Went off for our annual trip to Forster/Tuncurry, with the van in tow and the kayak on the roof. Went out for a morning paddle about three or four times a week and caught fish on all but one day. In the water at 6am and back home around 9am. The water was extremely clear and big lizards would be spooked by the kayak floating over them in less than 1m of water, but casting ahead with 12lb line and soft plastics, accounted for a good catch. Released about 80% of all fish landed but kept a dozen or so for the table.
One day, I was paddling against a strong tide and had a lure out about 30m behind the yak, to try and hold near the bottom, when I was sure I had snagged one of the oyster poles. Turned around to let the tide take me back so that I could unhook the lure, when it took off across the channel, then back towards the leases at speed. It was a big fish and took me around 15mins before I could get it to the surface and try to fit it into my landing net. After a number of attempts, it went into the net, up to its pectoral fins and couldn't go any further. I managed to grab the rim of the net and flopped it into the kayak, but now I couldn't peddle the Hobie, because it was full of angry flathead. The tide was taking me onto the racks, so I got the paddle and used that to get out into clearer water. Managed to get her into a large keeper net and back over the side into the water. My son in law Owen, couldn't believe the size of the fish, having only caught small bream and other table fish. We paddled over to a sandy shore to take a photo and release the fish, but it was cactus after the fight, so she went home to feed us all. Measured 85cm. Two days later, at another location I snagged a second big girl in less than a metre of water and she towed me around for a bit before I managed to also get her into the net. The other boys saw me going around in circles and twigged that I had "their" fish, so they helped with photos and release. This one was a lot darker, having come from mud rather than sand bottom and weighed a LOT more. Measured 93cm and swam away strongly.
We had fires around us for a week and really smoky air, but caught a lot of fish. One day, ash and debris rained down on us from a great height, as we couldn't see it until it was around 100 feet up.
Great time had again and I tested my heart, having had a stent in a 90% blocked Aorta, only 4 weeks earlier.

Nice work Fishing , I'm a Bit concerned about the fires, I'll be going to Port Macquarie on Thursday for 5 days Hope it's a bit clearer

A really good report with great photos, geeze those fires look threatening, a bad time for those in the bush with lack of water and fires to cope with, it's one time I'm glad I am in the city. Looks like you had a good holiday with some nice fish to make it all the more enjoyable.
Thanks for sharing.

Geaorge. Hope it works out for you and hope you get among some decent fish. Don't forget to post a report.
The more members that post the more likely other members will read and reply and perhaps get the site back to something like it used to be. but I think I am being optimistic.

Frank You are right about the site It would be great to see a few more posts from other members, I will be only fishing off the Jetty in the Caravan Park Staying in a Cabin
, I'll be fishing with a Chinese fishing Pole they are Great for Bream and Leather Jackets I love using them, Will see how it Goes Provided we can Get through the fires From Gloucester to Nabiac I think the Highway is OK from there

George I have a English/European coarse extendable rod I think it's about 15 feet at full length. never used it. Just a tiny eye on the tip for Ned Kelly rig.

Pretty sure that area is safe or had the fires go through last week or so. Great apple turnovers at dungog

Frank that's the Fishing Pole you should try it out Sitting on a Jetty with a Small number 6 Hook you'll have the time of your Life They are Great Fun.
Klaus it looks like we will not be going now The Oxley Highway is Closed from Walcha to Long Flat The Thunderbolts is Now Closed from Nowendoc to Barrington the Nowendoc Rd is closed to Mt George We would have to go to Newcastle an then up the Pacific which is nearly 600Klms, Looks like it will be another time,

Frank.
I have sent you two pm's. Is your inbox full? They haven't gone through.

Klaus. All OK now, must have forgot to push send button.