[Hawkey]

G'Day Yakkers,

For a long time now, too long in fact, i have been wanting to do an offshore trip and believe launching from Fishermans Beach at Long Reef to be my best option. I've been down there to suss it out at low tide with a strong southerly and high tide with a strong north easterly breeze. On both occasions the launch site looks as flat as a lake except for a little chop during the southerly. My type of ocean launch, no swell. :wink:

Am i right in saying that i should be looking out for a southerly wind over 15/20 knots because if i am offshore the wind would make it difficult to return to the beach? Or am i being overly cautious? I've paddled and pedelled in strong winds on enclosed waters but never in the big blue ocean so i don't know if the currents/swell would add a major factor to the equation.

Also, if anyone can suggest fishing tips for that area that would be great. My plan is to fish for snapper with a drop shot rig and throw around big SP's for anything willing.

 

[Peril]

As well as the wind, you need to watch the swell direction. Fishermans Beach is such a good launch spot because it is protected from the S & SE swells. If the swell is coming from the NE there is no protection.

I intend to get out there sometime next week. Dawn start, conditions permitting. There is a dropoff about 400m to the NE (will look for it and get a mark). Let me know if you want to join me. Idea is to bottom bash plastics and squid jigs. If I pull a squid I will troll.

 

[Hawkey]

Peril,

Yeah mate, would love to join you. I'm available all next week so anytime should be fine. Feel free to PM me when you think its good or i'll just keep my eye on the trip postings. Thanks for the offer.

 

[Flump]

Hi Hawkey, I've been checking out the boat ramp area for a couple of weeks now and agree with Peril that in a S or SE swell launch will be super easy. Peril, I will be watching for a post in the fishing trips section , been wanting to go out looking for snapper or a decent flattie.

 

[Peril]

No worries. Will watch seabreeze and post a day or two in advance

 

[bombora]

Hiya people; When I finally get my bl**dy back in working order (hopefully another few weeks of damn boring but effective yoga) will be attacking Long Reef area regularly. Except I'll be launching from kiddie's corner at DY and heading over to the southern side of Long Reef, which is much more pleasant in Sydney's summer nor-easters. Dead simple launch in most conditions in kiddies and the revamped DY beachfront park (which I have a few issues with :evil: ) conveniently features a lovely pathway and reworked, straight, ramp down to the sand . Simple! Like you guys I am so keen to score a snapper on plastic. But I also wanna explore the under-fished stretch between DY point and Curly. The kelp beds and broken reef there are bloody facinating and hold some great fish (local guru Alex Belissimo has taken some kings to 20kg plus :shock: along this stretch!!!!). Just spinning plastics, poppers and slugs from the rocks ocassionaly when it is flat I've taken Samson fish, kings, sambos, trevs, mac tuna and tailor along here and I'm a damn average fisho. Reckon those kelp beds will be hiding lots of squid which hardly see a jig, and I know for a fact they are home to zillions of pike, which are big king lollies. Now back to the downward facing dog. Woof!

 

[Peril]

Hiya people; When I finally get my bl**dy back in working order (hopefully another few weeks of damn boring but effective yoga) will be attacking Long Reef area regularly. Except I'll be launching from kiddie's corner at DY and heading over to the southern side of Long Reef, which is much more pleasant in Sydney's summer nor-easters. Dead simple launch in most conditions in kiddies and the revamped DY beachfront park (which I have a few issues with :evil: ) conveniently features a lovely pathway and reworked, straight, ramp down to the sand . Simple! Like you guys I am so keen to score a snapper on plastic. But I also wanna explore the under-fished stretch between DY point and Curly. The kelp beds and broken reef there are bloody facinating and hold some great fish (local guru Alex Belissimo has taken some kings to 20kg plus :shock: along this stretch!!!!). Just spinning plastics, poppers and slugs from the rocks ocassionaly when it is flat I've taken Samson fish, kings, sambos, trevs, mac tuna and tailor along here and I'm a damn average fisho. Reckon those kelp beds will be hiding lots of squid which hardly see a jig, and I know for a fact they are home to zillions of pike, which are big king lollies. Now back to the downward facing dog. Woof!

Keep up the yoga - want to see you out there.

Would love to explore those areas when you can get out. I take it an early launch is required to beat the families - gets bloody busy at kiddies corner

 

[bombora]

Hiya Peril, jeez I am chafing to get out there!!!!! There are only so many flies and jigs a man can tie without actually going fishing!! Will give you a bell as soon as possible. Kiddies ain't that bad really as the families usually don't turn up til after 9am. Even when it's semi crowded there's room to launch and retrieve without decapitating a kiddie, or providing free entertainment (I'm thinking of getting a Mexican wrestling mask while learning). One problem might be the crowd rubber necking if/when we come back with a big king or snapper. When I scored some mac tuna and tailor spinning off my longboard I had several women asking: ""You give me fresh fish eh?, you got many"" as I cleaned em for the bait freezer and BBQ. Cheers.