just like to say a big thankyou to the site sponsers Compleat Angler for helping me with my new toys. ill be back to load up twin power n get that wax wing

To all the fishwrecked crew, 3 sleeps until its Times like these again Yee ha. The best fishin tunes. getting amped.

 Hi All,

  I know (and understand why)  deckie posts aren't too successful on here, but... here's another one. Will be up in Exmouth for a couple of weeks but once I get back  I'll be keen to get out and give people a hand with whatever they are up to. 

 Have a skippers ticket and have owned boats from 7m 'glass to 3m Tinnies. Have a fair bit of gear, with the exception of deep drop and heavy billfish trolling stuff but, even if I dont have the gear to fish, I'm more than happy to take the wheel, grab the gaff or clear the decks.

 Would obviously share fuel/booze/accom costs, and more than happy to drive a few hours from Perth for decent fishing and banter. 

 I work in the city and usually have to cover every 2nd weekend, but, if i'm around I'll be keen for a fish.

 Finally called it quits on Cricket, Soccer and Rugby and spending time with the Mrs is driving me mental so need stuff to do.

 If anyone is keen then send me a PM and we can have a chat and figure something out.

 Cheers,

 Nick

With the general absence of fishing related stories lately, probably due to the adverse wind conditions at the moment, I thought I might write one.  Nothing spectacular but some solid fish and a good experience.

We headed to Jurien Bay last weekend for the annual Patrons Cup.  This is an event between the MAAC and Ocean Reef that has been going on for a very long time.  It is fair to say the MAAC has won more than 90% of the time however the current cup holder is Ocean Reef.  The MAAC Captain was facing the prospect of being the only Captain from the MAAC that had lost the cup on two consecutive occasions so the stakes were high.  Needless to say he had spent many hours drumming up members to make to 2 hour trip up and fish for club pride.

I must say it was touch and go.  On Friday morning there was a strong wind warning for Saturday and the pin was close to being pulled.  The warning was cancelled at 10am on Friday but conditions were still looking very ordinary.  We hastily put the pin back in the grenade and headed up, with our accommodation buddies, about 3pm.  A nice drive up and a trip to the pub for dinner and to hear that the comp was on the next day (not sure I completely agreed with the decision as Sunday looked much better, but you must respect it and not complain).

Having never fished Jurien before, we didn’t have a clue.  We started by trolling for tailor in very likely looking ground, although the Sanctuary Zone markers (not on the GPS charts?) threw us a bit and we moved on to ensure no rules were broken.  After a couple of hours on the water it was clear the weather man had completely got it wrong as the wind howling.  We had no choice but to seek shelter behind an island and fish in a few metres of water or get blown out to sea.  Lots of undesirables, but I did manage to get a reasonable flathead and a just undersized rat sambo.  Dean had a big run on a live butter fish but unfortunately didn’t hook up.

The wind “died” to about 25kn so we headed to shallow reefy ground.  Prospects were high with a solid bite but the only thing of note was a 395mm baldie that had to go back.  Plenty of undersized desirables and what we called for a big lurking cod (we saw it “chasing”) that snatched a few of our baits and fish but there was no way it was coming in.  The only thing it did was made us lose lots of gear.

I seemed to lull again to less than 20kn so we made the call to go a bit deeper – wrong, as half way out the wind turned and the sea “gale” came in.  Run away was the call and we came in to fish a shallow reef for herring and gar.  I did manage a nice gar first cast but when the heavy anchor started to pull it was “run away to the ramp”.  I must say that it was probably the windiest conditions I have ever fished and the cancellation of the strong wing warning was another BoM schoolboy error.  We watched at the ramp as everyone coming in was “drowned” and boats took 20 minutes plus to drain.

The weigh in was a real credit to the resilience of the fishermen.  The final points score was 99 to the MAAC against 60 to Ocean Reef.  You were only allowed to weigh in one fish of each species and this was worth a point.  Of the 14 nominated species, there were 3 points for the heaviest.  The bags were “equalized” so the playing field was level.  I think the main difference was the MAAC had 10 heaviest of species, including my near half kilo flathead, to Ocean Reef’s 4.  The fish of the day was a near 14 kilo Dhu caught by an Ocean Reef member (sorry for not getting and posting the full results).  Let’s just say the MAAC Captain was very happy and the trophy had a nice soft pillow that night.

