Chappo Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 (edited) Hello Raiders, Just back from a week of arm stretching excitement at the famous Swain Reefs, approx. 200 nautical miles north east of Yeppoon, Queensland. It took Sket (fellow raider), Sammy G, Chewy and myself two days driving to get there, but sssssshhh was it worth the effort. Days were filled with drifting cobalt blue shoals for Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Spangles and Red Throat, with some great size specimens landed. Drifitng was broken up with trolling and sight casting the reef edges and bommies for G.T.s, Spaniards and Mackerel Tuna. The rest of trip saw more of the same with regular catches of Cobia, Spaniards and Mac Tuna, including some monumental bust ups with sharks and big fish regularly winning over our 50 pound braid, 100 pound wire and leaders. Sammy G was our star Cobia Slayer, landing 10 by himself, with his biggest going about 27 Kilos. Sams rig was simple but deadly; running 60lb braid onto 80lb fluro carbon leader, with a running sinker straight onto Gamagatzu 6 o's to 8 o's. Sam reckons the secret was using as little lead as he could get away with, just getting him to the bottom. If you like getting up at 5.30am every morning and fishing your arse off until about midnight for 6 days straight, then this is the place for you. The pics and smiles probably tell the story better. Chappoooooooooooooooo Edited April 2, 2015 by Chappo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathanwynne94 Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Sounds like an amzing trip boys, might have to look into doing a trip like that for myself. cheers, Nathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boattart Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 They're always great trips. Just the variety and ability to fish whenever you're awake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Oh yeah. Nothing like a 6 day, rod bending, arm stretching, line peeling trip of excitement. Awesome trip and photos. Cheers scratchie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDory Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 PM Sent Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Addiction Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Nice work. There are some great fish there. Great night GT as well. Was that hooked under the boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappo Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Yep. Harley was our night time specialist. Pretty much all of the big night time fish fell to fresh squid caught by some mates Darren and Brett. most of the night time fish got sharked but we did get a few quality fish up. also, can't believe how many manta rays were about. suspect the skipper was anchoring on very safe and flat shoals. the really good night time action happened as soon as it got near the top and just after the top of the tide. bust offs at night were probably 2 out of 3 or 3 out out of 4. The ultimate fishing was first thing in the morning. CMy mate Sket was a specialist at this and be ready to go each morning at 5am. He nailed 3 or 4 great fish each morning. also the spa aires were out the back of the mother ship early in the morning and falling regularly to any bait on a 3 ganged hook rig with a super light ball sinker running up to the hooks. Almost a floater. we lost a lot of these but the guys who ran single strand 100lb wire had no probs. Chappo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papafish Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 now thats extreme fishing! one of my mate went out on 7 days to the GBR, same as you guys lots of big fish and lots of fun. you guys must have a huge boat for this trip~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil D Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 every mans dreams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big Neil Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 What a fantastic experience for you guys. A trip you will remember for ever and mega bragging rights too. Envious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDory Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Chappo what a TOP bloke. Thanks for your time on the phone: re Swains. Invaluable information. (he wasted at least an hour coaching me on the --- does and donts ). I am up there shortly. Hope your young bloke heals quickly.(broke a arm on his dirt squirt on the W/E) Dave Admin: A BIG nomination for a Mentor badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsswordfisherman Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Chappo what a TOP bloke. Thanks for your time on the phone: re Swains. Invaluable information. (he wasted at least an hour coaching me on the --- does and donts ). I am up there shortly. Hope your young bloke heals quickly.(broke a arm on his dirt squirt on the W/E) Dave Admin: A BIG nomination for a Mentor badge. Thanks for the nomination for the Mentor award - given to Chappo and great raider spirit shown there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappo Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 I'm chuffed. Happy to help out. good luck Dave. Can't wait to see your pics and story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 A guy I worked with for a number of years was a chef on one of the charters that frequented swains & I would drool over the stories. Red emporer, best fish I've ever tasted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappo Posted April 12, 2015 Author Share Posted April 12, 2015 Have to agree with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chainsaw68 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Going in October can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bessell1955 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Wow fishing at its very best. t looks like you have been fishing at a fish market. There is so many different species of fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StessL72 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Hey chappo awesome report and great info regarding swains, I'm heading to swains next week and we will be be driving as well whilst most people people will be flying. Sounds like the fishing is starting to hotten up? If you don't mind me asking what lures worked well as I've got this problem I have 3 shopping baskets full and I'm sure that your going to tell me to take them all! Any info will be appreciated cheers stevo. pm if you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boattart Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have a mate organising a trip from November 6th-13th. I cant go but they are looking for a couple of extras. If anyone wants details send me a message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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