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Occy
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Registered: 04-2005
Location: Hunters Hill, Sydney Australia
Posts: 25
Karma: 1 (+1/-0)
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
Guys,
Everyone seems to have forgotten the best kept secret on the east coast. It's called Sydney Harbour. The upper reaches and in particular the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers are really fishing well these days.
I know this may sound odd to those of you who fish in pristine waters, but Sydney Harbour is a real gem these days.
The fishing in the last few years has been really great since the authorities started a new runnoff containment program. They have done a hell of a lot to stop pollution getting into the system and they have remediated much of the foreshore. The result is that the mangroves, seaweeds and grasses are returning, along with the fish.
So good in fact many long absent species which haven't been seen in decades are returning with a vengence. In the Parramatta at the moment the flatties and tailor are really going off,and I hear they are getting large John Dory and monster luderick just off ****atoo Island as well. In the Lane Cove where I fish amongst the mangroves the bream are on the bite and you can always pick up the odd large flatty.
And I have to say I defy anyonne to find a more pleasant place to spend a few hours than meandering around the beautiful bays and inlets of Sydney Harbour and environs.
Strangely enough there are a few sharks being sighted up there also, so that means there are bait fish aplenty.
I am really looking forward to getting into this in a big way when I retire in October. How lucky am I? Not only do I have Sydney Harbour to explore, but a short distance north I have the beautiful Hawkesbury and Pittwater, and just south is Botany Bay and Port Hacking. Now all I need are some mates to come along with me.
By the way today (Wednesday) is about 20 and the sun is trying to peep through some light cloud. What does that mean? You guessed it, time to throw my trusty yak on the roof racks and get out there. Tight lines guys
Occy
Wavedance Calypso
PS For the doubting Thomas's out there I am assurred that eating the fish is fine, provided you don't fish too far upstream. They don't quite glow in the dark but apparently there are traces of some harmless chemicals (called dioxins I understand)up there. Thankfully it is well contained deep down in the sediments.
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3/Aug/2005, 10:11 am
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Scupper
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Registered: 12-2004
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 24
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
Very interseting post Occy! It sounds amzing what the old harbour can still produce. You mentioned John Dory. I can remember when catching the Manly ferry years ago checking out some guys fishing off the wharf. Thay had just caught a magnificent John Dory of a kilo or more and said they expected more. Coming from SA I had never seen one before and was amazed at the sight - particularly that mouth when extended! Good luck.
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Regards
Wayne
Scupper Pro TW
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3/Aug/2005, 8:45 pm
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PoddyMullet
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Registered: 12-2004
Location: Melbourne VIC
Posts: 347
Karma: 3 (+3/-0)
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
G day Cormorant, The Sp's have cut tracks into flattie numbers in Eastern Vic aswell, a bit of a concern but I also reckon those fish are amongst the great adapters and survivors. Anywhere that produced a 50cm whiting on fly would have to rate in the memory banks, thanks for the input.
Occy, that's a great read about the harbour. Good to see Aussies busiest waterway produces some good hauls, and the scenery factor with a paddle in hand probably accounts for about 50% of my motivation. It sounds like retirement will be a busy! Port Phillip Bay has hit the news this week as channel deepening is investigated/ trialed and protested. It'll be a wait and see how this impacts on the fishing, but it certainly won't improve (although from an economic point of view I still reckon it's necessary).
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Perception Swing & Dagger Drifter II. Wouldn't one yak be enough?
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5/Aug/2005, 8:33 am
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Occy
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Registered: 04-2005
Location: Hunters Hill, Sydney Australia
Posts: 25
Karma: 1 (+1/-0)
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
Hi guys,
Yeh the waterways on this part of the east coast are really special, and Sydney Harbour is the jewel in the crown.
I hear they are catching some really good calamari around Rose Bay and monster 5 spiked leather jackets (whatever they are)around the dolphins (buoys), just opposite the Opera House. And luderick are on the bite around Woolwich opposite ****atoo Island, if you are lucky enough to have any weed. All in all a fairly busy time on the harbour at the moment.
