Back on the water ( but where were the keepers? )

[NaClH2OK9]

I feel this long post need a preamble.

You may want to get a drink as it's not short.

Mods feel free to move to a different section if there is not enough fish catching for it to be in the fishing report section.

I won't apologise for the length as over 24 hours on the water in a small boat doing so many things for the first time was a bloody long outing. Also I've not been able to post an outing report for ages. This was all typed on a phone so bare with me on the auto spell and typo. I'll try and hit it when behind a laptop. . Hopefully you will enjoy? If not. I did try and warn you about the length.

I'd been flat out busy all week so hadn't had a chance to prep too much for my weekend trip. Saturday 6am saw me loading the boat with enough stuff you'd think I was going for a month followed by a trip to the garage for fuel. Supermarket for easy munchies and fish shop to get some fresh squid. Pillies and prawns. Hitch the boat up and finaly on the water for 10:30

I wasn't too fussed about it being late as I felt I had a long time on the water. Dozens of marks on the new simrad and for a change the weather seemed good ( something that is usually reserved for school days).

My original plan had been to start with live bait but knowing I had fresh pillies ( instead of frozen) the excitement to get out there got the better of me.

I logged in with marine rescue (another first) even though I was only going in the bay. And just after was greeted by a dolphin in the mouth of the hacking and shortly after saw my first flying fish in the flesh ( I thought it was a bird to begin with) here is not a pic of the dolphin.

the gods are smiling on me!

I set two rods up to troll. This would give me a chance to refsmilurize myself with the boat handling. Simrad unit ( only used it twice in anger) and test the down imaging now I had moved the transducer again) . Also my previous 2 outings over the last few months the sea had been uncomfortable.

The boat handled well. The Plotter a dream and all felt good but 2 hours around the bommies and out with no bites required a change of plan.

Ok. No worries. Lots of new marks to try. I hit macca or pizza ( can't remember) and started my first drift. I seemed to be drifting pretty quick but was managing to keep bottom so wasn't too bothered. The only problem was I was off the mark so quick I'd barley got my second rod down. ( perhaps I need to invest in a sea anchor) I was plagued with tiny touches and bring up stripped bait again and again.

I was hoping the drift would run North or South allowing my to drift from Mark to mark but I was heading West so couldn't join the dots.

Spot after spot gave the same result

As I made my way further north in bate Bay I started finding bait fish got to say I was blown away with the imaging on the Plotter. I imidietly marked the. And dropped bait hoping to tempt something on the edges but no dice. Turned around and found them again and again ( I've got the hang of this Plotter game ) but no good ( only sitting here now am I thinking why didn't I drop a slice rig or some hoki rigs instead of baited 3/0)

Ok onto Osborne ( I'm not out of marks yet!!!) but just more of the same.

It was getting late in the afternoon now so felt I had one last chance before I needed to consider my evening morning.

I headed out further to a spot I had marked as flathead ground hoping slightly deeper water would help.

This is the furthest I'd taken the boat out ( this is my first boat) . But all for 2 slightly undersize and 2 of the tiniest flatties I've ever seen

5pm baked by the sun and realising that solo boat fishing is tiring and after months of little activity from surgery and I'm seriously out of shape I was happy to call it quite and take a break

I headed to the public moorings at jibbons beach to see if a spot was available. And after a short wait managed to find a free spot.

Just so I felt I was still fishing I chucked out the rigs I'd been using during the day and put a couple of bells on them as I wouldn't be looking at them while I tidied the boat.

Having neglected lunch it was time for tea ( and to be pleased I'd packed so much and been shopping)

A full belly and glass of wine I felt recharged and ready to think how I was going to fish through the evening ( it felt great not having to think about wrapping up)

I'd just put the mobile kitchen away when there was a ring on the bell on my lighter set up ( 6'6 silstar crystal blue. Stella 8000 with 30lb wxe braid)

I lifted the rod which steadily loaded of and then started stripping line. I checked the drag which felt fine and watched as the rod went 90 deg and meter after meter vanished. It didnt exactly go zzzzzzzzz the fish just didn't run that fast. But it pulled like a truck. After 100m I'm starting to get worried as it seems to be just ignoring that it's caught. Another hundred meters and it slows and stops with me gaining only an inch here and there. It had gone North but now circled East heading dangerously in the direction of the other moorings. Feeling another run would spool me I tightened just a couple of clicks. I'd already been smoked on this set up before ( why don't they pick up on my reef bashing outfit???? Grrrr) having already played (it was playing with me) I spent the next 10 minutes bringing in one slow pump of line at a time. I was convinced this was a big Ray so not so exciting as a trophy fish but I wanted to beat it.

I gained about 100-150 M when it decided it was off. Again line stripped ( got to love the steady drag on the stella) but after 50 M it all went slack. I retrieved most of my line but was snapped on the braid

The kids on the boat next door were watching and a bunch of guys on the beach had stopped to watch for a while. But I was 30 mins in. The light had gone and as the adrenalin left me I felt robbed and deflated and exhausted

I'd planned on leaving a line out overnight but new this would end in tears if the same happened again and I didn't get to the rod in time.

