Swains Reef

[slothe]

Does anybody know anything about Swains reef out of Gladestone. We have been offered a couple of spots on a mother ship. Whats it like and what type of fishing do i expect to encounter. Going around late June 08. What tpye of gear do i nead to take with me. (ie,tackle)

[macka17]

Does anybody know anything about Swains reef out of Gladestone. We have been offered a couple of spots on a mother ship. Whats it like and what type of fishing do i expect to encounter. Going around late June 08. What tpye of gear do i nead to take with me. (ie,tackle)

Swains. One of the better places without going real wide.

Check with boat. Some provide rigs. some provide handlines.

You'll want normal reef fishing rigs. Lotsa lead. Leaders. Hooks. and beer. 50lb min 80lb better. Some use heavier. depands on boat. Sport or meat..

I use braid. But can be exxy on reef. Stick with your Penn X10 and similar. ANDE good leader.

Solid reels. and sticks. Penn 850/950 good reels for eggbeaters. Any strong. O/Heads to suit line will do.

Alvey 15in Deck Winch. Perfect. Don't know if he'll allow though.

Use STRONG hooks. there's some big gobs down there..

Just go, and enjoy. You change your mind. I'll have tickets off you. Gladdy only down road..and I'm a poor old retired pensioner..

Regards

Macka17

[tuffy]

Swains is a very popular spot for scuba divers, so if they are there in force you may have limited fishing areas, however, in saying that, the fishing is as good so you get. Plenty of the Qld reef species so you will need some good medium / heavy gear. Snapper rod 4 - 7 kg + with size 5 + eggbeater or equal size o'head should do the trick. Plus it gets bloody hot up there, so an appropriate sized Esky containing bitterly chilleds will also enhance your day.

Remember - get pics for the Raiders

Tuffy

Edited December 13, 2007 by Tuffy

[KillerRx4]

Swains is awesome mate. Definately get on a charter out there if you can.

I dunno about the not going out wide comment earlier. It takes us 12+ hrs from gladstone harbour to swains. Usually a 7 day charter, 2008 we will be doing 10 days.

I think we're booked around june/july too. Our usual charter is march/april.

What boat are you looking at going on?

Heres some video i put online recently from swains>

We organise as a group for tackle. & buy bulk hooks 6/0 - 10/0, a few years we made a few hundred 1/4 - 1/2 lb sinkers but recently we have been buying these too.

Take your own rods & reels, I use 24kg overhead gear for just about all my fishing up there, from trolling to bottom bashing. alot of the other guys use alveys & spinners too.

Id suggest 15lb line as an absoute minimum.

Oh yeah we order our grog in gladstone, they bottlo brings it down to the wharf on a pallet.

If you go you wont regret it.

edit: A moderator kindly removed a link to a different fishing forum I posted where there has been previous discussion as to fishing swains. If you lookup sportsfish forums & search for swains you will find the thread.

Edited December 27, 2007 by KillerRx4