"But luckily more often than not it works out well for me."

Mark, when the majors worked out for you were they during daylight hours or night hours or closer to dawn / dusk? 

Another question on my mind is whether the majors / minors windows affect estuaries as well as beaches, rock breakwalls, and bays similarly?

I don't think I have ever seen the Forum Admin "quoted" before 😊 That is going straight to the pool room :)

Maybe this will help -

https://www.fishingreminder.com/best-fishing-times-explained

well, I'm not much of a night fisher, except if I try to spear some flounders. But I also don't usually fish directly from the shore or jetties.
I either use a kayak or paddle-board to get to my fishing spots. Usually the water is between  4 - 15 meter deep where I fish.
I prefer to go fishing during major or minor times either in the morning or during the day. Mornings are my favourite because there are less people and boats around. Some of my spots work better during minor times because of the tides and the depth of the water, others work best during majors.
When drifting around in a kayak I can also cover much more ground until I find the fish. From my experience the fish usually start biting when the fishing times start and then slowly go off the bite when the times are over. You still get a bite every now and then in between the fishing times but it slows right down and gets boring for me.

If I do fish from the shore, like surfcasting or rock fishing and the water is shallow I usually try to get out during major or minors just before sunrise or around sunset. If you fishing in shallow water and can combine major or minor times with sunrise/sunset you'll increase your chances. Fish usually cruise shallow water when it's dark.
Also when fishing stationary form the shore it's best to use a chum or berley trail to attract fish to your location. You gotta be more patient when shore fishing. 

Many years ago I was posted to the School of Artillery, North Head Barracks, Manly. I lived on base there for 2 years.

Of course, I did a bit of fishing around North Head. Plently of good little beaches and rocks. In those days I never worried about Solunar clocks and stuff. I did alright. Bream. ludrick and even a bonito from time to time.

I don't remember ever having a bad day fishing there...and it's just across the bay from Balmoral.

Hi itsaboat,

Thank you for the tip! I'll need to get myself a life jacket and a pair of cleats then I'll go try some of those rocky spots.

Cheers,
JC

No worries mate :)

If I may...

OK...cleats. Great idea and they work, But, is a fish worth your life?? Just my opinion but I reckon if you need cleats then the fishing spot is not a fishing spot.

I don't remember the name of the hospital (I could use Google but I am lazy:)) near Long Bay Jail. Anyway, there is a golf course there. Walk through the golf course to the rocks. You will see star pickets inserted in the rocks...YES, star pickets!! IDIOTS actually chain themselves to those star pickets so that they don't get swept off.

Life jacket is a very good idea. I use one of those light weight ski jackets. It is like a vest and you don't even notice you are wearing it.

Another thing...and this might sound a bit silly...a helmet. Just about all (or at least most) drownings off rocks, are because the person was hit on the head as they went into the soup. Or should I say their head hit the rocks. A cheap bike helmet will save your life if things go pear shaped. Might look a bit silly, but I don't give a rats what people think I look like. I would rather be in the water swimming than in the water unconscious.

If you wanted to try some spots around North Head or Manly, you will not need cleats (unless you are feeling ambitious). A life jacket (life vest) is a bloody good idea regardless of where you are fishing. 

Thanks for all your tips mate!