CARP DIEM

AFTERNOON BEERS AND FISHING

With a beautiful afternoon that came across Sydney, my partner Jessi wanted to go fish for some Bass and Carp in our local creek hole. So I decided to head down there with a few Cooper's Beers and my mates Brad and Jake as well as Jessi.

Can Never Resist A Few Coopers!!!

Throwing my Shimano Starlo Stik and Shimano Stradic Ci4 2500 rigged with a small sinker and bread wrapped on a small longshank hook into the water and began to rig up my Baitcaster rod with a sub Surface lure for some Bass when my rod went off within the first 10 Minutes.

Photography From The Beautiful Jessi

 My little stradic started screaming and taking line off the reel as i only had 5 pound Power Pro Braid and 6 Pound leader i had to loosen the drag even more so i wouldnt lose this monster. As i had already called it as a Giant Eel. He began to drag the line in search of some snags to bust me off.

Sad To Have To Leave These Fish On The Bank To Die.

After I fought it for a good 5 mins it surfaced to be a Giant Euro Carp. With help From my mates Jake and Brad to net this beast we finally got its head into the small bass net. As only it's head was able to get into the net Jake pulled it out, But only to drop it back into the water haha. But soon had him landed.

Carp Are A Real Pest In Our River Systems

I knew this Carp would be my new PB as my other PB Carp was 64cm and I knew this would go over that we popped him on the Shimano Bragmat and he spilled over to the 74cm mark.

Little Bugger Went 74cm On The Bragmat.

This little bugger had some weight to it. I estimated it to be around 7 Kg's. Very happy as i had caught him on only 6 Pound Fluro Carbon Leader.

Estimated Around 7 Kg's

Carp Are Quite Good Fun To Catch On Light Bream Gear

I remember catching monsters like this one as a child with my father but cant remember it being a fight like this one!.... But yet again it was probally on big rods like a 6-10 Kg 20 pound leaders Haha.

Another Awesome Photo From Jessi

Throwing the line back in hoping for another Beast Carp only to sadly snag a poor little Turtle. But successfully removing the hook from him he returned to the water unharmed.

Never Good When You Hook A Poor Turtle

SPRING SESSIONS

Sydney Harbour/North Head

Loading The Boat At The Moaring

Nothing exites me more than early morning spring sessions. With the water warming up and summer rolling through quicker than usual we headed out to the flats of sydney harbour to hunt the Flatties and Whiting.
Chasing them on vibe lures TT 1/4 Ounce Blade lures.

After Flicking Lures around the flats my cousin Nathan had never caught a fish on Lure before and I handed him my custom Ian Miller rod and Shimano Stella FE with a quarter Ounce TT Blade Lure and after the first cast on this rod he nailed his first fish on a lure. I remember the first time i got my first fish on Lure and lets admitt its exiting!!!
 Especially with a nice flattie like this one!

Not long after Nathan had nailed his Flattie Jake had a nice 47cm Flattie rollin on his new 1-3 Kg Samaki light Bream Rod. Also caught on a quarter ounce TT Blade Lure. Now these lures are remarkable and definately the best lure I would hand someone that is learning Lure Fishing. The TT Vibe Blades have the best action on them either slowed rolled on a slow retrieving Reel or hopped along the Sand Flats.

Jake Coxon 47cm Blue Spot Flathead

And Out come the Buffs with an icy cold breeze but warmed up very quickly

A Bit Cold Mate? Ha Ha

Yesterday had me and a few mates head out to north head to target some reef species off North Head Sydney Harbour, With Big Drummer in mind. Wind was around 5Km an hour but had the worst rain drizzle and unprepared for it with no weather gear.

So Lucky To Have Such A Beautiful Coastline Here In Sydney Harbour

With brock nailing a few small Drummer casting off the Rocks and retrieving accross the rock reefs.
Then as the tide came rolling through I Nailed a beautiful 40cm Blue Groper but was quickly released after the photo as this species is highly protected and is not to be kept under any circumstances, Beautiful Fish and I can see why!

