Old Scaley

Sunday afternoon I got a call from @tugger. Weather was looking magic for Monday. Let’s head offshore and see what is doing. As usual I was so excited about going fishing, and knowing I needed to be up at 2.45am, that I hardly slept a wink. Got to Mark’s place at 4am to find him in the car waiting so we threw in my gear and off we went. We needed some pillies so off to his usual servo only to find it closed. After a bit of a hunt we found some really cr@ppy overpriced pillies at the 7Eleven. Loaded up with ice and off to the Raby Bay ramp to be on the water by 4.30am. Conditions were good crossing the Bay, and I think Mark could do that trip blindfolded. He is a great skipper and always points out places of interest along the way. Timing was perfect and we arrived at the bar right on first light. The bar was super smooth and we quickly headed to the livie grounds where bait was abundant and we soon had a heap of slimies and yakkas. Off we went to one of Mark’s favourite honey holes. The call was made by the skipper to not anchor and do some drift baiting with pillies. First drop and both rods loaded up with quality fish. Mark soon had his 61cm snapper onboard. I was fishing with 16lb leader and the fish on my line was big. Unfortunately the leader snapped at the hook and I lost my first trophy fish for the day. Here is Mark’s first snapper. We repeated the drift for a while, picking up some just under snaps and 3 in the 40s. I had upgraded my leader to 30lb, but still got owned a couple of times. The sun was getting higher and the bite had slowed so we motored out wider to fish in 60 metres of water. There were a few other boats in the area but the fishing was very quiet. We had lots of these flopping around and waving to us. We kept trying out wide for a while, then headed back to the first spot. We had tried the livies down deep for no real action, so Mark decided to stick one out on a balloon. It did get one touch but no hook up. Meanwhile I was getting pickered (thanks yet again Hamish) on pillies so decided to fish lighter. Turned out to be a good move and we soon had some good Moses perch over the side, some in the low to mid 40s. Somewhere in there Mark picked up a 50cm bonito for the competition leaderboard. By now it was lunchtime so we had a bite to eat and called it quits. Back across a nice flat bar and a quick trip back to ramp. All the fish were filleted and on ice by 3pm. Yet another fantastic day on the water. Thanks again for the invite, Mark. Here is the take home catch.

Sounds like a fun day, Robbie. Anyone else having trouble seeing the photos? They are just blank rectangles on my iPad?

Great report @Junky. And some good tips as well. Did you keep trying with the plastics?

That is a beauty @kmcrosby78. Good to see that you are getting out again. I bet Liam and George wish they had been there to it landed.

So it does. Great snapper @Junky.

Tuna upgrade for the Southside. Angler was @tugger. 51cm.

Maybe a snapper upgrade? Not sure because I can’t work out the size on @Junky‘s measure. @tugger caught this one for the Southside. 61cm.

Did it have a cheeky smile by any chance Kelvin?

Your boat would be fine in the Pine or Caboolture rivers, or in the Pumistone passage. All of these hold whiting at times.

Really quiet mate. First float of a pillie I caught a tailor that was a mm under legal, then nothing over at the channel. There were lots of boats around but we didn’t see any bent rods. Did a bit of bottom bashing while we waited for the macs to turn up and we were constantly picketed (thanks again Hamish) by tiny stuff. Brian boated 2 whiptails to keep him safe from the donut. On the plus side it was a glorious day on the water and we were visited by dolphins, turtles and a large dugong. We fished Mud and Green on the way home but couldn’t raise a scale. That’s fishing.

Depends on how far you have to travel to get them?

Kev Walters hasn’t even hinted that he is interested. Personally I hope he doesn’t get the job because I would miss his commentary on Fox. Maybe that’s just a little bit selfish

Good trip @rayke1938. 42cm and 3 fingers in the photo would have put you on the leaderboard.

Geez @samsteele115, be careful mate. That would have been frightening. I have never been on a kayak except for those plastic things and only been close to shore, so how hard is it to right a serious rig like yours and get yourself back onboard? I guess for a fit young rooster like yourself it is a challenge but doable. Not sure how some of the older, less agile yakker manage? Anyway, now we know you are ok, get back out there and get that upgrade!

@Drop Bear, let’s make it a Southside armada. Brian and I were talking about heading there anyway on Friday and seeing if you were interested in going. Mackerel upgrade for sure.

Small upgrade for bream (sorry @Drop Bear)

I’ll kick off the flathead category. Hoping for an upgrade soon.

Too bad, Sam. Plenty of good weather coming up this week so get cracking before @GregOug makes it to Fraser.

Hi @Jaz44. From what I can see the smaller Jabirus are a punt style boat, but not sure about the 450? If it is, you might find that you can only fish outside of creeks and rivers on the nice flat days. Either way I would definitely be looking for a test drive, making sure you have at least 2 people in the boat to see how easily it gets up on the plane. A 30hp 2 stroke should do that fairly easily in a light boat as long as the crew aren’t big fellas, but a 40 will do it more easily. You didn’t say if it was a boatyard or a private sale, new or used. If it is used, ask to see the service history. Look for any comments on the itemised report that any decent service agent will provide after the regular service. Look for regular (yearly at least) services, and check the compression ratings - all cylinders should be the same or nearly the same. Have a good look for cracks or damage to the hull. The condition of the trailer is also a good indicator of how well the boat has been maintained. Regarding the electric motor, I only just got one this year after owning tinnier for 30 odd years and I love it. Especially the spot lock. I would prioritise that over an engine upgrade. But then again if I was buying a boat and already thinking about an engine upgrade I might think I am buying the wrong boat. Take your time - used boats are a buyers market so don’t be tempted to settle for the first one you look at unless it is exactly what you want and at the right price. Don’t buy someone else’s problem and make it yours. Good luck!

Yes Hamish. Very sad for the families.

I think the tragedy in Moreton Bay this week is a sad reminder that fishing is great but safety is more important. Hopefully this wind dies down through the week.

^^ now that is different. Not sure I totally get it but looks interesting. @GregOug, if you are interested in making some baitfish casting rigs for tailor, the August edition of Fishing Monthly has a feature article with a step by step guide to making some good looking gang rigs. You might find an alternative use for your nail polish.

Maybe it did flounder on the rocks.......

Hope you have a good trip @GregOug. Remember there is a closure to fishing between Indian Head and Waddy Point in August and September. Don’t have any other advice for you sorry. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/69461/1700_tailor_V1.pdf

Very generous recollection of events, @Drop Bear, and beautifully recounted. I couldn’t have put it myself. I probably would have just said it was a great day on the water with good company. We got a few fish but had to work hard for them. Then I would have attached a photo of dead fish on a blue esky and that would be my report. I like your version better. We will do it again soon.