Port Stephens Sunday "ARVO" Snapper

[garfield28]

Hi Raiders,

Been a while since I posted, main reason no fish I guess, so makes it hard to do report. 

Saturday before last I ventured out to beautiful Broughton Island with my son, full of hope and eager to get onto some fish and was really confident we'd get onto a few, but as per the norm we had an absolute shocker of a day and didn't land anything, so naturally after so many failed trips of late I was down in the dumps and considering selling my boat and my fishing gear and just be done with it. While I was out I had a call from Scratchie as he'd seen I was out and was checking in to see how we'd gone. I told him we'd had a crap day and that I was done with fishing... Jeff said Noooooo don't give up mate, you just need a couple of good sessions to pick you up and go again, "how about we organise a day out and I'll show you a few spots and techniques that I stick to, that produces me fish more so than not"? - Scratchie didn't have to ask me twice! 

So through the week Jeff checked the weather, swell and wind, all was in our favor so got a call from Jeff on the Wednesday night, and we planned for a morning sesh on Sunday and then plan to be back in by lunch... sounds simple enough hahaha not with me!! Told Geoff I needed to look at my bearings to make sure they were doing OK as I hadn't checked them in nearly 12 months. So Saturday I start to pull off one side on a trailer I'd only just bought just under 12 months ago, and was shocked - disappointed and p@ssed right off  by the state of it in such a short time, but this is a post I need to put up for others so that they don't buy this particular brand - but let me just say anyone looking at a Spitfire trailers, please PM me first and I'll fill you in on them and tell you what mine looks like in under 12 months!! But back to the story, so basically I pull the right side off the bearing is OK by the looks of it and just needs a clean and a repack, got it done, start the next side and it looks like milk and needs to be inspected closely, so I get started on it late Saturday arvo as the young bloke had footy in mid-morning, but I get started, this side is worse than the other for some reason, the hub and bolts are rusted quite bad and you'd think the trailer was 8 years old not less than one! So while trying to take the brake assembly off I brake a bolt, it's now I think 5 - 5.30 on Saturday evening and I'm no hope of getting it done in time to go out fishing early the next morning, so I call Scratchie and fill him in - he laughs because most times we've been out, I've either forgot something or lost something while on the water. I tell Jeff I'll be up early to go get a replacement bolt, and if finished early enough I'll buzz him and see if we can salvage a trip out. So get the boat all done and by now its 9ish in the morning, I call Jeff and say mate are you still keen? to which he replies I was just casting in my pool hahaha, he says lets go get'em and refresh a few things for ya. Meet Jeff at the boat ramp around 10am, the bay looked a bit choppy to be honest and the temperature was a bit cool from the wind, I was worried he might pull the pin and say we'd missed the window, but Jeff said the wind would be dropping off and we'll be sweet, so off we went. 

First stop was to grab some bait, so we stopped off at cabbage tree island to grab some livies, sounder showed a heap of bait but most turned out to be garfish that were absolutely everywhere, skipping on top of the water and nudging the bait jig but we could only manage to get one and Jeff wanted yakkas and more so slimies, so we moved to another spot and Jeff found what he was looking for yakkas and plenty of slimies! Got what we needed and then hit up the first spot. Once we got there Jeff basically threw all of my leader and braid away hahaha - that's rubbish, don't buy that again, that leader is crap, use this stuff, then he tied my leader to my braid, and then my leader to my jighead with a few nice looking knots, went through where he positioned the boat and why he did it that way, what he was looking for on the sounder, the structure where the bait was holding up etc. So once we were set up, well Jeff was he had all of his gear rigged and ready to go like any good fisherman haha, so once he set my gear up :-) he said lets get into them! Well you wouldn't read about it, my first cast was in the water for a few seconds and bang, I'm on! Couple of nice head shakes and a short tussle and I pull in a nice 40 cm red. I no longer had the hook out of its mouth and Jeff's livie that he puts about the back goes off, it bends his rod over, it's a decent fish, real decent, Jeff gets a little line in and then loses some, gets some in again and donk, its gone he loses it. While flicking the livie rod goes off again, but this time Jeff calls it for a bonito which it turns out to be, and quite a good sized one too. So after a few more cast in this spot we see the bait has thinned out and the wind has picked up a bit again, so Jeff takes us to another spot to have a crack. 

