G'day raiders,
It's been a while between posts due to everything conspiring against me not to get out but that was going to happen today or yesterday.
Firstly yesterday, boarded vengeance for a recon mission and when I found out I was the only decky I thought I best give scratchie jnr the day off school and come join the big boys. With reports from damo on reef magic and the day they had prior, I was pretty excited to get amongst them. But as game fishing goes expect the unexpected. We headed out, great conditions and tried everywhere and everything and couldn't raise a fish! We headed home and tried one last spot and the long corner goes off. Well today was not about me, so I told the boy to harness up while I cleared the lines and saddled him up for his first ever marlin! He kept calm, played the fish well and we tagged and released the little black in no time!
It only went 35-40kg but at 14yo he can say he's got his first, couldn't be prouder!
Today however, was my turn and I headed out this time with fellow raiders Gerry and Dom. Hoping for a few fish like the success we had last year. Collected our livies, bonito a bit scarce but managed a few and set off with the other 1000 boats. Changed from lures to skip baits as we approached the car park and the rigger goes off. I'm riding strike and settle in knowing this could be a good fish as it's taken the bonito. Get our first glimpse and it looks pretty small but was giving me some stick. In fact as I was adjusting my harness it nearly pulled me out the boat. It was stubborn and dove deep but with some words of encouragement (sledging-wind you big girl) we get it traced and it nearly rips the deckys hand off. Anyway a safe release and we called it for a 100kg+ black! Stoked!
Unfortunately, that was it for the day but then nothing!
Thanks go to Gerry and the boys! And Andrew on vengeance and stickybeak for organizing it.
Cheers scratchie!!!