Hi Raiders,
Went to Port Stephens on the 3rd, 4th and 5th for the Marlin trip onboard BillFisher.
DAY 1:
Arrived where the boat was at 7:00am and meet the crew. Onboard BillFisher was Gary(Brickman), Mitch(Boban), Shaun(sponot), Kane, Sal, and Me self(LALA).
Head out and trolled for a few hours and nothing. The crew was a bit tired so some of us fell asleep. ZZZZZZZZZ goes one of the reels and everyone was up and excited, then line slackens and the first strike was gone. We were all awake and already for the next hit, but for the next few hours it was dead as. And that was the end of the first day. Before I go to day 2 I must tell you the story that sort off may a few of us laugh.
Not mentioning any names( “Mitch”) had and gotten really sick all-day an went all white after starting the day with a meat pie and chucking down a move drink.
After arriving at the port, Captain Glenn told us not to worry as he will plan it for tomorrow’s trip . We were a bit confident as the weather report for the next day was perfect for what we were after, and also it was OUTDOORDAN and my Bday arriving in the morning.
DAY 2:
Headed out confident and excited as the weather turned out perfect. Head out wide and started trolling. Nothing was striking and the crew got really tired and some had fallen asleep. ZZZZZZZZZZZ goes one of the reel a beautiful sound indeed and up gets everyone and the hot seat was on for Sal. The beckie jump high up at the rear of the boat “ saying hi” down it goes and back up on the left hand side of the boat, then says “good bye”, and was gone. every one was in a buzz and already for the next hit up. Around half an hour or so the sound of the line screaming again, everyone runs to the back of the boat, but gone it was. The trolling then begins again. And no bull the line screamed ZZZZZZZZZZZZ and Gary (brickman) was on the hot seat this time.
Gary was reeling in for dear life as you can see the poor bloke sweat from every part of his body, about 15mins later we saw colour as the blue head to the surface at the back of the boat. She stuck her head out and looked at Gary and bang she was gone.Gary had the biggest smile on the boat at that moment, as he sat back and rested.
What a great sight it was to see a creature so beautiful right next to you live.
Lures back and away we were again. No shit but about five minutes later ZZZZZZZZ again as it was my turn to get on the hot seat, as I hoped on, gone she was. What disappointment. Lures out again and no bull a minute later ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, this time the reel was SCREAMING, and Kane gets on the hot seat. The line goes, and goes. Kane reeling in the monster with all his might but still the beast runs, after a tiring 30 min fight up comes the beast 200kg blue . Hi five every where and photos and cameras where out. What a day four strikes and two hook ups, what more can you ask for. Headed back with heads high and a closer crew, we were all pleased with the effort of the Captain and his deckie.
Got to the pub for dinner and a few drinks as Stewy and Donna had surprised Dan and myself with a beautiful mud cake to end the night. And Rosco with his singing.
DAY 3:
Head out around 7:30am and again lures out, A few hours went by and nothing so I decided to go down deck had have abit off asleep due to a few too many drinks. Around 1pm I wake up to the sound of one off the reels screaming again, and up on the hot seat was Mitch. Mate this bloke was a machine. He bought his blue up in 15 mins. Like a pro he was indeed. Hi fives and cameras and filming of the beast again. Lures were out again as I looked at the plot chart I can see that we were done for the day and the trip itself, Disappointed I was because I did not get a taste of how it felt to pull one up. I fell asleep. The reel screams one more time ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ as I woke up to that beautiful sound and looked around to see who was going to be on the hot seat??? “Its you” Sal screams and in all the excitement I have never move so quick and leaped onto the hot seat. The reel continues to scream and lose more line.
Reeling in this beast, I’ve never felt so much pain in my life reeling in a fish . 25mins later the 140kg blue was landed. Hi fives every where. And what a great feeling it was. I will never forget this trip. It is funny how when you hear the sound of the reel screaming that you automatically just jump up no matter what you are doing, if that makes sense to anyone. Everyone on board were no longer marlin virgins in three days 6 strikes and four hook ups. Tell anybody and the would not believe you.
Thanks to the great skipper Glenn for doing what he does best, And Matt(Get the f**k out of the way) deckie for the assistance and guidance.
To the crew onboard BillFisher Gary, Mitch, Shaun(the spinner shark), Sal, and Kane for being great mates and good company.
Here are some pics that I took with my camera. More great shots will pop up as the others onboard will post up soon.
If you get a chance, just do a trip with these boys and you'll never forget
Cheers LALA
