Guest bluecod Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 If you ever get the chance to get away for a week in a trailer boat fitted out for sport fishing - do it! What a great week we had starting with the Pakula Friendly Tournament at Pt Stephens - on the Saturday we left Little Bay ramp at about 7.00am and after running out to the 60 fathom line started trolling a spread of lures northwards looking for bait balls as we went. We didn't find any but heard that some boats fishing the Northern Rivers comp had found some north of Broughton Island, so that's where we headed. We saw some boats working the Gibber Shoals and started to head that way when in about 25 fathoms, the Cockroach "Express" on the short rigger was hit hard and for a change, stayed connected. My strike, my rod, so on went the gimball belt and straight into it with 22 lb drag preset. The fish didn't jump but pulled about 300 metres of line off the reel before taking to the air, right behind another boat who then departed in a hurry leaving some space to fight the marlin. 45 minutes later we had a black estimated at about 85 kilos alongside the boat. Whilst it was not my first, it was the largest I had caught, so happy with that, few pictures taken and fish released after being swum beside the boat until it had regained some strength. No other strikes that day, so out we went again on Sunday for a troll before heading north to SWR. We drew a blank on Sunday morning even though we sighted some good marlin sunning themselves on the surface. Monday at SWR was pretty well blown out so we gave that a miss and started fishing SWR on the Tuesday. To cut a long story short we then averaged a marlin a day, each around 35 to 40 kgs, except for Thursday when we got one black and as luck would have it one sailfish around 45 kgs when I was on strike, and Friday when we got two blacks. The sailfish took a trolled slimey on a circle hook and went ballistic right from the hookup. My first sailfish and I was absolutely stoked. After a shortish fight, took a couple of photos and quickly released it to give it its best chance. Pity I'm not a good photographer otherwise they would have turned out better. I also got a first on Cobia at 10kg and a PB Dollie also at 10 kg We had a ball!
Ken A Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 Great report Bluecod it looks like you had a great time. Nothing wrong with those pics mate theres some nice fish there & congrats on the billfish.
clutch Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 (edited) Top Stuff Bluecod, Great pics - I really like that one of its sail That looks like a good sized trailer boat- how big is it? Edited March 2, 2005 by clutch
kikila Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 Some real good fish there you must be stoked, a weeks fishing at Port Stephens then SWR half your luck.
Guest Big-Banana Posted March 2, 2005 Posted March 2, 2005 Good on you mate. Sounds like a good trip.
Guest bluecod Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 Top Stuff Bluecod, Great pics - I really like that one of its sail That looks like a good sized trailer boat- how big is it? 34590[/snapback] Clutch - its a mate's 6.00RF Haines Signature - a good seaworthy boat
deckie 3 Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 You would think that you were the only one on that boat!...What did the other guys catch???
Narralakes Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 Great report George and congrats with the marlin, that is a hefty fish. Sounds like you guys did alright.
ankles Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 You would think that you were the only one on that boat!...What did the other guys catch??? 34617[/snapback] ............ top suff ... there deckie 3... wellcome aboard
deckie 3 Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 ............ top suff ... there deckie 3... wellcome aboard 34653[/snapback] Had to have a shot (I was up there fishing with him..
ankles Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 yep we like to be there . the story not complete with out the pics .
Guest Jocool Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 Looks like you had a Blast George. Good going on all your PB's!
deckie 3 Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 Just to add to Georges story...He has a mile more great shots (worm them out of him) and it was a truely great trip (again) As a tip for anyone going up there over the next month...The grounds where the larger slimies are (about 1.5kms of the jail in 110-130ft of water) gets packed with boats. The Cobia, Marlin and Mackeral are hanging around the bait balls) It gets congested in there with up to 50-80 boats. Most know what their doing but a few "newbies" can cause grief by racing up in front of you and dropping down baits in front of your trolling line...(I won't use some of George's expletives on here). Anyhow, if it gets packed and you loose your patience, head out to about the 150' depth and start trolling towards Fish Rock...we did well b/w the Jail and Green Island....some good fish were also hooked about 800mtrs-1500mtrs of the Rock in around the current lines wrapping around it...get to close and you get plagued with Rat Kings and smallish Y/Fin Good fishing
