Dirk Hartog Adventure May 2013 - Photos
Dirk Hartog Adventure May 2013.
Seems like I was waiting forever for this trip to come and now it's over so quickly! I won't really write too much but will share a bunch of photos of our trip and the island. A quick back story though..
Got an invite late last year from my best mate Adrian to join him and 2 others on a Dirk Hartog trip for about a week or so but knew I'd never be able to get a leave pass for that long with the 3 kids under 5 at home so after saying I couldn't I didn't give it much more thought... until feb or so when my missus tells me she had a secret that she wanted to tell me about. Apparently she had secretly called Adrian and told him I could go and they had been organising the booking of a week trip to Dirk Hartog (10 days away!). What a good wife!!! :) Little did I know she would hold this trip over me for the 3 months till I went.. haha.. but it was worth it.
Anyway, here's a few pics...
The drive up went quick with all the talk about the week of fishing ahead
Ready to get off the bitumen and head toward Steep Point and Dirk Hartog
First glimpse of Dirk Hartog
Glassy crystal clear water greeted us
Managed to get onto the island the arvo before we were planning to as others were coming off
Both cars on the island just after the sunset and a fun 5hr drive (lots of stops) to The Block
Day 1 we went for an explore to the top end of the island. View from the Lighthouse looking back towards Turtle bay
First fish landed for the trip after being busted off by a suspected Shark Mack 2nd cast. Caught a fair few of these that day and over the week. They went great in the curry's that the boys had brought up with them for dinner
Next day first fish landed to Jim on a crab bait
And another Gold Spot Trevally
Adrian cracks the Parrot fish code
My first of many Baldies for the trip
Adrians haul for the session
End of the day was filleting time
Sunset from The Block
Another Parrot fish (different colour one though?)
Sunset over the front reef at The Block
We ate well for the week, fish every night cooked many ways
Not sure what this spot is called but it looked cool. Unfortunately the swell was up this day so the surrounds weren't really fishable.
Mystery Beach
The Cave or as we called it, The Lair (the blow hole there sounds like a dragon breathing)
Gold spot taken on a crab leg
My PB Baldie at 63cm
Plenty of Spanish Flag around
And these colourful fellows
The Cave
Pinky on the pirate jig
Shark Mack didn't make it
Love the way the rocks are formed from shells and sand
Few photos from the front reef late one arvo
And a few photos of the stars. Haven't perfected the night sky shots yet but still think they're ok
Adrian scored fish of the trip with this Baldie caught on a popper! Can't say I've heard of one being landed on surface lure before.
Only Tailor landed for the trip but a couple hooked and one serious horse of a green back spotted several times at one spot.
More Baldie action
My Baldie on stickbait was also a highlight for me.
View from the toilet sand dune behind the Hartog Hilton
The Hartog Hilton at The Block
The inside
Cliff fishing infront of The Block
Plenty of good reef breaks around the island that cranked on the right tide
I went for a snorkel ontop of the reef infront of camp a couple of times and saw plenty of fish life
Walking and casting the beaches up to Cape Levillian we caught plenty of small GTs along the way
7 Days on the island really wasn't long enough. We only just started to figure things out and before we knew it we were on our way home...
Dunes
Barge back to the mainland
Being abducted by aliens while we pumped our tyres back up back on the hard track
The road to the end of the universe
In conclusion.... What an awesome place! It was so good to be somewhere that you didn't see another person for a whole week. There's certainly some amazing fishing spots around the island and if the swell was down theres even more!
Highlights..
Sight casting crabs to Baldies and Parrot fish
Baldies on surface lures
Massive GT coming shoulders out of the water to smash a lure but not connecting
Free jumping billie horsing across the horizon
The Stars.....
The End.
clogwog
Posts: 265
Date Joined: 01/02/11
Mate, looks like a superb
Mate, looks like a superb trip, love the photos, the one of the water running of the rocks is wicked. Plenty of fish aswell, not a fan of salad though!!!!
