Dongara trip
Well, I dont rightly know what I can say about this trip, apart from the fact that it was complete shite.
Arrived Friday afternoon and decided to go for a fish at the marina as was suggested. Things looked promising, nice reef system with a few holes visible, so we set up and with much anticipation and the sighting of a few silver streaks in the water we started casting unweighted mulies to start with. After a half an hour of not even a bite, apart from pickers, my partner changed to a snapper rig, and I down sized my rod and gear and landed these fish. I know the first two are wrasse, but I have no idea what the 3rd one is.
After catching several of these we decided to call it quits for the night and get a early start and fish Flat Rocks in the morning with the hope of bigger and better things.
We got to Flat Rocks at 6.30 and found ourselves a nice little spot that looked like it had a lot to offer.
We new it had to hold something of significance as it was a very Australian spot. 
We started fishing and had a lot of bites but no runs. Foir 5 hours we fished, and just as we were about to pack up and try somewhere else, the line on my partners reel started to peel off. Woohoo we thought, finally the big one we had been hoping for, that is until the line just kept going and going, thats when we realised it was a blasted stingray. 
He reeled the sodding thing in and up on the rocks, gees those things are a dead weight. We got the hooks out, one of which was caught in the underbelly, so it left a little rip there and returned him to the water.
After catching him and no other bites we headed back into Dongara and discussed our options for a night fish.
We decided to try the tracks at the north side of town and found us a nice deep hole surrounded by reef on the south side. Once again we were optomistic and riged up for tailor, snapper and anything else that might mosey on along, and settled back and watched the storm approaching from the south. Luckily it was quite a distance out to sea otherwise there is no way i would of been standing there with a graphite rod in my hand. 
A few hours went past and we had a few bites, but put that down to smaller fish. Then just as it was getting dark the reel on my partners rod started peeling off again. Didnt take us long to realise it was another stingray, and after catching a glimpse of its wings we sighed and he bought it in as he had our last snapper sinker sitting in his gob. Rolled the thing over and blow me down it was the same ray with the same nik I had made in him that morning at Flat Rocks, you would think he would of learnt after the first go.
By this stage we were starting to feel a little dejected about the whole Dongara fishing trip and wondering where the bloody hell all the fish we were told about were hiding out. Had they gone on holiday as well?
We headed back in for the night and decided we would get up at dawn and try the Sbends. now everyone talks about the big fish you can catch there. This was our last hoora as we were leaving the next morning, and if anything was going to make this trip worth while it was going to happen at the Sbend.
So up we get and arrive there at 7am. The coastline was amazing with huge waves breaking up against the rocks.
We set up the rods with weighted mulies and with the thought of 60sm tailor in our minds started our cast and retrieves, whilst a third rod was set out with a whole herring, just incase anything was passing by.
We had a few bites, but no runs, so i decided to get out my ugly stick and see if i could shake up some whiting. First cast I managed a 28cm herring which we used as bait to no avail, then 2nd cast Igot a 30cm whiting. After this encouragement from the fish gods we thought we would have a good run of herring and whiting. But no, after those 2 fish there was nada, not even a nibble on the bait that got the other two.
We stayed around till lunch time, had a laugh at the sand crabs as they were running everywhere like chooks with there heads cut off, packed up and went home.
Consiquently, there were two other groups there and neither of them caught anything whilst we were there either. I would love to know how Caroline and her group and all the other people heading up there for the weekend faired as we were very disappointed with the fishing.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Another good yarn there Shortly
and some great pics. Shame the fishing wasn't as good as you would have liked. There must a plague of stingrays around at the moment. They seem to be turning uo everywhere.
I tend to use the sort of trip you had as a reconnoitering experience. Certainly the conditions look right for some decent tailor action and hopefully if you head up that way again the fish will be there.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Good report Shortly - shame - fish - caroline
Good report and picks Shortly. You should have taken SKIPPY the stingray stinger with you (Colin #1) - he would have kept the rays at bay with his 'ray gun' (rod)
Shame you didn't get into anything decent - some nice fishy water there.
That third fish, BTW, is a Western Butterfish - very mushy flesh and not much to eat.
That last photo is a GREAT shot of caroline
Colin Molloy
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Shortly
Posts: 92
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Thanks Colin 2. Might
Thanks Colin 2.
Might have to pick up a few of those. We havent tried live baiting or ballooning, we dont think we have enough experience to pull it off as of yet lol.
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
My pleasure Shortly
Ah go on, shouldn't be too difficult - give it a go!
Colin Molloy
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
Top report
Despite the lack of fish. Just being there with your toes in the sand would beat sitting at work behind a computer I'm sure.
