So I've had my (first) boat for 4 months. 6m Rayglass. Love getting out but never seem to catch decent fish. We use bait (mullet fillets), but would appreciate any advice on: how to berley, how to find where the fish are, how to know when's best to go. We go from Bayswater and Westhaven. Don't mind a mission far out every now and then but would love to get some fish closer to home for more frequent trips. Advice please!

To catch good fish easy and develop skills I would suggest a rather large space of water generally defined as the worm beds is any where in the middle between mototap and gulf harbour and noises and tiri. Now it should be banging through to almost Xmas. Range of techniques with bait will work from ledger bait rigs to strayline. When I used to take charters was pretty much a no brainer. There are better spots closer in shore and inner islands on or near foul for those with skills. More sftbaiting and lures, but you will literally clean up early morning and late arvo ( if no wind) with bait wider in the middle ground. Just stay out of the no anchoring cable zones.

ShaneG is on to it. At this time of the year the channels start to fish quite well and also the upper harbour. Watch the 'Out with the 12's' thread. Geoff and the guys that post there don't usually need to venture far and are very successful and they generously share the details. Tagit's also in touch with all the guys that charter ex Westhaven so has his finger on the fishing pulse!

Congrats on the new boat!