Mangrove jack

[martoiscool]

Hey raiders been reading the post on giving more information about catches and i agree with sharing more info and having a set format. The spots i go to are usually boat only and fish do move around plus i live in the far north coast of nsw where there arent to many raiders..(i think!!)

Went for a fish this morning so here goes..

FISH: targeting jewfish and flathead. Fish caught, mangrove jack.

TIME: in water 6.00am out water 11.00am. Fish caught about 9.10am

PLACE: Wardell bridge and about 2km north in the river near a concrete drain.

GEAR: samuki zecton 4lb-8lb Spin stick matched with a Stradic ci4 2500. 8lb braid 10lb leader with a short 20cm length of 20lb used as a bite leader. Squidgy blood worm wriggler 100mm with a little bit of s factor.

STORY: my mate and I decided last night to head down for a fish. He wanted to try some new tactics for Jews using jackal transoms and mask vibes. Anyway we launched the boat round 6 and started drifting in between the pylons jigging the jackals just off the bottom.

Tide was running a little quick still.. We misread the tide chart... So after a little while we decided to try a spot me mate new of which produces good flatties. We moved up river bout two kays on the eastern bank near a concrete pipe. He said we just drift by the bank about 30m either side and should get fish.

For the first drift he was still using the jackals while I tied on the squidgy. He dropped two good fish and by the time I was ready we had to start the drift again. I had two casts and was wondering if the jig head was to light as I was having trouble keeping contact with plastic when the line went slack in the water.

I thought this was strange so I wound a little and the line was going in the opposite direction to the current so I struck and I was on!!

Straight away it hard a hard run back up stream then away from the bank (luckily) my mate and I picked it for a school Jew and I thought this may have been right but it just felt different.

Anyway a few more good runs had me confused and I was excited to get it into the boat. My mate grabbed the net as I carefully lifted it in the water and to both our surprised faces. The below beautiful jack layed on its side before shooting off for another run.

I was really excited now and soon after with some ecellent net work by my mate we landed her.. Couldn't believe it.. My first jack and what a jack!!! Also it was the first fish for my new combo and it handled it fine. After a few photos and a quick measure it was released to fight another day.

The photos arent that great but anyone who has one of those fish size stickers that are free from tackle stores you can tell by the wahoo and amberjack that it was around 49-50cm. Not a first place raider record but not far off..

Anyway continued drifting that spot a little bit more with nothing signifficant caught. Headed back down to the bridge as tide had slowed right down and again tried for Jews and flatties with only one cod and a good sized bream caught. We both were gettin hungry so decided to call it a day.

I know there are jacks around near ballina buy haven't heard of them being that've up stream.

I hope the above format is okay. Thought I'd try something different.

Cheers, sam.

[martoiscool]

Here's the photos.....

[iMick]

Do you wanna swap houses? you'll be closer to more Fishraiders. Northern NSW is where I'd like to retire, it'll be a while 'cause I'm only 29

Nice Jack.

Mick

[Guest]

Thats a great report Smarto and thanks for sharing ,I felt like I was there with you.

Thats a TOP JACK my good man and one I would dearly love to cross off the to-do-list.

Regards Swordy

[martoiscool]

Do you wanna swap houses? you'll be closer to more Fishraiders. Northern NSW is where I'd like to retire, it'll be a while 'cause I'm only 29

Nice Jack.

Mick

Hmmm let me think about that....no... Haha my misses would swap though. All her family is in sydney. Should retire early mate, real estate market is really down at the moment, perfect for buyin!!

[martoiscool]

Thanks swordy,

Yeah I was stoked with the jack glad I crossed it off my list to. Should be a good season up here for em hopefully!! The muddied are starting to appear again to....mmm chilli mud crab....

[tide'n'knots]

mate thats an awesome story and great fish also! congratulations.

pete.

[Jewhunter]

Beaut Red Devil Smarto!

Great report as well mate.

We are lucky with the variety of fish we catch up here.

Thanks for the P.M. We'll chat soon.

Cheers,

Grant.