Aerialangler Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Headed up with a mate from Sydney to my brothers place at Port Stephens to see if we could find some Yellowfin Tuna We tried to work out what days would be best and decided on Sunday Interesting start to the day with torrential showers first thing in the morning while we loaded boat We could have almost cancelled - and as we headed up the bay from soldiers point the rain kept coming Conditions outside the heads were a bit all over the place but we thought we’d push through and see if it improved We got about 10kms out and things did improve- rain was behind us now and we felt the slop was decreasing so we pushed on - water around 17 degrees About 20kms and lots of birds showing up Some were concentrated and diving in so we thought we would put a spread out and work the area With no luck we decided to keep going We saw a marlin free jump for a bit so the lures go in again No luck 30kms more birds concentrated and diving in one area Again, lures out and we picked up a striped tuna about 7kg We push on - water now 18.9 and we are about 50kms offshore Then we see what we didn’t think we would ever see- small schools of YF jumping and chasing bait - we couldn’t believe our eyes! The shotgun rod goes off And screaming run- after only a twenty minute battle the fish is boat side and we see colour We trade the big net for a gaff when it gets closer Approximately 45kg YF into the boat!! A first for all of us!! Big celebrations to say the least We put the lures out again 15 min later another hit on the shot gun lure! Drops the lure after a screaming run 15 mins later same rod goes off And a longer run and what seems a bigger fish After 25 mins we get the fish boat side only to have it look at our ugly heads and take off again before we could get the gaff near it My friend on the rod is now sweating on whether we will boat this one (The first fish we got the hooks were only just in) Now the fish is deeper again and another 15 mins using the current and the wind we work him back up After some nervous pep talks on being patient and making our gaff hits count we manage to boat this fish!! Approximately 60kg fish!! We are so happy!! One more of the crew- the captain- my brother hasn’t fought one yet so we make it our aim to get another Fish are still jumping but not so much bird activity We troll for another 30 mins No takers- it’s now about 2pm and we have about a two hour trip back so the captain calls it time- I say come on give it ten more minutes 5 mins later two rods are hit and lines are screaming- this time it’s the rods closest to the boat! We get the captain on one rod and I grab the other one Line is peeling and the spools are emptying - my bro manages to slow his fish up but mine doesn’t stop He has his fish close to boat sickles showing in about 10 mins!! We check the drag and it’s like it’s been set for pulling big kings off the bottom! Anyway we get the fish boat side and I have now put my rod with fish on in holder as I got to help with leader and gaffing Just as I’m leading the fish up to gaff it takes off thrashing the hook pulls! But my other mate has just sunk the gaff in!! Rescued! But he’s loses his grip as it’s thrashing and his hand slips down the gaff He’s losing the gaff and the fish as it’s thrashing- and yells out help I’m right there so take a grab at the gaff too and now we both heave the fish in More sheer delight for the crew of 3!! Then it dawns on me- the other rod, the other fish is still on!! This fish has all but spooled me- (I think I have 400m of line out)I cant move it - 50lb braid won’t budge it We decide to gain some line and work the boat back toward the fish This feels much bigger than the previous one We gain half the line- then a couple of big runs and the line breaks - this one will haunt me forever unfortunately. But time will heal We caught most fish in the profidgie lures- but two fish at the end hit a heavy 9inch bullethead pink skirt and a large purple Halco maxi hard body Water blue green 18.9 First fish 45kg Second 60kg Third 50kg We are so stoked to have all caught our first Yellowfin together - not sure we will ever see another day like it We’ve so many trips with nothing and now they have been removed with better memories! Golden memories!! Thanks for reading - get amongst it!!! 22 2
GoingFishing Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Awesome report mate. Great write up, felt like i was there Definately a day to remember 1
kingie chaser Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) Awesome report & pictures. Love the portion vac pacs, always have to save some for a rainy day imo! Great memories there for all the bro's Edited June 30, 2020 by kingie chaser 1
scottyboy Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Wow what a awesome report. Thank you so so much from us that are to far inland to experience these fish, i really felt like like I was there with you. Champion effort mate. Cheers Scotty 1
JAKSShark Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Awesome work on the tuna mate and even better with the report!! 1
big Neil Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 WOW you guys are gunna be on cloud 9 for weeks after that adventure. Great write up, great achievement, great result. WELL DONE. bn 1
TheFisherWife Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Incredible! Awesome shots! Great narrative. Keep fishing! Tight lines!! 1
Yowie Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 That was a great day out, one to remember for a long time to come. Nice fish! 1
LuckyFil Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Great report and top pics - congratulations ! Fil 1
zmk1962 Posted June 30, 2020 Posted June 30, 2020 Fantastic report. 3 for 3 can’t complain about that. Plus one to haunt you so that you will definitely be back. These trips make memories - bet the beers were sweet! cheers Zoran 1
Scratchie Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 What an awesome report of the days events! Always nice when everyone gets a fish especially of that magnitude. It’s a fair effort travelling that far out not knowing if it’s going to be fruitful or a baron wasteland. I could tell your excitement when you messaged me. Glad you put up report! Well done Kent, very envious! cheers scratchie!!! 1
mrsswordfisherman Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 Woweeeee Thats a great report @Aerialangler you guys certainly know what you are doing 👏👏👏 Fishraiders represent 🐟🦈🐠🎣
Aerialangler Posted July 1, 2020 Author Posted July 1, 2020 Thanks everyone for your comments Must say at work this week just a little bit more spring in my step still taking it in and absorbing what happened Big thanks to my brother Andrew- the captain, who took us out and got us onto the fish
GordoRetired Posted July 1, 2020 Posted July 1, 2020 Thats a great days fishing and some wonder dinners, enjoy 🙂
jenno64 Posted July 5, 2020 Posted July 5, 2020 What a fabulous read...I felt like a decky!!🤓 Congrats on the amazing fish and the one that got away must hurt but will no doubt be a good dinner conversation for a while. Nice work on the filleting, very organised teamwork!!
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