Busy, busy, busy... I'll go straight into my reports. I've been lagging behind on my blog for a while.
On the XXth of May, Matts invited me onboard his outboard looking forward to more cepatport action in Cockburns Sound. White came along, hoping to nail one as well. Weather was perfect with the sound looking like a millpond, our hopes were high.
We hitted the weed patch and started drifting. Matts was showing me some $3+ squid jigs he got from BCF and wanted to try them out. Previously he had good success on my japanese jigs and was determine to outfish me this time with his own jigs. So the competition between the japanese and the $3 jigs begin.
White had a head, bagging a decent squid on the first drift. Matts followed with a better squid which pull the tele to a draw. I got mine straight after Matts.
Next drft saw many more squids coming which made score keeping really hard. Overall we were close to bagging the boat limit by the third or fourth drift and I have to insist that my japanese jigs perform beatifully, attracted plenty of squids and have a better catch rate... however it seems like Matts jigs resulted in some of the bigger catches that day.
Nextup we headed to the promissing spot, spot X near the channel marker, which previously resulted in some really good catches. Again this spot never fail with schools teaming up onces Matts chug in his secert berley mixs. Heaps of bread and butter fish were pulled from the location. Day ended with a health mix bag of seafood.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
WA Calamari Tournament 2009
Boohoo…
It was a week filled with mind blowing, never ending assignments. When was the last time I hide in my little study corner, over firing the neurons in my brains trying to tackle one assignment after another? Seems like a long time ago…
Alright on the 17th of May 7.30am, the day I’ve been looking forward to, the first WA Calamari Tournamentc 2009 held by Cockburn Powerboat Association kicked off. There were 3 categories; landbased, kayak and boat. Of course without a doubt, I was in the kayak category as I can't afford a boat and landbased sucks... LOL.
The day started really well for me, with me bagging out within an hour into the tournament. With an hour and a half more to go, I had the choice of letting the smaller squids go to upgrade the size of my catch. I would have gotten around 30+ squids easily within the 3 hours time frame.
Final result during the weigh-in for the heaviest weight of 5 squids…
I was 100 grams short of a top 3 placing. Can anyone imagine losing out by a mere 100 grams, the weight of probably a third of a small apple? Ouch, that was very painful for me. Arrggghhh!!!! I wouldn’t be complaining if I miss out say >500 grams.
There goes the Singapore flag on a foreign land. Haizzz…. Too bad they didn’t have a prize for bagging the most squids; otherwise I swear I would have gotten the first place.
Lesson learnt; always” discreetly” fill your catch container with some of water before weigh-in. That extra weight is bonus… LOL just joking.
It was a week filled with mind blowing, never ending assignments. When was the last time I hide in my little study corner, over firing the neurons in my brains trying to tackle one assignment after another? Seems like a long time ago…
Alright on the 17th of May 7.30am, the day I’ve been looking forward to, the first WA Calamari Tournamentc 2009 held by Cockburn Powerboat Association kicked off. There were 3 categories; landbased, kayak and boat. Of course without a doubt, I was in the kayak category as I can't afford a boat and landbased sucks... LOL.
The day started really well for me, with me bagging out within an hour into the tournament. With an hour and a half more to go, I had the choice of letting the smaller squids go to upgrade the size of my catch. I would have gotten around 30+ squids easily within the 3 hours time frame.Final result during the weigh-in for the heaviest weight of 5 squids…
I was 100 grams short of a top 3 placing. Can anyone imagine losing out by a mere 100 grams, the weight of probably a third of a small apple? Ouch, that was very painful for me. Arrggghhh!!!! I wouldn’t be complaining if I miss out say >500 grams.
There goes the Singapore flag on a foreign land. Haizzz…. Too bad they didn’t have a prize for bagging the most squids; otherwise I swear I would have gotten the first place.
Lesson learnt; always” discreetly” fill your catch container with some of water before weigh-in. That extra weight is bonus… LOL just joking.
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Day in the Workshop
So autumn has finally set in and along with it, a week of horrendous weather. It’s time to dig deep into my books.
Indeed I have but as always, I like to spice things up during my studies. A few days ago, my research on the internet had drifted off to an article on kayak modification – How to make your own livewell.
