Time for another trip report!

Leading into the weekend it was either a Abrolhos sojurn or a SharkBay adventure... Closer to the date and a monster swell put payed to enjoyable diving so it was Shark Bay here we come!

This was to be my first big trip in the tub since we joined forces and i was pretty excited at the chances of some good fish and good times with the boys.. Along with us was "Team Rukkus" Consisiting of capt Toddy & his faithful deckies Briso and Friesy on board the ever reliable Quintrex hunter 445. "Team Shoot 2 Thrill" was myself and Dave on the "big" centery

Left Gero around 6 friday arvo with some coldies in the waeco and full tanks of juice. The 4 hour trip passed comfortably in the cool night - regular bearing checks and tinkle stops the only interuptions beside one unlucky roo. Saw the poor bugger 400m ahead in the big lightforce spotties and slowed to a crawl litterally... 15kph... the roo bounded off the road , stopped and bounded straight back into the car and under the drivers wheel - no damage done beside the poor skip. Hit Denham late friday and went straight to the jetty to try for a few squiddlies!

Dang the poor things had copped a hiding over easter! Just the site of a jig on the jetty sent them screaming for dirk hartog! We perservered and managed 3 for a quick taste but nothing special - couple more beers and bed for the next day.

Team Rukku's where up and off early - keen to hit the board while the late start of Team Shoot 2 Thrill saw a more gentlemans approach. the rukus mob heading west to the bent pin area in search of big pelagics while dave and i had our sites set on reefies north of town.

The big Yammie 4 stroke pushed us along at a easy 26knots in 3-4ft of sharkbay's crystal shallows and after a quick stop to film a decent tiger moochin around hunting rays , Dave & myself finally reached our first destination. This was where my decision to wear the 2mm top and wettie shorts quickly revealed itself to be a absolute shithouse idea. 20C warming later in the day to 22C.... BRRR

First area showed some good tuskies but too elusive and plenty of other odds n sodds. The 2nd spot alot more sexy! Dropping in revealed 2 thumper trout. Did the team thing and let richo have first crack as he hadnt shot a real big trout yet. First one spooked tho as he dove on it and the 2nd one ripped off under a ledge on what dave called a good holding shot? Very disappointing.

Abit of a swim away from the boat saw a monster 10kgplus tusker spook into the gloom and a decent rankin evade me. Not happy jan - dave however fared better locating the first big trout again and this time it all went like clockwork. He did however have the decision of Big trout or big Rankin as they sat side by side. The pics show which decision was made! Mandatory photos taken and a visit from a beautiful manta ray (my first time seeing one underwater) and back into the spearing proper.

this time i came up trumps with a solid 6kg tuskie and 2 nice rankins. Things looked up!

Few more spots changes here and there before time ran out , the water too bloody cold and the sun gettin low we hit the long road back to Denham at 28knots and 3 icey bevvies each where appreciated.... No BCF here but this surely is Livin!

Final tally saw Team Shoot 2 Thrill with 2 good tuskies 2 good rankins Daves big trout and a thumper spanish flag. Add to that 2 jumbo Red crays and we where stoked.

Team Rukku's where very dissapointing with just a small spanish and average grey mackerel gracing there decks... 

that night we hit the most western pubs on the mainland and entertained ourselves before hitting the sack around midnight. One Ruku's member a tad worse for wear... Victory was nearing for dave and I!

Day 2 dawned another magic day - light easterlys. Boats everywhere for the fishing fiesta and all sorts happening in town. Twas now that Team Rukku's , down one member after the previous nights entertainment declared there innings short and returned to gero tail between there legs. Dave and i pressed on tho in absolute magic conditions...

First dive was good - coral & fish about but nothing was killed. Again big tuskers seen but all too flighty. The half dozen boats zooming around showed that this little patch must cop a fair hiding. Did manage to hand feed a couple of Ripper Cod tho in the shallows.

Without too many details we ended up searching high and low in the glassed of bay but it just wasnt to be. Raging current in one spot was undivable safely - filthy water in others and spots that should have held fish void. Never mind you have days like that. Only added one more good Blackspot to the bag.

Overall tally for the 2 days saw richo and myself do about 275ks and use 90l of fuel which i was stoked about. The 100hp pushing us along at between 25 and 32 knots when allowed effortlessly. Being my first extended trip in the girl i was fairly stoked... "look out exmouth!"

Left denham at about 7 sunday night and cruised home steadily. Monday spent cleaning and packing and Dave off to perth with a eski full of prime fillets...

Gotta be happy with that

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