40cm Beautiful Blue Groper

With the rain drizzle really setting in and becoming very cold we seen it through and I had a beautiful Luderick going around 30-33cm and I had thought it was a Southern Black Bream at first but it fought alot for a little fish taking line off the Stella!

Awesome Luderick (Black Fish)

Was kinda hard to get to the bottom of the Reef with so many of these little baby Rock Cods Smashing the line before its gets down to the bigger Species..... But A fish is a fish haha

Little Rock Cod

But brock must have got through the Rock Cods and Nailed this Beautiful Groper but yet again was quickly released after the photo!

Brock Coxon's Groper

We are Very lucky here in Sydney to have such an epic Coastline with views such as these. In fact as we were leaving we watched a spectacular view of Humpback Whales and thier Calf's upon the horizon and that is an amazing sight!!!

Veiw From The Top Of The Rock Face

Not Long before we decided to pack up and call it a day as the wind was beginning to blow and was predicted to roll in at around 20Km/h I hooked a decent size fish that began to take a bit of line of the Stella. It surfaced and was a beautiful Six-Spined Leather Jacket Going 45cm on the Bragmat but sorry fella you made the dinner plate tonight! Such a gorgeous looking fish but quite dangerous with that very sharp spike as its Dorsal Fin!

Awesome Six-Spined Leather Jacket

And this time Chops had hooked an Awesome Leather Jacket but was the species Known as the Rough Leather Jacket! also beautifully Dangerous with its spike and dog teeth.

Daniel Clarkes's Rough Leather Jacket!

A great day on the water despite the weather and wind in the arvo! This is our city and a beautiful one it is "SYDNEY"

Definately Not A Place to Fish WSithout Rock Cleats!!!

MILF - :Man I Love Fishing"

TOUGH FISHING SESSIONS

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FIRST DAY OUT IN THE NEW IN BETWEEN DAYS

NEPEAN RIVER

The Start Of The Morning With My Boat "In Between Day" (Named After The Cure Song)

Jake and I headed out to Nepean River to test the changes I made to my boat, with the new installed casting deck, Lowrance Elite- 5x DSI fish Sounder, and Minn Kota electric engine. we headed up river towards the Blue Mountains in search of some Rainbow Trout that have been known to inhabit the river system since the opening of the flood gates of Warragamba Dam, (most of Sydney's water supply) into the river.

Lure's That Were Selected For Today's Session

We trolled the banks with a deep diving Minnow Lure's for around an hour while monitoring the sounder, with no signs of fish and countless hook up's with weed in the system with decided to head up river further and flick lures along the banks.

Lowrance showing The Water Temp At 10 Degrees

Awesome Breakfast On The Water

But first we decided to cook up some breakfast on the boats deck and anchored alongside the bank. After breakfast we were casting some banks near by and decided to head back down river but as i started the boat without knowing Jake had left the engine in gear, it fired and took off at full speed toward the bank as i immediately turned the boat just in time before we hit the bank and ended up on land and corrected it in its right path. Quite funny as we collected ourselves and headed back down the river.

The Rock Face I Pulled The Trout Out From

Rainbow Trout On Crank Lure

We found a nice rock covered bank and decided to drift along it and flick some Crank Lures underneath the rocks that were hanging the banks edge in about 3 metres of water I flicked my Crank Lure under the rock face with a beautiful accurate cast that landed cm's from the edge Jake said "Nice cast, that deserves a fish" within two cranks i was on. We both called for a Bass but was quite supprised when colour came through the water and it was a beautiful Rainbow Trout measuring 42cm and around 1 Kg












The colours were really beautiful and bright like most of the wild caught Rainbow Trout's found in dam's, as this was not a river Trout originally as most Rainbow Trout's in river's are quite dull in colour.
I must say the Lure that i caught it on was a newly purchased Cranka Crank Lure, usually meant for Bass and Bream  and I must say that i love everything about it. Swims so well in the water and the action is amazing, I highly recommend you try this lure if you chase Bass and Bream and infact the site I purchased it from has the best prices around https://www.fishin.com.au/Default.asp? it also has a wide variety of Bass and Bream lures available at stealing prices. and the Owner hooks held the fish at bay quite nicely. Took a few minutes to revive this fish in the water, but as im a strong believer in catch and release especially in this case in which I try to preserve the stock of fish, would love for this fish to survive the summer and spawn in the system and keep this species thriving in the river, I released it and it swam off nicely to live another day.