Next spot we start our drift and Jeff is getting heaps of hits on a colour change of his plastic but can't seem to hook one, but all of a sudden he thinks he's nailed one I turn around see the bend in the rod, at first Jeff gets a little line on it but then this thing just goes bang and heads straight to the reef and snaps him off! After a few choice words and a look of devastation we continue on for a little and then reset our drift in a spot close by and start again. 

New drift and I decide to change to the plastic that Jeff is having success with and straight away I hook up but because the fish is swimming at me I didn't set the hook and it spits it out and I miss what I predict is another good size pan red, Jeff says I told ya pull that rod back and set the hook! Yep he did and he was right, I didn't yank it back, so I was a bit dirty on myself, but did what Jeff said he's motto is "just keep casting" so I continue on.

About half way through our drift Jeff hooks what looks another good fish. It straight away peels line and Jeff pulls hard and sets the hook, a bit of a battle and this thing is big you can tell it is, at one stage Jeff thought he'd lost it as it seemed to adjust and take a massive dive, he thinks its going to reef him like what happened earlier but persist to let the shimano gear do its thing, he starts to win the battle and then you just see this beautiful big red behemoth start to come to the top. I'm filming the fight but had to stop and grab the net for the big girl, think I would have jumped out and swam back to the mainland if I'd cost him this one after the other 2 big bust off haha. A few high fives and a couple of pics, I was so pumped to see this big thing landed, it was 1 o'clock in the arvo too mind you, was just so pumped to see him land this thing!

We start flicking again, Jeff brings in another pannie and keeps getting bumped but not hooking, so with the wind dying right down, we basically have no drift and we decide to have a quick flick for some squid near the island, we only half seriously tried for 10 mins and then decided to drop into a few other spots on the way back and try micro jigging, but the wind had kicked up again and the current got petty strong underneath so we couldn't really get into the strike zone and decided to call it a day. 

Was a bit windy and choppy heading back in but we cruised back at about 35kms an hour and was back from Broughton to the ramp in about 22 mins. Once back, we beached the boat and by this time the wind had really kicked up, so getting the boat onto a trailer on the ramp was going to be hard on its own, but actually getting it off the sand if you beached it was another! We spotted an older couple struggling to hold their boat and control it in the strong wind, it was beached but turned side on in the strong wind and waves, so it couldn't be moved. Jeff being the great bloke he is was straight over there to help them out, but even with him and old mate they couldn't budge the boat off the sand. We sorted mine out first, got it up out of the way and then helped these guys out, the entire time Jeff talking old mate through what he needed to do so he didn't damage his boat, as he looked like a novice boater with an absolute beautiful boat. After both getting quite wet and sandy we got the boat onto the trailer. 

To finish off was a top day on the water with a top bloke. Jeff has a real passion for fishing, but an even bigger passion for showing others how to do it too. I personally appreciate the times you have jumped on board with me and the young bloke mate. Nearly 5 years ago I moved up to beautiful Port Stephens, I had a boat and fishing gear, but no clue on how to use either of them. I reached out to you on fishraider and within a week you took me and the young bloke out and got us started. That was the start of me falling in love with offshore fishing and the start of a friendship. 

Thanks heaps for sharing your knowledge to not only me, but anyone who asks!.... and yes mate ya got the fire in the belly going again!! haha

Hopefully we can get out there together again, sooner rather than later.

Thanks for reading Raiders, and can't wait to meet a few of you at the Snapper meet up, hope this report fires you all up!! 

Geoff 

 

Pic of Scratchies thumper below, unfortunately I didn't take pics of the others. 

[Welster]

Scratchie knows how to find those cracking snapper that’s for sure.  Top day on the water after the trailer frustration. 

Edited May 27, 2019 by Welster

[GoingFishing]

It can't be said enough Scratchie is a gun fisherman and an even bigger gentleman. 

Glad to see you got out and had some action that's fishing success stories mixed in with donuts.

