The refit on the big duck is coming along rather well. I've just epoxied n glassed a big get f@*#$#d tranny box into my starboard side hull and now I need to fill it with a suitable liquid. Antifreeze seems to pop up a fair bit , but being in this part of the world antifreeze is the last thing I can lay my hands on. Any ideas ladies and gentlemen ? 

 Hi everybody .. hope your all staying safe and well :-)

Can anybody provide info on a 13'6 Snyder Glas (not Wilson) Northcoaster rod (Alvey low mount single piece)  ... the only info I can find is that it was sold by Wilson .. it's a 7 wrap but it states it's max casting is only 80gms ???? this seems very light to me .. I have Snyder 7144 and 7177 rods and casting weights are over 100gms  .. so why is the Northcoaster such a light rod for the length ?

The Rottnest portal makes it clear that access to the island's facilities are being banned, but..

There's no information on whether we can moor off the island, or access any parts of the island from a boat.

Does anyome have any definite information on this?  (I'm going to get on the phone tomorrow morning, but expecting a long wait in the circumstances).

Cheers,

Rob 

After discussion with the girls at Ningaloo Reef Holidays this morning I cancelled our house that was booked for 3 weeks in June (they are paying back my deposit less $100 administration fee which I'm happy about), they told me that the local Shire Council don't want visitors for the time being, allowing only 20 people a time in the local IGA's, all liqour outlets and restuarants are only doing takeaways as per goverment orders, whale shark tours and fishing charters are closed (was taking our own boat so not a problem there). Because of limited medical falcilities and the fact that Exxie is quite isolated they are probably thinking of their own residents and I for one can't blame them, I would suggest that anyone who is booked in up there to make enquiries and not presume that all will be "unkey dory". Stay safe and lets hope some sanity will prevail.

 Anyone planing to head to lucky bay (Kalbarri area) soon or over Easter, need to change their plans. Its shut as of now for camping.

 According to medical experts one of the first symptoms of the unmentionable virus is the lack of smell. Judging by my wifes reaction to my rumble in bed this morning she and myself ( smells good to me ... :) are right to go for today. A social experiment for the brave perhaps ? 

,

Anyone else get blistering runs on set lines targeting snapper only for the fish to spit the bait with no apparrent bite marks on retreival.

It seems like they are only mouthing the bait without biting down? 

 GUYS, not fishing related but i think here might be best palce to get an honest answer.

I currentely have mechanical operated discs brakes on my boat trailer & as total weight is over 2200kg, i thought i should upgrade to the legal standards for trailers, which is Electrical operated disc bakes with the breakaway feature. Before you have a go at me, the trailer / boat was purchased in 2014, sold by a reputable boat sale s company.

just need to change the calipers from manual ones to hydraulic ones, run the brake fluid tubing & instal / connect to the "E" brake acuator.

so if i am reasonably mechanically capable, would i be able to do this change over myself, or should it be left to experts ?

second question, is anyone running the AL-CO IQ7 brake acuator, i think this looks like a pretty good item. ?

thanks in advance, Wez

During the annual 2020 Gamex fishing tournament, on a normal afternoon glass-off in the Exmouth gulf. Alex was with his father fishing in a 4.5m boat where able to tag a Sailfish. Not at all unusual for Exmouth and its world renowned Billfish fishery. What makes this special is that Alex is 4 years old  and was able to fight the fish from bite to tag, with only encouragement and the odd grab of the life jacket to make sure he stayed onboard.

Being his father I am obviously bias but this was an amazing effort and could not be prouder, but It meant even more to me than you can imagine. This is partly due to Alex having ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Something I really knew nothing about until just over 2 years ago when It became really obvious Alex was not like most other kids his age. I am no expert on ASD but the main thing I now know and what most people should know is that every case of ASD is different. I like to use the saying Different not disabled, and in general it has a lot to do with how people perceive the world and how they process that information. But unfortunately in todays world, being different can be hard. Alex has high functioning ASD and has been developing very well for a while now after a obvious regression and delay in his earlier years. With a little help and more importantly the right environment, Alex can do almost everything a normal 4yo can but just has to try a little harder with some things. He even excels with some things as he can become hyper focused on what interests him (normally anything numbers).

This brings me back to the Sailfish. No doubt we were extremely lucky, we where trying to catch a small Trevally or Queenfish to weigh. Not only where we extremely lucky to hook a sailfish where we were and how we did, it was almost the perfect fish. Still had the initial fight and sprint of a sailfish (no doubt of what it was after hookup). But after surviving that, with light drag it quickly calmed down allowing us just to follow and eventually cut off the very well behaved fish for the tag shot. Alex was at the time enjoying what he was doing so was as I said hyper focused and held the rod strait and wound when he could like a absolute champ. We lost the fish as it tangled on the outboard straight after the tag shot. But job done, my son had his first billfish.

But it was all a bit of a non event to Alex as i’m not sure if he even saw the fish and not being able to take it home to mum it didn’t really mean anything. But it meant the world to me as testament to his progress and down the track he will look back and it will hopefully help him gain confidence with his past achievements. This whole situation would not be possible without the amazing fishery that is Exmouth. Only a short run from the marina in predictable glass off conditions we have access to this type of fish.

As mentioned at the start, this was part of the Exmouth Game Fishing Club GAMEX event. WA’s biggest and best fishing tournament. Amazingly well run and supported by a host of amazing sponsors. Alex ended up with runner up in champion angler and champion catch & release angler in the smallfry section (up to 11yo). Alex was not having the best day of the presentation night partly due coping with the change of routine as his Mum was away. But on accepting his second award he put on a great show for the crowd with high fives for everyone and a huge cheesy grin for the photos. Thank you Exmouth Game Fishing Club and all the GAMEX sponsors for a good night and amazingly well run comp.

