Help wanted - Exmouth Livebaiting and the gulf
Heading up to Exmouth when Gamex is on but not fishing the comp this year. Have had some success with marlin in the past but always on lures. Would like to try some livebaiting this year but need help with the finer points. Do I bridal rig a small tuna and troll slowly or is drifting a better option. What size live bait to use - length / weight. Are some baits better than others or just whatever I can catch. And what size hook - J or circle ?
Would also like to try some light tackle catch and release stuff in the gulf . Have been to the murions , Exmouth reef etc but never ventured into the gulf towards Learmonth or the other side of the gulf. To get there we would be launching at exmouth. Has anyone been in there that could suggest places to try and what to expect in the way of fishing and is thre anywhere to camp for an overnighter.
Thanks
Paul
Mick
Posts: 501
Date Joined: 28/08/06
G'day Paul We've had some
G'day Paul
We've had some great success with livebaiting for marlin. Best bet we found is bridle rig through the nose, boat in gear, leave the reel in free spool and keep your hand on the spool. You'll feel the tuna get all aggitated, then line will start leaving the reel. Pull your rod out of the rod holder, take a deep breath and send it to strike. Always use circle hooks. So far as size, it all depends on how heavy gear you have. Big baits = big fish. We mainly run 24kg and use tuna up to 6kg. Live baiting is one of the most exciting ways to target bills. We had one hit the bait only to spit it 3 times and finally erupting on the surface at the back of the boat. An awesome spectacle.
Cheers Mick
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Adam Gallash
Posts: 15653
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Livies
Haven't livied for marlin, but can help with the rest. The shoals should have solid mackies starting to move in around Gamex, we've just had the first of the coral spawns so another month or so and they will start showing up. My mate Gribbo saw a 14kg spaniard chasing the mullet at Bundegi ramp yesterday arvo whilst taking the dog for a swim. Apart from that, down there its popping for queenies and smallish gt's (there are larger ones) but you have to know where to go and its a lot of exploring. The other side of the gulf is another ball game altogether, best bet is to send Simon C a PM, he can prob help out there. If you want to get results south of the marina and around the islands south of the Bay of Rest, you really need to put in some recon action and its probably best launching off the beach at Learmonth if you get the right tides as it will save you a shipload of empty boating time as theres a lot of desert....
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Paul N
Posts: 486
Date Joined: 09/11/06
Thanks Guys
All sounds good. Can't wait to get up there and try some new things and some new ground. Had a couple of pm's sent so thanks to those fishos as well.
Hey Adam what are the right tides to launch at Learmonth. Is it high tide at the jetty or is there somewhere else to launch?
Any day fishing is a great day !!