Saturday was 10/10 down in Sydney and I couldn't find a fishing buddy on short notice so I stayed home. Took the kids to the Merrylands nature reserve to see the emus and wallabys but was daydreaming about the water the whole time.

[garfield28]

100% he is mate!

I know the feeling mate when you wanna go but have no one to go with.. I used to fish a fair bit with my young bloke, but about a year ago he discovered girls and the old man and fishing became a distant 3rd to everything else 

[kingie chaser]

10 hours ago, garfield28 said:

We spotted an older couple struggling to hold their boat and control it in the strong wind, it was beached but turned side on in the strong wind and waves, so it couldn't be moved. Jeff being the great bloke he is was straight over there to help them out, but even with him and old mate they couldn't budge the boat off the sand. We sorted mine out first, got it up out of the way and then helped these guys out, the entire time Jeff talking old mate through what he needed to do so he didn't damage his boat, as he looked like a novice boater with an absolute beautiful boat. After both getting quite wet and sandy we got the boat onto the trailer. 

Great write up @garfield28 & I look forward to meeting yourself, Jeff & all the other raiders attending in a few weeks, & hopefully picking up at least one of those massive snappers which would be an amazing experience & also a few smaller ones to bring home for the pan & a bit of sashimi on the boat!

 

Ive launched my tinny off that ramp a couple of times & can only imagine how hard it would be to retrieve in strong wing & some swell.

It would be impossible on your own!

Would be great if the council at least fitted a couple pontoons so people don't have to beach their boats to get their  cars/trailers ready just like Soldiers point.

 

 

[Scratchie]

13 hours ago, garfield28 said:

Thanks heaps for sharing your knowledge to not only me, but anyone who asks!.... and yes mate ya got the fire in the belly going again!! haha

Now that’s what I want to hear! Boom 💥 

Thanks Geoff for your kind words. I know you very much appreciated the trip by your quote above! 

Fishing can be rewarding and frustrating at times but never give up! Especially when you have a passion for something like you obviously do! 

It was a great day out (late arvo) on the water and I was pretty stoked with our results! 

A few more trips under our belt will see your confidence grow and the results will come. Just remember the “6 P theory” and just keep casting! 

Cheers scratchie!!! 

[Berleyguts]

2 hours ago, Scratchie said:

Now that’s what I want to hear! Boom 💥 

Thanks Geoff for your kind words. I know you very much appreciated the trip by your quote above! 

Fishing can be rewarding and frustrating at times but never give up! Especially when you have a passion for something like you obviously do! 

It was a great day out (late arvo) on the water and I was pretty stoked with our results! 

A few more trips under our belt will see your confidence grow and the results will come. Just remember the “6 P theory” and just keep casting! 

Cheers scratchie!!! 

“6P”???

[quintrex52]

On ya boys.. Shame about the trailer

[Scratchie]

3 hours ago, Berleyguts said:

“6P”???

Curious Baz??? 

6P= Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance 

[Rebel]

Great report, well done guys.

[frankS]

Geoff. Thanks for the great read mate. I thought about chucking fishing in once, ONCE!!! but soon came to my senses have had those periods where nothing seems to be going right and you feel " what's the point " but there is always a point and that is it's fun!!. I must admit that I am slowing down drastically in my old age where everything is becoming a great effort and sometimes I would rather just sit on the shore and watch the boats go by than to actually fish.

It was good the day eventuated and turned out to be a winner and I hope you keep what was learnt in your head so when we get together for the catch up we will have some sort of chance of success, as I have not a clue on any area up that way and it would be just water to me. No pressure mate just letting you know I don't know the area.

Cheers Frank

[Scratchie]

3 minutes ago, frankS said:

No pressure mate just letting you know I don't know the area.

Got you covered Frank. I’ll be handing out a map with gps marks for those that attend. Hopefully Geoff was paying attention to what I was saying, but then again I do talk a lot! Haha 😂 

[antonywardle]

great read @garfield28. Top work @Scratchie

[garfield28]

57 minutes ago, frankS said:

Geoff. Thanks for the great read mate. I thought about chucking fishing in once, ONCE!!! but soon came to my senses have had those periods where nothing seems to be going right and you feel " what's the point " but there is always a point and that is it's fun!!. I must admit that I am slowing down drastically in my old age where everything is becoming a great effort and sometimes I would rather just sit on the shore and watch the boats go by than to actually fish.

