Oyster Bay - 24/10/09

Busy, busy, busy with the DVD, which is a good thing but it certainly chews into you fishing time. A big thanks to all those that have invested in the DVD already and Adam and I really hope you enjoy it.

I did manage to sneak out for a quick session to Oyster Bay as I'd promised the In-laws a feed of fresh fish. Tides weren't the best but the water is noticably warmer and I managed to have a pretty good morning. I was working the edges of the weedbeds where they drop off into deeper water and varied between SP's and HB's over the two hours I was there.

First to come aboard were two whiting, one caught on a shallow diving Jackall Chubby and the other on a Berkley Gulp 2" Shrimp (molting). I then changed to a 6" Sandworm (Camo) and picked up a flattie quickly followed by a bream.

Another change of lures, this time to an Atomic Hardz mid Shad 40. First cast and it's hit hard and the drag howls. 'What's this?' I ask. Some strong, fast runs and I see a glint of silver but it doesn't feel breamy. I'm over the flats and with no structure for the fish to bust me up on so I take my time. Eventually it glides into view and it's a Silver Trevally. Wow, this is the first one I've caught this far upstream from Botany Bay and he's a welcome addition to my bag.

I figure I need one more fish and stick with the Atomic and roll it along the weedy edges. Three quick flatties in succession but they're all too small, however it's promising to see so many about. Eventually a keeper jumps on and I'm off home with the task at hand completed.

The ABT/Hobie Kayak round at Narrabeen is just around the corner and I've had a few questions about the lures I use. I thought that this week I'd show a photo of the Hard Bodies I'll use. Based on the fact that Narrabeen is a fairly shallow location, most of these HB's are shallow divers or surface lures.

Early morning is ideal for using the Pencil, Sugapen or Sammy on the surface over the weedbeds and a slow walk-the-dog presentation should attract a few interested fish which will hopefully whack them with gusto!

The Atomic Hardz and Chubby's are shallow divers, so they can also be worked over the weedbeds with a slow roll with lots of pauses and twitches added in. Vary your retrieve until you work out what the fish are interested in on the day. Sometimes they like an aggresive retrieve while at other times they like it nice and sloooooooooooow.

For the deeper areas and drop-offs, I'll use the SX40's, Pygmy or Blades. If it's extra windy, the blades can really be effective as you can still cast them a mile, even into the wind. Next week I'll give a run down on the Soft Plastics I'll be using. Happy yakkin', everyone!

cheers,

Cid

Kayak Fishing Sydney DVD Released!

Finally, Adam and I have finished the DVD we've been working on the last three years! With fishing being such a fickle thing, it took a lot longer than expected to get the footage that covers most of the fish you'll catch around Sydney. Here's a run down of what you'll see us catch on the DVD - Bass, Bream, Tailor, Kingfish, Trevally, Salmon, Flathead and Mulloway (Jewfish).

Adam and I run through the lures and techniques needed to catch these species which can be used throughout all locations Australia-wide, so don't think that this is a DVD that's only relevant to Sydney. But for those that are Sydney siders, or even potentioal visitors, we've include maps that show locations for all the surrounding waterways, like the Nepean, Cowan Creek, Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, Parramatta River, Botany Bay, Georges River and Port Hacking.


Also on the DVD is a brief description of the set up on my own Hobie Sport, a segment on installing a sounder and a fish photo ID page covering the main species I've caught throughout the Sydney area from my kayak.

Running time is 82 minutes with 10 minutes of extras. RRP is $24.95, which includes postage and handling to anywhere in Australia. To purchase, please visit our main website, http://www.kayakfishingsydney.com/ and click on the online store button.

As a bonus, purchase before 5pm 18th December 2009 to enter our draw to win one of 10 giveaway packs. Each pack will vary but items to be given away include a Pflueger Rod and Reel, Hobie Kayak products, Tackle boxes, Lurelogic, SMAK and Halco Hardbody lures, Berkley Soft Plastic packs, Berkley Fireline, braid scissors, Fishing Caps and other various products. Winners will be notified by email and final results will be posted online.


Another DVD just released is by Gary Brown and Scotty Lyons: 'Port Hacking - Jewel of the South'. I've been working on this DVD with Gary and Scott for just over two years and although it's filmed from a power boat, it's locations and tips can equally apply to kayakers. The Hacking is regularly thought of as a tough fishery but armed with the location maps and Garys and Scotts tips, such as how to correctly pump nippers, catch Poddy Mullet, spin for Bonito or rig up for Luderick, you'll be able to increase your bags and maybe expand your repetoire of species targetted.

