bjorn2fish

Thanks for that bjorn.
So not exactly bad news, just not the results they'd hoped for.
Reading some of the other articles it seems others have had the same observations as I have, still I'm willing to trust the scientists and am all for a healthy fishery.
My only concern is about the commercial sector, they're going to be propped up for the next 3 years then what? Open slather like before? Seems kind of crazy to go to all this effort only to trash everything again.
I guess only time will tell.

It looks legit! - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-17/sa-snapper-fishing-ban-extended/101784940
At a time where there are food shortages around the world with Australia soon to realise we haven't escaped this reality either it really doesn't surprise me that the powers that be stop the citizens from feeding themselves.

It looks legit! - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-17/sa-snapper-fishing-ban-extended/101784940
At a time where there are food shortages around the world with Australia soon to realise we haven't escaped this reality either it really doesn't surprise me that the powers that be stop the citizens from feeding themselves.

Just got a notification through the SA fishing app, surely this is a joke?
Does anyone know if a.) This is for real? & b.) Was any alternative to full closure considered such as a reduced slot limit?
Everytime I fish Spencer Gulf I get snapper bycatch, I like to fish reefy ground in shallow water 5-6m max for a mixed bag (also it's where I find the bigger KGs) and snapper up to 60cm can be thick at times, surely out in their actual territory they are doing ok?
I'm not a scientist, I don't have the data but my personal experience tells me snapper are easier to catch now when not trying than they were targeting them pre bans, something about this doesn't seem right.

Fished the dodge tide on Saturday. 

Unfortunately the wind and air pressure conspired to negate what little water movement there was. Rather than accentuate it which is what I was expecting. 
Nonetheless got 16 from 32 to 40cm. Sunday was a blow out !
 


 
 

Very unfortunate for sure.
However, Softy should get down there for some fish - after all, he doesn't catch much and this would be an easy score for him  

Original article source: https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/investigation-into-hundreds-of-dead-fish-found-on-popular-adelaide-beach/news-story/46c094a068eb18e1223db22daf398754
 
Investigation into hundreds of dead fish found on popular Adelaide beach
An investigation is underway after hundreds of dead fish, believed to be anchovies or sardines, washed up on a well-known stretch of sand.
 
An investigation is underway after thousands of dead fish washed up on a popular beach.
Beachgoers who travelled to Semaphore Beach in Adelaide over the weekend were met with a stinky surprise after the fish washed up on the sand.
The fish are believed to be sardines or anchovies.
The cause of the mass fish death is unknown, but the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) has kicked off an investigation into the incident.


“PIRSA is aware of dead fish being reported in the Point Malcolm area and are investigating the cause,” the department told NCA NewsWire in a statement.
The department said events which kill a large number of fish could be due to several reasons.
“In general, fish-kill events can happen due changes to environmental factors such as temperature, salinity or oxygen levels, or through the introduction of disease or pollutants,” PIRSA said.
Once images of the dead fish circulated to social media, many users shared their own theories.
“I used to work along that section of beach and on a couple of occasions I’ve come across large schools of white bait landlocked in a pool, with a sandbar preventing them from returning to deeper water,” one user wrote.


“Unfortunately, the shallow pools heat up and the fish die.”
Another claimed the fish were trying to escape a predator and “got caught” when the tide went back out.
Meanwhile, another person said it was a result of recent storm activity.
“All the polluted water washing out to sea from the rains,” one person wrote.
PIRSA urges anyone who comes across “unusual numbers of dead fish” to contact FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.

It has been one of the slowest starts to the Yellow Fin Whiting lure fishing season here in S.A.
Adelaide finally got it’s first 30c degree day in 7 months, this November.
It has been a disappointing weather pattern. As soon as we have a warm day, it is followed immediately by a cool change and several days with temperatures in the teens. A sustained warm spell is needed to put some deep set warmth into the water. At present water temps, still hover around the teens.  Well short of the 20+C that makes those big Yellow Fin Whiting rabid hunters. The hotter the better. My favourite YFW spot has the Big Mamas ravenous at 22C.
Nonetheless we have to get our fishing fix and take what is available.
There are plenty of YFW about for the bait fisher. And sub surface lures like the Ecogear ZX are more productive in cooler waters.
At present the most common catch on surface lures are Salmon Trout. In good sizes too, not your small summer sprats.  Their presence is a clear indicator of the cooler water temps.
Flathead are providing a good option to break the monotony of unproductive casts for Whiting.
They don’t mind the current water temperatures. Too hot and the baitfish along with the Flathead disappear from the wading shallows.Whereas the hotter shallow water see the juvenile prawn population thriving and the YFW voraciously feeding on them.
The Ecogear ZX gives you both options. It will take Flathead and YFW. Although you will need to modify your retrieve depending on which fish you want to attract. With whiting it is always the continuous retrieve of a fleeing prawn. For Flathead it is the high lift, pause, retrieve, repeat. For Flathead it is all about the “hang time’” above their eyes. A not infrequent by catch is the odd Flounder. Tasty when cooked fresh. Should you come to a Flathead holding hot spot, my go to lure at present is the OSP Bent Minnow which certainly attracts their attention. These catches in current conditions, necessitate you target a variety. And for those keen on Salmon Trout, you can certainly come away with a full bag.
Mixed bags are what I am getting in these “transitionary” conditions.
But I am keenly looking forward to a heatwave !!!!
Cheers, Des.
 