By the way, those John Dory are a real thrill. Has anyone ever caught them? as They are amazing when bait fish are about, as they move incredibly fast. I have seen them leaping several feet out of the water when making a kill. Middle Harbour in the very deep water under the Spit Bridge is the place for them.
And come summer I'm going to start crabbing as they get good catches of blue swimmers and even muddies around the entrance to the Lane Cove River.
I have a photo of one of the monster blue swimmers which I will post when the system lets me. Unfortunately Image view isn't responding to my posts at the moment.
I will keep you all posted if I hear more.
Paul
By the way if any of you want to take a look at the area and the Harbour where I live go to www.maporama.com and type in "Woolwich" Post code 2110.
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5/Aug/2005, 9:06 am
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Cormorant
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Registered: 05-2005
Posts: 42
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
Fantastic stuff Occy - that is amazing info about the john Dory. I will have to start thinking about targeting them as well.
By the way, on the Dioxins issue, I think that you will find that these are classed as a 'Persistent Organic Pollutant', which means that they accumulate in your body over time. It isn't the dosage per fish that you just have to watch, it is also your exposure over time. However, before you get too worried, they are often locked up in deep sediment layers and don't mobilise unless the sedimet is exposed. Definitely something to watch out for though, as they are pretty nasty.
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Cormorant
Canberra ACT
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Australis Squid
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5/Aug/2005, 9:56 am
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BeerGod
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland.
Posts: 9
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 Re: Your states best estuaries?
Living right on the border of NSW & QLD. Its hard to pick just one system, as there are so many of them. For my pick, I love the Brunswick, just so scenic, and for fishing you can not go past the mighty Tweed, there are so many aspects to it.
The upper Richmond is a pretty impressive piece of water also. Well thats my 10c worth.
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Onya,
BeerGod
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Perception Swing Angler
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25/Aug/2005, 2:38 pm
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CaineM
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Registered: 07-2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 10
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
John Dory jumping?
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______________________
Caine
No yak as yet
Swing/Hobie/Prowler maybe
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26/Aug/2005, 9:02 am
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Sleeping Giant
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Brisbane - GoldCoast
Posts: 8
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
I can truthfully say that I am one of the least experienced yak fishermen on this forum. I purchased my yak on Tuesday and have only been out twice on it.
I chose currumbin creek and Tallebudgera as my first two destinations and have a total of two pike and one lovely little trevally. I missed what I expect was a very large Flathead last night though.
I chose these two estuaries because I am familiar with them, but this weekend I am going to try the Tweed. oops. That's not in my state. I have been told I can get a permit on the banks of the Tweed which is a fishing imperative for that state.
I am so addicted to this sport already and the only thing Keeping me from being there right now after work is one nasty flu - middle ear/chest/sinus infection... and of course catching up on some homework.
So far I have only used soft plastics from two rod holders and it has been an absolute pleasure to find myself being broken from scenic paddling trances to the sound of line being sizzled off the my reels situated just behind me.
I cannot believe there are more people out kayak fishing. Unbelievable.
On a side note and I hope not to hijack the thread, but if anyone has any tips to fishing the tweed - I'd be greatful.
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A Koastal Kayak Crusader
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26/Aug/2005, 3:49 pm
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BeerGod
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland.
Posts: 9
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
Hey Sleeping Giant.
I am a local Currumbin lad myself, Currumbin & Budgie are great little producers of good flathead at times, also got some big ass sand sharks. Look forward to seeing you on the water.
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Onya,
BeerGod
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Perception Swing Angler
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26/Aug/2005, 4:50 pm
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Sleeping Giant
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Registered: 08-2005
Location: Brisbane - GoldCoast
Posts: 8
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Re: Your states best estuaries?
sorry - accidental double post
Last edited by Sleeping Giant, 27/Aug/2005, 12:18 am
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A Koastal Kayak Crusader
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26/Aug/2005, 10:30 pm
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