We were fairly “dusty” the next morning and were set on just going to the ramp to clean the fish.  What do you know, conditions were much improved so we decided to head out again (as you do).  We were late (9.30am) but greeted by nice conditions where we could head to the 40’s.  There was a whole different story here as YPM hooked into a pinkie first drop, and Kev got a quality baldie a few minutes later.  After a few drifts, Dean hooked up solid (the fish were a bit “picky”) to something of size.  To the delight of all, a nice Dhu came to the surface and the trip out had certainly been worthwhile.

After that, the sambos moved in and we had an entertaining time with them.  YPM got a solid one and the highlight was that other MAAC members could see his technique in landing big fish and know that his past captures have been no fluke.  Another highlight was a sambo double header that Kev got on light gear that really tested it, and him, out.

What a great spot Jurien Bay is!  Certainly worth another go when conditions are a lot better than they were.  Nevertheless, a quality weekend with really good company.

And, whilst I am writing fishing stories I may as well post the picture of the 5.76kg pinkie that Dean got in the Bluewater.  It was the “winner” for a long while until one 12 grams heaver was weighed in (sob).  Needless to say we were happy when one a couple of kilos heavier got weighed in at the end (hard to lose $1,500 by 12 grams).  Nevertheless, a good fish and hopefully a sign of things to come when the Autumn weather pattern comes on and the schools of big pinkies move in nearshore at dawn and dusk – can’t wait.

Amazing what the “go go gadget arms” do to the image of the fish.

I still haven't worked out how to insert photos into comments so I have copied the link to my previous thread about my new bait table and live bait tank.

picked it up today. 

Have started the customized fit out.

tool basket and knife sheath fitted.

holes drilled to clip hand towels onto.

bolts fitted into bases of the rod holders.

and started to fit the hinged chopping board lid fro the tank (you can just see the holes drilled in the back plate for the hinges)

on the weekend I will be cutting the opening for the tank, fitting the chopping boards and maybe installing the hand pump faucet.

http://fishwrecked.com/forum/next-project-coming-along-nicely-new-bait-tank-table

 Anyone heading out tomorrow with the wind looking to be favourable around midday? I've been trying to rustle a crew together but they don't want to take work off..... Their priorities obviously aren't right!!

 Anyone know if they have reached cape Leeuwin yet? Looking forward to an overnighter down there.

Long story but the freezer door was left open for two days and all my crays defrosted and are now not to be eaten.

I am going to munch them up for berley but has anyone used them successfully as bait ?

Take the shell off and use the tail meat maybe.

 Lol 1 fish in 9 months that can be called a fish.

1479$ spent on gear i didnt need.

Finally getting gear sorted an not one bite heh. Man i am an embarresment to pro fishers everywhere :)

 3 hours at ascott jetty

1 hour at sandbar point W

Fishing hates me.

 but certainly an eye opener for me,but am happy my tax dollars is going into welfare 

 Been doing a bit of fishing at ammo jetty late at night lately to avoid the crowds. Every morning at around 3 - 4 am a bunch of Asian guys rock up with their trolleys and cast nets and net bucketloads of scaleys. They fill their bucket up, go empty it in.there car and fill up another bucket. Every day. These guys know they are breaking the law because they go there in the middle of night when no one is there.

I dont mind cast nets to catch some bait but bucketloads upon bucketloads....

About a week ago i nearly got into a brawl with an Indian family that were cast netting because they had 2 young boys that were jumping all over the baby blue manna crabs that they were catching in the net and i couldnt watch it any longer so confronted them it got heated for a moment and then they buggered off... only to return the next night to do same thing.

Should i contact fisheries about this because i cant watch them any longer and if they dont do something i will.

