Recent and Upcoming trips
Finally......
After doing alot of work on my boat including re-wiring it all, changing the layout of the gunnels, painting, installing seadeck flooring and alot more (Ive posted a few of these improvements in the Boating/ info forum) a month or so ago I finally go the chance to actually use the boat haha
Did an overnight trip, if you have been there you will know where Im beach launching from. The Biggest dhu was 16kgs smallest was 8kgs. Ended up with our 2 dhu, 4 baldies and 2 massive black ass.
Second day went out for a quick morning fish to try get a quick bag before heading home. Only managed 1 dhu around the 8kg mark with 3 baldies, 2 snapper and 2 black ass. Retrieved the boat before midday and headed home.
Ive been lucky enough that Ive struck up a bit of a friendship with one of the guys at Mackdog Tackle and I have been buying the hybrid "Underdog" jigs off them. They are similar to alot of the bottom meat hybrid jigs that everyone has been selling but instead of just being bought off Alibaba or Aliexpress these are hand made by the bloke so the quality of them are so much better than the alibaba crap where the hooks bend. I bought a heap off them and paid I think $10 each or something which is about half the price of the other stuff... Scored a free fishing shirt because I spent about $500 hahaha. Everyone on the boat used them and had zero issues catching everything from the Dhuies to huge Sambos and even a massive tiger shark that decided to eat one of the sambos. So if your looking for a decent hybrid jig thats locally made and supporting local business I highly recommend them.
The boat was amazing. Could not believe the difference the changes I made to the boat made fishing in the boat so much easier. Seemed like there was alot more room to fish and the flooring on your feet was brilliant.. I had rubber on there before and after a few hours your feet started hurting haha.
So this year we have an Abrolhos trip planned and for our big annual trip later in the year we decided that we are going to go back to Mackeral Islands. Really looking forward to both trips and will post a bit of a write up once the trips are done!
Cheers
Happy fishin!
I go boating not fishing
KalSteve
Posts: 33
Date Joined: 06/12/16
Great discussion
Excellent discussion with good points on both sides.
It's nice to see that though there are a few barbed words, in general both sides of the argument are making good points and both sides seem to be understanding and respecting the other point of view.
Thanks to everyone for sharing their opinion. In the same situation I would have probably kept fishing and releasing the bycatch Dhuies. The fact that there is so many of them that they are sometimes all you hook is a great sign for the health of their population.
I understand Jamie's point of view and have little doubt he is correct on the survival rate of released fish. Perhaps if I am ever in that situation in the future I would stop bottom bashing a bit sooner. On the other hand, I suspect the survival rate on fish caught and released from less than 10m is significantly higher so maybe I would just keep fishing in the shallower waters.
Jamie has there been much research done on depth of catch vs mortality rates for released fish?
Jamie-Chester
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 28/07/10
Plenty. Obviously barotrauma
Plenty. Obviously barotrauma is related to depth. The deeper the fish is removed from the less likely they will survive. In saying that there is also hook damage, handling, eye damage (fish can’t blink), dry decks. If you know what you’re doing fish can survive - even dhuies. But it’s better not to hook them to begin with. A certain percentage will die regardless. Fisheries estimate 50% for dhuies, 90% for baldies and 20% for snapper. Poor handling increases this and good handling decreases it. Demersals (dhuies and baldies in particular) are not deliberate catch and release options. Snapper are hardier but there is an onus to really know what you’re doing if you’re going to do it and probably best not to (I have done it in the past myself but my thinking is a bit changed now).
And I disagree that the conversation was respectful.
Skull
Posts: 630
Date Joined: 03/01/12
Once again
Once again you don't agree with someones opinion but that's okay that's just you,
As for your remark if you know what your doing fish can survive, you have all the percentages from fisheries and you learnigs etc,
so my last question to you is, what is the % of fishers in your opinion that know what they are doing when it comes to handling fish? Waiting with baited (couldn't help myself) breath for your response.
Skull
Jamie-Chester
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 28/07/10
Really know what they are
Really know what they are doing and give a shit? 20% maybe. Less probably. By which I mean wet towels to land fish on, gentle handling and lifting, single barbless hooks. And even I find it hard to go to that length at times. Honestly it’s best to avoid catching something you don’t intend on killing. Demersals especially. Bream, salmon etc if done with a level of thinking - that’s another topic. Some fish are pretty hardy so it can be justified.
The whole concept of catch and release is an interesting one. Try explaining catch and release to a non fishing person. You might be surprised by their response. But I’m off topic now. That’s another wormhole altogether.
rac
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 14/02/22
rac
Posts: 99
Date Joined: 14/02/22
strange, i tried to post a
strange, i tried to post a picture but i cant see it.
basically its the mortality research that fisheries used for dhufish, starts at 21% for 0 - 14m and goes to 86% by 45-59m, or 100% from 60 to 75m but only one fish was caught in that depth.
things get worse quickly from > 30m which aligns with a lot of other research for different species like snapper.
KalSteve
Posts: 33
Date Joined: 06/12/16
Thanks Rac
Thanks for the rough info rac. A suspected depth greatly affects mortality so fishing shallower is a valid option when the Dhuies are in plague numbers. The fish handling tips are handy too, thanks Jamie.
Jamie I don't think anyone is saying they are targeting the Dhufish for catch and release. It's really not reasonable to say after a boat has landed a couple of Dhufish it's time to pack up and head home. Switching to KG rigs and targeting different species is obviously a good option and if Dhu's continue to be caught that's life.
As for posting fishing reports and photos, I think we need to start disregarding the anti fishing/hunting/farming lunatics and actively attacking their fanatical anti meat eating campaigns. They are in a minority but are given a very large voice by the media. Most people roll their eyes when the rubbish is aired but we need to start pointing out loudly how ridiculous their position is.
I think most reasonable people have been taking the position of live and let live, if vegans want to not consume animal products that is their choice. Unfortunately far too many in that group don't give carnivores the same respect. It's obvious that the lack of protein is shrinking their brains and I think they should be informed of this as soon as they attack the eating of animals.
uncle
Posts: 9353
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Been following this thread
I just think that we need to be a bit smarter in regards to our communication when posting for our own protection against those who want to bring us down, why provide the amo. My 2 cents worth.
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
little johnny
Posts: 5330
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Your right uncle 100 percent
But the truth is as mentioned way above . Once they make up there mind it’s in . It’s coming . Nothing will stop it .i still think charter quote should go on pro licence ( not amature) Now days I very rarely go for dhues / baldes ect .. I was a bugger for them . Now iam waiting for my grandkids to be old enough to land one . Metro area has heap less area for dhues ( hard work) . 9 times out of 10 we do well .( bores me now ) Go Cervantes or south of Bunbury dhues ( you cant get away from them). No use fighting it , ban and limit reduction coming regardless of posts .
Piggy
Posts: 538
Date Joined: 24/08/12
Good discussion
Good discussions everyone.
Just wanted to provide a story, write up, feedback about a trip in which this site is for. Happy to still keep posting stories (Ie posted an Abrolhos one after this one haha) happy to share info, tips, etc so just hoping now that everyone has had their say and voiced their opinions we can move on and stick with the fishing stories and good times
Cheers up fellas and go fishing!!
Cheers
I go boating not fishing
little johnny
Posts: 5330
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Guy who posted big bass up
Got a flogging . People don’t realise there totally f@$ked when they hit surface. That’s one rule change that helped deep droppers . Over the metre rule.