Glassy Day out from Mindarie
Gave the call out late Friday arvo to Shamu who is becoming a bit of a regular deckie for me and also Ox who I had promised I would get a trip out back in January. Ox was due to go on night shift and would finish at 6-00am Saturday morning. That didn't deter him and sure enough at 6-15 as we launched there was Ox rigged and ready to go after pulling an all nighter. The man has the constitution of an ox let alone the size and strength.
We headed out at first light and did teh customary troll behind staggies for zilch. We then decided it would be kind on Ox to catch a few whiting first so he could get his released fish to the fish gods squared away before we hit and big fish. So we pulled up on one of my whiting lumps and I pulled out a ready made rig and proceeded to fish, well 10 minutes later after I had pulled in a dozen fish Ox has finally tied his rig (poor fella must have had his eyes hanging out of his head after a big night at work) so with the bait in the water Ox had his baitcaster loaded up and on the way to the surface only to pull the hooks with 1 meter to go. "that doesn't count mate" was the reply and down he went again. Meantime I've caught 15 whiting by now and Shamu is having trouble with 30lb braid on his jig rod. I tossed him another pre-made rig with the right size hooks and next drop he is pulling up double headers like me.
Ox in the meantime is still struggling and finally lands a nice big fat juicy whiting and duly released it to satisfy the fish gods. We went on to claim about 30 whiting over 30 minutes and when we had enough for a "trip saver" plus bait for dhuies we decided to head out wide to the spot we found a few weeks ago when we went out with Alfred.
The water was glassy all day and made the trip out a pretty quick event. The sounder was reading pretty well at 26 knots and I was doing my usual one eye on ythe sounder one on the water trick, when I noticed a small rise accompanied by a thickening of the bottom sounding. A swing around and slow pass confirmed a nice coral lump with some fish sitting on the northern side.
The first pass gave us nothing to work with so a subsequent one was lined up. We past the lump and nothing again, but I let the drift continue a little and "whack" something monstered my bait and came up solid. A pretty weird fight ensued and whilst it had no significant weight it fought pretty well. A slow retreive saw a very very healthy flounder hit the surface. Unbelievably it had hit the "super snell" and engulfed a whole calamari. To say I was stoked is an understatement as this was clearly a PB.
[img_assist|fid=158865|thumb=1|alt=Hows this for a Flounder!!!!]
We gave this lump a few more passes and I nailed a smallish dhuie of 57cm this time on the single hook with a SW Labs pink squid skirt as added attraction.
One more drift and nothing so we continued on our way to the chosen start point for the day. We stopped at a couple of other marks on the way out and Ox claimed a small blackarse which went back and Shamu got a nice fox fish.
Disappointingly when we arrived at the spot I wanted to fish there were pots all over it. I sounded around to see if I could pick a safe drift line but it meant only touching the north western edge of the lump and there weren't too many fish on there that I could see. We gave it a couple of drifts but only managed a couple of hits. We decided to move again and hit a spot I found with one of my mates about 4 years ago. Given that it is out a bit further I rarely fish it but we decided to give it a go. What do you know....more pots. I was a bit cranky that we didn't have the room to get right over the lump but we gave it a drift anyway. After a couple of passes I picked up another dhuie about the same size and Ox picked up a nice little pinky.
As we were dipatching the pinky a cray boat came flying up to us and stopped and pulled the pots. Woo Hoo now we could hit the spot properly. We set up a few more drifts over the lump and I think on the second pass I came up tight on a big fish. This fish took line at will and shook its head violently to try and get rid of the hooks. After a great fight on the penn 320i (LH) and Ugly Stick combo (old faithful) a beautifully coloured pink snapper surfaced. This was shaping up to be a great day for me but my crew were looking like they were about to commit mutiny.
[img_assist|fid=158877|thumb=1|alt=Pinky-Dhu]
One more pass on that lump and we high tailed it in to some of my prime ground. I hit several spots on the way back in towards the dropzone and on one of those spots Shamu nailed a very tasty kidneyslapper size KG. His first for the species and a pretty good benchmark PB at the same time.
[img_assist|fid=158871|thumb=1|alt=Shamu's PB KG]
We accounted for a few more fish that went back and a nice Blackarse for me plus a 18 - 20kg sambo for me. One more lump had us getting busted off on something, before on a final drift I called lines up only for my bait to get smashed half way up. A little fight and a few minutes later a nice Bonito surfaced. I asked the guys if they wanted sashimi but they opted for using it as strip bait instead so it was dispatched along with a Sgt Baker Shamu has caught earlier. We finally worked our way back to the dropzone and sure enough on the third pass both me and shamu got connected in a big way, within the first couple of minutes we had both been taken to the reef and busted off. The fourth pass had Shamu hooked up again and this fish was a brute. He was pretty well locked up on this thing and it was going hard. Then after raising the fish 15 meters the fight took on the usual big kick and rest cycle of a big dhuie. We weer all getting very excited about what might come up until we saw that Shamu had caught a big sambo but had tail wrapped it at the same time. That's why the fight was a bit weird. After releasing the fish with a dozen sinkers as a release weight we decided enough was enough and headed home.
