Hodgey Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 GDay all, I awoke this morning to an overcast sky and mild winds. After months of battling cold water (8 - 13 degrees) and deplorable wind conditions, we may have turned a corner. For the last two weekends now we have seen an abundance of bait in the shallows, and the occasional 'lie' of some reasonable fish. This morning we hit our favourite spots first, and the going was very slow. I was using a 3" swimming grub in Mango Ripple, and Dene was using 2" shrimp in Nuclear Chicken. Fishing light-weight jigheads amongst the broken weed patches on the sand bars has worked for us in the past, and we stuck to this plan. Changed locations, and the day improved immediately. I estimate we observed as many as 10 fish moving in the shallows, with most of them comfortably reaching 70cm or more. Whilst I had put a couple of table-sized fish in the esky, Dene was struggling to get any attention on his shrimp. The 'Comeback King' had a plan. He tied on his trusty stealth prawn and starts peppering the shallows once again. Now, to paint the picture for you. Up to this point, the score is 6-1 in my favour, with the 4 nice fish in the esky belonging to me as well. Dene is lamenting his lack of action, and I'm trying to cheer him up with comments like "But you're good with the landing net, mate" and " My lure seems to be working OK". Moments later, the unmistakable sound of a stradic 1000 losing line in a hurry can be heard on my left. Good flathead in shallow water = a whole lot of fun, and this fish was no exception. At one stage, Dene's fish gets close enough for us to identify her, and she is a very nice fish. She turns in an arc, and streaks off on another sizzling run .... frightening an even bigger fish out of the sand in the process! By now I'm leaning on the landing net handle, casually enquiry about the likelihood of Dene landing this fish within the next 24 hours, and right on cue she concedes defeat and makes her way to the net. 70cm and beautifully marked. A quick photo and she is released. Sometime later (and several more fish for Dene including one for the esky) we decide to move location. We are standing side by side discussing possible options when a fantastic fish of approx 90cm materialises out of the sand beneath us and casually swims away. Both Dene and I commented that whilst catching big fish is a great experience, seeing them like that is a reward in itself as well. A new location is agreed upon, so off we go. Last weekend, we fished a stretch of sheltered water that I had never visited before, and as luck would have it I managed to drop a very good fish. Dene suggests I "go find her" again. The score is now 6-5 in my favour, although Dene is claiming bonus points for his 70cm fish I put a cast onto the very edge of a weedbank, and give the lure a tweak. Was that a barely perceptible 'tick' I felt in the line? Hmmmmm. Better give a bit of a wrist-flick just in case.... The first run is blistering and she makes a brief appearance on the surface (unfortunately I didn't see her at this stage). Dene says "Oh yeah, mate...good fish. She's not long, but she's bloody broad!" She promptly dives into the weed bank and we have a nervous tug-of-war. At one stage we are both wondering if she's snagged on something? I can't gain line and she is a constant dead weight. Dene voices the question and right on cue, she goes screaming off again. Damn .... this fish has some power. Now every creak of the rod and click of the drag has me wondering if I will land this fish. Another 30 seconds or so and I finally get a glimse of her .... and the line is running behind her gills! A couple of nervous moments later, and some clever net work by Dene sees this little lady lying at our feet. A quick measure (77cm) and some photos and off she swims What a great way to finish the morning. A great feed of fish for the family, and the score board rightfully reads 7-5 in my favour. Another memorable morning spent with Deno on our local water ... many thanks, mate. Cheers Hodgey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewdreamer Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 You buggas oughta start a crocodile farm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver1 Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 awesome stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinkymalinky Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Next time I want to see a photo of you yelling "Crikey!" and leaping on the back of one of them. What a fantastic way to start what I hope will be a long season of Hodgey Reports making us all feel happy and miserable at the same time. Well done boys. Cheers, Slinky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakfishing Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 2 x 70cm + fish in one day and a good swag of feed! That's an awesome spot you've found there, nice work mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickman Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 well you have been a bit quiet off late ian this post makes up for it well done dean on the catch up as per usual ian i felt like i was there always a good read mate cheers gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniFIN Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Big flatties , but what is nuclear chiken?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray R Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Good onya, Hodgey and Dene, mate that was a cracker session with some mighty fine fish, must be a real buzz to actually see the flatties in the water.. Congrats chaps.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregL Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Hodgey great report again and a perfect fish to finish up with. This is why Raider is the best fishing site in the country, good content with some little hidden tips for the good anglers to pick up on, plenty of entertainment and a couple of cracker photos I hope more people take inspiration from your reports like I did, it would just mean more for all of us to look at! GregL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robeebee Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 top lizards fella's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgey Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share Posted November 22, 2009 Big flatties , but what is nuclear chiken?? Nuclear Chicken is a color scheme, Jani. The plastic lure is red on the top, green on the bottom, and is shaped like a prawn Thanks for the feedback everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendong Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Killed them again.... Any top water action yet...Josh and I are doing a Day trip to Conjola Sunday week to see if we can talk a whiting or breambo into playing on the Sugaur pens or Jaz's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james7 Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Absolutely sensational Skip! Congrats to you and Dene. A great report to read and fantastic photos too. We are standing side by side discussing possible options when a fantastic fish of approx 90cm materialises out of the sand beneath us and casually swims away. Both Dene and I commented that whilst catching big fish is a great experience, seeing them like that is a reward in itself as well. A new location is agreed upon, so off we go. You're right. See a big flattie "in the wild" is an amazing sight. I have only witnessed it once. It was in the Pambula River. Incredible! I'll never forget it. I've been waiting for a report like this from you - it's about time! Well done guys. Cheers Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny doi Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 great read & awsome haul of nice flatties.top work to the both of you. cheers johnny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tide'n'knots Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 sensational stuff boys! you really know how to catch big lizards. Steve Erwin isnt dead the croc hunter lives down south!! pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod L Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 NOICE! Well done gents, some absolute crackers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHorse Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Awesome catch Hodgey and Dene! As always a very nice and informative post Hodgey, I really enjoy reading your reports. Hopefully the missus, tin lids and I will be heading down your way about the 11th December for the weekend! I am stunned at the quality and size of the crocs, I have NEVER caught crocs that size nor seen them swimming around, it would be an awesome experience. Thanks again. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Hodgey, That is a magic post with some ripper pics. I haven't been out out for a month due to very busy weekends with work and weddings etc. Your story has cheered me up and has motivated me to get out this weekend for some croc huntin' The sight of the big girl under the boat must have been a cracker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tan the fisherman Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 you always get some beauties mate - well done!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgey Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 Killed them again.... Any top water action yet...Josh and I are doing a Day trip to Conjola Sunday week to see if we can talk a whiting or breambo into playing on the Sugaur pens or Jaz's... GDay mate I have started to get some interest on the Zappas recently, and some good sized whiting have made an appearance as well. I hope to put up a top water lure post in the near future Cheers Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Hi Hodgey Great couple of session for you & Dene - just love the look of the 'land' behind you in the pic of the biggie! Great lookin' fishin' spot there! Now, what is Dene's "Stealth Prawn'' - just his favourite, or a brand in its own right?? Congrats to Dene on hangin' in there after you'd almost cleaned out the lake!! That wind is a real pain, eh? Everyone is complaining here about the general lack of fish - I really thought that the Xmas 'go slow' had started early! Heaps of smaller flatties & bream around, just not that many big ones ..... mind you, I was fishing the 'low tides' & I really prefer the rising tide & change over! Welll done to you both - as Greg says ..... lots of little tips hidden in amongst the story! Cheerio Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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