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keenfisho

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  1. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in BEWARE the BAG SNATCHERS IN A CUP DAY CROWD   
    A sunny Cup day meant getting out for a fish rather than be stuck home watching the races.
    .
    The flats were very crowded on race day. There were hordes and hordes of legal but smaller sizes Yellow Fin Whiting in the 25 to 29cm mark. They were a fish a cast for much of the day.  But …  Not the kind of horses I wanted to back.
    With so many little mugs about it was inevitable that the sly and the opportunistic would be out there ready to prey on them.
    .
    A sunny day on the sandflats is such a delight. The clear visibility and water clarity makes watching the passing parade a pleasure. Such an array of different species that cohabit this shallow water ecosystem. Amongst all the delightful sights on a sunny race day, are the diverse collection of Rays cruising around mooching in the sand. But amongst the happy crowd a few seedy characters lurk.
    Yup, “Bronzy Bob” turns up just when you least expect it. While you are distracted.  Intensely concentrating on a big Whiting chasing your surface lure, one of only a few on a lean day, your wading tub suddenly lurches left!
    .
    “Bob the Bag Snatcher Bronzy”   was at it again. He snuck up from behind and latched onto my catch-keeper bag that I have dangling in the water.
    Shooing him off did not work. He was persistent.
    When he made one too many swipes at my catch bag of whiting, I thought I should teach him a lesson.
    I allowed him to feel comfortable for yet another swipe. When he was just about to launch into my keeper bag I scooped him up with my landing net.
    It was a bit of a heavier load for the landing net.
    He was a healthy looking 3 foot specimen.
    I gave him a stern talking too, a slap on the snoot, took a couple of mug shots for the “Crim files”, and sent him on his way.
     

     
    I am told they are very good eating at this size if they are prepared properly after they are caught.
    However there is just not enough room in my wading tub to handle the job.
    Lucky for the Bronzies!
    These guys are frequent but annoying visitors on the sandflats.
    Mostly in the 3 to 4 foot range.
    They are not a threat, just disturbing. I can assure you they are discerning feeders and far prefer the whiting to the revolting taste of your waders and leg within!

     
    On the occasional dull session I have targeted them with a whiting fillet on ganged hooks. Good fun landing them on your whiting gear, whilst wading the shallows !!!
     

       ~ One hooked up on a previous session.
    The biggest I have come across on the shallow sandflats is a 6 footer, maybe 7 feet. I didn’t hang around for a closer inspection and accurate measurement!
    .
    My luck had abandoned me today as the weather factors negated each other to provide difficult conditions for stimulating the YFW bite. The wind speed and direction up the gulf, negated the small natural tide movement and the resultant actual tide was virtually at a standstill all day.
    Even if only small, Some tide movement is a great stimulant for the YFW to feed.
    It was hard work catching and releasing dozens and dozens of smaller fish.
    But I still managed to back in a few good horses on cup day.
    I finished with four fish around 40 to 41cm. And kept 10 of the better ones, that were mostly around 35cm.
    .