It was good the day eventuated and turned out to be a winner and I hope you keep what was learnt in your head so when we get together for the catch up we will have some sort of chance of success, as I have not a clue on any area up that way and it would be just water to me. No pressure mate just letting you know I don't know the area.

Cheers Frank

Yeah mate just over getting nothing, then the Mrs carries on every time I mention the boat or buy anything fishing related, but I guess it can be quite expensive at times and when you come home empty handed you have no come back.... did this trip though :-) some very nice fillets off the big red and beautiful whole baked snapper with the other lot. 

We'll be right Frank fresh in my mind Frank, and I believe Jeff is giving some marks of his and will fill everyone in when they turn up for the catch up also mate, so hopefully the weather turns it on and more importantly we can all get a few fish, but if not I'm sure it will be a great weekend either way. 

Looking forward to catching up with ya Frank 

 

Geoff 

[Welster]

21 hours ago, GoingFishing said:

It can't be said enough Scratchie is a gun fisherman and an even bigger gentleman. 

Glad to see you got out and had some action that's fishing success stories mixed in with donuts.

Saturday was 10/10 down in Sydney and I couldn't find a fishing buddy on short notice so I stayed home. Took the kids to the Merrylands nature reserve to see the emus and wallabys but was daydreaming about the water the whole time.

I was out on Saturday for my forth trip this year all by myself so far.  Sometimes I plan to fish alone but this week the few I asked has things on.    I went looking for snapper without much joy a couple of stuff ups put a bit of a downer on a great day on the water. 

 

 

[KeenFisher]

Amazing write up and pics Geoff, I have just managed to get a login so hope to be posting photos of my catches soon.

It was me and my wife that you and Scratchie helped get the boat out of the sand and onto the trailer.

This was her first trip on our new boat after her recovery from her kidney transplant, so your help was greatly apreciated, to say the least mate.

You and Scratchie are absolute gents and I hope to get to know you guys better soon.

I agree that we should ask the council to put a decent stepdown platform on the jetty to make boat launching and retrieval easy, especially for those wih families onboard.

Congrats again to you guys for a great catch and thanks for sharing.

Cheers

George

 

Edited May 29, 2019 by KeenFisher

[kingie chaser]

Welcome to the forum George.

Yes I thinks its great when you do meet guys/people willing to go the extra yard in helping someone in need.

I think its a karma thing personally, you help others then when you need help someone will be there for you to!.

I had to do a 4x4 recovery once on a family that were stuck axle high in the mud & broke their winch

 

Some day I hope when I need help the favour will come back 👍

 

Edited May 30, 2019 by kingie chaser

[garfield28]

9 hours ago, KeenFisher said:

Amazing write up and pics Geoff, I have just managed to get a login so hope to be posting photos of my catches soon.

It was me and my wife that you and Scratchie helped get the boat out of the sand and onto the trailer.

This was her first trip on our new boat after her recovery from her kidney transplant, so your help was greatly apreciated, to say the least mate.

You and Scratchie are absolute gents and I hope to get to know you guys better soon.

I agree that we should ask the council to put a decent stepdown platform on the jetty to make boat launching and retrieval easy, especially for those wih families onboard.

Congrats again to you guys for a great catch and thanks for sharing.

Cheers

George

 

Hey George, 

Great to see you on fishraider mate. 

You are more than welcome and certainly glad we could help out, it would have been very hard getting your beautiful boat off the sand for a few blokes let alone you and your wife. 

Sorry to hear your wife has been through that, but knowing from experience as my mother-in-law went through it, the long days sitting in a room on dialysis until she received a transplant kidney. I'm sure it has already made a huge difference in her life, but she won't know herself now. My mother-in-law has just hit the 10 year mark with her transplant kidney, and it is still going great, I very much wish the same for your wife mate. 

