Hi all

After a lot of organising and anticipation the annual trip North to Gnaraloo station finally became a reality. The party of 4 consisted of Dave S (Shark man), Sabby (The Italian, Andrew (MacGyver) and myself Dave A. We set out for Gnaraloo station on the 8th of July 2011 for 6 days of brilliant fishing, funny stories and a great time with my buddies. This was for some of us our 7th trip to Gnaraloo and after this year, i feel we are starting to finally get it right. The track in was not too bad as the weather was dry, although, you could see the damage caused from the traffic during the wet weather a few weeks earlier. We arrived at the station at 2pm after a night stop over in Geraldton.

After a quick unpack we were off to the bay to launch for a few hours fishing to start our week. We headed North for about 4nm and stayed close to the shore in 10 to 20mtrs of water. While trolling we spotted some good ground and decided to send a few lines down. We called this spot arches as that is exactly what the scanner was showing. Anchored in 20mtrs with a one mtr swell was great, having the rods bent over was even better. For the next hour or so, we had a lot of fun catching many Spangled Emperor (Nor Westers) as the boys from Caranarvon would call them. Don't think you have to got far of deep at Gnaraloo. On this spot we caught Spangles, Rock Cod, Coronation trout, Rankin, Robinson Sea Bream, pearch, Cobia, baldies and a number of unstoppables. It was an awsome find.

Our first full day (target species: spangles) was Saturday and the forecast was for a few showers. It actually did not stop raining all day. Even with our newly made clears, we were saturated by days end. The wind played the game and the fishing was very good. We started the day with a few hours of trolling the back of the reef to see if we could raise a Spanish Mackerel. To our surprise the water temp was only 19 degree and with only the Sharkies hiting our lures, we decided to head out a bit. We like to fish the 35 - 45 mtr marks and anchor when we can. we soon hit the Spangles again and had no trouble getting our quota of these energetic fish. We also had some fun on small trevally to 3kg that kept hitting the jet lures. Day One, a bag full of Spangles, trevally, sharkies, a few small rankin and some nice mack tuna for bait.

The sun came out the next day (target species: Spanish Mackerel) and we decided to head out to a few spots we have in 50mtrs. Plenty of fish on the scanner both on the bottom and half way up. We were drifting over our spots this day as we were chasing a few Mackerel. Out went the drifting mulie/gardies on the new stinger rig (brilliant set up), didn't have to wait long and ZZZZZZZZZZ Sab was on and loving it. Mack was the call and not too long after a nice 10.9kg Spanish was resting nicely in the Mack box. Little did we know, that this was going to be the smallest one we caught for the week. We would literally drift over our spot, look at the scanner to see the arches half way up, through out the mulie and bang. It doesn't get any better than that. We spent a few hours catching our fair share of Macks keeping two for the freezer to then head back in to try for a few Rankin to finish the day. We always troll the high speed jets where ever we go. Pink and white is our favourite colour in small and larg sizes. I always stick to 10kts and find this to be the most effective speed. On our way in, we picked up some nice yellow fin to 12kg and found some Rankin to top off a great day in the sun at Gnaraloo. After day two and a half, the freezer was looking very good already.

Our confidence was really good for day three and the weather was great. We all know what Gnaraloo can do to a fisherman so we were not counting our chickens. Day 3 and it was time to target the Reds. Back out to 50plus and there was plenty on the scanner. The fish were not that hungry and it was a bit quiet while we were waiting for the tide to do its bit. We had one good our when all the Reds for the day where boated. The largest of the 6 was 9kg and the rest around 6 -8kg. (perfect size) Once again, the Sabby (The Italian Stallion) had is mulie drifting over the side. You would think the four the day before would be enough. Sabby loves to through out the floater and sitting back waiting for it to go off. Sure enough zzzzzzzzzz and he was for another Mack. This got to be a bit common, even a bit like a pest really (just joking), they were everywhere, a problem we have never encountered before. After a few solid fish to 15kg, Sab through out another mulie, sat down and you guest it, wack zzzzzz. This time he didn't get up and left the rod sitting in the holder. Dave S grabbed it and was in for a good fight. "Yeah, yeah, another mack Dave" cam from the Italian who was now on camera duties. Then.....up came the biggest mack we had ever seen. Weighed in at 25KG. The day was not done, back to 20mts to bag out on Spangles, Coronation Trout, Rankin, Pearch and Reds. Brilliant.

Day Four saw us head back for some more Reds. We could not find them on this day. Instead, the cobia were out to play hitting our baits on the bottom. Largest was 10plus kg and gave us a real work out. Conditions were magic. We decided to try for some more Yellow fin. they were hanging around in 55mtrs were the water temp was about 22 degrees. Double hookups were the order and again, the back took a good beating. All hooked on the jet lures again. The trolling gear was mostly penn 850 and 950 reels with two shimano TLDs doing a bit of work as well. These reels did a great job all week and for the price, are hard to go past. We have a few larger game reels but don't use them much. The Yellow fin meant sushimi was on the menu and chef Dave S did a great job of preparing the meals all week.

Day five and the weather still remained brilliant. This is a big change for us as we usually get the belting winds to contend with. I was itching to get out to the 100mtr mark to get into the job fish. on a good day you are looking at a one hour trip, not too far. first spot, first drop and we were onto the job fish. Not big ones but in good numbers. we also picked up some really nice pan snapper, pink snapper, pearl pearch, spangles and some brillinat Red Emperor. After a few hours we had had enough of the deeper water and headed in to 20mtrs for some more fun in the shallows. Anchored this time to finish with some more Cobia, coronation trout, rock cod and numerous spangled emperor. We were exhausted. We had caught everything we came, the species list was long and impressive. The freezer was full and we still had one day to go. there was only one thing to do. Get after a few sails.

Day six, the water temp was still 20 degrees and we had not seen a sail fish all week. The wind and swell had come up which made it a bit uncomfortable. Out to the 60mtre mark and out went the pushers. There was a few richters and a couple of Pacula? poppers in the spread. It wasn't long until we had our first double hook up. Two very energetic young Spanish mackerel decided the spread looked good. Both returned to swim again. The spread was sent back in the water, again it wasn't long and this time the noise was a lot louder ZZZZZZ two of the spread were hit to have one drop which left Sab struggling with the weight. No call of Sail but the tell tail sign of the yellow fin as it headed deep for a long time. After a good fight another good sized YFT was boated to be released. We decided to head in again to 20mtrs for the last two hours of our trip and have some fun in the shallows once again. all fish released on this day. It's a good feeling.

We had the best trip to Gnaraloo in 2011. Every decision we made worked well. We targeted species with great results, now the only challebge was to get out of there. After a lot of rain, the track out, was now like a swimming pool. It took plenty of tight manouvers, treading water and time to get out. We did make it unscathed, thankfully.

2012 is already booked. If you would like any information about where to fish at Gnaraloo or what it is like up there, feel free to PM me and i am only happy to give you a few places to go. It is my favourite bay and spot to go fishing with my mates. Thanks boys.

Hope you enjoy a few of the pics.

OOPS, think pics are too big.

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