Please remember people & kids with autism are just different,  and sometimes being different is hard- but should not be held back or underestimated. 

 Heading up to Denham this thursday, will anyone else be staying at shelter bay hiding away from all this crap.

 Gday all,does anyone know if the exmouth fads have been deployed yet.was going to be Saturday just gone.cheers legends

 Water temps been pretty warm lately and the demersals have been firing 

Southside Boating and Fishing is now introducing boats to our store! 

Next out is the tough as tack little 14”6’ boat with the heart of a warrior. This little Deep Vee monohull is the answer to sore arms and dodgy backs as it is easily launched and retrieved by one person.

The boat:

 I am planning to get out tomorrow and as we all do, I am checking the forecast. Do I bother at all , look to get an inshore feed, or venture out wide?

The BOM and GFS forecasts are somewhat different.

BOM:

GFS:

So which forecast will be correct?

Time will tell.

March 7, I spent the day on the boat netting for crabs.  Working on various lines between what I guess is the wind/weather station and into Roberts Bay.

I musty have pulled in 80-100 crabs, maybe more, but only two keepers.  Most were just 1mm short (or less) of being legal. Didnt see any females with eggs - is it too late in the season for that?

Previous years I normally have success there getting plenty of good size crabs.  Is it just luck?  Are the crabs small this year?  How often do they shed there shells?  Well there be more big ones three weeks later?

Emergency services currently looking for someone north west of Geraldton. Both Nemo and the rescue chopper out there.

 We’ve just received a couple of boxes loaded with Z-Man soft plastics and TT Headlocks Jigheads and they’ve just hit the shelves!

We’ve extended our range of Z-Mans, adding quite a few new styles and further adding a lot more colours! We now hold the Jerk ShadZ, Diezel MinnowZ, Slim SwimZ, StreakZ, GrubZ, Scented PaddlerZ, and EZ ShrimpZ...

The Z-Man soft plastics are tougher than most, being super stretchy they give you the opportunity to catch multiple fish on one plastic! Matched up to a Headlocks Jighead, which secures the plastic to the weighted head firmly, preventing the soft plastic from being pulled off, furthermore catching you more fish with less plastic changing!

Don't Forget FW Members get 10%off in-store!

My DF250 is now out of warranty and I am considering doing some of the servicing myself. Not sure if I should get an electronic copy or a hard copy.

Anyone have experence in this area and able to give recommendations one way or the other

Cheers in advance

Eric

 Heading over to Rottnest this weekend - any suggestions for spots to try for some tailor or yellowtail kings? Will be landbased and using lures - cheers

Enjoy

Hey Guys, I'm booked in for 3 weeks at the RAC caravan in Exmouth in May. Anyone know if caravan parks will be closing? I thought someone here might know someone who is in the industry and has the inside word.

Cheers

According to news, convinced me , I’m in .best thing wife was watching news also, win win

 YETI!!!

YETI is a brand that everyone knows for their quality and indestructibility...

We’ve recently topped up on what we could from the guys at YETI, including Cooler Boxes, Colsters, Cooler Bags, drinkware, Drinkware Lids and accessories! We’ve also gained some more of the newer colours as well!

If you were in the market for a new cooler box, cooler bag, waterproof duffle/backpack or any drinkware and you were after something of the very best quality, check out the YETI range that we have in-store! Also if there are any specific items from the YETI range that you were searching for giving us a call on (08)6507 8915!

Hi all,

I’m chasing an alvey reel either 651E5 or 700E5 specifically for rock groper fishing with my custom built fsu 6120 rod. Bit of a long shot here in the west but I love the old alvey.

cheers,

Crezz

 Heres a good example of what not to do with your rod... lesson learnt!

 For all those that love to visit Broome or even plan to one day. 
Broome for all their marketing as a tourist destination has very poor boat launching facilities. Beach launches with vehicles in door depth water is a common sight. 

Feel free to jump over and answer these couple of survey questions and hopefully there will be some funding sent their way sooner rather than later. 
 

Personally I’d stopped fishing the Billfish tournament as the launching logistics just got too hard and not worth the tow.

https://broomeboatingfacility.com.au/

Custom Deep Drop Rigs! 

It’s at that time of year when the wind finally starts to calm down and we start seeing some top conditions to head deep!

We at Southside are making up some extra heavy-duty, custom made deep drop rigs, made from the strongest of components that won’t let you down when targeting those XXL Bass, Hapuku, Blue eye, Grey band, Rubies etc.

These rigs are in-store now for $29.95… and we also stock the flasher lights and sinkers to match! Come through and check them out!

Don't forget Fishwrecked members recieve 10%OFF in-store as well!

 Hi 

Just wanting some info on Coral Bay or Exmouth

Looking at booking a week or more in July in either Coral Bay or Exmouth

We have 2 boys, 5 & 8 plus taking up our quintrex 475 so can't be going out to deep with the kids.

Do both towns have good boat ramps? 

Can you fish just of coral bay or is it all sanctuary zoned? 

Can anyone recommend which caravan park is good or hire house in both places

Also which is safer for beach fishing

Any other info would be great

 Hi 

Just wanting some info on Coral Bay or Exmouth

Looking at booking a week or more in July in either Coral Bay or Exmouth

We have 2 boys, 5 & 8 plus taking up our quintrex 475 so can't be going out to deep with the kids.

Do both towns have good boat ramps? 

Can you fish just of coral bay or is it all sanctuary zoned? 

Can anyone recommend which caravan park is good or hire house in both places

Also which is safer for beach fishing

Any other info would be great