The Rev Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Hi Raiders, After a number of enjoyable, but relatively lean trips onto Port Stephens out of the boat on the second log of my holidays, I decided to change things up for my next day of fishing here on Sunday (13th March) and try the beach. My passion for fishing first started when i was 10 years old when on a Saturday afternoon, my family went to Long Reef beach in Sydney, and I was allowed to take my fishing rod along. That day, the lagoon was overflowing and anchovies were flooding out and over a sand bank into the surf and i used some for bait. In two casts I hooked a 35-40cm bream that I lost at the very end and next cast a massive flathead about 60cm in length that I landed and took back up the beach to show my family and we ate that night for dinner! As I set out today, who would have thought that I would replicate that catch! So… After talking to some of the locals after church on Sunday morning, they all said to try the beach as most people were catching fish there after the rains, with the Myall and Karuah rivers in shut down mode. With a 6:40pm high tide, I pumped yabbies at a local sand flat on the low tide and then got my gear ready watching the Waratahs Super Rugby game. Thankfully they won 🙂 At 5pm I headed down ( 3 streets away) to Bennett’s beach and walked about 100M south from the surf club and setup my gear. First cast with a yabby and I got a bite but no hook up. On my fourth cast and bait, I had a nibble followed by a massive hit that took line. I’m on - such a good feeling. After a steady fight, I pulled up the beach a 37cm bream. Very happy with that - he looked fantastic and was put into the bucket to take home for a meal. Memories of my childhood on Long Reef beach came back - this one didn’t get away! Things then went quiet for a bit with occasional hits and lost baits, so I switched over to some fresh mullet that I bought from the Fish Co-op. While slowly winding in the bait on my second cast, I got a massive hit very close to the beach break and the rod loaded up again. After a tense fight trying to get the fish through the beach breakers, up came a very big flathead. As I was only running 15lb leader, I gently coaxed the fish with each wave further up the beach. As I got the fish just out of the wave zone it managed to break the line through its constant head shakes sawing the line in two. So with a sense of urgency I grabbed it’s tailed and yanked it up to safety! This fish looked big and when I measured it later, it went 60cm! I couldn’t believe it as it was like that day at Long Reef some 47 years ago, only both fish landed this time! After more casts, I also caught in the session a 26cm bream, and two tailor (25cm & 32cm) that were retuned to live another day. All in all a great 90 minute session.. The Rev 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 13, 2022 Author Share Posted March 13, 2022 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Great report. Nice Bream. Well done. Super photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Ct Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Nice fish mate well done. Some nice quality amongst those fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Very nice, a couple of good fish for a feed, and it makes the effort worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Hornet Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Great story and fish Rev. Its days like that that keep us going back for more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little_Flatty Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 A couple of stonkers there @The Rev. Bet it feels good to snare some good fish after an ordinary start to the holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyFil Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Some great fish there Rev and I love the return to your childhood start in fishing. Ironic after several average trips in the boat that your best session is off the beach. Persistence and maybe a few prayers paid off. Fil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Well done Rev! The smile says it all. We sometimes get so focused on targeting fish, (boat based) we often forget how much fun getting back to basics is! cheers scratchie!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenno64 Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Great session Rev, amazing memories relived with some nice fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 9 hours ago, Rebel said: Great report. Nice Bream. Well done. Super photos Thanks Rebel - the wife took the photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 8 hours ago, Isaac Ct said: Nice fish mate well done. Some nice quality amongst those fish. Thanks Isaac - was lots of fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 6 hours ago, Yowie said: Very nice, a couple of good fish for a feed, and it makes the effort worthwhile. Thanks Yowie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 5 hours ago, Green Hornet said: Great story and fish Rev. Its days like that that keep us going back for more. Being on holidays - that will be tomorrow! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 2 hours ago, Little_Flatty said: A couple of stonkers there @The Rev. Bet it feels good to snare some good fish after an ordinary start to the holiday. Thanks - with the weather improving it does feel like the fishing is improving! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 2 hours ago, LuckyFil said: Some great fish there Rev and I love the return to your childhood start in fishing. Ironic after several average trips in the boat that your best session is off the beach. Persistence and maybe a few prayers paid off. Fil Thanks Fil 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 1 hour ago, Scratchie said: Well done Rev! The smile says it all. We sometimes get so focused on targeting fish, (boat based) we often forget how much fun getting back to basics is! cheers scratchie!!! I had a ball - though I can’t wait to get out in the boat tomorrow. My wife had given me the leave pass for the day as she is busy with an online study course! 😍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 20 minutes ago, The Rev said: I had a ball - though I can’t wait to get out in the boat tomorrow. My wife had given me the leave pass for the day as she is busy with an online study course! 😍 Just be cautious if your venturing outside. A bit of wind and swell forecast for tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkin Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Well done 👍 quality fish there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rev Posted March 14, 2022 Author Share Posted March 14, 2022 37 minutes ago, Scratchie said: Just be cautious if your venturing outside. A bit of wind and swell forecast for tomorrow! Will do Scratchie - if the swell is to big and the wind is up we will stay inside and see what we can find 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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