[img_assist|fid=158874|thumb=1|alt=One of our unstoppables]
Now I may have got a few of those spots mixed up in order of capture but I am pretty sure thats how it unfurled. A great day on the water and a couple of great blokes to share it with, thanks guys we had a laugh. Ox will be glad to know I didn't mention the attempted "half flex" rod at all in this report.
It was also great that when we got back to the ramp the fisheries guys were there to check our catch and safety equipment. They thought our bag was one of the best of the day and mentioned that they had seen a few flounder of that size being caught lately, so perhaps that should be a target species on the North Versus South comp. I know just the spot to try now (hehehe).
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
Half Flex????
I think I will let Ox explain that one himself. I am sure he will put a funnier spin on it than me. You just had to be there is all...(hehehe)
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
shamu
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 11/10/06
beautiful day!
thanks Andy for the great outing! yeah we had a blast. Andy, next time remember to breath thru your nose when you drink hahaha
lesson learnt on the trip, never buy pre-made rig! hooked up a very nice shovelnose shark and the second/thirth gang 8/0 hook came loose just by the boatside damn!
Shag
Posts: 776
Date Joined: 15/10/06
Great report there Andy
Great report there Andy great days fishing mate Give me a yell if you ever need a deckie on a saturday CHEERS SHAG
Before you can become a Master Fisherman You must be a Master Baiter
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Great report! Wish I could
Great report! Wish I could have gotton out , but needed to tend to some matters. Of course now that I am free, the weather looks the pits!
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
"Cough splutter cough"
Ox and Shamu had the misfortune of seeing me nearly drown while still in the boat.
"That's not.... cough...sweat...cough splutter...running down my cheeks...cough splutter cough cough...I'm actually crying!! cough splutter cough!"
That was me fortgetting to swallow then breath then swallow. I hope the red cordial doesn't damage my lungs.
PS: I forgot about that big shovel nose, I think we got some footage of it too. What spot did that come from Shamu? Can you remember?
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
Stingray
Posts: 188
Date Joined: 05/01/07
Red cordial
Ah, so it's the red cordial that gives you the "stealthy white hunter" powers over the fish Andy - your cover is blown now mate!
:)
Not so effective if inhaled tho!
Cheers Jason
PS: Great report, I'm gunna ask OX about that "half flex rod" thing!
SPESS
Posts: 3356
Date Joined: 29/12/06
Top read Andy, bit of fun
Top read Andy, bit of fun always makes for a even better day with fish to top it off. Awsome dude.
Keep it tight, reeeeeeel tight!
shamu
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 11/10/06
flounder spot
think should be the flounder spot where i hooked up the shovelnose if i recall correctly!
OX
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 29/11/06
Need to clear the air...lol
Hi all sorry I have not responded to the post but have been flat out at home doing things that need to be done before the fishing trip to Port gregory and Kalbarri (see ya soon Tangles!).Right let me first say to Andy Mac a very big thank-you for giving me the chance to get out for a fish on Mac Attack, very much enjoyed the day mate and would love to do it again.To Shamu mate it was great to meet you and have a fish (just a word from the wise be careful of Andy's wife setting you up....run forest run....just jokes buddy...lol).
Right now that I have got the niceties out of the way lets get into something much more interesting like taking the p*ss out of myself and spinning a truley great fishing yarn (read: load of bullcrap...he he he he).Now the day started after my last night shift (as Andy Mac has previously stated...well at least he didn't say I looked or smelt like an OX!) and we managed to trundle on out to some fairly interesting ground for some fresh bait (or in desperation a fishing trip saver) hunting for the really awe inspiring prey of "sand whiting". Drift sorted and down go the baits......except yours truley (guess who forgot to pre-rig his baitcaster for the well ... baitfishing).Now I don't know about you lot but I generally need my full faculties in order to tie rigs, after a night shift the brain was sending the correct signal to the hands but the hands obviously thought that knitting was the order of the day!After finally getting something resembling a workable bait rig I managed to sit and miss every bite that came my way while Andy and Shamu were pulling in whiting after whiting.Finally eureka I WAS ON!!!!! Bloody hell the little buggers go hard eh Shamu no wonder you needed 80 lb line on your overhead to pull them up.I quickly decided that Andy's rule of first fish released no matter what it is needed to be done first thing while bait fishing.After releasing one carefully at the side of the boat (I believe in taking full care of my fish and limiting handling so they don't loose their protective slime coating) I was then informed by Mister HIGH AND BLOODY MIGHTY HIMSELF that to count you had to bring the bugger on board and no arguing from me about fish welfare was going to change that!
