yeah its windy... i've done two xmas's up there 04/05 and 05/06 and 05/06 blew its ring off... strong sw-ers by lunchtime. we were land based so didn't have any worries with it getting too lumpy out in a boat. i'm sure you'll get some time where its good... even the time when the wind changes can give u a few hours of glass

Mate - just got back. I think the concensus I gathered was that the wind pisses off a bit by then(failing cyclones of course). One thing I did learn is that even if it blows there is still plenty of windows, you just need to be ready for them. I wasted the first three days before someone told me that Tantabiddi is pretty protected in a strong SE wind, so we sat around waiting for the gulf to glass off each day which was always pretty late in the first week. In the second week it was glass by lunch time and never got too rough all arvo. BUt the two times we went to Tantabiddi it was terrible even though the forecast for Exmouth itself was gold.

Our last day was a shocker, forecast was 5-6knots, so we got up early, left the Marina at 6 to head up to Peak  island as we were dead keen. Got past the cape and it was pretty rough. Knowing what I know now we should have turned around an spent the day in the gulf but as you do, we puched through, got sopping wet, and decided to tuck in behind the murions. Top of North Murion was going off and we nailed a heap of mackies and Tuna, hoping the wind would die out. Anyway about 12 we decided it would be wise to head back in case the gap had gotten worse and we would be in for a slow crossing. Correct, three hours later we were back in the gulf, and just to give us the shits, it was glassy and we found out it had been all day. Moral of the story, if it is rough when you hit the cape, turn around unless you have a big dry boat.

There is heaps of options, but one thing I heard from a few people is that the first trip really is a learning curve, so ask as much as you can, unless of course you have been up before and know it anyway.
The B/s Artist formerly known as Wrassehole

Starting to get pretty damn warm up here at the moment, so should be stinking hot by then. South westers are pretty much common place, which is great for the gulf. I've just been down the coast and spoken to a few people that have managed to get behind the reef and have said its been going off. Once I saw some of their fillets I started to believe the stories...

Looks like we will be giving the billfish comp a miss this weekend with strong wind forecasts. SIGH.

thanks for the info guys,will let know how we go.
cheers ray

First day of the billfish comp was a flop today. 6 fish tagged all day between 18 boats, not good indeed!