A drive down to Bunning to get the necessary parts, and I’m off to my workshop (backyard) to get things started. Have to admit my surpass attention in D&T during high school paid off. Everything was put together perfectly.
It wasn’t a direct copy as I’ve added my own signature touches, substituted some add-on with cheapies and removing unnecessary parts, all catering to my specific needs. One thing I’ve learnt while staying oversea is that DIY is part and parcel of life.
Now just grant me a fine weather to test it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alrite latest update on the livewell I’ve build. It performed beyond my expectation.
Went out squiding on the 16th May, Sat. Kept the pump on for 4 hours straight, it worked like a dream with all 14 squids and 1 cuttlefish (at the top right of the picture) pretty much alive at the end of the trip. Without a doubt, it’s worth every bit of effort doing it up, not to mention it’s a whole lot cheaper compared to the commercial ones.
Anyone reckon I can make money from mass producing a livewell like that?
Indeed I have but as always, I like to spice things up during my studies. A few days ago, my research on the internet had drifted off to an article on kayak modification – How to make your own livewell.
A drive down to Bunning to get the necessary parts, and I’m off to my workshop (backyard) to get things started. Have to admit my surpass attention in D&T during high school paid off. Everything was put together perfectly.
It wasn’t a direct copy as I’ve added my own signature touches, substituted some add-on with cheapies and removing unnecessary parts, all catering to my specific needs. One thing I’ve learnt while staying oversea is that DIY is part and parcel of life.
Now just grant me a fine weather to test it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alrite latest update on the livewell I’ve build. It performed beyond my expectation.
Went out squiding on the 16th May, Sat. Kept the pump on for 4 hours straight, it worked like a dream with all 14 squids and 1 cuttlefish (at the top right of the picture) pretty much alive at the end of the trip. Without a doubt, it’s worth every bit of effort doing it up, not to mention it’s a whole lot cheaper compared to the commercial ones.
Anyone reckon I can make money from mass producing a livewell like that?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Surprise Surprise..
Start off this post by mentioning that my blog has inspired another reader into a world of outdoor adventures. He has taken the plunge to get his first kayak sometime this month and has plan to fish off the kayak. Isn’t friends supposed to influence one another?!
Guess what, he’s non other than my superlative mate, James Accelus.
He’s looking at an inflatable expedition kayak, which is suitable for lugging around Singapore. It has the mobility and it’s collapsible as compared to a typical sit-on-top hard-body kayak that I’m using. So sharks and crocodiles, please keep away from the inflatables. I see great potential there, James.
Oh, he also manages to psycho Robert, his cousin, to take the plunge with him. With Robert around, kayaking will be doubly the fun (he cracks good but often nonsensical jokes). From James latest update, Marcus and Denzil (very ON person) are still considering but are very likely to join the kayaking clan. I’ll have to wait and see. Common Marcus, MAY THE ORIGINAL KAKIS REUNITE!!!
That’s one more reason I’m looking forward to get back HOME.
Guess what, he’s non other than my superlative mate, James Accelus.
He’s looking at an inflatable expedition kayak, which is suitable for lugging around Singapore. It has the mobility and it’s collapsible as compared to a typical sit-on-top hard-body kayak that I’m using. So sharks and crocodiles, please keep away from the inflatables. I see great potential there, James.
Oh, he also manages to psycho Robert, his cousin, to take the plunge with him. With Robert around, kayaking will be doubly the fun (he cracks good but often nonsensical jokes). From James latest update, Marcus and Denzil (very ON person) are still considering but are very likely to join the kayaking clan. I’ll have to wait and see. Common Marcus, MAY THE ORIGINAL KAKIS REUNITE!!!
That’s one more reason I’m looking forward to get back HOME.
Monday, May 11, 2009
It's a Beauty
Got my mate, Matt, out doing some kayak fishing. It’s his first time fishing from a kayak and I believe more will come in the future.
Took him out to one of my squiding spot, chucked him my favourite jig, point him in the right direction and he got one instantly on his first cast. Mission accomplished.
Before we came out, I promised him he will get a squid which he promptly replied me never to promise anyone of a catch on a fishing trip.
“Nan… you will definitely get something, not to mention I’m bring you to my most covert spot”, I said and I took it as an undeclared challenge to put him onto something.
