Launch: 05:45
Next tide: 11:40 High
Wind: N, 5-10kt
Sea: NE swell, 1m
Return: 09:00
Days since new moon: 18
Water temp: 23.8
Location: Spot C
Catch: 6.5kg snapper
Disappointing reports of close-in fishing, good conditions and the sight of a few jewies at the cleaning table yesterday was enough for me to head wide. Paddled out to spot C and then a bit to see why there are sometimes a boat or two anchored in the vicinity. A few bait balls were showing on the sounder so there was some promise of action. I marked one of them and then paddled away into the wind so I could drift back over it.
However the current was running strongly and the drift took me away from the mark. Water temp was high at 23.8, a good increase in the three weeks since I'd last fished. Didn't get much chance to consider my options as the ski lurched and the baitcaster with a drifting 7" shad started singing. Pulled in the other line and the fish was still pulling line. Could this be a jew? Lifted my brand new Cabelas Magtouch 12-25lb rod out of the rod holder just in time for the run to stop. Then it was pump and wind. The rod behaved well and the long graphite butt proved right for the task - providing plenty of leverage for the lift and being surprisingly stable to grip. No more runs, just solid resistance until a large, thoroughly beaten snapper popped up. Lifted it into the fish hatch using the fish lifter I'd bought from Bill (billybob) Watson a couple of years ago and not had occasion to use.
Drifted on then paddled back to near the mark, feeling the full force of the current. Halfway through the next drift I decided to paddle home, figuring I had more than enough fish in the hatch.
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7 comments:
Awesome fish Dave, love it:)
Cracka Dave - that's the one that has been waiting for you
Cut the fish up as cutlets, using a cleaver and mallet (broke the meat mallet so had to resort to the toolbox!). Reserved the head and tail for a fish head curry which I'll cook tomorrow night.
BBQd some of the steaks this evening. They were wonderful. Cooked through but moist and favoursome. Thanks Henry for the recommendation
Awsome Catch
Dave thanks for keeping your Blog kicking
As it's keeping me keen to get back on
The water
cheers Wombat
Dave what a great fish mate. Nice work catching it on a lure. You sure have put in the hard yards on your pursuit of the 5kg+ fish.....Awesome. How long mate?
PhilW
Dave a great fish, and good onya for persevering with the softies, its paid off big time , you deserve that fish
and i am not anonomous, i am bazzoo
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