alot to be debated about i just wonder what other people think fight harder

we r booked to stay in exxy ,aug 2 - 16 taking an 8m seaquest and my 7m southbound, got a hse which we stay at a lot love to catch up and fish/have a beer with some fishwrecked crew... any1 let me know also welcome to come out fishing ..

Just wondering if any one running a lowrance sounder has taken any interest into the new broadband sounder add on , had a look at their site last night and it looks interesting also the 3d imaging gps card which fits the globalmap lowrance series chartplotters which looks to me as a very great idea. Was thinking of changing out both the sounder and chartplotter but now i think ill just grab the broadband add on and wait a month to get the new card for the chartplotter and the free download from lowrance  to run the navionics platnum card

Wondering if anyone has the low down on these gizmos??

I have been told there are some good makes available and some not, and a bit of debate as to their effectiveness

Example:

http://www.uberreview.com/2008/03/shark-shield-surf-anti-shark-device-eaten-by-shark.htm

The manufacturer claims that the device does work but that due to the design it will only be effective while a surfer is stationary and waiting for a wave. If you are actually surfing, or paddling, you could be out of luck. At any rate, I cannot think of a more spectacular product testing failure than this one."

 hey anyone fishing in the river tonight planing a trip  to deepwater point  . has anyone been doing any good  im hopen the blowyes  slow own after dark  also has anyone  seen much bait around

Hi everyone just like to say thankyou for your support and words of encouragement .Thanks to John at joondalup compleate angler for is help,in all i raised near $1000 for the Leukaemia foundation. here are the pics prity arn't i THANK AMY

anyone from NOR going out on sunday and need a deckie...i'll be happy to fill the spot...with chip in for fuel and bait and will wan to learn more... ehhe really keen to go out if the weather is permitted?

well is anyone heading out , or are we all going to sulk all weekend. Me im going for a dive tommorrow and might fish sunday weather permiting.

Hi guys
Does anyone have an update on acces to Exmouth at the moment with the rain of late? I have a road trip planned up there leaving tuesday 1 April. Are the Cape roads still driveable? I'll be in a 4wd.
Thanks
Tim

Hey guys,

does any body know some areas where i can fish for flathead.... i heard of an are in east freo where there are flats...any body know whree exactly and care to direct me to some flats that are holding these critters.... location south of river... any help would be awesome... i have seen couple of posts but if you could help me out on more recent spots that would be awesome...

cheers in advance

happy fishing!!

I was impressed with one from a tinnie!
Got this from my BCF Newsletter

http://bcf.com.au/mailout/aprilnewsletter/marlin.html

BOM reports that Panhco is moving south west and weakening rapidly.

Hot of the press.

Fri 28 March, 2008

Minister releases proposed changes to recreational fishing to help save vulnerable fish
Portfolio: Fisheries
A package of proposed initiatives to save some of Western Australia’s most popular and iconic oceanic fish species has been released today by Fisheries Minister Jon Ford.

This package, being released for a four-week consultation period, comes as WA faces unprecedented pressure from its escalating recreational fishing fleet.

The package of 11 recommendations is aimed at saving some of the State’s most vulnerable iconic fish by improving the management of recreational fishing off a section of the WA coast (between north of Kalbarri and east of Augusta, called the West Coast Bioregion).

Mr Ford said a new approach to managing recreational fishing was imperative to ensure the survival of some of the State’s most sought-after fish - especially the ‘Vulnerable 5’ - dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and red snapper.

The Minister said recent scientific research showed that populations of some of the State’s most vulnerable and iconic species were at risk of collapsing because of overfishing. One of the contributing factors to this overfishing had been the burgeoning recreational fishing sector.

“These warning signs tell us that we have to act now to save our vulnerable and iconic fish. Everyone has a role to play to save our fish to ensure we have fish for current generations as well as fish for the future,” he said.

“A balance between preserving the enjoyment of the recreational fishing experience and saving our iconic fish is achievable. And importantly, it’s crucial that we strive to achieve this balance.

“I believe the package of recommended changes that I am releasing today will achieve this balance between the social value of recreational fishing and the need to save our fish for the future.

“The package is designed to achieve a 50 per cent catch reduction of these key species in the West Coast Bioregion. Our best scientists say this is a necessary target to help stabilise and replenish these fish populations.”

The package of 11 recommendations includes reduced bag and boat limits for certain species, increased size limits for pink snapper, a split seasonal restriction for the ‘Vulnerable 5’, and greater protection of fish in the Abrolhos Island fish habitat area.