       ~ "Bob" took a chomp on this one! 
    Regardless of the fishing, it is always an interesting and enjoyable day wading the sandflats.
    Cheers, Des
  2. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in DONKEYS on the DODGE TIDE   
    Regular post readers will know I like to fish the dodge tides for Yellow Fin Whiting .
    I cover a variety of reasons in detail, in this previous post:
    .
    One very good reason, is that you will regularly find better quality fish on the dodge tide.
    YFW movements and feeding are highly influenced by the tide. Revolving around the largest tide of the day, they tend to have a 24 hour digestive and feeding cycles.
    So even when the tides do not move much on the dodge, they will still have a need to feed within their cycles. The larger YFW have greater food needs and will generally preference a bigger meal such as juvenile prawns or clickers.
    With the small dodge tide their feeding will be concentrated to the smaller area, covered by little water flooding in. They will be easier to find.
    The terrain/substrate that holds their preferred food will naturally attract a higher concentration of larger YFW.
    That terrain you can feel under foot. The softer food holding substrate.
    The small tide movement, along with a deeper low tide, holds water over these prime feeding grounds longer. It provides for prolonged access to this zone for both fish and fisher person.
    A better explanation of productive terrain is in this post :
    .
    The dodge tide on Monday with a High of 1.77 mt @ 8.15am  and a Low of 0.97 mt @ 11.36pm provided a long drawn out, run off tide. With a prolonged spell under water, of some prime food holding areas. It looked like an ideal tide and I set off fishing.
    YFW are always stimulated by tide movement to feed. These tides do not provide much of that stimulus. However there are other factors that come into play.
    .
    The day started slowly without a strike for the first hour. The warmth of the day gradually started to take effect and the first to stir were some small Whiting.
    With the warming arvo came an arvo seabreeze, as well as a predicted strengthening southerly wind. YFW love a heavy rippled surface to take cover under and lose their feeding inhibitions. The bite picked up strongly and catches were now steady. In the constrictions of the upper gulfs any lower gulf southerly wind can force water up. A wind tide pushes in. It further stimulated the YFW and kept the feeding grounds covered with a perfect level of water for a wading fisherman.
    .
    I caught my bag of 20 in good time. This situation regularly provides quality fish, with10 of the fish ranging from 38 to 41cm. Most of the remaining 10 fish were around 35cm.
    Sugapen 95 was the most successful lure. Then again I did not need to use a lot of variety.
    The new Sugapen Splash caught it’s share when the afternoon breeze picked up. This is shaping up as the perfect lure for that strong summer afternoon breeze that kicks up a bit of chop.
    A few were also taken on the Ecogear ZX, when I was forced to go subsurface as a pack of persistent juvenile seagulls are yet to learn lures don’t taste good.
    .
    Hopefully we have some more fine weather for the next dodge tide.
    Tight lines all.
    Cheers, Des




  3. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in CHAIN REACTIONS with CHANGING SEASONS   
    The seasons are changing. The temperature is rising.
    The water is warming. It is all happening a bit earlier this year.
    Lizards are crawling on the roads. And “Lizards” (flathead) are crawling in the sea.
    Water birds are gathering, lining up for a feast of baitfish from above.
    The Flathead are lining up for a feast of baitfish from below.
    In these ambient temperatures, food is plentiful in the shallows.
    The ecosystem has had a great kickstart with the rise in temperatures and every thing comes alive and thrives on the sandflats.

    Temperature is the biggest driver for a series of chain reactions, in the sandflats ecosystem.
    I am forever monitoring the water temperatures.
    The rise in water temperature is early this year.

    A series of natural events occur, which results in delivering us fishers, some fine Yellow Fin Whiting and Flathead.
    Stimulated by the rise in water temperature about now our local Prawns, the Western King Prawn, start spawning in their mid gulf grounds.
    Also now, the Haswell Shore Crabs shrug off their cold weather torpor and also spawn in the inshore shallows.
    Post larval Juvenile Prawns start migrating from mid gulf to the warmer, shallow, inshore waters of the upper gulfs.
    The Haswell Shore Crab larval zoea, now abundant, provides food for the juvenile Prawns and schools of baitfish.
    There is a boom in the population of Juvenile Prawns, Haswell Shore Crabs, and Baitfish in the inshore waters … And also their predators. YFW and Flathead, have moved in, enjoying this abundance of food.
    Having experienced a sustained period of exposure to higher water temperatures, the YFW have now, increased their metabolisms and have developed voracious appetites. The larger predatory YFW that I like to target are now aggressively hunting on the sandflats. Devouring juvenile prawns and shore crabs.
    So it is a perfect time to place myself at the end of these chain reactions and target some YFW and Flathead.

    I took advantage of the warm weekend.
    Given the tides, I selected an area that amplifies the small tide movement and works best on the slower tides.
    I started with chasing Flathead on the falling tide. The Flathead are very active chasing the baitfish as they retreat to the shelter of weedy areas in deeper water.
    Fishing for them in heavily weeded areas does present it’s challenges.

    Lures with trebles catch too much weed. And when a Flathead is hooked they will head into the weed. All the exposed treble barbs, hook onto the surrounding weed and help the Flathead throw the lure.
    I have recently started to use floating hardbodies like OSP Bent Minnows, with singles and assist hooks, for these areas. These hooks pull through the weed easily. So far, I have yet to have a Flathead throw these hooks.