First Wild Caught Rainbow Trout

It is also the first fish i had caught on my new light gear setup, The Ian Miller designed Shimano Raider II in 3-6 Kg, with the Shimano Sustain 2500, 5 Pound Power Pro Braided mainline, and 6 Pound Flurocarbon leader. Such a beautifully designed and responsive outfit. Check it out on the Shimano site http://www.shimanofish.com.au/

Cranka Crank Lure With Owner Hooks

Unfortunately it was the only fish caught on the day, with the watertemperature being around 10-11 degrees their are not many fish around as the are in the brackish waters spawning but stay tuned as it's warming up fast and Bass season starts in 2 weeks. Great day with good company, and the Lowrance and Minn Kota definately change fishing for any Sport Fisherman and the casting deck makes a world of difference  for any Lure Angler.

Always A Beautiful Site Seeing Catch And Release

MILF - "Man I Love Fishing"

TRASH TO TREASURE

BAIT BOAT TURNED BASS BOAT

Big Difference Since I First Bought It

As my mate jake and I are going into Bass and Bream Tournaments this season I decided to turn my 12 foot aluminium boat into a sport fishing vessel, equipped with casting platform, false floor, 40 Pound Minn Kota electric engine and a lowrance fish sounder.

The Boat The Way I Bought It

It is actually quite easy to turn a normal fishing tinny into a sport Bass and Bream boat. I measured the Plywood to fit the boat in between the miidle seat and the front seat as it would sit quite nice and firm on top of them and cut it out to fit with a jigsaw. I had braced the underneath of the platform with 16mm plywood and metal joinery plates as extra support. and instlled a false floor between the driving seat and casting platform and reinforced it so its suitable to stand on with storage underneath also.

Small Upgrades I done To The Boat In January

I carpeted it with blue marine carpet by actually screwing it to the platform with stainless steel screws as it would cost to much to glue it and actually turned out better this way. fastening the platform to the seat support with easy release locking fasters, screwed in some hinges on the platform and screwed in a handle for easy lifting to access the underneath in which it was now used as storage with my anchor, battery source, lifejackets and live well.

View of The New Platform

I installed the Minn Kota 40 Pound All Terain electric engine to the side of the bow and screwed in the pedal to the platform.

New Lowrance and Minn Kota Electric

I also installed a new Lowrance Elite - x5 DSI as my sounder, I made a box out of the scrap plywood that was left over for the sounder to be screwed to,  and carpeted it to the box with a compartment for a phone and wallet. Then installed the Navigation lights for Port and Starboard side, and installed a new 6 piece rod holder to the left side of the vessel out of driving and casting way.

Ready For Bass nad Bream Tournaments

Took the boat down the river to test the platform, electronics and stability of the boat.... oh and a bit of trolling for Rainbow Trout for half an hour but with no luck! Boat actually handles alot better on the water and rides better with the platform despite to the contrary to what a member on the Breammaster forum stated that his boat handle bad when he installed a platform, it was very stable.

Handled Very Well on The Water

Minn Kota makes bank casting that so much better with 5 speeds on it was a dream to use.
The Lowrance Sounder is also "Really that good" was suprised on how accurate these machines actually are, showed weed that was half a foot from the surface of the water to the depths of over 40 feet. Seriously cannot wait to nail Bass and Bream on this boat in the coming weeks, and very eager for the competitions
 to begin. Boat is being painted inside and out in a few weeks so stay tuned!!!