Mr Ford said it was vital for Western Australians to note that the package of recommended changes only applied to iconic species that were most at risk - especially the ‘Vulnerable 5’.

“The changes that I am recommending will allow recreational fishers to still catch a wide range of fish species,” he said.

“Specifically, the proposed package will not apply to people fishing for the usual fish species that are caught from beaches, jetties and groynes. Nor will changes apply to people fishing for species such as squid, whiting, skippy or fishing for ‘pelagic’ fish such as Spanish mackerel and tuna.”

The Minister said the proposal for a split seasonal restriction would prohibit the take of the ‘Vulnerable 5’ in two parts; October 15 to December 25, and February 1 to March 31. This split approach to the seasonal restriction would reduce the amount of fish caught over any year and offered some spawning protection.

“This split season restriction is a balanced approach to offer reasonable protection to our most vulnerable fish, while also giving people the opportunity to still catch these fish during the height of the summer holiday season, which is when most Western Australians want to go fishing,” Mr Ford said.

The recommendations, which apply only to the West Coast Bioregion (between Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri and Black Point, east of Augusta), include:
1. Reducing the individual mixed bag limit of Category 1 ‘high risk’ Fish from seven to four fish;
2. Reducing the daily bag limit of pink snapper from four to two fish;
3. Increasing the size limit of pink snapper from 41cm to 50cm;
4. Introduction of a boat limit of two daily bag limits for Category 1 ‘high risk’ Fish. Charter boats will be allowed to have a bag limit of two Category 1 ‘high risk’ Fish per customer;
5. Seasonal restriction that prohibits the take of the ‘Vulnerable 5’ species - dhufish, pink snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and red snapper. The restriction will apply October 15 to December 25, and February 1 to March 31 each year;
6. Prohibiting spear fishing on compressed air for ‘high risk’ Fish. Also prohibiting the use of power-assisted fishing reels;
7. Initiating discussions with fishing clubs to discourage public fishing competitions from targeting high risk species such as the ‘Vulnerable 5’;
8. Reducing the finfish possession limit at the Abrolhos Islands, and the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Area;
9. Enhancing the existing voluntary Recreational Angler Logbook program to provide additional data;
10. Establishing a Recreational Fishing Trust, using existing current revenue that is raised through existing fishing licences; and
11. Investigating the introduction of large fish reserves.
The Minister urged Western Australians to make their submissions to this package of recommendations, contained in the Ministerial Position Paper.
Submissions can also include references to additional proposals and issues detailed in the Fisheries Management Paper 228. Both documents and submission details can be found online at http://www.fish.wa.gov.au. The deadline for submissions is 5pm, Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
Minister's office: 9213 7200

This link will take you to a paper released today on new recreational fishing position paper. Click on the pdf file "Recommended Changes to Recreational Fishing of Vulnerable Iconic Fish (Ministerial Position Paper)" I am still awaiting the Minister's full announcement. http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/pub/WestCoastDemersal/index.php

Click Here for Page2 

tuesdays looking pretty good at the moment, might be worth a trip out, maybe even deep to the fads if it all holds out, since the weekend doesnt look to flashy, might be the day to test the new gps out

This was in the news and papers awile ago but she was just sentenced jail is too good for this animal who should be shot people who abuse or hurt kids should be dealt with harder

http://email.news.com.au/ct/click?q=ac-RbItQ0UMomehZCyPLW5LnSAuksRR

Just finished reading Andy Mac's article on using berkley peeler crabs in the latest issue of FWA. Great article Andy. Clear and consise, with plenty of good information and pics (most impressed with how many times the Fishwrecked shirt showed up).
I was just wondering if you could explain your "super snell". It looks like an interesting set-up.
Brad's article on soft plastic in the Pilbara is also a great read. You can see that sp's would be a great addition to anyone's arsenal in the creek's up that way.
Nice work guys,
All the best, Colin Hay

hey pplz whats happing in the river bait wize  anyone seen bonys  ( chopper tailor  or anything )

Boys and Girls - who would you recommend for a Monte's Trip and where do they leave from??

Hey Guys,

Going to Coral Bay Mid Year trying to get some decent lures together for marlin and sailfish. Any recommendations???? Also am I better rigging them myself or buying complete unit??

Also looking for a small pair of outriggers, for 21ft boat. Found some in QLD .....are there any local ones (WA) available.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

4 months and counting!!!