EKUL
Posts: 179
Date Joined: 05/01/13
Awesome write up
sounds like an awesome trip! can't wait to get over there.
some nice fish caught too !
very jealous
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
gooodzay
All I need to say is, sick as!
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Simo_
Posts: 1843
Date Joined: 13/11/06
great pics
great pics
Bring on April
tot
Posts: 1159
Date Joined: 31/01/10
great pics Goodz
looks like you guys had a ball.
from where you were staying how far to the nearest boat launch spot? would it be west coast or east?? cheers mate
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Boat launch... Well you
Boat launch... Well you either need to bring your boat over from denham or you can beach launch from the mainland at the south end of the island but you wouldnt be able to keep your boat on the west side of the island due to swell and rugged coastline. Someone that's actually done it might be able to help you more.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
What a trip! Great pics too.
What a trip! Great pics too.
trymyluck
Posts: 908
Date Joined: 06/05/12
great report, now I want to
great report, now I want to go !!!
fisho-ron
Posts: 2539
Date Joined: 26/09/09
great pic's mate, sound like
great pic's mate, sound like a great trip.
love the shots of the water over the reef, would look unreal on a big print on the wall.
you up for a fish mid week? or you used all the browney points up???
home Monday night, ill give you a call
cheers
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Think I used my lifetime of
Think I used my lifetime of brownie points on that trip mate! Talk to you when you're back anyway.
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Awesome
nice work Goodzy, some great pics in that lot
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
That front reef shot is
That front reef shot is pretty specky , great report and pics ..
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
choc
Posts: 670
Date Joined: 05/01/12
Great report and pics
Great report and pics mate.
What type of camera did you have?
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Canon 60d with 15-85mm lense
Canon 60d with 15-85mm lense + polarise filter
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Shaaaweeeeet, bloody good
Shaaaweeeeet, bloody good shots Goodz.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Totally awesome mind blowing
Totally awesome mind blowing stuff, gotta love DHI.
cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
J_doggy
Posts: 161
Date Joined: 01/05/11
Awesome pics and report dude
One of the best I've seen on FW, well done
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Epic Goodz! The polarizer
Epic Goodz! The polarizer really sets it off nicely
Carry
Posts: 657
Date Joined: 22/04/09
Good shit
Well done lads looks like a top trip amazing photos as well.
We feel nothing but a certain difficulty in continuing to stand
Swompa
Posts: 3873
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Awesome.I was anchored in
Awesome.
I was anchored in Turtle bay in 2002 as a stop off from Exmouth. 200 miles of sailing into 35 knots of south easterly with a big swell. Dragged two 30 kg anchors. It looked nothing like what is in the picture.
jono.s
Posts: 440
Date Joined: 27/07/09
Awsome pics mate , some nice
Awsome pics mate , some nice baldies , i gotta get myself a good camera lol
hookedon
Posts: 51
Date Joined: 01/02/10
didn't know there was a barge
didn't know there was a barge over to dirk hartog looks absolutely awesome would love to go one year and well done on the pics man looks like you got a bit of talent in that area thanks for sharing
tailor marc
Posts: 2979
Date Joined: 27/09/06
Unreal pics man, would love
Unreal pics man, would love to go there one day!!
My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
You would love the photo
You would love the photo possibilities mate! With your skills and gear you would capture it awesome
Chuditch
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 15/07/09
Baldies on surface lures,
Baldies on surface lures, awesome. How good is Dirk! How far from the block is the cave?
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Not far mate. 5km maybe?
Not far mate. 5km maybe? Pretty serious rocky section of track though that you gotta pass but well worth it as there's a few other spots to the south that are very fishable.
Chris fish
Posts: 847
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Just south of the aquarium
Just south of the aquarium hey?? Those rocks suck haha, worst part of the track on the whole island
always looking for a new challenge!!
Chuditch
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 15/07/09
Yeah ok, we have always
Yeah ok, we have always parked up the 4wd and walked into the aquarium. To worried about blowing out a tyre on those rocks. Guess that explains not finding the caves.
