After a last minute pull out from my regular deckie, a frantic call was made to secure a “rope b*%ch” for what was likely to be a busy day at the ramp yesterday.  Good luck, the brother in law (BIL) was keen and agreed to get to my place at 5.30am.  Yes, a little later than I like to go but at least we would get out on the water – plus navigating the 3 Mile in the dark is currently quite risky with the pots out there.

Now, a little bit about the brother in law.  This guy is awesome and although he has a boat, his fishing experience is quite limited.  I have been meaning to take him out for a while to use the Shimano baitrunner 8000C, with matching rod, the family (me) selected for his birthday a few months ago that had not been used.  He also helped me pick up my 380L “birthday” freezer few days ago as the “better half” had had a gutful of my fishing stuff in her freezer – I promised a cray for that help.  A keen fisho that just needs some guidance and he will take it on in earnest.

So, off we go.  Hillarys ramp at 5.30am was fine and hassle free.  A quick troll around the nearshore reefs to see if the tailor are there, nothing so move on.  Head out with the moderate easterly to proven ground in <30m.  Burley up and within minutes the sounder lit up.  First drop the BIL hooked and landed his biggest ever King George at 450mm – how easy is this and a nice christening for the combo?  Wrong, the next couple of hours produced not much except big waves,  a few skippy and wrasse but at least it was entertaining.  The sambos were there on the sounder but nothing could entice them to bite, and no pinkies either, but we were probably late.

Time for a new spot and the burley went out.  Before long there were schools of fish observed on the surface feasting on it.  We dropped the baits in the “zone” and got a dozen good sized slimy mackerel in short time – these things go hard.  Great fun for the BIL that is used to catching, well nothing.

Once the sea breeze came up we headed in to encounter the Rampies at Hillarys.  I won’t go into detail, as many others have, but the half hour waiting to retrieve was certainly entertaining.  Watching inexperienced people at the ramp showed that tolerance was required, but you just have to accept that on the holiday weekend.

I sent the BIL home with a cray and KGW fillets, and an experience he will never forget.  There were no real “value” fish but it didn’t really matter.  A trip where he said he “caught more than he ever has before” made it all worthwhile, plus I have nice fresh bait to chase the “resident reds”.

And with this wind, I have been tormented by photos from my mate who is up in Exmouth – nice work.

Hopefully the early morning or late afternoon pinkie sessions will start soon – if the wind will die at the right time!

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