His first squid was a beginning of plenty more to come. Having caught roughly a dozen within half an hour, with a few getting an unintentionally released, we headed out wide to get something different.
Matt bought along his secret burley premixed at home with a toss of Ultrabite (containing fish feeding pheromone). It worked extra time, attracting a school of KAMAKAZI undersize snappers which were dying to hammer at our rigs. They provided great fun and were released upon capture.
All in all we got what we came for, lots of bread and butter fishes not worth mentioning and a dozen lovely squid. What's most important is I get another dude interested in fishing from a kayak.=P
Cheers,
Josh Tan
Took him out to one of my squiding spot, chucked him my favourite jig, point him in the right direction and he got one instantly on his first cast. Mission accomplished.
Before we came out, I promised him he will get a squid which he promptly replied me never to promise anyone of a catch on a fishing trip.
“Nan… you will definitely get something, not to mention I’m bring you to my most covert spot”, I said and I took it as an undeclared challenge to put him onto something.
His first squid was a beginning of plenty more to come. Having caught roughly a dozen within half an hour, with a few getting an unintentionally released, we headed out wide to get something different.
Matt bought along his secret burley premixed at home with a toss of Ultrabite (containing fish feeding pheromone). It worked extra time, attracting a school of KAMAKAZI undersize snappers which were dying to hammer at our rigs. They provided great fun and were released upon capture.
All in all we got what we came for, lots of bread and butter fishes not worth mentioning and a dozen lovely squid. What's most important is I get another dude interested in fishing from a kayak.=P
Cheers,
Josh Tan
Fishfull Weekend
Hey matez,
May 10th. I rocked up at the Sound on a Sunday morning full of hope only to be greeted by a threatening weather. Having fished this particular stretch of water just a days earlier with my mate, Matt, and caught some lovely squids and roughly a dozen undersized snappers, skippys and herrings, I was hopping to land a legal snapper today.
After peddling a fair distance and almost making it half way down the last waypoint, 3rd time of the day, I figured the fish weren’t going to play. Still a great day, though. All the while keeping in mind of a Great White Shark attack at Rockingham (it attacked a dingy and throw a man overboard), didn’t want to stay out here alone for too long, decided to call it a day (wasn’t surprise to see no one was out).
Spirits peaked I headed back all the while trolling the drop-off toward the launching site. And then it happened…
Just as I was trolling around a bend where I had previously seen big arches on my sounder, my lightest setup got absolutely smashed. There’s no other way to describe it. The rod was bent to breaking point, even with the drag screaming out in agony. I quickly grabbed the rod and started to get a real feeling for the weight and power of this fish. Two things were immediately apparent to me: it was not a very big fish which I thought it was, and whatever it was, it wasn’t happy. It might pay to mention at this point in time the line I was using was only 10lb braid.
Every time I managed to get some line wound in this fish just took it back with consummate ease; I blaming myself for my liking toward light setup. After a couple of minutes I got it up to the surface and close enough to the kayak to have a look at it. A Pink Snapper... I don’t know how long I played the fish near the yak but eventually he tired himself out and sat on the surface of the water beside me. Nervously, tentatively, I comfort lifted the fella out of the water and placed him gently on the floor of the kayak. What a nice fish to end a day. Another 60+cm snapper added to my growing list. Cheers.
Ps. do check the trebles after every fish, mine was bend and could be the reason for a failed hook-up today.
May 10th. I rocked up at the Sound on a Sunday morning full of hope only to be greeted by a threatening weather. Having fished this particular stretch of water just a days earlier with my mate, Matt, and caught some lovely squids and roughly a dozen undersized snappers, skippys and herrings, I was hopping to land a legal snapper today.
After peddling a fair distance and almost making it half way down the last waypoint, 3rd time of the day, I figured the fish weren’t going to play. Still a great day, though. All the while keeping in mind of a Great White Shark attack at Rockingham (it attacked a dingy and throw a man overboard), didn’t want to stay out here alone for too long, decided to call it a day (wasn’t surprise to see no one was out).
Spirits peaked I headed back all the while trolling the drop-off toward the launching site. And then it happened…
Just as I was trolling around a bend where I had previously seen big arches on my sounder, my lightest setup got absolutely smashed. There’s no other way to describe it. The rod was bent to breaking point, even with the drag screaming out in agony. I quickly grabbed the rod and started to get a real feeling for the weight and power of this fish. Two things were immediately apparent to me: it was not a very big fish which I thought it was, and whatever it was, it wasn’t happy. It might pay to mention at this point in time the line I was using was only 10lb braid.
