Hey folks,

The Surfcasting and Angling Club of WA did a Hill River run over the weekend as I have a mate in the club thought I would head up yesterday to join them for a fish. Friday's report before my arrival was a few herring, patchy tailor and a couple of whiting. I think I heard there was one 2.4kg tailor taken but conditions were pretty average due to the breeze.

With this in mind, I hit up Cervantes jetty for a look when I arrived yesterday arvo. Bagged out on herring within about an hour - they were thick as. Also had a bit of help from a local (John) who helped fill the bucket. Went up to Hill River to meet the guys who were catching some black bream in the river - but again wind was keeping most rods out of the water. Dropped off some herring to keep them happy and decided to make Cervantes my spot for the evening.

Caught a few live herring and put one out on a balloon. After about an hour I had a good run and it was my first ever shark - a white tip reefy. Unfortunately it wrapped around the ladder of the jetty and took off on me, snapping the braid. Mate reckons it would have gone about 1.2 - 1.3m but I didn't get a decent look. It pulled hard though, even on the big gear (120lb braid, OF95 reel and big OzFlex rod!).

All went quiet after that so started baitcasting. Got snagged, or at least I thought I did - but I actually had a reasonable occy on the end that had taken me back into the reef. Occy was cooked and pickled this arvo (another first for me). Bloody yum. Although it seems to be a fine art cooking them...

Shortly after, another run on the big rod. Another reef shark - this one either a black tip or maybe a spinner - I'm still trying to ID. I do have a pic that I will post later but it is only with my phone as the camera batteries died at the crucial moment! This one was 85cm so I kept it for a feed. Feisty little bugger, but just happy to get it on the jetty given I didn't have a gaff! Enjoyed a fillet for lunch today - very tasty!

Another reef shark probably 30 mins later...this one a bit bigger maybe 1.1 - 1.2m. Fought well, and with help from a local hauled it out of the water again without the use of a gaff. Didn't get a pic unfortunately as I was running on adrenaline and it was returned to the water to swim again.

Baitcasting for tailor after dark I got into the sharks twice more - and lost both times as I was on really light gear.

A few lads joined me from the club after dark as the herring were still jumping at 11pm when we left...and probably still going now.

All told I came home with a bag of herring, reasonable occy and nice shark - a very happy man.

All sharks caught on a live herring ballooning off the NW corner. Apparantly 5ft hammerhead landed on Friday night on the jetty - interesting as the locals there reckon sharks are pretty rare on the service jetty.

Anyway, great day out for me. Lots of firsts and after half a dozen trips up that way it was nice to finally get into something bigger!

Cheers,

Rob