Cheers
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
TAPOUT
Posts: 885
Date Joined: 27/01/06
Should have kept going
Should have kept going another hour and a half to Kalbarri. Heaps better fishing there.
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Butterfish
Butterfish make great live bait, send him out under a balloon or glitterbug next time. Sure to produce results. Enjoyed the read/photo's even though the fish weren't around as much as you'd have liked.
Cheers,
Adam
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Carolyn
Posts: 159
Date Joined: 13/10/07
S Bend
Hey Shorley
Friday and Saturday were not that great fishing SBend . However at one of the locations in your photos a very large sambo was landed. There were heaps of people fishing the area. Our club weight in Tailor Skippy Dart Whiting Herring. Gummy shark and Mulloway. There were heaps of mulloway caught and released being in between the 45 to 50cm mark. I caught 3 kept one size only 58cm and there were plenty of Wobbys around.. The fishing definately picked up after saturday i think the storms scared the fish.
I did meet up with Neander in the Caravan Park who had managed a few Tailor.
Member of the Offshore Angling Club of WA (Beach Branch) www.beachfishingwa.org.au
Carolyn
Posts: 159
Date Joined: 13/10/07
Lucy
Hey Lucy had a sex change since i was up there last. Nice pics Shortley.
Member of the Offshore Angling Club of WA (Beach Branch) www.beachfishingwa.org.au
Rodrat
Posts: 1672
Date Joined: 13/01/07
Good report
Shame about the fishing, but there are some good pics ther matey
www.rockyreefmarine.com.au
FISH FOR THE FUTURE
Shortly
Posts: 92
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Thanks for the comments on
Thanks for the comments on the pics. I find it hard sometimes deciding if i want to fish or take photos as I love doing both. lol
Carolyn, glad the fish were biting for you guys and you managed to pick up some nice fish.
Lucy has certainly changed since your pic was taken, nearly didnt recognise her. Can I ask if you guys were fishing at Lucy's or somewhere else? I'll understand if you dont want to say. 
Colin, Andy you are both right, even though we were disappointed about the fishing, we loved being on the beach/rocks just enjoying the beauty of the place. We will definitely be back there, just wont bother staying at Dongara, might just base ourselves at Gero seeing as it is closer.
Adam, excuse my ignorance but what the heck is a glitterbug, sounds like something you do at the disco.
Andy, thanks for the compliment on my report. When we actually catch fish, you might want to sit down with coffee and cake as the report will be even longer.lol
eddie
Posts: 303
Date Joined: 07/02/08
great stuff shortly!!
great stuff shortly!! those are some serious good pics!
Jdubya
Posts: 183
Date Joined: 31/10/07
Good report shortly- sounds
Good report shortly- sounds similar to my week in dalyellup beach. waiting for pics so will post some up soon.
nothing to get excited about though the bloody blowies are shocking down that way GRRRRR...
Jdubya
Posts: 183
Date Joined: 31/10/07
Excellent photos too by the
Excellent photos too by the way. I think ive seen less quality looking pics in some of the most popular fishing mags. nice work.!!!!
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Shortly - Glitter Bug (Floats)
Hi Shortly, basically, they are floats. Here's a link with a use outline :)
http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=2858
Colin Molloy
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!
Carolyn
Posts: 159
Date Joined: 13/10/07
Lucys Beach
Shortly last night fished Lucy,s beach no one else there. very nice night and plenty of Mulloway early evening. But not many size.
Member of the Offshore Angling Club of WA (Beach Branch) www.beachfishingwa.org.au
Elora Danan
Posts: 379
Date Joined: 15/03/08
Unlucky about the fish!
Great report none the less. Theres always next time Shortly. Always great to even get out there. Good work.
Cheers lads,
Darda. H
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Shortly it wouldn't be a bad idea to try Gero
Plenty of good fishing around there, or as Tapout said, get to Kalbarri, Great fishing there at this time of the year.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Shortly
Posts: 92
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Once again thanks for the
Once again thanks for the compliments on my report and photos.
Colin 1, we wont be heading that way again until November, then we will probably spend 2 weeks up there just using Gero as a base. We dont mind haveing to travel a few hours to get to a good spot. Having said that we might go back to Jurien in a couple of months time as the fishing there was fantastic.
In the mean time we will keep hitting Hilarys, and are planning to head down to Dawsville this weekend, after all you never know when the next big bite might come from.
rowshow
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 23/03/09
im heading up to dongara
im heading up to dongara this weekend, hopefully i get a bag full.
scottscurious
Posts: 236
Date Joined: 17/03/09
same, well port denison :D
same, well port denison :D cant wait