Eden boat size

[dave3707]

Heading to merimbular and eden for 2 weeks in January I've got a stace outlaw 429 with a 50 four stroke and was hoping to get out and catch some kings I've done a bit fair bit in bigger boats but never been over that way mostly vic melbourne- portland.

I know about picking days and looking at weather ( I get bad sea sickness anyway) but am I being unrealistic wanting to use my boat in more open water?

Also any hints on we're to fish and launch

Thanks

[Import Tackle]

Two fold bay ramp.

Go pop in at marine rescue and register (they do a bang up job), worth it for VHF weather updates alone... Especially in smaller craft.

Kings move around so much it's hard to know, if it's worth it pro boats will be around Mowarry. Doable in your size boat if swell size is under 2m and winds are favourable. I've been there in glass outs and 3.5m swells in a 5.4 spirit... Anything over 3m swell in a small trailer boat is seasick material and asking for trouble.

Hope this helps!

[Pistol]

I'll be at Tathra at that time. I take my 4.55 Quintrex Hornet with 50hp outside fishing for flathead but don't go too far from the ramp. Not sure about the Stacer hull but if it's an estuary boat then I reckon you'd be wise doing the same. I've never been out from Eden but isn't it a fair way to the kings? Import Tackle sounds like he knows what he's talking about, I'd heed his advice. Personally, I'd be going down to Wonboyn or sticking pretty close to home if going outside.

[laddercat]

Lived there for 15 years ive seen 4m tinnies on the shelf there. Kingies will be at all the headlands including tathra Merimbula/Long point/haycock/bournda and in Eden you can catch them within twofold bay head toward the chip mill.

Dont have to go far for kings at all, January can be hit or miss for pelagics down there all depends how much warm water has made it down by that time. Eden holds the biggest kings and the most resident hoodlums, but if there is warm water there. Merimbula is a simple launch at the boat ramp in fishpen. Then out over bar and to your left is longpoint headland which holds bonito kings and whatever is on the chew. To your right is haycock headland which holds the same.

Of course Eden is a freakish place there hasnt been a longtail or yellowtail run in years down there ( thanks to netting ) however who is to say 2015 wont be the year. ( also Jan probably too early for these but its nice to dream )

[dave3707]

Thanks for the info what's the normal way to fish bit of bearly and lives jigs and poppers?

Thanks for the map we are staying in merimbular so closer is better

[laddercat]

easiest way to catch kings is still livebait id have to say.
Either downrigged ballooned or weighted slightly, obviously more then one rod means multiple rigs can be fished at once.

Yakkas will be your easiest bait to get your hands on berley up fill the livewell and off you go.

If your wanting to fish lures you will need fish the washes off the headlands this takes confidence in your boating. Sinking Stickbaits anywhere from 110mm to 140mm and poppers of course.

Slugs will also do the job if the kings are actively feeding, while from my experience stickbaits work better when kings are 'cruising' for prey. Match the hatch as always. Hoodlum kings will take VERY large live baits plenty of live bonito intended for billfish get taken by big kings.

you will be fishing shallow reefs so if i was you 60lb leader is essential and a threadline capable of not dying under a screaming locked drag.

I wouldnt worry about jigging i would work the washes and troll around the headlands.