Golden day - kingies and jewies

[Whatacatch]

Belated report from last weekend...

Andrew and I headed out Friday night from Roseville in hope of
Kingies. We had broken our drought earlier this year with the down
rigger and fresh squid but it only makes you hungrier. So we left
Roseville about 9pm Friday night. Hit the squiding spot and over the
next 2 hours managed to pick up about 20 nice squid between us - they
were a bit bigger than usual so we were absolutely stoked. Pulled up
stumps and picked up a mooring to bunker down for a few hours sleep.
Whilst I was getting the cabin uncluttered Andrew decided to throw out
a squid to see if anything was in the deep blue sea. Literally 1
minute later the rod buckles over and I hear "I'm on". He is not the
most experienced fisherman (but keen as) and as such is jumping for
joy knowing that whatever the fish is it is a keeper. Not long after
a beautiful silver fish slides and crokes up next to the boat - not
big but he is stoked with a 60cm Jew. The thought of sleep totally
disappeared I am in the water with a squid in a matter of seconds.
Over the next hour we managed to pull up 5 jews ranging from about 55
to 65cm. Not massive fish but still our esky's are overflowing and we
only just started fishing.

So with a full stomach and full esky's we attempt some shut-eye. Last
Saturday was a cracker and there was no shortage of boats hitting the
squidding spots very early. I woke up at 5.30am, pulled out the
thermos and made a cup of tea. Absolute beautiful morning and people
were making the most of it. With a bait tank full of live squid I was
in no hurry to get up. Pulled out the $20 gas burner and started
cooking bacon, sausages and eggs. Great way to start the morning.

With a full stomach we head out to Long Reef in search of kingfish.
We work the reef for a good couple of hours trying drifting,
downrigging and anchoring with no luck. Caught a few just legal
snapper but with an esky full decide they can live for another day and
they go back. By 10.30 we decide to head back to North Head to see if
there is any action there. Plenty of boats but not too many reports
of kingies. Did manage a few octopus and a flounder but simply
enjoyed the morning.

By midday we decide to do some downrigging along the shore line.
After 5 minutes the line does something strange. Grab the rod and it
starts absolutely pealing line. Tighten up the drag and enjoy a good
10min fight. There was only one option as to what it was and it
brought a big smile to my face as I start thinking of sashimi
kingfish. A successful netting sees an awesome 75cm kingy flapping on
the bottom of the boat. Andrew and I swap roles and decide to do
another run through. Sure enough same spot and 5 minutes go by and the
rod buckles over. Andrew is on to his first big kingfish and jumping
for joy. He is awestruck in the strength of these beasts. End result
was a fish almost exactly the same size. With that we decide enough is
enough. Downrigger comes in and we buzz back to Roseville very very
happy campers.

Best boating experience I have had. I hope there are better to come
and can’t wait to land a meter plus kingy or a tuna over the autumn
months.

[Scratchie]

Great read, and I think there's many more days like that to come for you both. Well done.

Cheers scratchie!!,

[jenno64]

That is gold!

[mulcahya]

A golden day indeed.

I was one of those boat at north head.......and caught nuttin'! No even a nibble.

Well done you.

BTW Where did you pick up the squid?

[Whatacatch]

Baffler - Picked them up near the spit drifting. I have had as many bad days there as good but last Saturday just got lucky..

[Reesn]

Good read mate. It's gold when it all comes together. Being on a boat is awesome

[reubs]

I cant wait to get my trailer fixed up so I can get the boat wet and get onto some kings!!

[Whatacatch]

Is it my imagination or are the kings a bit smaller this year?

[Paddy454]

awesome session guys,good read and with the bacon & eggs sounds like a completely satisfying time.

regards,

Paddy

[Whatacatch]

Must say the bacon and eggs went down a treat. Big thanks to BigW for those cheap gas cookers. They make the early mornings awesome to wake up to on the water.

[Robinsoi]

What a catch alright!

Well done guys and wonderful effort and fantastic write up of your adventures

Catches win matches!

Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

Ian

[Whatacatch]

Thanks Ian. Currently up at Lightening Ridge and I reckon the guys that hunt for Opals have the same sense of anticipation every time they dig. When we fish we are in it for the hunt and thrill of landing the fish

[one fishes]

Nice one! only one problem, I had to turn my computer upside down to see the piccies

[PRED-ATOR]

awesome session!

[damian]

Is it my imagination or are the kings a bit smaller this year?

yeah theres been alot of rats but the bigger ones are starting to come through. heard of a few 90cm caught the other day. around near laperouse.