Available in almost all tackle stores throughout Sydney, please visit http://www.garybrownfishing.com.au/ and click on the reports button under the Home drop-down list to see the list of tackle shops stocking the DVD. RRP is $24.95

Now that the DVD's are out of the way, it's time to do some serious practice for the Narrabeen round of the ABT/Hobie comp that is just around the corner. Happy yakkin', everyone!

cheers,
Cid

Captain Cook Bridge - 30/9/09

Every now and then, if you're lucky enough, you'll land a fish that's pretty special. I'm glad to say that yesterday I managed to land that special fish. After a fairly medicore start to the day where Stewart and I had gone to catch jewfish but ended up with only an average flattie and a squid (and Stewie caught both of those), we decided to head in to where the weedbeds reach the edge of the drop-off and attempt to spin up a flathead to add to the bag.

A TT Switchblade was my weapon of choice and seeing the water was a bit murky, I went for a bright colour to give the fish something to zero in on. I was using a Daiwa Capricorn reel, loaded with 6lb braid with a 2m leader of 6lb Vanish Fluorocarbon. We drifted with the wind, casting upcurrent and double-hopping the lures back towards us. Second cast and I hook a whiting. Finally I'm on the board. This guy put up a good scrap, mainly because I'd hooked him right near the tail. The next cast I hook up again but this one actually pulls some line. 'Nice fish,' I think and this time it's a real elbow slapper of a whiting, close to 40 cms I reckon. And that's all I'll be doing as it spits the lure back at me as I'm reaching for the net.

It's nearly time to head back and go to work. Three more minutes will do us. I put in an extra long cast and let the lure hit the bottom. Hop, Hop, wind in the slack, let it sink. Hop, hop and crunch! Ooooooooooh, this has some weight. Stewart is right next to me but is slowly left behind as I'm towed up current. The rod tip bucks as this beast shakes it head. 'Jewie?' we both think and it goes on another run, drag singing as it turns and goes with the current now. I try to lift her but she's hugging the bottom and I hope there are no large rocks down there where she can bust me off.

Basically, for the next 8 or 9 minutes it's a stale mate. I'll gain a few meters of line, then she'll take it back it a strong surge. We still haven't had any colour yet and an ID is being bantered about. Jewfish? Big Flathead? Maybe a Kingie? They have been getting them up at the mouth of the Cooks River lately. 'Bream?' I say with raised eyebrows!

Eventually I feel I'm starting to win and Stewart and I are both peering into the depths for first colour. And ever so slowly we see a dark shape gliding up. 'Holy S#%t!', I say, 'she's HUGE!' Two meters under the water we can see the biggest flattie I've ever hooked. My best to date is 82 cms but this girl looks bigger. She has a massive head, it looks as wide as mine. Luckily I've hooked her in the side of the mouth and my leader is out of harms way. I glance at my net and think no way we she fit in that. Stewart has one of the fish-friendly rubber nets and seeing as this girl will be released, we decide to use that and get some quick photos before setting her free.

I get her on the surface and guide her towards Stewart who does an expert job and scoops her up. A foot and a half of her tail is hanging out the top and she a big fat porker, too. Hoots and

hollers all around and we get a few snaps on the water before I put her back in the net and swim her to shore. Onto the lie detector and she is a new PB, topping out at 86 cms. Stewart has been taking the snaps (thanks, Stewie) and we don't muck about and ease her back into the water. She sits there for a few seconds, probably saying 'What was all that about?' and then gives a few quick beats of her powerful tail and scoots back off into the depths to scare the bejesus out of any baitfish in the area.

Woo hoo! I'm stoked. Catching a big girl like that is magic, and seeing her take off to fight another

day is even better. Landing these big crocs is all about patience and having good tackle that works well under pressure. The drag on my reel is silky smooth and the line easily played out when she went on her strong runs. If I'd have had a reel with a drag that stuck or had the drag too tight, she'd have easily done me over on 6lb. Making sure your knots are good is also essential in these longer battles.

I'm not sure on her weight (we didn't muck about with the scales) but she would've passed the old 10 lb mark easily. I can see how estimates of big flathead can be way off as in the water they look so huge. When she first came up I would've called her as close to a meter. Well, she was, but not that close! Now to crack that 90 cm mark and then... the 1 meter club! Happy yakkin, everyone!

cheers,

Cid