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South west rocks - finally something to write about!


DanRob

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G'day raiders,

My usual reports are generally based around how I haven't caught much or just missed that big one, but this time I am happy to report some success!

I went up to Kempsey for work and with the advice of other members on the forum I decided I would try fishing after work at South West Rocks.

On the first night I got there late and everything was closed. It was dark and I missed the tides. All I could find was bread from the IGA and although trying for livies, I couldn't get any. I moved around towards the boat ramp and picked up two 25cm bream on bread which went straight back. I called it a night after this as it was getting late and I did have to be awake for work as that's why I was there in the first place.

The next day at work was long but I managed to pick up some squid and pillies from the local fishing shop. I got down to the break wall and tried again. I couldn't work out what I was doing wrong but I had no takes. I kept on getting small things nibbling the bait off but that was it. With the sand flies, mozzies, strong tides pulling through the channel and a long night persisting with every method I could think, I gave up with not a fish. I saved my bait and decided I will try the next morning before I drive back to sydney,

The next morning I slept in... ( note to self, always check the 500 is am not pm on the alarm) I was up at 630 and missed the tide and was going to be pushing it to get back. I chucked all my gear in the car and headed almost to the end of the break wall. I tried the bait at first but no luck. I told myself I will put on a few lures and throw them around for half an hour before i needed to leave. I used my white rapala x rap, metal slices and a few halco poppers on the 20/30lb gear ( i can't remember the line strength I put on) and on my bream stick threw around some zman grubs without a hit.

I got a mackerel on the rapala which was fun but not much sport and I thought at least I got something!

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Just as I was packing a few things away I start seeing fish hitting bait on the surface. I threw the white rapala out and ZZZzzzzzzzz......... it was unstoppable. I had a 10000 shimano saragosa with 20/30lb braid and 80lb leader on a 8-15kg 10ft rod. It was my heaviest gear but I had no chance at first and it took me 100m+ down the break wall and the line was getting to the end. After a bit of persistence, I regained some line finding if I ran with it keeping the line tight I could turn its head a bit. This went on for about 30min and I had a nice local couple who saw it all going on and came down to help out. They even took some pics with my camera!

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Eventually the fish tired and the local guy climbed down to the water and we grabbed the fish by the tail. I am so used to losing fish this was a novelty. I was told the fish was a long fin tuna ( let me know what you think?) and it was 95cm long. Unfortunately it was just about dead by the time I got it to shore so I decided to keep it. I lugged my trophy back to the car with a grin from ear to ear and went straight to the shop and bought a new esky and ice for the trip home!

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After all that I now have slightly longer arms and a grin that I just can't wipe off my face.... even my wife was impressed! I don't think I will be topping that anytime soon. Thanks to all the raiders who gave me the info I needed to head over to that beautiful part of the world.

I would like to submit this fish for catch of the month. ( I had to retake it with a bottle as I got one picture with a cloth and realised it was last months COTM item)

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Cheers,

Dan

Edited by DanRob
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Woot woooot! That is a cracker Dan. I'm glad things finally came together for you. That smile won't disappear in quite a while I am sure. I bet all of that time missing the good fish is totally worth it now you got that beauty under your belt. I am also sure that it will keep you inteerested for many moons to come hehe.

Congrats mate. To get a fish like that land based id every anglers dream. Very happy for you.

Luc.

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Thanks everyone, it is good to share these moments with those who actually appreciate it! (unlike all the glazed looks i get showing people the pics on my phone!)

Well done!! Those little lures are magic, I use a similar one and never let's me down, yet to get a fish that size with it

thanks, this was the first time ( actually that watsons bonito was) I got something with this type of lure, though I have heard it is meant to be good.

Hi Dan

That is a Watsons leaping Bonito NOT mac tuna.

Beautiful looking fish and actually great eating

but they always look so good I release them.

Enjoy the Bluefin they are great eating.

Nice catch of the stones.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, I have never seen one of these before and you are right, they look awesome.

Well done. Cracker of a fish from a breakwall. I believe it is a long tail tuna.

Let us know how it was on the table.

thanks Flickn Mad, as for the table, I got it back and was told about the ciguatera toxins that were in fish in the area and with kid i didn't want to chance it. so I was a bit disappointed to say the least. I even called fisheries to find out more and even asked them if they wanted it for research. I was told to bin it. Instead, I have decided to salt it for bait.

Woot woooot! That is a cracker Dan. I'm glad things finally came together for you. That smile won't disappear in quite a while I am sure. I bet all of that time missing the good fish is totally worth it now you got that beauty under your belt. I am also sure that it will keep you inteerested for many moons to come hehe.
Congrats mate. To get a fish like that land based id every anglers dream. Very happy for you.

Luc.

Thanks Luc! If I could get good catches regularly it would be nowhere near as fun! i'm still smiling!

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Was it less than 10kg in weight? If so it may be fine. To be honest I would have given some to someone I didn't like very much and asked them a couple of days later how it was hehehe. If they were fine and not in hospital well you have some seriously good fillets ready to munch hehehe.

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I haven't heard of longtails being know for ciguatera. If you are tempted to

eat it (they are very good) try a small portion first, say 100g.

The NSW authorities are warning about large spanish makeral at the moment.

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Who every told u longtails carry cig poisoning has gotta be having a joke... Never herd of it in longtails.

True, though it really got me thinking about it when I was told and shown the recent news article. I have no knowledge of these things so I just had to go with what I could find out.

it is however bioaccumulative in warm water fin species. This would mean it is not a species specific toxin so given that it was found in mackerel at Scott's head the week before made me worry, especially if I was to feed it to my young kids.

I made a lot of calls and did a fair bit of reading to try figure it out if it is safe to eat and there was no definitive evidence showing that they were immune from it. What I did find out was how nasty the poisoning is if you get it.

The reality is that there was probably 95% chance it was fine. I was just not willing to risk the 5% chance of being wrong.

It is now in the freezer to be used as bait. A shame I know but it is what it is. Maybe it can be used to catch a dioxin laden fish from Sydney harbour :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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