    Look for where the Herons are feeding to show you where the baitfish are and the Flathead will be holding just downstream.
    I was able to extract 3 Solid Flathead that were hiding around the weed, terrorising the baitfish, before the tide slowed.

    Next on the agenda were the YFW. A good depth of water was holding over the softer feeding sandflat areas. Usually you will find this substrate holds more food and fish.
    Whilst not feeding as aggressively as when there is more water movement, the YFW were still keen enough to take a well worked lure offering over the sandflats. My usual favourites, Sugapen, Ecogear ZX and Zipbaits Skinny Pop, were the more successful lures.
    However it is a new season and there are always a few new offerings to try out.
    They did not get too much time in the water but both these new lures took fish.
    The New Sugapen Splash, which is perhaps better suited to a choppier day still took a fish.
    Daiwa’s Slippery Dog 80cm in the colour “Ebi” that I had not previously come across, I thought could work well in this area, had some success.

    A drop in air pressure with a change in wind direction from North to SW, pushed water up into the gulf and provided a small wind tide. The water movement, stimulated the fish to bite late into the afternoon. “Bob the bag snatcher” is also making an early season appearance. I normally don’t see them on the sandflats till November.
    I kept 14 of the better YFW. Most are over 35cm. And the best a very nice 42cm.

    The Flats are Firing early this year !!! Hopefully we can look forward to a great season ahead.
    The only downside is the heavy toll the professionals have taken over this winter as they increasingly search for alternative species to supplement their restricted and dwindling catches.

     
    Tight lines all.
    Cheers, Des
  4. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in SEASON OPENER   
    Spring has sprung with a couple of days of warmish weather getting it started.
    It seemed a good chance to try Lure fishing Yellow Fin Whiting and kick off this season with perhaps a catch or two.
    The YFW lure box has not seen daylight for awhile. It was time to freshen up the lures by replacing the now well rusted out assist hooks on them.
    The reels have been greased and oiled up. Trying best to prepare them for a season of abuse and dunking that wading fishing will inevitably deliver them.
    All prepared I set off for a couple of days in search of my first lure caught YFW for this season.
     
    The plan was to fish both warmish days ahead, determined to get off the mark for the season. I had also planned on fishing two different areas on either side of the upper St Vincent Gulf, hopefully increasing my chances.
    Day one, was a hard slog with barely a YFW sighted. But plenty of Flathead about. The other variety that comes to life in Spring on the Sandflats. I spooked a few.  I dropped a couple. I had not prepared my lures by replacing the rusted hooks. They certainly will be a focus of my next session.
    I had to resort to bait to find a few YFW and keep me informed as to the whiting’s presence and whereabouts.
     
    Day two, which I felt might be the better day, as a result of the water warming after a couple of warm days. It proved to be the day.
    It did take some effort with fish finally taken later in the day on the incoming tide. Again, probably the warmest weather spell of the two days.
    I did not experiment at all with any new lures and stuck to my old favourites of the Ecogear ZX and the Bassday Sugapen.
    Only 2 of the 8 lure caught fish were taken on the surface. Their body temperatures and metabolisms are still low. Making them a bit lethargic to be aggressive surface predators. As in past seasons the sub surface lures usually starts the season more successful.
    Another influencing factor is, awaiting the arrival into the shallows, of the new season’s juvenile prawns from their annual, mid gulf spawn. The availability of this seasonal food source will also stimulate predatory surface feeding behaviour.
     
    There is a considerable difference in water temperature on the two sides of the St V  Gulf. The Eastern side being far shallower, is the first to warm up. The Western side was significantly cooler. However this will soon even out after a more prolonged spell of warm weather.
    There are signs of a promising season ahead with some very hot conditions predicted.
    Every cloud has a silver lining.


  5. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Kuerschie in Anyone used one of these lures   
    Bent Minnows are great fun in the warmer months. Possibly my favourite bream lure for the warmer months.
     