Hi all.
I went for a cast today. Went some where I havnt been so far this season..
Walked the out going and the incoming.. 8.7ks and 8hours.. Long day..
Water was clear, winds were good and not much floating weed about.
Managed to get 3 @ around 35-36cm.. Nice fat and healthy. Lost 2.
Lots about but they were very scattered and not really in groups... Makes it harder as there is no competition amongst them.. They were not really interested in lures,, Theyd casually follow them and turn away when they got close to me.. Over and over it happened... Kept changing lures and only the 1 type/colour worked today... The ones I got smashed the lure as soon as it hit the water.. Happens often.. Must startle them and they grab it..
The tide was low enough for me to get right out to a sand bar I know there... There were plenty of them, casually swimming about, not a care in the world, but not feeding and didnt really run from me, just kept their distance... I didnt get any here. I tried and tried.. But had to leave as I was out a ways and didnt want to get caught out.. I left that area in frustration.... Next time..
Plenty of small YFW about in large numbers and they were hitting the lure... I kept moving when I found them as they are a pain..
Lots of puffers hitting the lure, Lots of small crabs and a few bigger ones.. Lots of mullet feeding. Lots and lots of small stuff about.
I learnt something new today. I managed to startle a prawn out of its hole.. I got it... This is what we are trying to mimic guys..... I let it go and watched how it escaped me.. I took note how it moved. I did some casts to see if I could do the same.. Got it in the end and the little YFW went spastic. Pitty this happened when I was nearly done for the day as I didnt see any big guys.. Next time..
Used 3 spools and no lost lures.. I tried a new line today.. Very thin and casts for miles..
All in all it was a good day out..
Mike

Thought I could start the ball rolling for this section by showing my latest lure aquisition to entice the local bream population. Enjoy. regards, HBt.

Sad news reported today of Aussie fishing icon Alvey Reels shutting the doors permanently.
Link to original article https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/manufacturing/australian-fishing-reel-brand-forced-to-close-after-102-years-amid-drastic-price-hikes/news-story/63caad4108d0191fc1da4a3269ae64c4
 
Australian fishing reel brand forced to close after 102 years amid ‘drastic’ price hikes
Iconic Australian brand Alvey Reels will shut permanently after 102 years in coming weeks as a result of immense market pressures.
After more than a century in business, Australian fishing reel brand Alvey Reels will shut up shop permanently.
Increased cost pressures have forced the Queensland-based manufacturer to close its doors after 102 years, according to a statement released on Monday.
The company announced it had “made the difficult decision” to cease operation on June 30.

It cited issues with sourcing raw materials, “drastic” cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and staff shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company still had “significant supplies” to clear and has planned a “structured sell down”, the statement said.
“We anticipate running with warehouse/dispatch and administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time,” it read.
Products will remain available via its website, and authorised retailers will continue sales until they run out of stock.
Calls to company phones will be diverted to an answering service to assist the admin team.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and while we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers,” the business said.
“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”
The company experienced significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion as it entered its centenary year of 2020.
Its success came off the back of an announcement in 2017 from Bruce Alvey – a descendant of the man who founded the business in 1920 – that it would need to shut because of plunging sales.
When the news broke, there was an outpouring of support for the company that allowed it to continue trading.
It ultimately attracted attention from Con Athans, who expanded the business to include a broader range of gear, including high-end apparel.

