Translate

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

First Metro Mackerel for the season, and a bonus Pinky.

With the weather forecast looking good and indicating light winds Greg and I decided to set off to our favorite Metro Mackerel spot. We wanted to see if the Mackerel had arrived yet despite it being early in the season. The morning dawned dull and overcast but with the promised light winds and we made good time on the boat trip out. We arrived at our chosen location and anchored the boat in the sand gutter. On entering the water we discovered it was a little dirty with suspended particles but we could at least make out the bottom at 60ft. Greg was first in as I was sorting out my cameras and as I entered the water he was swimming back to the boat having already secured a Mackerel.

We used a lot of burley over the next few hours drifting back with it in the light current but we didnt see any more Mackerel. Then on one drift I noticed a large Yellowtail Kingfish in the burley trail and dived to film it when out of the haze I noticed a Mackerel approaching from behind the Kingfish. Switching my attention to the Mackerel I lined up and waited for it to pass before pulling the trigger. I landed a good holding shot mid-body angling forward and exiting next to the far-side pectoral fin. After a short fight I had the fish in the boat and cooling under wet hessian bags.








We continued diving until we ran out of burley and on the last drift our persistence paid off, I spotted a fish that I thought was a large Trevalley down near the bottom. When I dived on the fish I discovered it was a good sized Pink Snapper, a prize fish and one I had yet to spear. I followed the fish as it ate some pieces of burley, I had to wait twice for my shot once to let a shark pass and then to let the fish clear a craypot line. Once the fish had cleared the line I took my shot, mindful that the shark would try and take my fish I aimed for the fishes spine and managed to land my shot as planned. With the Snapper immobilized the shark paid little attention to the fish other than one halfhearted look.








Having exhausted our burley and securing a mackerel each and a Pink Snapper for me we decided to call it a day and head home. The trip home was quite relaxing as we skimmed across the small chop, satisfied we had fish for a few meals and knowing that the Mackerel had arrived this early in the season.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Yep its that time of year again, WINDY!!!

Hi all,
Yes its the windy time of year again when we all sit at home cursing the Easterly wind for blowing so hard, watching the water temp rise and dreaming of chasing Spanish Mackerel. I took the chance late the other afternoon and go out with my son for a couple of hours just before the Easterly wind gave way to the Sea Breeze.
We saw quite a few different species of fish including plenty of juvenile WA Jewfish, which is a good sign for the future.
We went out to one of my favorite locations, the plan was to hunt King George Whiting and then off to one of my Crayfish holes to try and grab a Crayfish to go with the Whiting we didn't yet have.

We arrived at the spot just as the wind started to turn, so I knew we didn't have too long. Luckily after about 10 minutes of searching I found a nice Whiting in a patch of sand between the reef and made a successful shot.



With the first part of dinner taken care of we moved a short distance and anchored near my Crayfish hole. The hole is quit a mission to get too some times as it is directly under a break, ensuring it remains untouched 99% of the time. Once we were above the hole I made a couple of reconnaissance dives to see exactly where in the hole the Cray's were and got my son to have a look as well before I disturbed them too much.
Then with a torch in one hand and loop in the other I entered the cave and made strait for the largest one, unfortunately I lost control of the torch and touched the cray with the loop. He kicked out of the way and retreated into his hole, so I moved onto the next one a couple of feet away. This time I made no mistake and we had the beginnings of a fantastic dinner in the bag.






Having achieved what we set out to we then set off on the return journey to deal with the usual chaos of the local boat ramp, then home. Once home we had the usual chores of washing the boat and gear to contend with before filleting the Whiting, and cooking up a wonderful dinner of fresh Crayfish and pan fried Whiting fillets.
I couldn't think of too many better ways to spent a nice summer afternoon and evening.