When Ya Forget The Rods.

[GregL]

Went up to Port Stephens on Sunday to bring the boat back to Sydney.

Weather looked great for a fast run back.

Plan was to fly back and stop if we see a school of surface feeding fish.

After a big night and only a couple of hours of sleep I woke up the help and loaded them into the car at 6am and started the drive. Got 20mins away, sh1t! forgot to grab the rods.

Oh well with everyone asleep I just couldn't be bothered turning around and onwards I drove.

Once there we grabbed some supplies, handed the keys back to the marina and threw the lines.

Out threw the heads the conditions looked crap for fishing with a slick calm looking sea but excellent for driving!

By the time we cleared the back wash slop we were off Fingal, we bumped up the speed from 34kn to 41 as conditions were just perfect, nice rolli NE swell with bugger all wind. Off Newcastle it just glassed out for a good half hour so we cranked it up to a solid 46kn!

Off the Entrance we finally saw our fist fish blitz in the distance. Hmmm

Into the tackle locker I went and came out with a roll of 60lb Saltiga leader and small Williamson pink jet head. Tied the lure onto the leader and threw the lure out the back. Let out about 30m of the 50 on the spool and tied it off to the rear bollard as we slowly circled the boiling mass of Stripey and Dolphines going nuts. It didn't take long and little stripe crashed the lure.

It was great watching Dave struggling away handlineing the fiest little fish to the boat. A quick pic and back she went.

Out the lure went back, it just looked to much fun, I had to have a go!

2 mins later the line starts arcing out to the side of the boat. I grabbed the line and felt solid weight thumpinng on the end of the line. Hand over hand I pulled away till I started to get colour. The fish took off with the 60lb slipping threw my finger till all the slack was gone and back onto the bollard, bigger fish! Few mins later after a few more times to the bollard up came a bigger one.

Dave got a couple more and then off again we flew while the conditions were good.

Not long after with the city in site looking down at my watch, WOW just over 2 hours so far!

Can we do it, under 3 hours from dock to dock???

5800rpm out at sea from Palmy to Manly at 47kn, what a hoot!!

Up the River to Hunters and into the pen. 2hour 47mins

That's including handlining 4 stripes and all.

What a truely amazing boat!

Double trouble!

[mr magoo]

thats hooting,how much fuel did you use on the trip back

cheers arman

[GregL]

Hi Arman

We burnt about 320lt (not even half a tank) for the run as we only ran it for 20 min runs at high revs and then back it off back to under 95lt/h and 40kn fast cruise. Oil consumption has dropped as it burnt bugger all compared to the trip up. It's all settling in nicely.

G

Edited March 16, 2009 by GregL