  6. Like
    keenfisho got a reaction from Mickyj in Anyone used one of these lures   
    Yes mate, have caught YFW and Salmon trout with it, would work on the old bream in the correct situation 
  7. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Meppstas in A twenty one trout day..   
    This was one of my better trips to a small stream when the trout were on fire..
    cheers
    Adrian
     
  8. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in HOT SESSIONS   
    A sustained warm spell has held the Gulf water temperatures at around 22 to 23C for a few weeks now.
    Since Christmas day the water temperatures in the upper gulfs have remained in the high range.
    Nice Christmas present !!! This is about a month later than normal.
    It is the sustained higher temperatures over a prolonged period that changes the dynamics of these gulf ecosystems, along  with the behaviour and physiological responses of its participants.
    Currently the Yellow Fin Whiting have become voracious hunters and predators.
    When water temperatures are at this level, It is a rare session when you will not catch a good feed of solid sized YFW.
    With high metabolisms and big appetites any water movement in or out of their feeding areas triggers an aggressive response from these fish. So target YFW during these periods of water movement. Even on dodge tides where the fish are concentrated in a smaller water mass. Just a little movement produces a big response from the YFW.
    I followed the late run off and early run in tide on this session for some quality fish on this session.
    I kept 12 fish over 35cm. Three fish were around 40cm.
    They are great fighters in shallow water on surface lures.
    I was fishing a new spot so I did not experiment with many lures.
    Intending to limit the variables for a good assessment of the new spot.
    All fish were taken on the surface with the Sugapen 95 - Colour: MB16.
    Happy Hot Sessions to all.
    Cheers, Des




  9. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in DOUBLE HAPPINESS - HAPPY NEW YEAR   
    I like fishing the Dodge tides for Yellow Fin Whiting.
     
    I posted a detailed explanation of the factors in this post:
    https://www.strikehook.com/index.php?/forums/topic/38765-dodgy-days/
    .
    So to start the New Year with a couple of days of dodge tides was something to look forward to.
    It was a sunny day. The water temperatures were up there, at around 23C. The small tide was perfect to hold and concentrate the fish for me.
    I went to work with my trusty Sugapen 95 in the MB16 colour. And there was plenty of interest straight away.
    Pretty soon the polite enquiries towards my lure became full blown, “I’ll take that. Thanks.”
    There was a purple patch in which I took 10 fish in the first hour of fishing. The temperature, the tide, the sun, and a perfect stiff breeze, all had the YFW at their aggressive best.
    It got competitive with the YFW. What a delightful sight it is to see a gang of YFW all trying to shoulder each other out of the way, competing to be the first to jump onto your lure skipping on the surface.
    Sometimes in a tight contest, there is close second. And so it was when two YFW hit my lure together.

    For many I unusually use two sets of Assist hooks on my larger lures. I have Atomic Trick Bitz #8 hooks on the rear and Ecogear ZX hooks in the middle. In about 40% of cases the YFW will hit the middle assist hook. And when there is competition and a close race you wind up with a Double Header on a lure ! 

    A special experience that I have been lucky to have had a couple of times previously. In the past, they have been mostly the smaller supper eager inexperienced fish.
    Today they were quality fish. It was a struggle bringing them in … oooh! maybe a new PB. It turned out to be two quality fish at 35cm and 38cm. Both well hooked on the same lure.

    I enjoyed that purple patch, for not long, as soon the wind came in stronger and stronger and the fishing got harder and harder. When it got to 20-25 knots wading got impossible and the fish no where to be seen.
    I was able to bag 17 fish before the wind shooed them all away.

    This is the prime time of the year for big YFW whiting. As the high water temperatures hold a lot of new season’s juvenile prawns in the shallows. And they are the right sized meal for the big ravenous YFW. Most fish caught were over 35cm and 3 fish were around 40cm.

