The long weekend was here and I was ready to have a few days off, sitting the boat during the day and drinking beer at night.

I was able to get away a bit early so I headed home and picked up the car and boat that was already loaded. Headed to pick up my mate who kindly volunteered to drive. I didnt argue as I grabbed a small esky and packed a 6 pack for the drive.

I had a good trip and was finishing the last of my six pack when we pulled into Lancelin. Set up camp in the back of my mates, lit the fire a sat around drinking and making rigs.

Saturday woke up feeling a little seedy, Nigel cooked up a feed and we launched the boat and headed out to do some exploring. I had only fished there once so didnt really have any places in mind so we just put on some miles.

I had a new sounder that I had no really idea how ou use. :) My noobness and the 2-3 m swell made finding a nice bit of ground to fish on in what seemed a barren wasteland. I caught a monster Cuttlefish that would of gone 50cm that was released. After 5 hours of stopping here there and everywhere finally managed to get a proper bite and pulled up a Dhu but was under size by 1cm.

And that was it for the day, headed back to another night by the fire and a bottle of bourbon and few beers and chatting to some other people that had rocked up to camp in a mates back yard. Our mate works away for 3 weeks in a month so his backyard is put to good use by a few of his mates.

On Sunday we were loading the rods when I checked the wheels on the trailer and found that we had done a bearing on the way up. Great, something to look forward to this afternoon.

Conditions were pretty much the same as Saturday light wind with a 2-3m swell. We spent a few more hours looking for a nice spot in 30- 40m without finding a good patch. A drift past an forgotten Cray pot saw me get a 40cm Sambo. Another 2 hours and we gave up the deeper water and headed for some reef closer to shore. We headed into 15m of water and finally found some fish, the sounder lit up and was happy to see that change except for a blank screen. So it does work, the fish have just been avoiding us.

A few drifts saw a number of undersized released when I picked up the first keeper
with Nigel getting his best pinkie 65cm. we ended up with 3 keepers but releasing a good number of undersize. I picked up a Dhu that was only again only 1 cm under, arghh but back in it went.

That afternoon we pulled the hub of the trailer to have the bearing drop on the floor as soon as the gap was big enough. Definitely stuffed. I have a spare hub ready to go so it was a quick clean up and on with the new.
It was a bit more subdued night as the last two were pretty hectic, bit of telly and an early night.

Monday we launched the boat only to find it wouldnt start. With a bit of screaming and cursing had the boat back on the trailer.
The boat had power to radio but nothing when I hit the start button. Hmm funky, check the cabling and the kill switch but looked ok. Nigel decided to rip the 2nd battery out Pajero and with lots of yelling and a fair bit of skin of the knuckles we swapped them over. hit the starter and nothing, I was pissed, the wheel bearing last night and now this. I was letting out some strong words when I looked over and noticed the boat was in gear. Ooops how did I miss that, sure enough started first kick. So battery back out and into the car and Nigel lost most skin of his knuckles. Hehehe he was pissed to say the least and I heard about for a few hours after.

Conditions were sweet. No wind and 1 meter swell so it made up for the previous afternoon and mornings efforts.

Found some nice ground, spotted some fish and lines were in the water. I had bought my small baitcaster so I baited up and was over the side and onto my best pinky. Gave the Abu a good little run and I was in with my best pinky.

Next drift and I was on again and my reel was screaming, Nigel started abusing me as he saw it as took a big run under and out the other side. Dhuie.
this is my best at 70cm and my baitcaster in 10 m

Nigel ended up another pinkie

and his first Dhiuie and was forgiven for the mornings blondness.
It was time to head back to pack up and go. I must admit that the weather was spot on and the trip back flat out.

So all in all it turned out a good weekend. I need a bit more time with the new sounder but am sure to have it sussed for my next trip when the ban is over.