Ningaloo advice needed

G'day fisho's,  

Seeking some advice from those that have been and conquered Ningaloo. I'm travelling across from Mexico (Wodonga, north east Vic) to camp at Point Billie and Nth Lefroy from the start of June 2021 for 6 weeks. I'm pretty sure the trip will be the last family holiday before my 18yr old (who cant be told) moves out of home. Anyway, I'm just trying to make it the most memorable experience he has in the hope he might want to continue fishing with his old man in the future! My other 16yr old young fella is pretty keen also. 

 

I have read a lot on here from Ranmar (amongst others) in a vain attempt to learn from their experiences so I'm not wasting precious time blundering around. I've got a 4.65 Quintrex Renegade with a Honda 60. I've got most of the gear sorted (nothing flashy - Shimano Sustain in 5000 & 6000, 2 x Sargossas in 10000 and a TLD 25 and Tyrnos 20). Ive been stocking up on poppers, bibbed xraps, stickbaits, soft plastics and trolling skirts. I guess the trip is about ticking a few species off the bucket list with my two young blokes ie Spanish Macks, Mahi, Sailfish, Emperor and Wahoo (if theyre around this time of year). 

Wondering;

1) Braid or mono for the Tyrnos and TLD and is a steel trace a must?

2) What sort or distance behind the reef (or depth) should I be trolling in and what sorts of speed

3) With the skirts, are there any colours, lengths or brands that work better than others (never trolled them). 

4) will half oz jig heads be enough weight for around the reef and are the 5 inch jerk shads a goer or smaller paddle tails?

 

Not into harvesting fish to take home although I'll be looking for a feed every 3 nights or so.

 

Any advice that you can give would be hugley appreciated. If anyone is up that way at the same time, beers on me   

 


Livewire's picture

Posts: 265

Date Joined: 25/11/16

 G'day pottsy. First thing to

Sat, 2021-03-13 10:20

 G'day pottsy. First thing to conquer is the track in. Slow and steady, the limestone corragations will test your set-up.  Camp spots are ok, can busy peak season. Talk to the car taker ( phill ) I think see if you can get the GPS marks for the passage. It's beach launch and can be very soft. We always retrieved with two cars. Launch with a third wheel set-up is easy enough.  The reef is only about 1km out front of Camp, pick you days. Swell and wind try too time your run home with the wind . As far as depth it drops fast. Straight out from of the channel you'll see, 100m fast. Troll out and in, weather permitting for Spaniards and try too beat the sharks. Inside the reef is cool, squid, spangles trevs.  6weeks will give you heaps of time to suss it out. It's a lovely place that can turn nasty .I got alot of help from other boaters there a little bit of local knowledge! Goodluck hope to see some photos soon 

Posts: 4

Date Joined: 26/10/20

Thanks livewire. I'll end up

Sat, 2021-03-13 14:23

Thanks livewire. I'll end up having almost 3 weeks to suss the place out before I pick the kids up from the airport. Hopefully by then I'll have some sort of an idea??

Im booked into Point Billie for the first stint with a week in Exmouth followed by 3 weeks at Nth Lefroy. Having a smaller boat I was planning to moor the boat out the front of the camp and only get it out if it turns nasty. Ive heard theres some rocks at Point Billie that are good for launching so will give it a crack.

Any idea if the Macks or other predatory fish have ciguatera or is it further north?

Cheers

Posts: 116

Date Joined: 30/06/20

Definitely don't see anywhere

Sat, 2021-03-13 22:50

Definitely don't see anywhere near as much cigutera over here as you do in qld, only fish I wouldn't eat is chinamans, everything else is awesome

____________________________________________________________________________

 More of a fisherman than a catcherman

Livewire's picture

Posts: 265

Date Joined: 25/11/16

 No probs with cigutera here

Sat, 2021-03-13 23:06

 No probs with cigutera here at all .point Billie has a spot the call a boat ramp but it's just more rock than beach, you won't have any probs launching, Lefroy is all beach launch and can have a strong current along the beach. Good snorkeling spot, there are sharks so take the boat and just drop over the side. 30m-50 we got macks, 80-100 got some Wahoo and dollies. The bottom fish in the deeper stuff can be hit and miss look for fish not ground Goldban and rankins if your lucky reds.