Sad news reported today of Aussie fishing icon Alvey Reels shutting the doors permanently.
Link to original article https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/manufacturing/australian-fishing-reel-brand-forced-to-close-after-102-years-amid-drastic-price-hikes/news-story/63caad4108d0191fc1da4a3269ae64c4
 
Australian fishing reel brand forced to close after 102 years amid ‘drastic’ price hikes
Iconic Australian brand Alvey Reels will shut permanently after 102 years in coming weeks as a result of immense market pressures.
After more than a century in business, Australian fishing reel brand Alvey Reels will shut up shop permanently.
Increased cost pressures have forced the Queensland-based manufacturer to close its doors after 102 years, according to a statement released on Monday.
The company announced it had “made the difficult decision” to cease operation on June 30.

It cited issues with sourcing raw materials, “drastic” cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and staff shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company still had “significant supplies” to clear and has planned a “structured sell down”, the statement said.
“We anticipate running with warehouse/dispatch and administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time,” it read.
Products will remain available via its website, and authorised retailers will continue sales until they run out of stock.
Calls to company phones will be diverted to an answering service to assist the admin team.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and while we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers,” the business said.
“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”
The company experienced significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion as it entered its centenary year of 2020.
Its success came off the back of an announcement in 2017 from Bruce Alvey – a descendant of the man who founded the business in 1920 – that it would need to shut because of plunging sales.
When the news broke, there was an outpouring of support for the company that allowed it to continue trading.
It ultimately attracted attention from Con Athans, who expanded the business to include a broader range of gear, including high-end apparel.

Sad news reported today of Aussie fishing icon Alvey Reels shutting the doors permanently.
Link to original article https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/manufacturing/australian-fishing-reel-brand-forced-to-close-after-102-years-amid-drastic-price-hikes/news-story/63caad4108d0191fc1da4a3269ae64c4
 
Australian fishing reel brand forced to close after 102 years amid ‘drastic’ price hikes
Iconic Australian brand Alvey Reels will shut permanently after 102 years in coming weeks as a result of immense market pressures.
After more than a century in business, Australian fishing reel brand Alvey Reels will shut up shop permanently.
Increased cost pressures have forced the Queensland-based manufacturer to close its doors after 102 years, according to a statement released on Monday.
The company announced it had “made the difficult decision” to cease operation on June 30.

It cited issues with sourcing raw materials, “drastic” cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and staff shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company still had “significant supplies” to clear and has planned a “structured sell down”, the statement said.
“We anticipate running with warehouse/dispatch and administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time,” it read.
Products will remain available via its website, and authorised retailers will continue sales until they run out of stock.
Calls to company phones will be diverted to an answering service to assist the admin team.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and while we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers,” the business said.
“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”
The company experienced significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion as it entered its centenary year of 2020.
Its success came off the back of an announcement in 2017 from Bruce Alvey – a descendant of the man who founded the business in 1920 – that it would need to shut because of plunging sales.
When the news broke, there was an outpouring of support for the company that allowed it to continue trading.
It ultimately attracted attention from Con Athans, who expanded the business to include a broader range of gear, including high-end apparel.

Sad news reported today of Aussie fishing icon Alvey Reels shutting the doors permanently.
Link to original article https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/manufacturing/australian-fishing-reel-brand-forced-to-close-after-102-years-amid-drastic-price-hikes/news-story/63caad4108d0191fc1da4a3269ae64c4
 
Australian fishing reel brand forced to close after 102 years amid ‘drastic’ price hikes
Iconic Australian brand Alvey Reels will shut permanently after 102 years in coming weeks as a result of immense market pressures.
After more than a century in business, Australian fishing reel brand Alvey Reels will shut up shop permanently.
Increased cost pressures have forced the Queensland-based manufacturer to close its doors after 102 years, according to a statement released on Monday.
The company announced it had “made the difficult decision” to cease operation on June 30.

It cited issues with sourcing raw materials, “drastic” cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and staff shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company still had “significant supplies” to clear and has planned a “structured sell down”, the statement said.
“We anticipate running with warehouse/dispatch and administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time,” it read.
Products will remain available via its website, and authorised retailers will continue sales until they run out of stock.
Calls to company phones will be diverted to an answering service to assist the admin team.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and while we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers,” the business said.
“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”
The company experienced significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion as it entered its centenary year of 2020.
Its success came off the back of an announcement in 2017 from Bruce Alvey – a descendant of the man who founded the business in 1920 – that it would need to shut because of plunging sales.
When the news broke, there was an outpouring of support for the company that allowed it to continue trading.
It ultimately attracted attention from Con Athans, who expanded the business to include a broader range of gear, including high-end apparel.

