TheCount Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Started out drifting between the Rip Bridge and Killcare early morning on the run out tide with a few rods out the back baited with chicken or prawn. Picked up a nice 36cm Bream in the first half hour so decided to keep doing the same. One drift came to an end and I started bringing in the line to go again. There was a noticeable weight on the line so I turned the handle a few more times and gave a small tug to see if something was on.. No reaction, meaning no fish and I return to steadily retrieving my line. Within say 10m of the boat, the line lifts and it looks like I'm dragging a branch across the water top so I continue to nonchalantly retrieve and keen to get on the move again. I next took notice when "it" was within a few metres of the back of the boat as "it" had sunk down from the water top and then when it got really close I noticed "it" was actually a blue swimmer! Never caught one of those before and was keen to add this to my species list. At about a foot from the back of the boat I could see it had a claw gripping my line so obviously not hooked up. As I moved the net into position to approach it from the side I swear I saw the little bugger wink at me, open its claw and sink back to the depths of the channel. It was such a surreal experience I just had to share it... Same place later in the day I was busted off by a very nice size flattie, well over 60cm. I think I was too quick with my retrieve but happy to learn that lesson for next time. Using 6lb leader I need to be more patient. TC. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshGTV Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Hard work landing a 60cm flattie on 6lb leader, they have sharp teeth, I'd use no less than 15lb, maybe 20lb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowie Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 To land crabs on a baited line, I drop the landing net underneath them then quickly raise it so that the crab is in the centre of the net. This will give you a bit of leeway if they decide to swim sideways, which they will do just about every time they let go of a bait. If the crab sees the net approaching from one side, they will swim very quickly away from it, faster then you can push the net through the water. I regularly land flathead on 6 pound mono, but do not apply too much pressure on the line, that is, the drag is not set too high. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterfisho7 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 A 60cm is a good flathead use heaver leader TC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwicraig Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Great stuff. Don't lift the crab or of the water. Scoop the crab quickly from behind. There are few things better than fresh swimmer. Hang in there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutsaboutfishing Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 23 hours ago, TheCount said: I swear I saw the little bugger wink at me, Please remember the limit is 0.05. LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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