Well our annual Coral Bay trip in May this year didn't exactly live up to expectations set by previous years results, so another trip was suggested- albeit a variation from how we usually do things.

for the last 13 years for me and more for others, we drag our own boats up there for one or two weeks but this trip we decided, as it could only be for a shorter duration, to do it the easy way and fly up and go out on the Mahi Mai charter for a few days. So flights (on F Flyer points- first piece of the puzzle that all just fell into place) and charters were booked for three days; Friday, Sat and Sun- locked in. Then started the anxious wait and watch of the weather forecast to see what we were going to be presented with.

a couple of weeks out and it was blowing its box off but then seabreeze started to show some promise when we were within a week of the trip- another puzzle piece (This forecast held true and we jagged some great weather over the weekend). We then received an email advertising cheap accom deal at Coral Bay within a week of departure and as we hadn't booked anything yet, pounced on this and couldn't really believe the luck and timing.

So Thursday morning we catch the early flight up to Exmouth and then make our way to Coral Bay by about 9am. We had this day unplanned so you do what most should do and grab a beer to start the trip with. A day in the bay without a boat can be demanding on the liver but this is when some further good fortune was realised. What we didn't know at the time of booking, our accom actually included a free coral viewing boat and snorkelling tour as well so we booked into that straight away and burnt up a couple of hours. The tour itself was great and we saw a few stonker painted Crays, Qld groper, schools of squid, turtles, reef sharks etc etc.

At the tours end, it was almost time for the charters to come in so we thought that we should replenish some fluids whilst waiting to  check out what the new moon was going to provide on the fish tally board.

We were pleased to see some nice fish come in at the tables and this just topped up the excitement levels for the next three days. So it was back to rig up the rods that we brought up with us (a new fishing WA carbon rod and Avet reel combo from Oceanside tackle for me and a new Shimano Terez rod and Tyrnos reel for my mate), then to the pub for dinner and then wait for morning.

Friday morning arrives, bakery for a pie, and then down to the Mahi Mahi to head out. Winds were light and swell was down but anticipation was all time high. Headed out the North passage and about half an hour into the trip, a spread of lures were thrown out the back while we steamed out to the bottom fishing ground.

About 15 minutes in and a reel is screaming!

Another 15 minutes and a small black marlin is tagged boat side (with a huge free swimming stripey marlin next to it) and released. With that box ticked, it was time to get some fish on ice.

We fished a combination of drifting and on anchor, battling some strong currents at times, but we were nailing fish which was the main thing. We fished anywhere from 80-100 metres and caught an assortment of quality fish like Rosie Jobfish, goldband snapper, pearl perch, spangleds, robbo's and few of the prized reds. Highlight for me was a decent red that although would not have quite ticked my 10kg red box, it would have been up there and topped off an awesome day on the water.

Then it was back to land, fish filleted, scrub up for dinner at the pub, and then sleep sleep prior to repeating on day two.

Day two we fished in similar depths but it was a tougher day than day one. The current was racing which made holding bottom tough for most on board even with 30ounce sinkers!

Taking our own gear helped us here as we could hold bottom a lot easier with lighter sinkers due to the use of braid (compared to the 200lb mono on the winches). So the rods definitely won day two with a few more reds released to the ice slurry along with the other similar catches as day 1. Our new rods were both tested today with some decent sharks and a cracker cobia and pleased to say that we were both wrapped with the way the new gear handled. I initially found it hard get my head around demersal fishing with my new setup (as it looks tiny compared to the regular overhead reels and I think a few people on the boat were laughing when they saw what I planned to use) but after landing the red on day 1 and cobia on day 2 easily, my mind was made up pretty quickly and I now have a new favourite combo!). Day 2 ended with the most amazing humpback whale show I have seen. We had whales in sight pretty much all day but the last ten minutes were incredible with huge humpbacks swimming around and under the boat and at times, literally just laying next to the boat looking at us- it was incredible and definitely made up for the slower (for Coral Bay) fishing.   

Testing the Terez!

little shark!

A not so little shark!

to be continued.......

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