Sad news reported today of Aussie fishing icon Alvey Reels shutting the doors permanently.
Link to original article https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/manufacturing/australian-fishing-reel-brand-forced-to-close-after-102-years-amid-drastic-price-hikes/news-story/63caad4108d0191fc1da4a3269ae64c4
 
Australian fishing reel brand forced to close after 102 years amid ‘drastic’ price hikes
Iconic Australian brand Alvey Reels will shut permanently after 102 years in coming weeks as a result of immense market pressures.
After more than a century in business, Australian fishing reel brand Alvey Reels will shut up shop permanently.
Increased cost pressures have forced the Queensland-based manufacturer to close its doors after 102 years, according to a statement released on Monday.
The company announced it had “made the difficult decision” to cease operation on June 30.

It cited issues with sourcing raw materials, “drastic” cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and staff shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company still had “significant supplies” to clear and has planned a “structured sell down”, the statement said.
“We anticipate running with warehouse/dispatch and administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time,” it read.
Products will remain available via its website, and authorised retailers will continue sales until they run out of stock.
Calls to company phones will be diverted to an answering service to assist the admin team.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and while we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers,” the business said.
“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”
The company experienced significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion as it entered its centenary year of 2020.
Its success came off the back of an announcement in 2017 from Bruce Alvey – a descendant of the man who founded the business in 1920 – that it would need to shut because of plunging sales.
When the news broke, there was an outpouring of support for the company that allowed it to continue trading.
It ultimately attracted attention from Con Athans, who expanded the business to include a broader range of gear, including high-end apparel.

A common principle of fishing is to try and match the hatch, or in other words, use bait that is the same or similar to the target fish diet; but considering the primary dietary components of southern garfish are seagrasses of the family Zosteraceae and planktonic amphipods, it's not really possible.
Instead, generations of fishos have used substitute baits for southern garfish including;
maggots bread chicken slivers of garfish Which bait to use seems to be a personal preference (I stick with maggots and chicken).
Maggots
Maggots are probably the most common bait used for southern garfish. Apart from the "yuk" factor at the thought of maggots, they are a great bait to have on hand, they don't, smell, they last for months in the fridge and you get a tub of approx 350 maggots for $6-$8. When fishing maggots, they also stay on the hook well and it takes quite a few bites before you need to re-bait.
Bread
Cheap! Readily available. Can be used both as bait and soaked in water for burley. If you have non-fishing partner, they will not complain about bread in the house (as opposed to a tub of maggots). Downside to bread is you need to re-bait more regularly.
Chicken
It was an old timer on Largs Pier that taught me about chicken for garfish (he also fished off the bottom, not under a float). He used chicken breast, so I have always used chicken breast. Once you have bought the chicken, put into the freezer. When you want to go fishing take it out before, let it partially defrost, so it makes easier to cut even thin slices. I like to take these slices and pat dry with paper towel, to remove as much moisture as possible (the more moisture you remove, the firm it will be and it will stay on the hook better). Next, take the slices and cut them into small slithers ready for your hooks, then put in a container with some breadcrumbs (the breadcrumbs absorb more water and add to the burley trail when fishing). Sometimes I will put some tuna oil on the slithers before adding to breadcrumbs. This is a great bait to have on hand, it's cheap, readily available, you can keep it in the freezer and not yuk out anyone else in the house.
Slivers of Garfish
I've never tried this, but I've heard good reports of taking a few slivers off the first garfish you catch and using this as bait. This is suggested as a way to mix up your bait if the garfish are being timid.

JOIN A FOOD CHAIN
No, No! … Don’t get a job at “Maccas” … but find the Yellow Fin Whiting’s favourite “Maccas” ! Their food chain.
 
Recently I have been getting consistent results when targeting Large Yellow Fin Whiting.
It was after I studied the YFW diet, by regularly inspecting the gut contents of fish caught in different locations. Developing an understanding of their food preferences, movements, behaviour and the habitat in each location. Subsequently I have been fishing these habitats with the food preferences for that location. Fish in their “Macca’s” !
 
Large YFW’s Morphology and Diet
Larger YFW are built differently, behave differently and feed differently, to their smaller mates.
The morphology of the bigger YFW enable them to predate on a number of alternative food sources.
Bigger means stronger, faster, and most importantly they have a bigger mouth to swallow their prey.
Prey that is much, much larger than the worms they were weaned on. Not that they will pass up an available worm!
The bigger YFW are aggressive predators. No longer the docile benthic grazer of worms, nippers and cockles, that it was when it was smaller. They can now chase down prey. They can grasp it, rip it, immobilise it, and swallow it whole.
 
