Not My Finest Moment

[slinkymalinky]

Shimano Stradic - $200

Prescription Polaroids - $400

Sidecutters - $15

Damage to my pride losing them after going in the drink.... Priceless

Well, I've just come back from a flying visit to Magnetic Island. With a bunch of commitments I had, my only possible day to fish was Sunday.

True to form, the week up to and including Saturday, the weather was beautiful. And the forecast from Monday onwards was beautiful. While the forecast for Sunday was strong wind, rain and storms. I hate it when the Bureau of Meteorology gets it right

I hooked up with Josh Kraut... an island local who wanted to take his newly refitted boat out to spend time getting to know his new electronics package without customers on board. It's my first time getting to see a Lowrance HDS10 with the full kit of side scan, structure scan and all the options.... WOW

At times through the day, Josh would find an isolated rock on the side scan, mark it as a waypoint, then drive the boat right over the top of it. It would take some getting used to as some things that show up amazingly on the 800kHz structure scan don't appear on the 83kHz depth sounder while others are reversed. But all in all you can virtually identify the fish by their first names. I WANT ONE!

We headed out from Nelly Bay in about 10-15kt NW breeze and it didn't feel too bad... until we poked our nose around the SE tip of the island and started bouncing up and down on the short, backless waves that the shallow waters inside the reef are great at producing. So we turned south with the idea of tucking behind Cape Cleveland.

On the way across the bay we found a patch of fish working and one cast with a 30g metal was all it took to get a 3-4kg Mack Tuna on board. Fresh bait for Josh and a lot of fun for me!!

But as we headed south, the wind steadily increased and swung more Northerly until we finally had to tuck in behind a little rocky island in the only lee we could sensibly fish. It wasn't the offshore marks I'd hoped for with their hoards of monster fish that I've chased up here several times before, but a succession of small fingermark and cod kept us happy.

Now, I'd be remiss not to explain the opening of my post. Unfortunately, while looking for more schools of Tuna earlier in the day, I decided to step to the low sides of Josh's longboat to have a cast, just as Josh, turned the boat into the wind. Add a poorly timed wave and next news is I'm swimming and thinking about all the big sharks I've seen around Magnetic Island.

OH HECK... MY ROD. Having never lost one over the side before I was surprised by how slowly they sink... just at exactly the same speed that a fully clothed man in crocs can swim down after it. Watching helplessly as it stays exactly the same distance away from my fingertips. When thoughts of having enough air to get back to the surface finally overcame my love of my Stradic, I gave it up and came back up.

OH HECK... MY SUNNIES. The elegance of a 130kg man being hauled back aboard over the side of a longboat in sloppy seas is something that cannot be questioned (and should NEVER be photographed). Back aboard and Josh was really worried that I was ok. It really wasn't a problem and it's not like I don't have plenty of other reels.

OH HECK... MY SIDE CUTTERS. Well it was a memorable swim if nothing else.

Thankfully I had another outfit so it didn't put any dent in the day... I was much more disappointed when we finally headed back north and I lost my Fishraider cap punching into the now 25knots while trying to beat the worst of the thunder storm raging over Townsville.

For anyone looking for great sport fishing, Magnetic Island is a great, underfished option... just don't go swimming with the sharks.

Cheers, Slinky

[Catchin Jack]

Where's ya smile mate?

I've heard parts of Magnetic Island are breeding grounds for Tiger Sharks, was there 2 years ago and someone told me about it, they have traps for them apparently off some of the beaches, true or not Slinky?

PS - Sorry to hear about your loss, wanna borrow one of my reels?

[Lucky]

What, you lost your Fishraider cap??? Oh the injustice........ Now should you by chance have become another victory for the sharks in the running game of sharks vs humans, how prophetic would your signature photo be!!!! On the bright side, now you have an excuse to buy another outfit!

[Jewhunter]

No wonder you look sooooo grumpy!

Shame to hear about the lost outfit. I'm sure we can sort you out with another Raider hat.

Jeez I would have loved to have been there to see it all & to put shit on you!!

At least you got out mate. The weather has been crap as you know.

I can feel a Magnetic Island trip coming up next year!

Hope your Mum enjoyed her b'day.

Cheers,

Grant.

[Guest]

New name for you now Tony is SINKYMALINKY :074: Thank god you are ok mate

Cheers Stewy

[Hodgey]

New name for you now Tony is SINKYMALINKY :074: Thank god you are ok mate

Cheers Stewy

:074: Love it!

Commiserations on the lost gear, mate. Look at it this way.. now you have room for another Abu!

Cheers

Skip

[Ray R]

Funny read mate, sorry that your gear was lost, now here is the chance for new replacements..

[DarkHorse]

Sorry to hear about losing your gear mate At least you are ok and didnt become food for the local shark population. Goes to show you it doesnt take much, to go into the briny.

I took my yak out for its maiden shake down in the local river. HAd my son "drive" it whilst I sat on the back to test its ability. Suffice to say we both happened to shift in our seats at the same time and over we went. Problem was I had my $800+ i-Phone 4 in my top pocket (not a very smart idea).

It is a pitty that electronics and water do not mix.............

A 2 hour drive and $250 later I swapped the dead phone for a refurbished model from apple.

Hopefully you will be able to find a good quality second hand stradic somewhere. Maybe the new NON CI4 model would be a worthy replacement. I know they are a pain but the wetsuit type material sunglass straps might save another pair heading to Davie Jones's locker.........

Regards,

Rob