New Onboard Rod Storage

Testing Out the New Casting Deck

MILF - "Man I Love Fishing

REEL WOMEN GO FISHING

FISHING IS NOT ONLY FOR MEN

Jessi's 4kg Big Red Snapper in Hervey Bay

25cm Sand Whiting

Fishing gives us the opportunity for excitement, relaxation and social while recharging your mental batteries. It takes you away from the everyday worries and stresses in our lives and provides us with the natural vitamins through the sun and outdoors that our bodies not only require but actually crave. It's not always about catching the fish.





Fishing also allows us to feed our souls. It strengthens our inner core and allows us to absorb the natural healing powers that it posseses and at the same time to help put into perspective our lives. when we have the chance to actually catch a fish and they are hard hitting or when you finally catch that big one, Fishing then becomes about the rush, the adrenaline power of setting the hook and exitement is absolutely heart pounding.

10kg Mac Tuna In Hervey Bay

Sometimes fishing allows us to hang out with our friends, sitting back talking and having a great time. It allows us to share the amazing stories that we have in our lives and truely giving us the time
to have a deeper understanding of friendships. We also have to remember that we should only take the amount of fish that is needed and keeping in mind the size and bag limits and practice catch and release, in order to preservethe future of this sport. We need to maintain the amazing opportunities that fishing offers. You may want to call yourself a Fishergirl, Fisherchick, Fisherperson, Reelgirl, Reelwoman, Reellady or Fisher. But at the end of the day we are all Anglers out to catch fish.

60cm Australian Salmon in Swansea

 Women were competing in fishing derbies by 1936, with their participation rates being higher than men at some events. They continue to participate in the sport today. I am a big supporter of women fishing and encourage any woman to pick that rod up and give it a go. Women have been known to be naturally better anglers then men, and they become hooked on fishing. A not so well known fact is Women have been fishing for over 500 years documented.

Jessi Fighting Hard on a Longtail Tuna in Hervey Bay

 There was a time that even imagining that a pink fishing rod would even exist or be a possibility, and now look around you can find them at most tackle stores. Let’s not also forget those accessories… pink tackle boxes and lures, vests and fashion clothing all made to make sure we always feel welcome into a male dominating sport. Well look out boys it looks like the girls will not only out fish you but they will be looking good when they catch more then you

1.1 Metre Freshwater Eel on G Loomis GLX

My partner Jessi is a keen angler and gets amonst the fishing trips and days with the boys, Jessi loves her light fishing like Flathead, Bream, Salmon and Australian Bass. She currently uses a G Loomis GL2 6'1" rod Shimano Aernos 2500 reel with 15 pound Power Pro braided line. But she also gets out to some light game fishing when she gets the chance with a healthy bag of decent fish like Snapper and various Tunas. Jess uses bait as well as lures.

Nice Little Chopper Tailor on Thready Buster Lure

 Accepting women into the sport of fishing has also become more prominent with the passing of time, as it has been in other areas - voting, becoming members of once "male only" clubs, and to feature more widely in such sports as tennis where today, greater television coverage is given to the girls than in the past. Shimano have many sponsored and endorsed fishing women, like Chloe Taylor and Jo Starling to mention a few.


Many fishing companies also take the rise of womens fishing onboard with an extensive range of tackle, accesories and fashion to suit girls. For example Shimano have a range of pink rods titled "Lipstiks" with many fashionable shirts and hats.

45cm Carp on G Loomis GLX

Nice Little Silver Trevally

There are many times that Jessi has fished me, and many species she has caught that I haven't in freshwater and saltwater species. Most guys who regularly fish with a wife, daughter, or girlfriend may have noticed a strange phenomenon: the girls seem to out-fish the guys with startling regularity. Is it just coincidence? Is the fairer sex better at feeling strikes, and setting the hook? Do they have a faster reaction time? Or is all of this just a bunch of hooey? Don’t be too fast to make a judgment—according to scientific research, women may have an innate advantage over men, when it comes to certain types of fishing.

Fishing For Australian Salmon in Swansea

MILF - "Man I Love Fishing"