Now that you are a member of this great forum we are having a meet up with other members next month, if you and the wife are not busy mate feel free to add your name to the list come down and meet a few of the other members. I do not know how to add the link but Jeff (Scratchie) would, so he might put it in this thread when he see's this post so you can have a look through it. 

Also mate, as I said to you on Sunday George, give Scratchie a shout if you are looking for some help finding the fish around PS. He'll show and talk you through the rigs, on the different target species and show you all the danger areas outside etc.

Hope you enjoy the forum George and look forward to meeting you again.

 

Geoff 

 

[Berleyguts]

28 minutes ago, garfield28 said:

Hey George, 

Great to see you on fishraider mate. 

You are more than welcome and certainly glad we could help out, it would have been very hard getting your beautiful boat off the sand for a few blokes let alone you and your wife. 

Sorry to hear your wife has been through that, but knowing from experience as my mother-in-law went through it, the long days sitting in a room on dialysis until she received a transplant kidney. I'm sure it has already made a huge difference in her life, but she won't know herself now. My mother-in-law has just hit the 10 year mark with her transplant kidney, and it is still going great, I very much wish the same for your wife mate. 

Now that you are a member of this great forum we are having a meet up with other members next month, if you and the wife are not busy mate feel free to add your name to the list come down and meet a few of the other members. I do not know how to add the link but Jeff (Scratchie) would, so he might put it in this thread when he see's this post so you can have a look through it. 

Also mate, as I said to you on Sunday George, give Scratchie a shout if you are looking for some help finding the fish around PS. He'll show and talk you through the rigs, on the different target species and show you all the danger areas outside etc.

Hope you enjoy the forum George and look forward to meeting you again.

 

Geoff 

 

Here you go, George:

Welcome to Fishraider, George. I’ve been beached at both Little Beach and Shoal Bay ramps... the perils of fishing and launching solo! If I’m expecting strong winds, I prefer to launch at Soldiers Point, where I can tie off on a pontoon and keep my feet dry! 😉

 

[Scratchie]

20 hours ago, KeenFisher said:

Amazing write up and pics Geoff, I have just managed to get a login so hope to be posting photos of my catches soon.

It was me and my wife that you and Scratchie helped get the boat out of the sand and onto the trailer.

This was her first trip on our new boat after her recovery from her kidney transplant, so your help was greatly apreciated, to say the least mate.

You and Scratchie are absolute gents and I hope to get to know you guys better soon.

I agree that we should ask the council to put a decent stepdown platform on the jetty to make boat launching and retrieval easy, especially for those wih families onboard.

Congrats again to you guys for a great catch and thanks for sharing.

Cheers

George

 

Good on you George and welcome to fishraider! 

Firstly, I would never leave a fellow boaty stranded anywhere. To us, its  just common courtesy. Especially seeing a fellow Haines hunter owner sitting on the sand! 

The ramp at little beach is fine on most occasions and I’m sure it has seen thousands of boats launched there. The difficulty is like with any ramp in the Bay Area, westerly winds. They affect all the ramps here and can be quite tricky with a hard wind blowing like the other day. Just keep your nose in only and leave your motor in the depths if possible! 

After our chat at the ramp, I’m glad you joined up and you will love the information and reports this site has to offer. 

Cheers scratchie!!! 

[Guest Guest123456789]

Great thread and enjoyed the read, thanks for posting. Second what everyone has said about Jeff - top bloke and I enjoyed meeting him for lunch when he came up.

think back to everything great you have ever done and I bet it was almost always preceded by one or more failures. Learning to ride a bike, getting a job, finding a partner, having kids, starting a business etc. there’s a book I read by Robert kiyoaski that talked about failure and it really stuck with me. Robert pointed to Texans and how they almost brag about failure. He referenced the battle of the Alamo, which was a siege where the Texans refused to surrender and were wiped out after a 13 day siege. They turned that failure into a win by creating a rally cry ‘remember the alamo!’ and went on to defeat the Mexican army and claim the territory know known as Texas. After every fishing trip I come home empty handed (it happens to us all) when a despairing thought comes into my head I say to myself “remember the Alamo”.