Sorry it took so long to get this post up but he we go. Exmouth what can I say it’s a great place to catch some fish. Matthew (Mako magic) Jesse and I headed up to Exmouth for ten days of fishing, we left on the 25th of May with a stop over at Manillia roadhouse, the accommodation was nothing special, but it was good to have a shower and a good sleep. We got up early and had a good breakfast, and headed into Exmouth .We arrived in Exmouth at 8.30 felling refreshed and ready to catch some fish .After booking in at the Tandibidi caravan park ,and unloading the gear we headed of for some beach fishing. Not much was happening on the catching fish side off things, but nice to check the area out, we did see plenty of turtles and a shark cruising close to shore.

Day two and time to get the boat in the water we hit the ramp at first light and headed down the back of the reef, trolling for whatever was hungry, It didn’t tack long and the drag was buzzing lucking back to see a 10kg dolli in mid flight was awesome, the fish kept on coming with dolphin fish mackerel and tuna. We stopped after a couple off hours and had a bottom bounce on some small lumps I found the year before Matthews first to hit the bottom and bang a nice red emperor what a way to start we pulled fish up for the next couple of hours Trevally, emperor, blue lined emperor and many bottom fish we didn’t know the names off, now this is fishing we finished the day trolling for billfish with no luck but what a first day.

Day three what a beautiful sunrise as we trolled the back of the reef, the fish had shut down with only a small tuna for two hours, we stopped for some bottom bouncing, once again the bottom fish we going of.Trevally, emperor, shark, even mackerel we even got a slender sucker fish, not shore if that’s the right name or Jesse made it up,but an unusual catch. Headed back along the reef trolling towards Tandibidi and smash, lines were buzzing we all looked back to see three 10 kg dollies airborne, what a sight. We dropped one but got a great pic of the others then back to fight again. (Most of the fish on the trip were released in good condition) what an end to another a great day. We went to the light house for some fuel that afternoon, and arrived back to find we had done a wheel bearing on the trailer. So we made the trip to town and got another one. Ended up being a late one by the time the bearing was changed and the dinner was cooked we all hit the sack for a good nights sleep.

Day four getting Jesse out of bed was a bit of a chore but we were finally on our way. We had decided to give the trolling a good go, and hopefully get a billfish. We headed north of Tandibidi trolling in close to start, and then out deep on the way home. We got one nice Dollie 9kg and a small mackerel, and had a few good hits but didn’t hook up. We bumped into some whales frolicking in the deep, got some great movies of them tail slapping and jumping. (STILL NO BILLFISH). On the way in Matt hook a beautiful yellow fin tuna around 10 kg first one I’ve seen they are a nice looking fish and made for a great pic before release.

Day five trolling the back of the reef and only one dollie. As we neared the south passage all four rods we smashed by mackerel, two lures were bitten of and the others were lost in the fight. We circled the area with no further hits. Other than a nice five foot shark witch gave Matt a great fight. Another stop for bottom bouncing and Jesse came up with the goods a nice coral trout at 6.5kg. Other fish caught were Trevally coronation cod,emperor and many other fish. Another troll on the way back with a couple more dollies and a barracuda.

Day six was very much the same got a couple of mackerel some dollies, the fish just seemed to be endless. We bottom bounced out in 100 meters, but the drift was to fast. We had one fish come up with all its scales roughed up, thinking we had pull the fish from the reef being the reason for its appearance, we latter found out that it would have been a cod that grabbed it ,they feel like your snagged, must be some big cod out there.

Day seven had a day off from the boat and headed to town to catch up with Adam .After a bit of a cit chat and some handy hints we headed of to the jetty near the airport. Lots of bait fish under the jetty, just put on a treble, drop it in and pull and you’ve got fresh live bait. The bait fish don’t last long between the long toms and small queenies, all small but a lot of fun. On the way back to Tandibidi we stop at the point behind the windmills and cast some poppers of the reef ,got one nice cod around 2-3 kg not sure what sort it was though.

Day eight We headed over to the murion islands for a crack at the GT’s, but they wern’ t in a mood to play. As we could see the under the boat , every now and then one would hit a popper and not hook up .We move to the next break and found some queenies now these fish are good fun, no messing around BANG your on, and a great fight for the size. Time flies when having fun, we moved around the eastern side and trolled though the shallows with no luck, through some poppers at the slow moving mantas hoping for some cobia, nothing happening .Time to head back, lucky Matt was not paying attention on were he was going and headed of course only to run over some nice ground, a few drifts on and we had a assortment of fish coming up, coral trout,rankin,travally,shark,emperor,boldcin ,and a few others not shore of .Anyway getting late so back to the ramp were Adam was waiting with some beer, on to inform us he had been out in the morning for a few hours and got a marlin and hooked 3. Not what we wanted to here but it gave us hope for the next day, with a few areas and some tips we were all ready for the next day.

Day nine And the confidence was high as we headed out to try for the allusive marlin, we had heard about. We set the lures and trolled out to 114meters ,and weaved through the contour lines. When suddenly our thoughts turned to the reel in the back corner, YES the one with the line peeling off. Was this what we had been dreaming of catching, NO but just as good a sailfish broke the surface with three or for great jumps before throwing the hooks . YES now that’s more like it,the weather was starting to get a little coppy and forced us to head for the reef were it was a little calmer Now this was the start of a run of hits and hook ups that lasted 3-4 hours and a have to say it was MAGIC ,to see a marlin chasing down the skirt , and hit and run is an amazing sight one witch im not going to forget. Two marlin boated one released successfully, and nine strikes now that’s fishing. Unfortunately one could not be revived and was kept for dinner. I must say to anyone heading north have a crack at the billies as there’s not much that can give that sort of a buzz.

Day ten The last day before we bid farewell to Exmouth the plan was to hit the billfish again but there was not a thing to be had, but that’s fishing, and and the trill of my first marlin will be with me for some time Any way hope your not all falling asleep. Would just like to Thank Adam for his advice and if you’re down this way and want to go for a fish just give me a ring. Also to Matthew for being so patient with the boy im shore he will remember our trip for some time. Well that’s it so until next year ……… BRING IT ON Paul and Jesse