Deciding to call it a day. I stowed gear but as I brought in the other bait heard a siphoning noise. WTF? I'd lost the light and didn't have a head lamp on so could see the water but as I lifted the bait to the side of the boat there's only a bloody squid munching on the pillies! In a half panic I look for the net ( put away) fumble with the lid of the live bait tank and get it within inches of grasp it let's go. ARGHHHHHH!

Ok where's the head lamp. Where's the light rod. Where's the squid jig.

Tackle up as quick as I can and first cast snag! Grrr slowly bring in and no a squid come on. Come on. and first cast of the new yoziri ( I've had far too much time shopping whilst away from fishing) I've caught my second squid.

Cast after cast after that produced nothing else.

Enough. Everyone around me had bedded down and I was shattered.

A good spray of aeroguard and I settled into my sleeping bag for a not especially comfortable night on a hard narrow bench seat in my open half cabin with the hope that finishing the wine would allow some sleep.

Multiple wakes to the buzz of Mozzies . Slaps to bites and parts of my body complaining about no mattress. Saw 5am come around far too quickly.

And the realisation that I had been the main course at an all you can drink Christmas party for the local biting insects.

My back and shoulders were in outright revolt about the accommodation. I hadn't used enough sun cream. and lastly drinking a bottle of wine on top of a day in the heat and not drinking enough water had left me in a bit of a sad state and not feeling inspired Or excited about day 2

Edited November 24, 2014 by NaClH2OK9

[NaClH2OK9]

I stowed the doss bag. And grabbed a sandwich and drag lots of water.

Throwing the crusts over the side they were quickly gobbled up by yakkas!!!!

The excitement started to build ( here we go live bait has to get me a big fish) I tied a live bait rig to a hand line and dropped it. back came a yakka and into the live well tried again but nothing ( I could see them but not get them) cut some pillies ( untangled the line) and in came another then another. Then nothing.

Remembering advice I've previously been given I threw the line out and let it fall through the water. Again more live bait but a couple of fish and the were onto my technique. I had 6 in the tank the sun was well up ( only seemed to take 30 mins) so decided I needed to head out.

As I got to the heads I'd never seen it so calm. I'd pushed my distance yesterday but clearly needed to do more as didn't want another failure in the bay.

I decided to head south and wide ( probably only a couple of miles but it seemed a long way for my little boat)

Hitting the mark I dropped my first bait. Put a live bait under a balloon on another and tackled a 3rd rod. I'd drifted way of the mark already and was heading south pretty quickly. But took the time to try and plan the next few hours. This time the drift would take me over a few spots without too much moving. The sounder looked dead. The marks didn't produce so I decided to head out to the 70m line but here I couldn't hold bottom even with 1lb lead

What is going on???? I charter fish once a month. I always bring fish home. I always hold bottom my setup is proven? Confused I decide to head to a wreck ( with memories of big catches drifting over wrecks in the uk) I can also play with the down and side imaging on my combo for some amazing images ( I had 5 locations for the wreck 100m apart) but the site is covered in dive boats.

This is not going well

I'm way south now and my combo tells me I'm on 11v on my battery. Hmmm very impressed it's lasted so long but I've always said battery 2 is for emergencies. It's 10am I'm still bitten and sunburnt and to be honest 24 hours on a small boat has taken its toll on my out of condition body. I've headed to within a couple of hundred meters of the shore and the boat is getting rocked about a bit now.

( that said there are 4m tinnies) out here!?! ) am I just scared?

Last tactic troll a a live bait a lure ( on a home made teaser leader) back to the hacking.

The tide wants to take me sw the boat is rolling a bit and trying to set 2 lines whilst driving the boat is a challenge but finaly I'm off. I check my rods they look good. I'm surprised at just how many small boats are down here and fishing so close in. I notice as I hit a number of marks on the way back how the sounder shows them holding fish. I've accepted I'm heading back but enjoying the trip home and skippering my little tin can so far from home. The sea isn't that big but even if I wasn't trolling it's not planing conditions. All of a sudden the live bait rod ( which had turned into a skip bait) goes off. Instant adrenalin again. I turn starboard so I'm facing out to sea and kill the engine ( knowing I can drift in a sea but need to steer under drive!!!! ??)

I grab the rod. Something good and as I engage more drag and start to wind feel a good pull. Could it be my king?

I look up an 4 young guys in a 15 ft open boat are looking. I feel chuffed

With that the boat decides to turn round clockwise. I see lots of lose line from my other rod and realise the lure will sink. The line is going under the boat and my absolute inexperience doing this is depressing.

I've now done a 180 all the wrong way and drifting towards the rocks.

I decide I have time to bring in the slack line and retrieve the second rod. Throw it out of the way and then find the line with the fish on has gone round the engine. Strewth. I look up again and imaging how the young lads are laughing.

I raise the engine and the line is just snagged on the skeg. Using the tip of my rod ( cos I can't bloody reach that far) I manage to knock it free. I can't believe the fish is still on.