The different sizes/ages of YFW practice what biologist refer to as Resource (food) partitioning.
Which means the big ones don’t steal the young one’s food. They don’t all compete for the same food resources.
Larger YFW move on to aggressively feed on a lot of Crabs, Prawns, and Minnows.
Regularly inspecting and recording their gut contents and the areas they were caught in, provides a great insight into their diets.
And a good indication of the likely habitats in which to find the larger YFW. And more importantly what lures to use where.
There is also a degree of “Habitat partioning” with the YFW.
In summer I find, a lot more of the larger YFW remain in the upper gulfs. It holds their preferred food.
Whilst most of the smaller ones move on to southern gulf areas that hold more worms and small cockles.
 
The Habitats & Food Chain
Through out the upper regions of the two gulfs, the samphire beds are the start of a series of very productive areas to find large YFW
Haswell’s Mud Crab (Helograpsus haswellianus) are abundant here. They feed on the film of diatoms and algal slime which coats the surface of the mud flats. Through the warmer months the crabs spawn. Their abundant zoea are then fed on by the juvenile Prawns.
In that warmer half of the year, Juvenile prawns thrive in the, food rich, high salinity and higher water temperatures of the upper gulfs . Post-larval and juvenile prawns settle into the shallow environments of the upper gulfs for the warmer months. Before eventually moving on to deeper waters as they mature. The juvenile Prawn and Haswell’s Crab populations are the primary reason why the upper gulfs hold more large YFW.
 
So often I find the large YFW with their stomachs bursting full of small mud crabs, along with juvenile prawns.
And these YFW are often taken in low water in the outgoing tide. On the higher tides, the Prawns will move in to feed on the crab spawn and larvae. The big YFW are not far behind, hunting down prawns. But they also hang back in the very shallow water of the littoral zone, as the tide drops. Waiting for the small mud crabs to emerge from their mud holes, that are under and around the samphire beds. Then the YFW feast. The big YFW are unbelievably aggressive in the shallow out flowing water, during these frenzied feeding periods. Water flowing out, off the Samphire beds, often through mangrove creeks, will hold large YFW that have spent the high tide feasting on prawns and crabs.

   - Haswells Crabs in the YFW guts
 

   - Prawns upto 100mm found in YFW guts.
 
I have managed a couple of YFW with the Cranka Crab. But no luck using the soft plastic crabs. But the stand out success in this area, has to be the stickbait surface lures that mimics the movement of fleeing prawns in this habitat. Sugapen 95 is the most successful for me.

   - A few YFW taken on Sugapen 95 Col# MB16
 
The next promising area, are the sandflats. Which lie adjacent to the mangroves and samphire beds. The organic rich tidal flows, coming off the samphire beds provides the food source for many detritivores living in the sand flats. Large YFW particularly love lingering over the sand flats that hold Clickers. The smaller tides when water covers the area for a longer period, is a particularly good time to find them feeding here. Big YFW love big Clickers. The Ecogear ZX 43, a sub surface lure, on retrieval, has an action that mimics the movement of a fleeing Clicker or prawn, across the sandy bottom. It is irresistible to a large YFW when presented in these sand flat areas. Again SP imitations of clickers have had disappointing results for me.

   - A few YFW taken on the Ecogear ZX43 Col#402 (UV)
 
The sand flats finally meet the weed line. The ribbon weed beds hold and offer protection for a number of the YFW prey. Prawns will retreat with the tide and shelter in the weed beds. Likewise, it provides a safe haven for Minnows that shelter from predators here. Along with Flathead laying in ambush, big YFW are always patrolling the weed line looking for prey, should they stray out of their shelter. The Stick-bait surface lures, worked along the surface areas of the weed line, provides the top water action here.
And Soft plastic Minnows worked along the bottom of the sand flats - weed line edges, will also find you catching the larger YFW along with a few big Flathead.

   - A Few YFW along with some Flathead taken on Gulp Soft Plastic Minnows and Shads
 
To find big YFW, find the habitat that holds their preferred food.
To catch Big YFW on lures, use the lures that imitate their preferred food.
“Match the Hatch” and Increase your catch!
 

   - When you crack the Food Chain, catches of 10 or more 40cm plus YFW are a regular possibility in your bag.
 

