As has been the case for the last 30 odd years we spent the Easter break down at Walpole staying at Rest Point.

Left Perth on the Wednesday for the trip down towing the trusty Trailcraft loaded with camping gear. Uneventful trip apart from the rain most of the way and a quick stop at Donybrook for the tin lids to have a play on the great playground there. Arrived at Rest Point to find water everywhere, there had just been a 30min downpour, not good when you are tenting it. Our site at least didn’t have water pooling on it like some others so it was up with the tent while the rain was holding off. Once this was done it was time to settle down with quiet beer and contemplate the upcoming week of fishing and relaxing. The plan was to fish offshore most mornings and spend the arvo’s with the kids on the boat fishing for herring and crabs.

So we wake up Thursday to rain and howling southerly’s, for those who know the area this is not good. So after launching the boat took the kids for a spin across the inlet to the mouth for a look at the conditions, 6m swells offshore make it a no go so spent some time playing around catching herring with the kids dodging showers before it was back to camp. After a night around the fire and plenty of beers it was off to bed with the forecast for light offshore wind the next day

Woke Friday to light winds so it was off we set. Spent 4 or so hours fishing around Saddle and Goose Island without any luck at all, this was to be the worst days fishing in this area ever. Usually get at least a feed of blackass, queen snapper and fox fish but despite trying ten or so lumps that have all produced good fish in the past all we could manage was 1 fox fish so it was a BBQ for dinner instead of the expected feed of fresh fish.

With Saturday generally being a no fishing day on account of all the girls heading to Denmark the markets and lunch we were surprised when we were offered a chance for a quick fish as long as we were back by 1030. So with light winds and the swell now down to 4m we headed across towards Rams head and a couple of lumps there. Although it wasn’t fantastic fishing at least we managed to land a couple of queenies and a couple of fox fish so it was fish for dinner.

Sunday was a bit windy so it was decided to make this a family day and we went into Walpole for wander around the markets there. The kids had some money to spend and they picked up some bargains. The afternoon was spent wetting the crab nets over near sandy beach with the highlight for the kids (but not the net puller) being the 4ft ray we got in one of the nets.

With Monday looking like being a great day the call was made to take Kellie my wife out for a fish, however much to her displeasure she was feeling crook on waking up after our big curry night so she reluctantly knocked on Brian’s van. It was jokingly stated that anything he got was Kellies anyway, oh if only. We headed, not a breath of wind and the swell now down to 2m so we decided to head down towards Pt Nuyts. About 2/3 way there the sounder lights up on a lump so we had a quick couple of drifts here, not a touch. I would have thought going by the sounder that it would be all go. So it was onto Nuyts. Pt Nuyts is a large steep granite headland jutting into the southern ocean. Now as there was now a slight offshore breeze we were able to motor up to within 3-4m of this and drift off it. The water depth drops to about 35m within 40m of shore. First drift and we have a couple of blackass onboard which was a good start. Then the next drift I get a big hit and I am on. The Live Fibre and finnor overhead were working hard, I’m calling it for a big queenie before I start feeling some head shakes. After about 5-10mins I see color, beautiful pink color and after one last short run I have a 9kg pinky onboard, my Pb and I was stoked. After a couple more blackass things went quiet so we worked our way around the headland picking up the odd fish before Brian loads up big time. After getting nowhere in 10 minutes he is calling it for a big ray. It was holding the boat in close to the rocks and not budging. After what seemed like an hour (probably only 20 minutes) he was at last getting some line back, then there was color, some beautiful blue and up pops a 19kg blue groper which was a Pb as well. So with 2 Pb’s and plenty of fish for everyone at camp we decided to head back. To say Kellie was pissed is an understatement. Both fish were taken on skinned top quality occy. After cleaning the fish the old vac sealer got a work out and everyone had a few feeds to pop in there freezer.

So with Kellie feeling better on Tuesday out we went again. The other boat from our camp wasn’t going out so initially the plan was to stay around saddle again but after chatting to another boat who I knew that was heading to Chattam Island I decided to head the 8NM down the coast to Pt Nuytes again knowing there was at least another boat in the area. With the weather being even better we again had the perfect drift off the rocks. First drop Kellie gets a double header of nice Blackass. Next drift is a fox fish and a sweep which went back over the side. I hadn’t landed a thing at this stage; don’t even think I’d lost a bait. Then Kellie is on again, this time the Penn 850 is giving line and she is working hard, after tightening the drag a bit an a few words of encouragement (like I’m not helping, you hooked it you land it!) she is still struggling. Eventually she started gaining line with the suggested pump and wined and finally up popped a 6kg pinkie, her biggest fish too date. At this stage I still hadn’t landed a thing, not happy Jan. by this time it had glassed off, for those who know the south coast this is unheard off. There was no drift so I was able to go right in close to the rocks and this is where I finally got a bite. After giving me a bit of curry I landed my first Blue Gropper which weighed in at 9kg. So at 1030 and some great fish aboard we made the call to call it a day and we flew back at 25knots all the way, surly this couldn’t be the southern ocean.
So after a slow start and crappy weather things only got better, 4 Pb’s, Brian’s Blue Gropper at 19Kg, My pinky at 9kg, my first Blue groper and kellies Pinky, You have got to be happy with that.

So that’s my report, can’t wait for next Easter and some more Pb’s. Then again it could blow the whole time and we don’t get out.
Brad

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