Every time I managed to get some line wound in this fish just took it back with consummate ease; I blaming myself for my liking toward light setup. After a couple of minutes I got it up to the surface and close enough to the kayak to have a look at it. A Pink Snapper... I don’t know how long I played the fish near the yak but eventually he tired himself out and sat on the surface of the water beside me. Nervously, tentatively, I comfort lifted the fella out of the water and placed him gently on the floor of the kayak. What a nice fish to end a day. Another 60+cm snapper added to my growing list. Cheers.
Ps. do check the trebles after every fish, mine was bend and could be the reason for a failed hook-up today.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hey guys,
I'm back. This trip south, to Hamelin was pretty much a last minute decision. Herbs came about with the planning and booking, while Chris settled the logistic, basically Jeff and I just tagged along with the trip. So a big thanks to the two gentlemen for the invite.
Day 1, 1st of May, we set off at 4pm and arrived at Hamelin Caravan Park around 3 hours later. Picked the keys to our room and we’re off to the local pub for dinner. After countless pints of beer and tall tales, we resided back into the caravan, looking forward to some very intense fishing the next day.
Day 2, 2nd of May, we’re greeted with a hazy morning, presuming a forest fire had broken out over the night, which would otherwise had been a beautiful morning; weather was calm and the swells were down. By 10am, all 3 of us excluding Jeff were down at the beach ready to launch our kayaks.
Fishing was hot if you consider WRASSE a catch… every notches, crevices and nicks were screaming with wrasses; big and small in every color. After bagging a gazillion of them, we called it quit (by the way, they’re all caught and released). A few bull herrings and skippies were kept for tea.
Highlight of the day was a huge seal which went round Chris’s yak, giving him a good scare and then passed between Herb and myself, all the while throwing an angry stare at Herb.
Back on land, we’re very surprise to see the commercial fishermen rounding up and netting a huge school of salmon, estimating 5 tons, so late in the season. It was my first time seeing how it’s done, a sight to remember and to judge on how wasteful those beautiful pelagic fishes ending up as pet food or crayfish bait, something which I’ll never understand.
Btw, Jeff found himself a patch firing with sand whitings while bait fishing from the shore. The day ended with a delicious servicing of fry fish graciously cooked by Herb. Also had POD, pasta of the day which got washed down beautifully with plenty more beers at the pub.
Day 3, 3rd of May at 6am, I walked out the public washroom just off the beach, a small school of salmon cruising pass the breakers caught my sign. Happened to be a well prepared, I’ve got the gears with me and in goes the popper. The line tightened after a mere slight pop and I strike. BANG!!! Effortlessly it took me to the back of a reef some 20 meters away which ping me off, all within 30 seconds. There goes my lure. Went back and had breakfast. What a start to a gorgeous morning!!!
Again no dramas, by 9am our kayaks got out in between some sandy patches. Burley up and our kayaks was swarm with fishes. It was a case of baiting up the hook, drop the rig down to the bottom, tap, tap and the BANG..ZZzzz!!!! While Herbs and Chris were bagging in on the horses, over 40 centimeters Skippy, I was getting their smaller counterpart with wrasses in the mix.
Amongst the chaos, Chris shouted over my shoulder that he saw a school of what he reckoned salmons in the hundreds swam under his kayak toward Herbs and me. Poppers were casted in random directions.
Highlight of the day, I saw herbs winding his popper just about boat side when SPOOSH, a salmon went for it. All I can say it was big salmon. Too bad it didn’t stay connected. At the speed the school was moving through, it was pointless to chase and the action died down soon after. Those skippys would have shitted their pants when a school of hungry salmons swam through them. Had a safe surf return not long after. Some spear-fisherman found my lure the salmon took in the morning and was given back to me.. thats random.
Oh… I got my hands on some huge abalones. Those green lips make my roe abalones collection child’s play. It’s time to get my scuba gears ready and to prepare myself to brave the element; the GWS aka Great White Shark.
I’m so tired; guess my age is catching up.
Ps. I’ll do a write out on what I can recollect from my pass abalones harvest when I have the time. Stay tune!!!
