NaClH2OK9 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Checked the weather Saturday night and all looked good for a Sunday fish. This was to be my first solo outing but I've launched and retrieved the boat a couple of time now so didn't feel too fazed. Alarm set for 5am but the early night saw me up at 3am!!!! Seeing this as a bonus ( every one knows there are more fish at sunrise right!?!?!???) I took my time, loaded all my gear and even had a coffee before arriving at gunamatta boat ramp. I've still not quite got the hang of reversing down that narrow ramp ( makes it difficult having big blind spots with the boat on) but 5:30 and I'm on the water with the engine running (big grin) I start heading out and as I leave the car park Street lights and ramp floodlight behind. 2 things become very apparent. 1. I don't know where night mode settings are on my gps and fish finder so there shining in my face like touches. They have to go off. 2. I can't see in the Fecking dark! And it was DARK. I continued at walking pace and must have looked like a bloody mere cat as I'm trying to spot anything in the water. But I still managed to miss seeing a long free floating Rope in the channel untill I was on top of it. I decided it was crazy to continue so dropped the anchor to wait for some light. 20 mins saw a couple of charters leave and a little light so the game was back on. I was out in 1m seas last week and the boat felt good so with conditions similar I'd decided to go south out of the heads. Following about 100m behind a charter and clearing the heads it soon became obvious that these waves were more like the evil twin of what I'd seen last week. They weren't playing nice and the boat didn't like it. I timed my U Turn and scurried to jibbons beach with my tail between my legs. I hadn't got a line in the water yet but was still knackered with everything I'd had to take in. Fortunately I found a nice sheltered spot that looked promissing so put the anchor down breathed a big sigh and reached for the iced caffeine. Lines in the water. Burley and pillies chunks only produced 3 undersized snapper and a small flathead before finaly something reasonable picked one of my baits. Going extra gental not to lose my first keeper I pulled in a 40cm ??? WTF is that. Grabbing my book and phone I just couldn't ID the damn thing. Bright white with black marble stripes. Not wanting to release a good fish or take a fish that is undersize I land it and photo it and put it back in the water hook in. What are my chances or a rapid fish raider fish Id?? The fish seems happy swimming round so the post goes in and the experts come to my rescue that it's a young samson fish ( another personal first) Ok it's not 20kg but my I'd book says there better small ( don't know if they mean this small but Iegal snapper aren't any bigger so I decide I'm trying him) A couple more juvenile snapper and an hour of no bites sees the anchor up. The ocean looks a lot calmer now so I try a couple of drifts in 20m just outside the heads but nothings happening. I tried a couple of other dead spots on the way but ended up taking a slow run to greys point just to put some extra milage under my belt and get to know the boat a little better. The next time I wake up at 3 feeling ready to go! I'll give the wife a nudge Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaClH2OK9 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Just as a brief follow up. The sambo was a Piece of cake to fillet and the family agreed it was good eating. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 The next time I wake up at 3 feeling ready to go! I'll give the wife a nudge Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Yeah, I've said the same thing to my wife... I give her nudge... she tells me to go fishing! Baz Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydney south Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Never mind - a bad days fishing or boating always beats a good day at work. Better luck next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 1. I can't see in the Fecking dark! And it was DARK. I continued at walking pace and must have looked like a bloody mere cat as I'm trying to spot anything in the water. But I still managed to miss seeing a long free floating Rope in the channel untill I was on top of it. 2. The ocean looks a lot calmer now so I try a couple of drifts in 20m just outside the heads but nothings happening. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 1. Eat more carrots, or use a hand held long range torch. If you think it is dark in the calm water, do not venture outside, because it is still dark but can be a bit bumpy and dangerous if you are not used to it. 2. You need to go further out, around the bommie in some deeper water, or out past the bommie and may be find some flatties on the drift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfisherman Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 It's the only way not to be a noob, getting out there often enough to familiarise yourself with the boat. Harry If it's to good to be true, it usually is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaClH2OK9 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Cheers yowie. I'm usually walking the dog at that time of the morning and can see fine but for some reason Sunday morning was pitch black. I'll be fitting a spot light for maneuvering in tight spaces and low light. Though don't anticipate taking her out that early untill I've a bit more experience. 6:30 is early enough for now Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paikea Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Yeah, I've said the same thing to my wife... I give her nudge... she tells me to go fishing! Baz Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Did you give her two options? Cheers Paikea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bell Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 lol nice report shame about the days fishing tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiro Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Great effort dude. With that kind of determination, you're bound to land some massive fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 I would have thought.catching a Sampson fish in these waters is pretty rare?? If you plan on going out at that time regularly I'd be getting a spotlight like a lightforce hand held! I use one for spotlighing hunting & they are good to 400/500 metres! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaClH2OK9 Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 Not sure how rare but I have seen at least two other reports the same weekend from the Hawkesbury giving similar results ( that said there seems no limit to what can be caught there at the moment. With regards to lights. I won't be out for a while at that time of day. It did catch me out not having lights ( you can't plan for everything first time out) but Tbh it was more a surprise it was sooon dark. I'm around that time most weekday mornings walking the dog and it doesn't seem that dark. Maybe cos I'm only looking 6 foot ahead or maybe because I've not been dazzled by the brightness of my electronics and then feeling lost without them. For sure I'll be better equipped next time. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 dazzled by the brightness of my electronics and then feeling lost without them. For sure I'll be better equipped next time. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk I had the same problem last week at Swansea at 5:30am with my sounder/GPS (a Humminbird) too bright. I later discovered how to turn the brightness down - press the power off button and the option's there. Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaClH2OK9 Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 Yea found it later myself mate. But when on the water first time. Disco. Lol Live and learn eh. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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