After briefly contemplating mutiny I decided to land the next one and follow all rules whether known or not known to complete this strange ritual performed whilst being entertained by the Andy Mac tribe (said in a David Attenborough voice...he he he).Next drop whiting caught and then released to appease the almighty fish gods! So off we travelled to the deep to try our luck on some bigger fare.We arrived at some of Andy's marks to find that the dreaded scurge of the ocean (damn crayfishermen and their pots aaarrrrgggg! No offence ment just spinnin' a yarn to any crayfisher folk out there) had managed to encircle the majority of his spots.With steam coming out of his ears he worked out a drift and set us up for the first pass.Now the thing with drifting is you need drift and we had none!A few nibbles and very little else.Next drift Andy scored the flounder and Shamu entertained us with his excitable antics over the shovel nose pulling him around.
On we traveled to another spot, with a bit of luck on the drifts (Andy picking up Dhuie and snapper), when on one drift I loaded up on something big.On for a couple of mins but felt the dreaded ping of the line busting.What had failed????Retrieved the line and found my leader (100lb Penn 10X) busted off and freyed. I don't know what it was but the bugger has some nice lip jewelery now.Remember my point about needing all my faculties when tieing rigs, well remembered to tie some paternoster rigs but no snelled hooks!Simple mater to snell a couple together YEH RIGHT! 15 mins later no go!Andy to the rescue "mate borrow one of mine", you bloody ripper now I have got the Super snell just got to do a double leader in my braid to attatch onto a clip and.....hang on I thought I had more guides than two on my boat rod ???? Oh well finish the knot and tie on the clip....duh!
When you stuff up the last thing you need is someone to notice enter Andy Mac.HA HA HA HA HA HA mate I though Tapouts double flex rod was funny but not as funny as that.I guess we will have to call it a genuine half flex rod he he he he! Nice to get sympathy ! Cut the line eat a huge slice of humble pie and retie line!!!!! Back into fishing.
We continued onto many spots and managed to pick up several fish with the dreaded "DROPZONE" (cue scary music) the last.First drift I managed to pull out a nice pan size pinky.Second drift BANG Shamu had locked up on something major.With him screaming like a little girl and Andy and I giving completely correct but useless advice we managed to forget that maybe he may need some assistance.NEED BELT GIMBLE NOW he screamed bloody wuss! he he he he.The fight last for a good while and eventually a good sambo popped up.Eventually released to fight after another day using a jury rigged drop weight system (worked well eh lads).By this time the sea breeze had kicked in with no luck on the last two drifts, we called it a day!
Hope you enjoyed my little tale! Seriously though if you ever get the chance to talk to Andy or go for a fish do so!What I learnt from him that day was great and will be used by me in the future.It is amazing just what a little bit of thought about you gear and rig can do to your catch rate (Half flex rods aside). On the day the majority of fish were caught on the bottom dropper super snell regardless what was put on the top dropper.Makes you think really what you can do to improve your chances eh!Thanks once again to Andy and Shamu for a great day out with a couple of great lads.Good Fishin' to all and to all Goodnight!
Cheers OX
dogsoldier
Posts: 943
Date Joined: 04/11/05
Man Andy when do you get
Man Andy when do you get time to work your always out on the water
I have a problem I'm a tackle junkie
Andrew
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
Hillarious
You should go into comedy for a living if the sparky stuff doesn't work out,
I was crying with laughter when I read that. And no it isn;t red cordial induced. (hehehe)
Always welcome aboard Ox, though I might have to balance the boat out a bit better next time. He is a bit of a "man mountain" and I had visions of us capsizing when all three of us were standing on the same side of the boat.
Good luck with your trip, I am sure Tangles will get you onto some fish up there if you can catch up with him.
PS Andrew, I only go fishing once a fortnight usually. But recently I have been out once a week while the weather has been so good.
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
shamu
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 11/10/06
very funny OX!! nice meeting
very funny OX!! nice meeting you and good on ya to owe up on the half flex rod!
next time watch out for me over your place
OX
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 29/11/06
No worries Shamu
Will send GPS location will watch out for the barrel roll in the 747! Now that would be something to see!
Yeh Andy when you get down too it mate if you can't have a laugh at yourself then you might as well live in a padded box.Always have not minded spinning a bit of a funny yarn now and again helps to pass the time!he he he he
Cheers OX
Andy Mac
Posts: 4778
Date Joined: 03/02/06
You are a dead set legend Ox...
I'll Definately get you out on the boat again but this time a little bit sooner than a four month wait. That cave is still waiting for a diver. Maybe we can convince Stingray to follow us out there and do a dive with you to check it out, then go and explore some new spots together.
Oh and you must have been half asleep because I am sure there were no pots on the flounder lump. But then again I am old and forgetful so perhaps Shamu can clarify that one for us.
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
OX
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 29/11/06
Nah mate you are right about craypots on flounder lump
But why screw up a good yarn for the facts he he he he!
I work with Stingray and I a pretty certain that he generally only free dives but will find out! Don't know whether I trust him though as he is a bit bodgy at work...lol
Cheers OX
Stingray
Posts: 188
Date Joined: 05/01/07
Dodgy
That's the way OX, never let a work ethic get in the way of the dodgyness! (if that's a word)
Cheers Jason
OX
Posts: 198
Date Joined: 29/11/06
Never a truer word said
DOGGYNESS part of the sparkies code of ethics....lol
Cheers OX