Cheers,
Josh Tan
I'm back. This trip south, to Hamelin was pretty much a last minute decision. Herbs came about with the planning and booking, while Chris settled the logistic, basically Jeff and I just tagged along with the trip. So a big thanks to the two gentlemen for the invite.
Day 1, 1st of May, we set off at 4pm and arrived at Hamelin Caravan Park around 3 hours later. Picked the keys to our room and we’re off to the local pub for dinner. After countless pints of beer and tall tales, we resided back into the caravan, looking forward to some very intense fishing the next day.
Day 2, 2nd of May, we’re greeted with a hazy morning, presuming a forest fire had broken out over the night, which would otherwise had been a beautiful morning; weather was calm and the swells were down. By 10am, all 3 of us excluding Jeff were down at the beach ready to launch our kayaks.
Fishing was hot if you consider WRASSE a catch… every notches, crevices and nicks were screaming with wrasses; big and small in every color. After bagging a gazillion of them, we called it quit (by the way, they’re all caught and released). A few bull herrings and skippies were kept for tea.
Highlight of the day was a huge seal which went round Chris’s yak, giving him a good scare and then passed between Herb and myself, all the while throwing an angry stare at Herb.
Back on land, we’re very surprise to see the commercial fishermen rounding up and netting a huge school of salmon, estimating 5 tons, so late in the season. It was my first time seeing how it’s done, a sight to remember and to judge on how wasteful those beautiful pelagic fishes ending up as pet food or crayfish bait, something which I’ll never understand.
Btw, Jeff found himself a patch firing with sand whitings while bait fishing from the shore. The day ended with a delicious servicing of fry fish graciously cooked by Herb. Also had POD, pasta of the day which got washed down beautifully with plenty more beers at the pub.
Day 3, 3rd of May at 6am, I walked out the public washroom just off the beach, a small school of salmon cruising pass the breakers caught my sign. Happened to be a well prepared, I’ve got the gears with me and in goes the popper. The line tightened after a mere slight pop and I strike. BANG!!! Effortlessly it took me to the back of a reef some 20 meters away which ping me off, all within 30 seconds. There goes my lure. Went back and had breakfast. What a start to a gorgeous morning!!!
Again no dramas, by 9am our kayaks got out in between some sandy patches. Burley up and our kayaks was swarm with fishes. It was a case of baiting up the hook, drop the rig down to the bottom, tap, tap and the BANG..ZZzzz!!!! While Herbs and Chris were bagging in on the horses, over 40 centimeters Skippy, I was getting their smaller counterpart with wrasses in the mix.
Amongst the chaos, Chris shouted over my shoulder that he saw a school of what he reckoned salmons in the hundreds swam under his kayak toward Herbs and me. Poppers were casted in random directions.
Highlight of the day, I saw herbs winding his popper just about boat side when SPOOSH, a salmon went for it. All I can say it was big salmon. Too bad it didn’t stay connected. At the speed the school was moving through, it was pointless to chase and the action died down soon after. Those skippys would have shitted their pants when a school of hungry salmons swam through them. Had a safe surf return not long after. Some spear-fisherman found my lure the salmon took in the morning and was given back to me.. thats random.
Oh… I got my hands on some huge abalones. Those green lips make my roe abalones collection child’s play. It’s time to get my scuba gears ready and to prepare myself to brave the element; the GWS aka Great White Shark.
I’m so tired; guess my age is catching up.
Ps. I’ll do a write out on what I can recollect from my pass abalones harvest when I have the time. Stay tune!!!
Cheers,
Josh Tan
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Attack of the Australian Salmons
Good day guys,
I’m back from Yallingup, 3th times south this month, clocked over 2500+km. Probably could've memorize the entire road kills’ locations by now. Seen their transformation; from fresh to bloated to junky stages.
This trip was tough as compared, the salmon schools are getting smaller and fewer between, makes spotting for them very hard, signalling the season coming to an end. Casted lures for 2 straight days into every possible fish-holding gutters within range. I was more determined and the extra effort was eventually paid off.
