Martin Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Not getting out for about a month I was looking foreword to just a day on the water. With school holidays coming to an end a family day was decided upon. My wife insisted I limit myself to 5 rods and allocated an hours fishing, as the emphasis was family day with my two young ones. Planned a late start for 8.30 on the water, however the girls being girls, 8.30 became 10.30 am. Headed for Mackerel Beach and noticed the swell from out side was rolling in. Anyway dropped them all off as my son dumped me for a swim over a fish. Threw the towels and esky over the side and promised to be back shortly. Fishing in among the moorings in 33 feet of water at Mackerel, as time was short. Put a can of cat food and some pellets in the pot, set two rods, in hope of a flathead and flicked with a third for squid. After a short time garfish showed up in numbers, many of which were horse size for a garfish. They were nuts for the cat food. Gave the squid fishing away and got a live bait line out. Caught a few garfish on bits of shelled prawn and if allowed to sink past them, sat the yakka's and some fat slimes. A half hour had gone when I noticed the garfish scatter in fright every now and then. Hoping something was there I put out an 8kg bait caster with a nice fresh squid. Still letting it out, something picked it up and started swimming off. I quickly flicked it into gear and the rod loaded up instantly. All was quite for a second or two untill it realised, not all was as it should be and the fish got into gear. One good solid run and I worked it back to the boat within in a few minutes having kept it clear of all the moorings. She stayed deep slugging it out but I steadily pumped to retrieve line working her up dog fighting it out all the way. This has gotta be a shark!!! I got to see it and thought aaaaa sh...t a kingfish. Not quite your 1-meter fish but possibly close to 80 or 90 cm. It got to see me and nose-dived for bottom wanting to tough it out again. I was feeling pretty confident, not under gunned with 8kg, thinking not to much drag, yep got the camera, don’t rush this, its going to tire, plenty of time and nothing down below to snag up on. What I didn't expect was the hooks pulling. I'd say in my excitement I struck to early despite using a two hook rig, 7/0 and 4/0 hooks. At least I got to see it and yes Kingfish do exist in Pittwater, it’s not an urban myth. Went back to the beach to be with the family as my allotted time was up and saw that the swell was breaking at the northern end of Mackerel. These were about a meter high and you could boogie board if you wanted. I anchored up out from the beach, neck deep, and went ashore in the knowledge the tide was running out. A number of boats were caught up in the surf and took a bit of a hiding as owners clambered aboard to move/ reposition their boat. Kept an eye on the boat and about 2.30 pm they started breaking near my boat as the water shallowed on the run out. The anchor held and once the strain was off the boat would slingshot forward, then get picked up by the next wave and driven back to repeat the process. I got on board, started the motor ready to pull the anchor up and they were now breaking. To cut the storey short I got two waves over the top and one through the front hatch before I could close it in time, trying to avoid one. The problem came from what must have been a lumpy swell outside and a run out tide. Motored over to the wharf and got the family on board. Wet, sunburnt and with only a few garfish to show for an hours fishing headed home. Great day, kids had a ball, wife was happy and a little excitement both on the fishing and surf side. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jocool Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Great report Martin. At least you got a feed of Garries! Don't you just love Kingie runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I liked the report Martin, I am struggling to find the kings this year so its good to hear of a confirmed sighting and also good that you provided full details. Have you ever tried eating a garfish? We cooked em up at the fish markets cooking school, once deboned they taste great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Have you ever tried eating a garfish? We cooked em up at the fish markets cooking school, once deboned they taste great 29818[/snapback] Mark, I have heard they were good eating and tried them for the first time last year having caught about 20 or so. They were great. Got a bit excited when they came around this time because there were quite a few big ones among them and thought what a tasty treat they will make. A very slow retrieve of the line with no weight seemed to get them interested to bite. I have cooked them whole. How do you debone them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastone Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Great report MARTIN , lots a luck for your next kingie session. cheers Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Great report Martin. At least you got a feed of Garries! Don't you just love Kingie runs. 29817[/snapback] I must admit Joe, the old heart was pumping when I saw it and realised it was not a shark. I really did not expect it. Hope you get the kingfish of your looking for Joe this summer. I am still searching for my jewfish and maybe then will come the kings. Hey when you were talking about your Dad, it reminded me so much of mine and just how frustrated he'd make me at times. Then when it all went wrong some how it was my fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I'll check the receipe at home Martin. The technical term was butterflying them, not deboning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 (edited) Martin Here is the full recipe: See the first 6 bullet points for butterflying the garfish Actually just found this web link which shows pretty much the same thing with pictures: http://www.fishsa.com/cuisinga.php Edited January 31, 2005 by mark_s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narralakes Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Good report Martin, sounds like a decent sized king. Lucky you got to the boat in time as well, nothing like a swamped boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Martin Here is the full recipe: See the first 6 bullet points for butterflying the garfish Actually just found this web link which shows pretty much the same thing with pictures: Thank you Mark, much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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