Also most mornings a commercial purse netter starts netting tons of scalies 20 - 50m from jetty. Well within casting distance. Does anyone know the laws on this? Taking photos and videos doesnt phase him.

hi guys, heading up to Kalbarri next month would like to do a bit of landbased mackerel fishing , anyone know where I can stock up on big gardies before I go.

As per the subject line, my Stradic 2500 Ci4 took an unplanned dip (dropped it from under my arm while getting the popper out of a whiting's gob...)on the weekend.

It went right under, and though I rescued it immediately, and when home an hour later, gave it a thorough rinsing under the shower, twice, it now has lost that lovely smoothness, replaced by a very sad grinding feeling. Normal routine after any fishing is to rinse my reels, let them air dry, wipe them down with a clean rag and then a light spray with Lanox and that has stood me in very good stead over many years. I've inadvertently got plenty of reels wet before, but never had this severe an effect so quickly.

My question is, what to do?

Strip it and re-grease, or don't muck around, just bang it off to Shimano for them to repair? Or... any other suggestions?

Hi guys  Just booked for tommorow with saltwater charters and will be my first time with them. I have read and heared all good feedback and was wondering if anyone's been out with them lately and if sooo how did you go?

Thanks

Hey GT hunters

Looking for casting rod for my stella 8000 to chase GTs in coral bay and exmouth?

I only really want to spend about 300bucks

max casting weight is 150g

Is it closed this weekend with the boat show on?

Can't find anything on the net.

any crabs warnbro way???????????????

i have  a little tinny 4metres does anybody know where i can buy some  navigation lights solar down rocky way  ,,dont say bcf they have nothing thanks.........

found a pic of the a$$ h@!e that pinged me out deep last trip. Not sure if he's on this sight but if you are I'd take a wide berth cause next time your getting a bit more than a mouth full coming your way!!!

Edit * Photo removed for a few reasons,  contact me if you have problems.

Adam

Hi All,

Currently preparing for Gamex.  I'm interested to know if anyone has heard any news re the small black numbers up there or how the water temps are looking,

Pretty sure AIBT was on around now this time last year and they were starting to smash it on small blacks.  I've checked out the local charter operators FB pages and see it's pretty well only Diversity that's been out there and are primarily reporting bigger fish.

Hope the current weather pattern continues!

Thx

off for a night fish tonight & I had 5m of led rope light laying around (300 LEDs) placed it under the hull to see how it goes. Not sure if the adhesive will hold but we will see how it goes, have cable tied both ends incase it comes off! I'll take some photos while out in the boat tonight & if it works out well I'll get some brighter ones and hold in place with sikaflex ready for the prawns!! 

 Hi all, 

After being a daily spectator for months, I have finally joined the site.

I love fishing and try to go at least once per week. I have owned a runabout for about 18 months and use this for fishing in the swan river or cockburn sound. I have been free diving the river for the past 12 months and I am continually amazed at the amount of life in the river. After much exploring, I have managed to find some reliable spots for my favourite seafoods.....crabs, prawns (slow process one at a time) and KG whiting.

Hopefully I can add some value to the site now that I am a member. I have attached some photos of catches over past 12 months or so.

 Hi guys heading up to kalbarri on the 28th off March for a. Week. I'm taking up my 610 coastrunner this is my first time offshore up there I was was just wondering wot depth to start at.???? Any advice would be appreciated thanks

was tuned into the abc radio at 7am this morning , caught a short conversation , the dj was asking callers to give comment about a ''new '' proposal to open windy harbour up in the near future ?/

anyone else hear this or know what the story is behind it ??
cant find anything in the usual places ,

id rather they develop Northcliffe than windy

hezzy

Is it possible to tell how deep you are by the number of floats on a commercial cray pot if you didn't have an echo sounder? eg four floats equals forty metres of depth. Is there a depth/ rope/ float ratio? eg depth times 1.5 equals rope length,depth divide 10 equals floats[ 40m depth times 1.5 equals 60m rope length,40m depth divide 10 equals four floats]. The pro cray fishers are out in 70 fathoms at the moment so what sort of gear would they be using at that depth? Thanks

 Just getting back into fishing at 58. My first decent sized Black Bream (470mm) at Ascot yesterday. ( Anyone have a guess at the weight)? Fought for 5 minutes, thought I'd lost it, tried really hard to break me off. But once he was landed he let me retreive my hooks and let him go back in. He swam off like a dart. 