Day 1, 24th april, was uneventful with no salmon catches. A family that arrived earlier had 4 salmons from a school that was herded close to shore by a pod of dolphins.Day 2, 25th april. Didn’t have to wait long on the second day, sighted a school holding position in a gutter while walking the beach. I casted my popper behind them and worked the lure back frantically. BANG, roughly 4 meters away from the shore, my popper was smashed big time. I ran along the beach trying to drag the fish out of the gutter, away from the school, hoping not to spook the rest and in that instance, through the curl of the wave, I saw about 8 salmons cruising along after it. I was pumped, my heart was in my mouth. Just imagine the level of adrenaline pumping thr my vents. Without any commotion the fish was landed after putting up an awesome fight; tail dance and leaping a metre clear off the surface half a dozen times.
Again the popper went back into the gutter which resulted in another immediate hookup. Same old same old, got the fish in eventually. Didn’t attempt to cast my lure after getting my second fish of the day, I’m a happy man, got what i came for and left the place, yet again, very contented.
Noticed the salmons from my second day had scaring on them. One of them even looked like it came from a shark.
Also lots of venomous man o'war jellyfish washed up on shore, watchout there. :x :x
Hopefully those salmons are still around when i head south again on 1st of May with Herbs, Jeff and Chris.
Cheers,
Josh Tan
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
DeepFry Cephalopoda Rings
Weather didn't fair too well these few days. I'm stuck at home doing nothing except reading my books, with a few frictional ones thrown in between. I'm left pondering what would further increase my chance in the coming May 17th, Calamari Tournament. Went online shopping today, trying to stock up on the latest Yozuri squid jigs, something my partner would definitely disagree (got to admit i discreetly bought a "few").
Came across some pass and recent squidding pictures and videos in my computer (current year). So after compiling them, and with my "excel" pass record in editing movies, I hope this amateur video will astonish anyone who have never catch squid before and didn't know they can be caught using rod and line to give it a try. No dirty/smelly baits required but do watch out for their ink.
For those who are fisherman incline, again I can't help emphasizing the advantages of doing any forms of fishing/squidding from a watercraft, which in my case a kayak. It opens a whole new environment which previously wasn't accessible for a land-base angler like me.
Generally, I'm in an area untouch by people from land and deem "too close to shore" by boaters, a zone which can be rich in marine resources that may have been long forgotten.
Regards,
Josh Tan
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Fish God granted me a PINK SNAPPER
The Fish God has shown a liking toward me for the whole of this week; from Australian Salmons to enormous Oceanic Black Ray. Today, he has granted me a legal size PINK SNAPPER on lure. Thank you very much!!!
Had a late night and a hangover on sunday morning, only manage to launch my kayak at around 9.45am 19th April. Reached woodies and i realised I've left my pedal (glad I'm a hobie owner, can still move) and my fishfinder at home. Thats a "nice" start, hac it.. I went ahead.
While heading out, I saw Herbs and Chris over at the seagrass meadows. Exchange greeting and was told that there was a handful of fellow yakkers out at the usual spot. Thats one situation where you dont want to join the crowd (so as to increase my odds). So I took out my gps and headed the opposite direction along the same dropoff.
15mins into my trolling, I notice a yellow yak not far from me (turn out to be Shorty). Continue trolling north until i was awaken by my drag.. the pleasantly sounded ZZZzzzz.... The pull was so strong it took some effort to get the rod out from the holder. By the time the rod was out, the fish had taken quite abit of line. Felt the head shake and knew i was onto sometime good. Safe played the fish until it was yak-side.
Oh so i've forgotten the net aswell. Gently having to slide my hand below the fish, with a quick lift it was safely in the yak.. another Yaaahoooo for this week. Obviously, after forgetting to bring so many things, i didnt have an icebox too so headed in immediately, reached carpark at 12pm. All in all it was a lucky day for me despite my odds.
ps. finally got my "red passport" to woodies.. and being my first, its my PB at 68cm to fork.
Regards,
Josh Tan
Had a late night and a hangover on sunday morning, only manage to launch my kayak at around 9.45am 19th April. Reached woodies and i realised I've left my pedal (glad I'm a hobie owner, can still move) and my fishfinder at home. Thats a "nice" start, hac it.. I went ahead.
While heading out, I saw Herbs and Chris over at the seagrass meadows. Exchange greeting and was told that there was a handful of fellow yakkers out at the usual spot. Thats one situation where you dont want to join the crowd (so as to increase my odds). So I took out my gps and headed the opposite direction along the same dropoff.
