North Stradbroke Island

[AdamK]

It's been a while since my last post as I have been busy with a new job and all. Didn't get much fishing done since then but just recently after cancelling a trip to SWR (thanks anyway for the markings Changa- will use it next time) I decided to go up north to Brisbane to visit my brothers.

I was itchin to get out as it had been so long so I organised a charter off Nth Straddie with Mal Starkeys point lookout charters. EXCELLENT bloke, knows the area well and is a good fisherman.

We ended up fishing the afternoon 12-5pm session and by then the winds had picked upto about 25knots, it was very messy with 2mtr swells and very uncomfortable. Within minutes I started to feel abit funny but managed to keep it to myself

with the first troll only 5k's out we started a spread of 160 and 190 size halco hardbodies. We were told not to bother with skirts as he generally picks up all his fish on hardbodies. We listened and within a few minutes my brother hooked up on the first fish a mac tuna, then I got the first yellowfin and another that spat the hook and another that was lost at the prop

All the tuna were caught within the 1st hour of trolling and as the tuna's went away then came the marlin. A 40-50kg specimen. Unfortunately it wasn't me that hooked up but I still got to fight it as my brother started to get sore in the arms. After a good 20mins we had him close to the boat until he decided to do another bolt. Another aching 10min struggle we again had him near the boat but again he did the bolt but this time he fled to the back of the boat where the prop cut him off.

Never mind we said as we were thrilled that we got the chance to see one let alone tangle with one.

By this time the sea was starting to get more and more uncomfortable so we decided to head back inside to the bait grounds to pick up some slimeys and target some Spaniards. As we were heading back I put out another hardbody and within only a kilometre from the main beach the daiwa overhead goes off. Faught this fish well, brought him in close enough to see that it was a GT whilst it waived good bye and spat the hook.

Another one lost but who cares as it has been a top day already (and yes, still not sick)….. anyway back to the bait grounds and picked up over a dozen slimeys and yakkas then headed to cliff rock ( I think that’s what it’s called). This place is famous for it’s cobia, marlin, GT and Spaniards in close. The area we were trolling the slimeys was not even a kilometre from the headland. 2 slimeys out and after 40mins of trolling it had to happen. A big continous scream of the reel was assurance that it was a Spaniard.. Lucky it was the reel on my side so I picked up the rod and this baby was still screaming and peeling line off like there was no tomorrow. After 15 minutes of sweat and ache I managed to bring him to the side of the boat. A whopping 15kg Spanish mackerel. My first Spaniard, and boy what a feeling. We gaffed the bugger and pulled him aboard and what a sight it was. A massive (in my books that is) Spaniard laid by the side of the boat mouth open full of razor sharp teeth. I wanted another one so we were off again but this time my brothers outfit gets hit. Unfortunately his excitement was short lived after the fish spat the hook but like he said the adrenalin of that fight is still well worth it even if you do loose it. By now it was getting close to 5 so we called it a day and headed back to the beach.

sorry but the quality on the spaniard photos are pretty shit as I took them with the phone camera

What a day, I don’t normally fish outside but whoever knows me would know that I am new to the outside scene but if this what’s to be expected I may have to start spending more time outside than chasin little breamsters

[Guest bluecod]

Mate, sounds like you had a great day,

Spaniards Yummmmm!

[AdamK]

thanks fellas. Had a great time up there. It's amazing the amount of fishing there is in so close

Hopefully I'll be up again there soon

Adam

[kikila]

Nice fish there Adam keep up the good work in the first pic whats all the gear at the back of the boat with the float ring in it?

[AdamK]

Nice fish there Adam keep up the good work  in the first pic whats all the gear at the back of the boat with the float ring in it?

25530[/snapback]

there all the live bait outfits. Small 6ft 2-4Kg rods with Abu 5500 and 6500 reels used for slimeys and yakkas

an interesting point I wanted to mention regarding the method of catching live bait. We were fishing 20-25mtr water with multiple feather hooks, 6 hooks on 1 leader attached to the main line. Never used this setup but it sure works. We were told to free spool to the bottom than crank the reel all the way up. Every time we brought up at least 2 slimeys/yakkas.

anybody else use this method outside or even perhaps inside. It's an excellent way of getting livies very quickly

[ankles]

well done there adam top pics

[snag]

Adam welcome back mate ,

Nice report and some top looking fish you caught there mate .

Good to see you having fun with your fishing mate, and as swoffa said things will sure be boring for a while here.

[AdamK]

thanks for the kind words fellas. still it's always good to be back.

Looking forward to some evening jew sessions and some live baiting for kings in the harbour. A trusted source has already scored over 8 Jewies and plenty of kings in the last 2 weeks

Adam