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
We weren't sure where the
We weren't sure where the aquarium was but i think the cave is just north but not sure if we are talking about the same spot.
pricey10
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 07/01/12
Ticked all the boxes there
Ticked all the boxes there mate! Those pics of the front reef are awesome!
Karratha. WA
Rozza87
Posts: 72
Date Joined: 12/03/13
One of the best reports I've
One of the best reports I've seen!
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Looks awesome mate! Another
Looks awesome mate! Another trip to add to the list. Do many people take boats over? Thanks for sharing the sic photos!
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Cracker report
I've fished all around the island quite a few times from boats, and from Steep Point, and it is one of my all time favourite destinations. Your report had me drooling to get back there! Great photos. Really well composed and the polarising filter certainly sets off the colours. Thanks for posting!
aalfred
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 13/06/09
Absolut awesome!!
Absolut awesome!!
Chris fish
Posts: 847
Date Joined: 23/02/11
God I love that place. That
God I love that place. That first spot you fished on day one is insane for diving!! So many baldies in such shallow water!!! Looks like an amazing trip!!! Can't wait for next year already. And a baldie on popper is awesome. We where getting pinkys on ballon baits haha the fish are just so hungry up there.
top quality report and stunning photos! Killed it on the fish but that's completely forgotten when you are there, truly magical place the block!
always looking for a new challenge!!
Matt88
Posts: 42
Date Joined: 07/05/13
Nice bro totally wish i went
Nice bro totally wish i went with u guys. photos just make me itchin too get out. Some super fishy looking water love that. Cant wait too fish with u sucks we live so far apart :)
Brock O
Posts: 3222
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Great Report
Goodz, blessed with the weather and fishing for sure!
willo64
Posts: 27
Date Joined: 27/06/11
Brilliant
Reports and photos like that are why I enjoy fishwrecked so much, great report thanks
Bones76
Posts: 476
Date Joined: 03/11/08
Report of the year... Great
Report of the year... Great stuff Goodz. Great photos...
snipesleher
Posts: 100
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Pictures
Looks like a fantastic weekend was had .Would love to know what lenses and settings you used for your pictures
Wesley
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
All photos were taken with
All photos were taken with the Canon EFS 15-85mm lense and obviously the settings varied between photos :) Any photos you'd like to know about in particular?
johnno67
Posts: 408
Date Joined: 12/03/10
Best photos
Probley the best photos I've ever seen posted on fish wrecked well done and thanks for sharing
sea-kem
Posts: 14962
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Awww man your killing me.
Awww man your killing me. That's without doubt one of the best reports I've seen on here for a while. You lucky lucky bastards. Great fish, pics and scenery.
Love the West!
southcity104
Posts: 1659
Date Joined: 27/01/09
Crazy!!!
That sh!t makes me crazy!! awesome post!
"Its a life style job"
Snags
Posts: 558
Date Joined: 07/05/09
Very envious!! Great photos
Very envious!! Great photos too
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Cheers for the comments guys,
Cheers for the comments guys, glad you like the photos. It's been a while since I've put much up on FW after getting sick of the negativeness from some people but knew people would appreciate seeing some photos of what Dirk Hartog is all about since I didn't have much idea myself before this trip.
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Cheers for the comments guys,
We didn't really catch any "fish of a lifetime" fish but just the experience of being up there and away from the rest of the world was just awesome.
sea-kem
Posts: 14962
Date Joined: 30/11/09
That's what it's all about
That's what it's all about mate, the lucky country.
Love the West!
bronzey92
Posts: 72
Date Joined: 26/10/12
just awesome
looks like you had an awesome trip mate! great fish and amazing photos! cheers for sharing
bod
Posts: 2319
Date Joined: 03/05/06
great report
That old saying A picture is worth a thousand words has just been proved again. Thanks for sharing Ben. Awesomeness!
Versus
Posts: 918
Date Joined: 06/03/09
Awesome pics and write-up!