Guest bluecod Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 but a few "newbies" can cause grief by racing up in front of you and dropping down baits in front of your trolling line...(I won't use some of George's expletives on here). Deckie 3 He's right, I do tend to swear a lot at times! Getting away for a week with the boys has its punishment as well - had to take the away for a few days up the coast to do some fly fishing and only just got back. so while she relaxes [sleeps] in front of the TV - I've got some catching up to do on here. As Deckie 3 says it was a great trip and the rest of the crew did OK too with Deckie 3 getting 2 marlin, both tiddlers around the 35 to 40 kg mark and a few cobes around the 10 kg mark together with a rat yellowfin around the 6kg mark [at least Deckie 3 knows the value of sashimi - not like the captain who only eats food cooked but calls us cannibals anyway] Two highlights of the trip were when the cap'n hooked a small black and the fish wouldn't fight - it kept following the boat around for about five minutes much to the cap'n's chagrin before it finally realised it was hooked and put up a half hearted fight, then when in pretty choppy seas the cap'n was eating his sandwich on the lee side of the boat when a wave slopped onto the windward side of the boat, shot into the air and landed right on top of the cap'n and his sandwich - he didn't flinch but kept eating his sodden sandwich as if nothing had happened. Deckie 3 and myself couldn't keep a straight face we Bar crossing on a good day The Cap'n on a small black Deckie 3 on a black of about 40 kgs Deckie 3 with a good cobia of about 10 kgs The Cap'n about to trace a small black By the way if you want some mackeral tips - talk to Deckie 3
deckie 3 Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Deckie 3 He's right, I do tend to swear a lot at times!Getting away for a week with the boys has its punishment as well - had to take the away for a few days up the coast to do some fly fishing and only just got back. so while she relaxes [sleeps] in front of the TV - I've got some catching up to do on here. As Deckie 3 says it was a great trip and the rest of the crew did OK too with Deckie 3 getting 2 marlin, both tiddlers around the 35 to 40 kg mark and a few cobes around the 10 kg mark together with a rat yellowfin around the 6kg mark [at least Deckie 3 knows the value of sashimi - not like the captain who only eats food cooked but calls us cannibals anyway] Two highlights of the trip were when the cap'n hooked a small black and the fish wouldn't fight - it kept following the boat around for about five minutes much to the cap'n's chagrin before it finally realised it was hooked and put up a half hearted fight, then when in pretty choppy seas the cap'n was eating his sandwich on the lee side of the boat when a wave slopped onto the windward side of the boat, shot into the air and landed right on top of the cap'n and his sandwich - he didn't flinch but kept eating his sodden sandwich as if nothing had happened. Deckie 3 and myself couldn't keep a straight face we Bar crossing on a good day The Cap'n on a small black Deckie 3 on a black of about 40 kgs Deckie 3 with a good cobia of about 10 kgs The Cap'n about to trace a small black By the way if you want some mackeral tips - talk to Deckie 3 34936[/snapback]
Guest bluecod Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Deckie 3 - Don't quite get the jist of your above reply ?????
deckie 3 Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Came back to reality with a thud yesterday....Fished with a mate down on the Hawkesbury on a few Oyster leases in Mooney Creek. Talk about some wizz bang bream!!! Tossing some soft plastics (bass minnows) in along the racks - 6kg leaders shredded, 8 kg leaders- shredded, 10kg leaders- about 10seconds more then shredded - Saved by the wind coming up which pushed the boat up suddenly against a rack, I lost balance and did a hamstring!!! Give me the Macleay bar and those Marlin anyday!!!
Guest bluecod Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Came back to reality with a thud yesterday....Fished with a mate down on the Hawkesbury on a few Oyster leases in Mooney Creek. Talk about some wizz bang bream!!!Tossing some soft plastics (bass minnows) in along the racks - 6kg leaders shredded, 8 kg leaders- shredded, 10kg leaders- about 10seconds more then shredded - Saved by the wind coming up which pushed the boat up suddenly against a rack, I lost balance and did a hamstring!!! Give me the Macleay bar and those Marlin anyday!!! 34951[/snapback] Go on - pull the other leg Bad luck Norb - that will slow you down for a while. At least the Newcastle maidens will be safe for a few days
deckie 3 Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 Go on - pull the other leg Bad luck Norb - that will slow you down for a while. At least the Newcastle maidens will be safe for a few days 34953[/snapback] Its the Lucinda trip thats got me worried now Bluecod....maidens can wait ....theres fishing to be had!!
patl Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 If your going to Lucinda and throwing lures up against the jetty pilons there you will have more than 10kg leaders shredded, there is some big cod, GT's etc... that live under there But the channel is a great place to fish
deckie 3 Posted March 5, 2005 Posted March 5, 2005 If your going to Lucinda and throwing lures up against the jetty pilons there you will have more than 10kg leaders shredded, there is some big cod, GT's etc... that live under thereBut the channel is a great place to fish 34957[/snapback] Thanks patl, Its our 4th trip up there...and its a whole new ball game from the Hawkesbury bream or the Marlin..... We get out the flygear and the 4 kg spin sticks with soft plastics fishing the flats for the GTs...had some great fishing and spectucular bust-ups..still its fun. The barra, jacks, etc can be a different ball game though (with some definite different tackle and change of tactics)
deckie 3 Posted March 7, 2005 Posted March 7, 2005 Many thanks for the CD Bluecod...much appreciated...Resch's isn't it?
Guest bluecod Posted March 7, 2005 Posted March 7, 2005 Many thanks for the CD Bluecod...much appreciated...Resch's isn't it? 35167[/snapback] By the bucketload and make that a light for the Cap'n
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