Blowing out the cobwebs

Date: 28-3-2010
Launch: 6:45 am
Next tide: 7:30 High
Wind: Negligible
Sea: 0.5-1m ENE swell
Return: 10:45
Days since new moon: 12
Water temp: 22.9
Location: Spot B
Catch: -

Work, weather and a few other activities have conspired to keep my rods dry for too long. So today was a chance to blow out the cobwebs by taking advantage of perfect autumn conditions to paddle out to spot B for some jigging. Dave Beat and his brother-in-law, Greg, had collected a couple of livies which they rigged for trolling.

Had barely gotten underway when Dave's livie was hit and produced a solid bonito. Resumed the paddle and got to the spot without troubling the scorers. Headed for a mark that often shows promise but also attracts the bubbleheads so wanted to give it a try before we got pushed off. As it happened, it wasn't very long before the first dive boat arrived so we moved onto another mark.

Hadn't fished this one before but there was plenty showing on the sounder. Dave was drifting an octopus jig, which was snaffled by a 62cm king. I'd been drifting a 7" shad while jigging so bought it in to change over to an octopus jig. Mistake. The shad had been chewed up by leatherjackets. Ah well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. On went the jig.

Dave hooked up again, this time on a knife jig. This time his knot cost him the fish and jig.

Unfortunately for Greg, he succumbed to the swell so we all prepared to head home. Sure enough, my octopus jig was now completely skirtless.

So Dave took the honours for the day. Hope he enjoys the sashimi - been too long since I've eaten bonnie