Old Passion Rekindled

As I am about to leave Sydney soon, I thought it's time to bring Chen to one of my past favourite fishing joint that I've always went with my old buddies such as Dylan, Kenny and Gerald. We used to smash that place regularly and target fishes such as blackfish (luderick), drummer, groper and salmon, plus millions of crapolas such as sweep and butterfish. In order to fish first light and also to get to the gate when they open at 5am, I managed to pull myself up and woke a very sleepy Chen. He had barely an hour sleep and looked totally buggered even before we ruck up. Anyway, last minute we gave up the idea of bringing out the 12 footers for salmon as we can't be farked slugging it down the hill. Left HQ slightly late but got to North Head in no time. Ah... what a feeling to be back at the carpark and the bloody parking machine is still there. Saw a 4WD there without a ticket and so we follow suit. The walking track entrance seemed to be slightly covered by trees but it's still the same shit. The walk down was totally the same and once we got to the halfway mark, Chen was first time greeted with the top view towards the rocky platform. We saw 2 other fishos there and they seemed to have just started. Anyways, continued the scaling down and we reached the platform in no time. Same kind of smell on the rocks as before! The sea was relatively calm and not much swell happening which was all good. Quickly set up my blackfish outfit which I hadn't caught any blackfish yet except Jialiang whom I lent it to him last time he helped me break the virgin. Helped Chen to rig up as well and I moved down to my favourite blackfish platform with the aid of my gum boots which had the rock cleats. Chen couldn't fit into my other sandals with the rock cleats and so I told him to walk the dry parts. Started using weed as bait first and also kicked some into the wash. It didn't take quite long till I got my first 'down'. Bloody hell, turned out to be a butterfish! Persisted for awhile and finally got a blackfish! Taught Chen how to rig both the weed and cabbage and he too got the thrill of the float going 'down'. He even commented that it's a total different fishing experience. Got sick of the rubbish fishes taking weed and thus went with the cabbage. Caught a fair few and it took awhile before Chen landed his first blackfish, well done bro! We learnt alot as well, about the timing to strike the fish and identifying the 'downs' by either the fish or the waves. As soon as the sun was high up and more fishos coming down to the platform, the bites died down as well. We called it a day as we've got enough for feed.

Total tally: 6 blackies (lost 1)

Old Man's Hat platform at North Head.

The pool which we used to bleed the fishes.

I was glad Chen liked this kind of 'old man's sport' of fishing and it was really good to rekindle back the past rage which I was really crazy for. Packed it all up and began the painful uphill climb. Luckily Chen didn't think it was that bad, rather, he felt the stairs at Clifton was a killer! Lol...

Ronald