Well not working at the moment has some real advantages..... Especially when your mates ask you, if your keen to go on an overnighter camping trip on monday night. We loaded the boat with wood, beer and everything we needed for two days away. We got to the boat ramp at lunchtime, and lauched Shanes big 3 tonne boat. While looking at the pilons under the boat ramp, i noticed heaps of tiny prawns schooled up everywhere!

With a gentle eastly we set off with all 300hp of the etec up and humming. Our destination was Rats Cove, around 60 mile from Alyangula. Our plan was to troll for a while and fish a few spots on our way up. Our first spot was great, with saddletail on the bite again, and Alan who just arrived from New Zealand, was happy with a first up double header!

We stopped and fished some pinnacles, and i pulled up a couple of small coral trout, and a nice sized trickie snapper.

It was getting late and we wanted to get our camp set up before sundown, so we made straight for rats cove. Someone over the years has taken out some metal, and made a frame, so you can tie a tarp up and get some cover from the sun.

On sundown, i grapped a beer and headed to the rocks, and thru a popper around. After 30 or so casts and nothing around, i decided to give it away. The sun was going down, and it was coral trout and chops for tea, washed down with a few beers. Old mate from Nz was passed out by 1930,we think the arvo in the heat might of knocked him around a bit..ha ha  After a few funny stories and a few more beers, it was time to grab some sleep. It took me a while to get to sleep, as i had never slept on the beach were crocs are known to be seen. I didnt get much sleep, as i was sure i spent the night night sleeping with one eye open.

Rats Cove is a great spot, nice and protected. But one must watch there boat, as when the tide goes out, you could be left high and dry. No mozzies or sandflies i was happy with my stay, but it was time to get into some more fish!

We found some good ground in close, and the current wasnt to bad. It didnt take long for skipper shane, to pull up a nice slimey cod.

The rest of the day consisted of more saddletail, small barracuda and few coral trout. We fished some great ground up real close to some of the small islands, but nothing wanted to play. We then decided to head back to town, clean fish and the boat and call it a day. Was great to get around for a look, and now i thing im going to have to stay 30 years, to fish just some of the places around here!