Byron Bay & Yamba

[arpie]

Hi guys

Just back from a road trip to Byron Bay & back, via a couple of nights at Yamba. Keith was competing in the Byron Bay Triathlon & did very well ..... won his age group & came in ahead of 270 other competitors, (just under half of the field) ..... not bad for the oldest competitor in the field!!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take the camera with me ...... So sorry, no pics ...... of the triathlon, either!

We were so lucky with the weather - fine & warm during the day, cool in the mornings & it only rained after 7pm & before 6am!! Couldn't have scripted it better myself!

Leading up to the tri, I wandered along the beach, flicking sps & hb along the edge & towards the rocks near the surf club. There was one 'dip' that filled up with water on the high tide, so when I got some hits from the sp, I changed to my favourite chubby & landed a legal sized bream! This was in water less than 30cm deep! I wandered further up the beach & got a trevally & 3 flatties in four casts using sp (only one was legal .... all fish caught at Byron were put back.) A swimmer told me there were heaps of blackies out off the rocks, but I didn't have my blackie gear with me at the time! THere were heaps of mullet jumping in the shallows, not taking anything tho. However it was fun just prospecting along the beach!

On Monday we headed to Yamba & in the afternoon, I set myself up at my favourite spot with some of the weed & cabbage that I gathered at Mona Vale about 1 month ago when I was fishing with Luderick59! It really is amazing, as it rehydrated well & I landed a nice blackie fairly quickly, then got busted off by 2 bigger ones! My float got caught on the structure twice & Keith very kindly went for 2 swims to retrieve it! Next morning I tried again at a different spot & was busted off by a huge fish! I just couldn't turn it's head & knew there was a submerged stump there & that is where he headed! I was later told that you can get 3 pounders there! I know it was big! I met up with a couple of fellow travellers who also enjoy blackie fishing & hope to catch up with them next time they come thru Forster. One chap, Kevin, gave me some terrific weed he had brought with him from the Central Coast! OMG! I wish we had that sort of stuff up here!! That afternoon (yesterday) I went back to where I had fished that morning & landed 8 blackies to 40cm & had the hook straightened by one that got off! I had 3 others on that also got off before reaching the net! I kept 4, which I will smoke tomorrow!

All up, a terrific break for both of us - I really wish I'd taken my yak with me, as the water off Byron was calm as & you could see all the rocks/reef not far off shore (maybe 200m) that would have had heaps of fish! Next year .... there were enough snorkellers checking them out all the time!

I have no doubt that they will have 'come on' here at Forster whilst I have been away - hope so anyway!! Will check it out over the next day or so!

Cheerio for now

Roberta

[robeebee]

congrats to Keith and it seems you had a great trip as well

well done

[Guest]

Thats a great effort by Keith well done mate.

Good report Roberta,the fishing sounded pretty darn good to me

Cheers Stewy

[Hodgey]

Onya Keith! Great effort mate!!

Great report Roberta. Sounds like you had a fabulous time and got onto some terrific fish. Bust-offs and straightened hooks seem to be the order of the day with those muscle-bound blackies Just makes you more chuffed when you land one, I reckon!

Hodgey

[james7]

Nice report Roberta and "well done" Keith.

Byron sure is a beautiful part of the world.

Looking forward to the next report from Forster (with photos too - don't forget your camera again)

Cheers

Peter

[Matt]

Hey Roberta, fancy that, I was in Byron all of last week relaxing. Did a bit of beach fishing at Tallows with nothing to really report. I had forgotten about the Marine Park when I drove up, I was going to hit Belongil and Tallows Creeks. Some nice Flatties called those home as well as evil Jacks, pity they are off limits now.

Great effort Keith on the triathalon.

Cheers

Windy

[slinkymalinky]

Another great report Roberta. You certainly know where to spend your time to enjoy some of the best fishing the state has to offer. Next time I get up that way I'll try to get my act together and see if we can wet a line somewhere.

Cheers, Slinky

[arpie]

hehehe I didn't have the camera when I was away, but got it out when smoking the fillets tonight! YUM!!

Normally I would use mashed potato instead of my cardoman rice, but I had some already cooked, so used it!

Yep - that is 2 fillets on the plate ..... gives you an idea of the size of the fish!! They were really thick & in good condition! Fought well!!

Cheerio

Roberta

More left overs for tomorrow night