Ballina Amateur

[Vara]

GDay All

Having recently bought a property out the back of Byron Bay I thought I would provide a bit of an update from up here. Seas have made it almost impossible to fish regularly over the Christmas / New Year period. Getting over the bar is something I am treating with extreme caution. Thankfully the great folks in the Ballina Marine Rescue do an amazing job and lend their years of knowledge and experience whenever asked.

Yesterday was pretty much the first break we have had for weeks, so took the wife and young fellow out. The plan was head to the 32 fathom reefs, try and put some reef fish in the esky and maybe finish with a troll around for a marklin.

Headed out around 5.30am, got over a sloppy bar following a local fisho up here FOZZY. I feel so much better following someone.

Bait was mullet strips, yakka, some squid and what we catch, sargent baker (I am told a great snapper bait) and tailor were quickly cubed and slabbed up. The action was pretty instant the moment the lines hit the bottom.

Bagged out on flatties between 40 and 60cm. Got a couple of ripper tusk fish (amongst a host of smaller ones let go to fight another day) and some nice pan sized snapper.

With an off the water deadline of 12.30pm we decided to troll up the 32 fathom reef heading towards the Ballina fad.

Water temp 27 degrees and cobalt blue it didn't take long before the action started. Started with a slower troll hoping wit a couple of larger rapalas out and a skirt doing its think across the surface.

First action, double hookup on black marlin. Yep the ammos we are lost them both, but for 5 minutes or so it was electrifying watching them skip across the water. Never mind, marked spot start trolling, three skirts out now. Within 5 minutes another on and lost reasonably quickly. All this continued for about an hour and a half. Total 9 marlin hookups. Score marlin 9 fisherman 0.

So being new to this marlin game would love any tips that people have learnt marlin fishing. And when I say amateur I mean it - this is so new to us. What little tips does anyone have to increase the chance of success.

Back at ramp met a couple of local guys. They had some 50 - 80 cm dollies. Great people and they tell me the next few months fishing should only get better.

Be well.

Vara

 

 

[Rebel]

Great report.

Top place to live.

Well done.

[Isaac Ct]

Well done with your flatties and tuskies. Unlucky with the Marlin, hopefully you will get one someday.

[kingie chaser]

9 hours ago, Vara said:

GDay All

Having recently bought a property out the back of Byron Bay I thought I would provide a bit of an update from up here. Seas have made it almost impossible to fish regularly over the Christmas / New Year period. Getting over the bar is something I am treating with extreme caution. Thankfully the great folks in the Ballina Marine Rescue do an amazing job and lend their years of knowledge and experience whenever asked.

Yesterday was pretty much the first break we have had for weeks, so took the wife and young fellow out. The plan was head to the 32 fathom reefs, try and put some reef fish in the esky and maybe finish with a troll around for a marklin.

Headed out around 5.30am, got over a sloppy bar following a local fisho up here FOZZY. I feel so much better following someone.

Bait was mullet strips, yakka, some squid and what we catch, sargent baker (I am told a great snapper bait) and tailor were quickly cubed and slabbed up. The action was pretty instant the moment the lines hit the bottom.

Bagged out on flatties between 40 and 60cm. Got a couple of ripper tusk fish (amongst a host of smaller ones let go to fight another day) and some nice pan sized snapper.

With an off the water deadline of 12.30pm we decided to troll up the 32 fathom reef heading towards the Ballina fad.

Water temp 27 degrees and cobalt blue it didn't take long before the action started. Started with a slower troll hoping wit a couple of larger rapalas out and a skirt doing its think across the surface.

First action, double hookup on black marlin. Yep the ammos we are lost them both, but for 5 minutes or so it was electrifying watching them skip across the water. Never mind, marked spot start trolling, three skirts out now. Within 5 minutes another on and lost reasonably quickly. All this continued for about an hour and a half. Total 9 marlin hookups. Score marlin 9 fisherman 0.

So being new to this marlin game would love any tips that people have learnt marlin fishing. And when I say amateur I mean it - this is so new to us. What little tips does anyone have to increase the chance of success.

Back at ramp met a couple of local guys. They had some 50 - 80 cm dollies. Great people and they tell me the next few months fishing should only get better.

Be well.

Vara

 

 

Nice report, sounds like you had a great day with the exception of not getting the Marlin to the boat.

 

We do have a Game section on here which would be worth a look & maybe get something out of.

https://www.fishraider.com.au/forum/65-gamefishing-tackle-amp-techniques/

 

Also @GoingFishinghas been getting into the Marlin fishing recently so maybe he can give you some pointers?

[campr]

If you are sounding bait schools it may be worthwhile to catch some and sit on the schools with a livey or 2 out.  Catch on bait jigs with or without bait. Bridle them with a large circle hook and set them one on top and one with a sinker down in the bait school.  I have mates that last year tried it for the 1st time and caught and released quite a few.  Ron 

[Vara]

Hi Ron. That is definitely on the plan. No thanks for the link Kingie chaser. 

On sorting a few things on the boat yesterday I found one problem on the lure that got hit 5 times. 

the plastic tube was not cut off properly and was still over the barb. 

oh boy. 

Reminds me of funny story. I remember many years ago fishing with a fellow called Greg Joyes. Bit of a legend fisherman out of pittwAter and now good mate. We went tuna fishing. Got a 50plus kg model to the boat. He tried gaffing it over and over. Finally the fish got off. After cursing and everything I said how could you miss you said it was a new gaff. Yep sure enough he left the plastic protector on the end of the gaff. 
 

lol

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2022 by Vara