Scratchie

G'day raiders, After fishing everyday last week, I thought I'd give it a rest Monday and focus some time on the mrs! It was the worst 24hrs ever. (Only joking) But when the boys got home this arvo I said would you like to go fishing. A quick reply of "yes" was given. Within 10mins, rods rigged and we're at our spot. I thought I'd target some squid, while the boys were hooking up to some reef fish and smilies left, right and centre. So I put the squid rod down and hooked up a livey and sent it out. Not longer later, the float goes down and I come up with nothing. Wind it in and a bloody squid has smacked it. So I change the hook for a jig and toss it out and leave it to my boy Brandon. Tyran was still catching slimies and I'd thought I'd join him as Brandon yells, "dad I'm on, squid" so with a bit of encouragement he lands this cracking squid! We persisted a little more but with all the livies we were catching we decided to change back to casting one and continued to burley. My eldest boy Tyran then rigs up my good rod with just a hook and adds a slimey fillet. With the light fading and the sound of mum in the back of our minds, he casts into the burley trail and gets a take that sends the reel screaming, try's to set the hook and drops it, omg I said, as he retrieves slowly, then bang zzzzzzzzz and he's on, plays the fish well and comes up trumps! Nice snapper! One more cast was all the time we had left, and it was time to go. So I told the boys to pack up and as Brandon reels in the livey there's weight and he's on to another really big big squid but with just a hook the landing was futile. We'll be back another day and looking forward to a few more squid! But what a great arvo with the boys! Cheers scratchie!!!

If I'm tying direct I use a loop knot as I feel it helps with the action. Although sometimes I will use something a fellow raider showed me called a spiral decoy. It acts as a loop knot with no moving parts, stronger than a snap swivel and you are able to change lures/jigs easy. I also use these when fishing from a kayak, makes life a lot easier! Cheers scratchie!!!

Hey mate, wasn't me at 12mile. I was onboard "anyfin". We headed for home about 3pm

I use a rogue SP's wallet. It comes with about 10 heavy duty plastic sleeves. Perfect! Costs about $12

Lumo sprocket. It was a good decision by Gerry to change lures!

You did well. Sorry, I was speaking generally. Every game boat I've been on runs 50 or 80. Wouldn't want to be under gunned on a fish of a lifetime!

Well done on your first local catch. Sounds like a great move minchinbury to NZ. No comparison really. Where is motueka??? North or south? Cheers scratchie!!!

I bet you he went back, got his boat and forgot his rods! Lol. That's funny!

Thanks jim, Cooked it your way and it is now the families favourite! Quote....."oh this is the best dad, do you think you could go catch some tomorrow?" Misses rolls the eyebrows "I wish son, I wish!!!

Will be sending Gerry a message to do the same! Btw, my kids absolutely smashed their dinner, even my fussy 4yo.

Gees Steve, your making me hungry and I just ate! Will try that still have 2 kg left.

Ok mate, just prepared and ate my first plate of sashimi. Yummmmmmmmmmm! Family wasn't a fan, probably the idea of raw fish! Now for the main!!!!

Harold, I made it back fine as Reggie the rabbit, kindly donated enough petrol for me to get back. Although, after my mouthful of petrol, stewy came to the rescue with his sucking power and got the job done. I'm glad you had a great time and it was a pleasure to meet you and your family. Cheers scratchie!!!

Definately an Aussie salmon. Need to be bleed straight away. Only really good for fish cakes or cat food. Nice catch though! Cheers scratchie!!!

G'day raiders, I'm wondering if anyone has some great recipes for cooking yft? Also some side dishes that might compliment the fish? Now remember, I'm a fisherman not master chef but I can cook well. I would really like to put on a feed for my whole family! Thanks Cheers scratchie!!!

Vic, first of all congrats on a well fought and deserved fish of a lifetime! I think what made it special for us band of raiders was the fact that other than the driver Gerry, we were all very inexperienced to gamefishing! But we all come together for that common goal. It was the best beer on the scenic ride home I've had in a while! Congrats again, Cheers scratchie!!!

Well put! And let's leave it at that!

Nice mate, well done! We got one between heatons and browns. By the sounds of it, the blues were down in bermi. Heaps caught down there today! Cheers scratchie!!!

Not yet. But might not make it back to the ramp, so could someone tell my mrs I'm hair tailing all week!

Sorry mate, had a few calls. Yeah we managed a 40-45kg yft. Spirited fight. Good effort, all us deckies were greenhorns!

Well done sydfisher and fisherman6784. I'm back from catching fin now, so get out of my spot! lol

Lol..... That's how you skull drag a fish into the boat!

It's always a confidence booster going out with no bait and bring home a feed! Well done cheers scratchie!!!

Can't wait Ian! Out here now catching hairtail. A bit different from the runs of a good fin. Let's hope we get amongst it tomorrow!

No problem mate, glad you enjoyed it! Congrats on your first hairtail too!