    Can’t wait for the next dodge tide. Hopefully the weather and wind will also be favourable.
    .
    Happy New Year and Tight Lines to all.
    .
    Cheers, Des
  10. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in STRIKE WHILE IT’S HOT   
    ONLY A FEW, BUT GOOD FISH
    An afternoon session today did not realise a lot of fish, but they were all quality.
    The Zipbaits Fakie Dog DS lure did the damage.
    A couple of 40cm and a 43.5cm Yellow Fin whiting make the 32 and 35cm fish look insignificant.
    Cheers, Des


  11. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in STRIKE WHILE IT’S HOT   
    With a very mild Spring and early Summer, Yellow Fin Whiting lure fishing has had a few challenges this season.
    The weather patterns have not sustained a constant water temperature. It barely heats up when a cold change with a series of cold days would chill off the water. It looks like we may have turned the corner.
    We have not yet seen a sustained warm spell to put the warmth into the water and hold it there for a prolonged spell. It is the sustained higher water temperatures that has the greatest impact on the ecosystem and the behaviour of the YFW. Yes we have been finding a few YFW on lures, but nothing like those hot bag out sessions of last year.
    So today after a few, rare consecutive days of 30+C I was off to seize the opportunity and “Strike while the water was hot”

    Comparative water temperature maps. What a difference a few warm days make
     
    I was trying to avoid the cooler water in the morning, by starting around 11.30am. Sleeping in ! The water was still surprisingly cold at the start. Thermal lag, meant the water was still holding onto a cool temperature after a spell of cold days earlier in the week. Hence the importance of a sustained period of warmth. It was hard to find fish showing interest in any of the surface lures in the incoming tide.  Fish would not rise for the lure. The few fish spotted, were hanging back from the lure and staying deep. They were keeping as cool and calm as the water temperature.  I went subsurface with the Ecogear ZX43 blade to catch a couple of good fish.

     

    The Salmon Trout have moved out & the Trumpeters have moved in. A sure sign of warm water.
    Still it was not until the tide started to run off late afternoon, and the water had warmed up from the heat of the day, did the fishing come alive. Increasingly overcast conditions did put a dampener on the fishing. You always catch more in sunshine. I had to resort to some UV enhancement tricks to engage the fish. UV sprays and UV flash tinsels can transform the standard sunny day lures into successful overcast day lures. A quick spray on your lure. It dries fast. Although it leaves a strong lacquer smell. So rub it over with some S factor or Pro-Cure scent to negate the smell. Today my ever reliable Sugapen 95 could only catch fish with the UV enhancements. 


     
    I worked through a variety of surface lures today. The other successful ones being Zipbaits Fakie Dog DS, Ebi Panic, MMD Splash prawn-AW Yabby, 

     
    And one I have not used for a couple of years, the Atomic K9 Bulldog which took the biggest fish.

    The smaller size lures where better in lighter winds and the bigger and noisier lures in the stronger wind spells.
     
    The day finished strongly with the fish more aggressive in the warm water late in the day. I released a few fish in the high 20s to 30cm and kept 17 fish in the 31- 40cm range. Most were in the 35 to 40cm range. A clear sign of the warm water attracting a new batch of juvenile prawns onto the sand flats along with the larger predatory Yellow Fin Whiting.

     
    Happy Hot days and some Hot fishing sessions ahead !
     
    Cheers, Des
  12. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in DODGY DAYS   
    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 !
     


     
     

  13. Like
    keenfisho got a reaction from Des in A SLOW START TO THIS SEASON / MIXED BAGS   
    Great start to the season Des especially with this cold weather
  14. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Des in A SLOW START TO THIS SEASON / MIXED BAGS   
    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.
     






  15. Like
    keenfisho reacted to MIKECATTS in YFW today.. First of the season..   
    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













  16. Sad
    keenfisho reacted to Softy in Callop Slayer   
    Bit rich for me mate.
  17. Sad
    keenfisho got a reaction from Softy in Callop Slayer   
    This combo has been sitting in storage and not getting any use like I planned
    ive used it once to dial in casting and never hooked a fish
    thinking it is extra to my needs and I need new wheels for my mountain bike
    not sure what it would be worth to sell
    hit me up if your interested and we can work a deal. Rod and reel only
  18. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Meppstas in 1-3 kilo rod   
    I'm using the new TTR Red Belly Fast action, ultra light 7' 2 piece 1-3kg rod for trout fishing the larger rivers and found it to be a beautifully well balanced rod.
    Features of the Red Belly Series include premium 30T Toray carbon blanks with fast and responsive actions, Fuji Tangle Free K Guides with Alconite rings, Fuji reel seat and split hard EVA grips. Premium components, power and performance at an incredible price.
    Available in both 1 and 2-piece models
    Premium 30T Toray carbon blanks
    Fast and responsive actions
    Fuji Tangle Free K Guides with Alconite rings
    Fuji reel seat and split hard EVA grips
    TT Rods come with a 1 Year Warranty against manufacturer defect (Proof of purchase required).