I think he may have been released a few times before we met.

Went to Sandy Cape on the weekend for my 50th. Tailor were there in numbers. Most of them were just legal with a few bigger ones in the mix. Didn't take bait so used a Smilin Jack minnow with great results. I was easily out fishing the neighbour using mulies. Once I had the bag limit I took the trebles off and replaced them with a single hook so I could release them with out harm.
The missus had the stubbie holders made up for the occasion. I always wanted to call my boat "King of the Dhus" after bagging out on Dhus on the first trip out (8 back in the day) but wasn't allowed to do it - happy wife.

hi guys 

headed up to jurien on the weekend for  a family trip

with a little bit of fishing thrown in!

got out saturday and sunday for a few hours in average conditions

highlight of the trip was hanging with brother and seeing him reel in a nice baldy from 15 m

he doesnt get to fish much with 5 kids ! so it was good to see him get a nice fish.

headed down to south point for some tailor fishing in the evenings and he got some more runs on the board with two nice tailor . Not many around one guy baitcasting was doing the best out of about 12 cars on the beach

went over to sandy cape to hide from the wind great spot (was a 20 knot southerly round the corner!)

lots of fisheries and transport guys at ramp(and boats!)

great memories and my bro is already asking me when were going again

 Hey Guys,

Thought I'd have a go at catching occy off the stones with a gidgee. Didn't think it could be too hard, so on Sunday arvo took the kids and wife down to Daweville Cut to have a crack. Not sure if I was putting the bait (half a butterfish) in the wrong spots but I didn't see a single Occy. Managed to lure a small Wobby out of his hidey hole and get stuck into the bait right at our feet, kids thought that was pretty cool! Any tips from those that have it sussed. I was thinking of trying the reefy sections between Halls Head and the Cut at low tide next time. But thought I would of at least seen one or two. Pretty keen to have a go at pickling some Occy.

Cheers

Chris.

another article below on marron poachers ,
hezzy

Poachers are smashing through the Water Corporation's gates and fences to steal marron from creeks and dams that are supposed to be protected for public drinking supplies.

The State-owned utility has confirmed that it was grappling with the "issue" of marron poaching from properties it controls across the Perth Hills, South West and Great Southern.

Fishing for marron, a type of crayfish that is found in fresh inland waterways, is only allowed for a brief period between January 8 and February 5 each year.

Fishers are entitled to take five of the crustaceans a day - each with a minimum size of 90mm - in so-called trophy waters, while they can take eight a day of at least 80mm in size in all other open waters.

With this year's season just finished, the Water Corporation said it was investigating several incidents where people had illegally accessed protected drinking water catchments to pilfer marron.

In one instance, poachers crashed a four-wheel-drive through the gate of a Water Corporation property east of Albany after-dark to plunder dams that were full of marron, causing thousands of dollars of damage in the process.

A Water Corporation spokeswoman said the utility did not keep specific records of incidents of marron poaching and could not quantify the costs it had incurred from the activity in recent years. However, she noted that extra "catchment rangers" had been employed to patrol the Perth Hills in recent years.

The spokeswoman also pointed out marron fishing was allowed "in a number" of the utility's dams.

"Water Corporation works closely with the Department of Fisheries to control illegal fishing and marroning in drinking water dams and has initiated a number of successful prosecutions," she said.

"The amount of illegal fishing activities in drinking water catchments does vary throughout the year and from year to year.

"Those carrying out illegal activities in catchments also tend to leave rubbish behind and Water Corporation is also responsible for the clean-up costs."

To report marron poaching call 13 13 75

"Water Corporation works closely with Fisheries to control illegal fishing and marroning and has initiated successful prosecutions