Awesome pics and write-up! I've was lucky enough to go over there earlier this year doing some turtle tagging, we stayed at that homestead next to the lighthouse.
Unfortunately, we were working through the night and slept most of the day, and the weather was windy and rainy the whole time. Tried chucking some metals around a couple times but no joy, you've no idea how much it sucks to not be able to properly go fishing in a place like that!!
We went for a drive to The Block, and this dude reckons that block (or is there 2 blocks?) are not left over there from some process of erosion etc, which means they are likely broken off sections of the cliff that have been dumped there by a massive wave!
Cheers again for sharing, dreaming of going back there one day
cuthbad
Posts: 1266
Date Joined: 22/04/09
Wow, amazing stuff!
Wow, amazing stuff!
Batty
Posts: 348
Date Joined: 24/11/10
Thanks
Love all those pics, looks awesome
Lifes a game but fishing is serious !!!
mr_meks
Posts: 189
Date Joined: 11/02/11
You certainly know how to
You certainly know how to take a decent photo. I struggle to put down the rod/drink enough to try to take a heap of photos. At the end of a trip I usually have a handfull of rushed pics, and I regret it every time.
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
I know exactly what you mean
I know exactly what you mean mate! At the beginning of the trip I made it a personal mission to make sure I took plenty of photos as I hate getting home from a good trip with no photos to remember it by. I took over 500 but just picked some favs to share here.
choorles
Posts: 93
Date Joined: 06/03/12
WhatATRIP
What
A
TRIP
Markie
Posts: 2149
Date Joined: 06/08/10
killerrrrr that's amazing
killerrrrr that's amazing good work champ
Jerro
Posts: 11
Date Joined: 15/12/11
Absolutely
Speechless, awsome photos thanks for sharing!
Cheers Jerro
I'd rather a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.
chrisp
Posts: 1217
Date Joined: 24/05/08
Epic mate! Baldies on
Epic mate! Baldies on surface.. Hotdog
snipesleher
Posts: 100
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Hi Goodz
Love those pictures of the stars and the Misty water.That first under water shot was that fish missing its tail.Was that taken with a GoPro .Would love too know what settings you used on those . You got me drooling , Have DHG on my bucket list ,having just lost my job it will have to wait a little bit long .Please keep the post coming and the pictures
Cheers
Wesley
Wesley
markj
Posts: 163
Date Joined: 23/12/08
A trip you won't forget in a hurry
Geez Goodz everything came together for this one, pass from the missus to get there, weather and fish - doesn't get any better than that!
Great photo's as well mate, captures memories from an epic trip and an experience you won't forget in a hurry.
Metro fishing just won't be the same for quite a while!
Cheers
Mark
WSHN4FSHN
Posts: 224
Date Joined: 19/09/12
Great report Goodzy!! Would
Great report Goodzy!! Would love to go there one day but for now I'll stick to the mainland. Baldies close to the surface is stuff dreams are made of!! They usually find a ledge in quick time where I fish for them. Great photos too and thanks for sharing the effort you went to.
Burley it and they will come.
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Great pics and report. Fished
Great pics and report. Fished Steep a lot and Dirk Hartog from a boat but never off the island. No shortage of baldies over there !
rocklobster
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 27/12/09
Great trip, pics and report
Great trip, pics and report mate! Baldies on poppers and stickbaits - Fark yeah!
crasny1
Posts: 7002
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Everyone has said it all, just
EXCELLENT Mate.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
Rob b
Posts: 211
Date Joined: 04/02/13
Can't complain with trip like
Can't complain with trip like that.Were you traveling far from camp to catch those beasts.Tailor would of been a nice fight to awsum pics and write up.
unhurry
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 23/10/12
awesome docco!
beut pics too, thanks mate!
Jackalchub
Posts: 599
Date Joined: 10/03/12
Gold
Gold
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Thank you for sharing
As has been said above gold absolute gold.
Grant Jones
Posts: 91
Date Joined: 17/08/13
Wicked report and pics!
Wicked report and pics!