  19. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Meppstas in Doing the hard yards for trout.   
    This was certainly one trip that I did the hard yards to get onto a few trout.. pretty long spin session in the upper Mersey River..
    cheers
    Adrian
     
     
  20. Like
    keenfisho reacted to MIKECATTS in YFW today.. First of the season..   
    Hi all.
    I went out today. Just went local... Walked the out going and the incomming.. Was a long day....
    Water was warm, clear and a little tape weed about.. Winds were all over the place.. Was 15ks first thing so a noisy lure was the go. As the wind dropped off I went to my searching lure..
    Not many about,, They were not in groups.. Only one here and there.. And they were not really interested in lures. I managed 1 @ 36cm and fat.. Lost 2.. Me stuffing around with drag and weed..
    Heaps of nice mullet about smashing lures. Nice sizes to.. 28cm and fat.. Lots of very small Silvers about.. Agressive little buggers today.. A few puffers about...
    Seen heaps of decent YFW as the tide turned when I was walking in.. But way too much fast moving weed.. I tried and failed.. Same thing.. One here and there and not really in groups.. But they were big.. And a few nice KGW swimming about as well..
    Lost 1 lure and changed spools 3 times.. Wind knots./snap off....
    Was a good day....
    Mike
     














  21. Haha
    keenfisho reacted to Softy in YFW today.. First of the season..   
    Well done Mike some great fish to kick the season off! I MUST make more of an effort this year. (I say that every year)  
  22. Like
    keenfisho reacted to MIKECATTS in YFW today.. First of the season..   
    Hi all...
    I went out for a cast.. First for the season.
    Walked the outgoing and incoming left as the wind came in.. Got cold.
    Went to a spot I know.. Found where they were.. Only fired up when the sun came out.. as the clouds builded they stopped.. I kept moving/exploring.. about 7ks
    They were there in small numbers but very sluggish, wouldnt really commit, all nice sizes which is usual first start of the season. Managed to get 2, 39/36.. nice and golden, fat and heavy.. Beautiful fish.
    Lost 3 due to floating weed/stuffing around setting drag, lost a very nice and heavy one. Got it close though.. It was big... Drag was too tight and got all tangled up in the only bit of floating cork weed about, pulled the hooks and was the first fish too! Wasnt happy..
    Took everything I new to get them.. They would follow but not commit.. Was frustrating but I know they are starting to fire up.. need some HOT days...Were very active before lunch as the sun was shinning and it was warm.. died off when it cooled down.
    Lots of salmon trout, Mullet were every were, bloody pain.. Seen heaps of gar in the shallows as well... Only seen 1 keeper crab but lots of small ones.. Water wasnt too warm.. but getting there.. not much floating weed.. Was a nice way to start the season..
    Oh! lost 2 lures.. Bloody wind knots.. It was and old trusty and the other was a new funny one, it worked very well got 2 fish! Always happens with new lures and when I spool new line.. Oh well.. excuse to buy more.. Took 3 spare spools and used 2.. Happy with the new line.. Casted well after it settled down.
    Mike









  23. Like
    keenfisho got a reaction from Bilbobaggins in WEATHER or NOT ???   
    Amazing post Des
    yfw flats fishing is easily my favourite form of fishing and these days I just don’t have the time like I used to
    posts like this certainly give me some motivation, thanks mate
  24. Like
    keenfisho got a reaction from Des in WEATHER or NOT ???   
    Amazing post Des
    yfw flats fishing is easily my favourite form of fishing and these days I just don’t have the time like I used to
    posts like this certainly give me some motivation, thanks mate
  25. Like
    keenfisho reacted to Soobz in Braid BS   
    The wife's Emeraldas MX with Pitbull+ PE0.8. I fully admit to aiming for a pretty+light setup for her, though the 68g Murasame rod is still on it's way. Awesome drag on this reel.

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