A flash of silver and yellow and yes a kingie. Into the boat and on the floor. Engine down engine started and get off the rocks. Once clear ( only a few seconds) I can cut the throttle and check my catch. A beautiful and very fat king but only about 55cm ( big ish may have gone legal) but feeling it had been out of the water long enough and having panicked I unhooked it and straight back into the water to watch it swim away.

Ok one rod is enough. I set up another live bait and slowly trolled for the next hour back to the hacking ( again seeing the nose pinned live bait turn into a skip bait ( was covering 7 kph sog ( was this too quick? ))

BUT no more takes.

The trip home was good and I spotted lots of interesting marks of my own but wish I had run the same ground a couple of more times.

By the time I was back in the hacking I'd had enough. It was 11:30 the sea had got a bit bigger an ( according to the news that night it had been the hottest day in??? Oh I forget)

You don't need to hear about the hour to get the boat in at gunamatta due to a million jet skies just ignoring those waiting to come in. The boat clean down and how I was on bed by 8pm so I'll sign in just a second.

Read this how you want.

Yes I made a lot of rookie mistakes.

Yes I've learnt a lot about my capabilities

Yes I've learned by my mistakes

Yes I tried too much in one go

Yes you could have ( and probably do) much better on all accounts

Yes I ended up more than once thinking you could have thought this out better

Yes. I want a boat with a big Comfortable cabin.

No I didn't bring any fish home

Will I do it again?

Probably, but with the experience of this outing. watch this space.

Steve.

[NaClH2OK9]

Yes this story was too big to fit in one post.

[Soulman]

Great story. I must admit, that I was getting tired just reading it, you must have been exhausted... Looking forward to your next instalment...

[SgtBundy]

Experience is what you get just after you need it. Good on you for giving such an adventure a go and learning for the next one

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guest no one]

Good onya Steve for getting out for that long.

This weekend seems to have been a hard one for fishing so dont beat yourself up too much!

hope your shoulder held up!

[antonywardle]

great read!

You've inspired me to have a night out in my boat

[Rami]

I would love to do an all nighter one day. As long as the fish are biting.

Edited November 25, 2014 by Rami

[Sydneyfisher12]

Loved the report. I usually can get some good fish but for some reason I got nothing this weekend I would of been happy with that 55cm king I'm sure it got your heart racing. When trolling live yakkas i usually go about 2kn which is just in gear so you might of been going a bit fast.

Cheers sydneyfisher12

[Scratchie]

There must have been something in the water over the weekend Steve. I had the same problem.

At least it was nice to be on the water. Btw, you rivaled my post for the longest in raider history! Lol. Check out my miserable fail on my post

Cheers scratchie!!!

[nbdshroom]

Nothing quite like a long report to tuck into. Bad luck on all the niggling problems you experienced that day but I hope that would be the last of it. At the very least, you ended up catching some fish including a very respectable rat king which would have been still quite rewarding.

[Busy-livin]

Great read mate, must have felt great to get your boat back out on the water and get your sea legs again.

[fragmeister]

Great read Steve...

I love the long report (and the self disclosure).

Much more interesting than a one line " I caught a big fish" report.

Cheers

Jim

[Dragonfish 65]

Nice report.,

No keepers but not from lack of trying.

Dinner looked good.

Cheers

Dragonfish

[NaClH2OK9]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think Sgtbundy hit the nail on the head. I'm Already looking forward to my next trip south.

[Jocler]

Steve,

I enjoyed the read. Well done for even doing it all, especially by yourself.

J

[Krispy !]

Bad luck mate, you should have tried up river in the deeper holes. Been some unstoppables around.

[rockhoppa]

The great Aussie dream, BBQ on the boat! The BBQ pic actually made me hungry.

I really enjoyed the read from a trial and error perspective. Good luck next time Saltwaterdog.

[batfishing]

I was waiting for the report Steve, wanted to see how you got on.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Rami]

Honestly. This report was incredibly useful for someone like me. It gave hints of techniques that I can one day try. Like trying to drift through different locations rather than anchor on top of the fish and scare them off. Etc etc. Now I know what people generally do and can go research. Better than getting a two liner and a picture of a fish.

This may appear simple but then i am a novice.

Now I need myself some kingies.

[OldMateJon]

Great read mate! I would have been happy with a rat, having yet to land my first king!

Cheers Jon

[NaClH2OK9]

It's my biggest regret of the whole outing Jon. Not covering that piece of water again. I just imagined there would be more on the way back.

[mrsswordfisherman]

I have sanitised this post and banned the member who posted disgusting remarks about myself and others.

People like these are not welcome in our community and I am sorry to those that saw the comments.

Sorry to go off topic

[damos]

Great writing there Steve, really felt like I was there. I think we all have had a few outings like that, you just had quite a few bunched into one and a half days.

[luvbigfish]

Great read m8 , don't feel bad we done the same thing (all nighter) Saturday arvo till Sunday arvo up around the northern beaches for the same result . There was the odd fish caught that weekend but overall very quiet! despite the ideal conditions .