Date: 21/09/2008
Launch: Approx 5:20am
Next tide: Low 5:50am
Wind: S-SE 5kt
Sea: 0.5m SE swell, 1m sea flattening
Return: Approx 9:00am
Days since new moon: 20
Water temp: 17.5
Location: Spot A
Catch: Snapper 45.5cm fork
Arrived at Fishermans Beach at 5am and three flipper flappers were setting up with the wind about 15kts from the south. Waited for a short while and it started to drop, more in line with the forecast. So I decided to go. Still managed to get outside the basin before the rest of them.
Trolled out a shad and a twitch hoping for kings and did a circle of the likely areas with nothing encouraging on the sounder. Pulled in the shad and connected the twitch to the paddle with a breakaway rig to up the enticement ante. Another circle still no joy. Gave up on the kings.
Settled in to drifting for snapper, starting on the mark for Spot A. Wind had settled down to 5kts. Current was from the north and had me drifting backwards ever so slowly. Casting with pumpkinseed power minnow while drifting the other line (7" bass assassin shad later replaced by 5" blurp shad). Very quiet with only sporadic taps and no serious hits.
Started another drift when I see a fin go down about 30m away. Was a trifle worried when it surfaced 15m away but relieved as soon as it vented. Two dolphins circled around the area for a few minutes. I was thinking there goes any chance of a fish. The dolphins departed and my cast line tightened. Thought I was snagged until zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. At 3kg drag it had to be a decent fish and it fought well, going for several runs before its swim bladder blew out and it rose easily to the surface. I had said that I was fishing until I got a feed today so at around 2kg that was mission accomplished.
Kept trying the same, although a boat had now occupied my spot (they were having fun with port jackson sharks). After a while without any more interest I gave it away and paddled comfortably back to the ramp. Passed two of the flipper flappers on the way and caught up with the other at the ramp - only fish kept by then were some red rock cod.
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9 comments:
Bazzoo said
ah hah , well done mate , looks like a nice snapper and i see you measure to the fork as it should be and not to the tip of the tail , how did the Cobra go , weel by the sounds of it , great work Dave , i bet your pleased , i can actually see the smile from here
Dave - wish I got out there as well. Had the little ones first birthday yesterday and didn't think I was a chance.
Woke this morning and had serious thoughts.
Next Sat & Sun are certs.
Well done enjoy the feed.
I like to see someone get what they were after, With regards to your retrieve o Perilous one are you dead sticking it or imparting a little action ?
Thanks guys
Dave, I won't be out there next weekend but will try on the long weekend
DW, cast and retrieve. Long pause to let it sink to the bottom (1/8oz) then slow lift and wind. Current didn't take long to take it back past the yak.
Just got an MMS from Wigg. He did really well - 4 reds with some very good size
Dave - was Wig out at Longy as well, what sort of size?
I was thinking Thurs morning, we are running out of time before daylight savings kicks in.
I'm looking at that Broughton Is. trip, your comment early in the thread?? Do you think it will be worth it or will that sanctuary make it to difficult?
Dave, I think he was. I saw someone but didn't recognise the yak. A couple of the fish were hanging over the sides of the yak so at least 70cm?
The sanctuary limits options and makes it inconvenient. A lot can happen to ruin your weekend which is why I'm not going
Gday Dave
Nice work on the snapper.Looking forward to catching up for a fish
how did the hobo's go as there is no report ?
Cheers Ben
I'll let you know when it heats up Ben. I want to see you getting towed again.
As far as the others, I only know what I've already posted
How did it go Dave ? Fish and they will come, maybe not in swarms but as you say a feed none the less. Good stuff!! Oh and watch out for those flipper flappers, they can bight pretty hard and reef you before you know it...hehe
cheers
T-curve
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