   -  A Few sessions with 7 to 10 40cm Plus YFW in the bag
 
Tight Lines!
Cheers, Des
 

I look forward to all the contributions from the many YFW specialists in this forum.
Over the coming weeks I will be transferring a number of posts regarding Yellow Fin Whiting which I had previously only put up on Face Book. (lazy)
I look forward to us building up a knowledge base for us to share.
The posts will not be "Fishing reports" as such but discussions about the Species, Morphology, Habitats, Ecosystems/FoodChains, Tackle and Techniques.
Looking forward to every ones input.
Cheers, Des

I have been using Sunline Siglon PEx8 for a number of years now.
 

The thinness and cast-ability has been great. However a criticism of it would be that it frayed a little easily and subsequently prone to breaking easily if under pressure.
I would adjust the drag accordingly. Sometimes too much for a good set of the lure hooks on a strike. You learnt to adjust the drag after the strike.

 
Today I tried the PEx8 - ADV version for the first time ,,,. Brilliant !!!
Smooth, abrasion resistant. I totally agree with their claim;
 "deep resin technology. Increasing abrasion resistance 4 times, slickness and knot strength. It also repels water to improve casting distance cast after cast."
 And available for a very similar price.  Highly recommend it.
Cheers, Des.

Hi all,
So just got back from the holiday manged two salmon one 38cm and the other 40cm off the rocks and a small fiddler ray probably round 60cm
I caught three small flatty's and some kgw whiting mostly bloody trumpeters but I managed a couple of salmon trout and a mullet off the shore.
I also managed my first flatty on a small savage gear pencil lure which was exciting as this was the first time I had used the lure so I didnt really know if I was using it correctly, all I did was rod tip down and slow wind then bam little flatty jumped on.
Still beats adelaide fishing just a pitty there were heaps of trumpeters getting to the bait before the whiting.
heres a couple of photos of the trip
 
 
 
 

Veggie scraps aren’t cutting it - so its time for worm chow 
it’s only been 3 days but I swear they are getting bigger already

I had to work this out  because my fiance likes eating my bait for some reason, best way i found was putting the clusters in iced FRESH water for 15 minutes first then just using the doobie method above rub as much of the gross bits off you can, rubbing with paper towel also  helps. Dry off well. 
Should be clean as, hot oil will sort the rest out.

Yeah, the Onk council has made a number of accusations - whether true or false only those involved really know.
This is the kiosk operator (Rob) response .... 
"
Dear Customers, friends and boat ramp users. Apologies for the lengthy post. Most of you will have already discovered that the council has taken over the boat ramp and locked the kiosk. Thank you for the many, many phone calls of concern that I have received. I feel that you all deserve an explanation for this. On Wednesday 17th March I arrived at the ramp to open up as usual only to find that the locks had been changed and I was being accused of being in default of the lease agreement. I was blindsided by this as I had no knowledge of any breaches of the lease agreement on my part. The council have accused me of the following. They are stating that I have been collecting cash for daily fees in amounts not prescribed by council. Why would I do this? Everyone gets a launch ticket and if I charge less I still have to pay the council the same amount resulting in a loss in my income not theirs. They are stating that gift certificates can not be used for launchings: Unfortunately I was not aware of this. Gift certificate holder’s launchings are still registered every time they launch their boat using their certificate. Again, council is still receiving their percentage of this. They have requested that people bring their certificates in to council for some reason. If anyone has a certificate that still has any balance on it I will honour the balance of these in stock , if I am able at some point to access my stock, or I will organize a balance refund. There will be some really cheap fishing tackle and bait to be had. They are stating that I have regularly misused social media by posting regular complaints about and concerning council. I’m having trouble finding any of these regular posts on this page. (I suppose this one probably counts). They are stating that I am regularly abusive and aggressive to users of the boat ramp and by my conduct have discredited the council. I have been given 30 days to respond to all of this. It has taken a few days to get over the shock and disbelief that I am being put through this again. Initially I had thought to engage a lawyer however my lease expires in October and because I have now been deprived of all income I am not in a financial position to do this. Council has obviously decided to remove me and, as they have unlimited access to rate payer funded lawyers, I have decided to walk away rather than drag it out only to be removed in October anyway. I am planning to request that I be allowed to have access to the shop for a short period of time in order to offload as much stock as I can. If I am successful in this I will let you all know when that will be. I have loved operating the ramp and would like to thank everyone for their continued friendship and support over the last 12 years. Many of you have asked what you can do to help. It would be appreciated if you have time to contact the council via email with character references as they are trying to assassinate my character with this. They are deleting all positive comments about me from the post on their facebook page. Lastly- if anyone knows of any jobs going I’ll be looking in a few week’s time. Rob "