15mins into my trolling, I notice a yellow yak not far from me (turn out to be Shorty). Continue trolling north until i was awaken by my drag.. the pleasantly sounded ZZZzzzz.... The pull was so strong it took some effort to get the rod out from the holder. By the time the rod was out, the fish had taken quite abit of line. Felt the head shake and knew i was onto sometime good. Safe played the fish until it was yak-side.
Oh so i've forgotten the net aswell. Gently having to slide my hand below the fish, with a quick lift it was safely in the yak.. another Yaaahoooo for this week. Obviously, after forgetting to bring so many things, i didnt have an icebox too so headed in immediately, reached carpark at 12pm. All in all it was a lucky day for me despite my odds.
ps. finally got my "red passport" to woodies.. and being my first, its my PB at 68cm to fork.
Regards,
Josh Tan
Friday, April 17, 2009
Salmon & "Magic Carpet" Assault 2 @ Cosy Corner
Pardon me... Kayak was again not thrown into the washes, nevertheless the trip was very successful with salmon schools showing just metres away from shore.
Day 1 16th April Arrive at 9.30am to see a school of easily 100s in the bay while I stop at the carpark, by the time I've got my gears together and started casting, school disperse. 2 anglers who got there earlier got 3 hookup with pilchards but lost all to the reef. I casted every lures in my tacklebox from poppers to deep divers with no success.
Day 1 16th April Arrive at 9.30am to see a school of easily 100s in the bay while I stop at the carpark, by the time I've got my gears together and started casting, school disperse. 2 anglers who got there earlier got 3 hookup with pilchards but lost all to the reef. I casted every lures in my tacklebox from poppers to deep divers with no success.
From my last trip to Hamelin Bay i noticed tat there were huge rays crusing behind the first frontal break. Brought my heavy tackle along this time, stella 20000 loaded with 60lb with a pe8 bluerose jig rod, 10kg of drag. Cant cast very far with this setup but it wasnt necessary as the breakers were just 10 metres out. Out went a bull herring and the waiting game begin.Didnt have to wait too long, black "magic carpets" started showing up crusing in and out behind the reef, slowly homing in on the direction of my bait. Next moment, all hell break loose, line from my reel was peeling at lightly fast speed, easily put those nuisance woodies rays to shame. All i could do was to hold on tight to my rod and prayed my knots will hold.
That's what I call hanging on to a fish. Practically hanging.
That's what I call hanging on to a fish. Practically hanging.
A tug of war for over 30mins showed sign of a winning battle. From my angle on the beach i could only judge tat it was a big ray and when its a couple of metres from me, it freaked me out. Its bloodly huge (to me) with its massive tail spike hanging above the water, beaching this majestic animal was not an option. Making sure I got a nice picture, i cut the leader and off it went. I let out a stunning.. Wooohooo. From the picture it would have easily blanket me. Can't imgine how much it weight?? A fair call would be 40k+-. My biggest ray to date. =)
Sadly day 1 saw no salmon schools passing thr except a few stray ones with clear injuries on them, but with a big fight earlier who could've complain. Retreat into camp hoping for better day tomorrow.
Day 2 17th of April Woke up to a clear and beautiful morning. With a simple breakfast I was off casting poppers on the beach. Small schools of salmons were showing up every so often just metres from the shore. It was a matter of finding them, cast the lure over the school, pop the lure back, hopping for the BANG and Zzzzzz..
It was the beginning of a wonderful day!!!
Can you spot the salmons, roughy 5 metres from the shore.
It's astonishing to see salmons diverting from the school and go mad after the popper. I was testing the extend of how deeply affectionate they would go for my lure. One salmon was just centimetres from beaching itself on a quick retrival, only managed to get back into the water with the help of the backwash. Are they tat hungry (No bullshit, I'm equally stunned)?
I'll call that a decent one, looks bigger compared to my 1st assault.
All in all i bagged 3+ salmons, kept 2 and followed Mattyoga suggestion to bleed them immediately. One was given to my all time cameraman and another to Old Bloke (Herbs) who recommends salmons make delicious battered fish n chips.
Mission Accomplished!!!!
ps. Herbs n deperate2fish, i got the rays. It's plausible and I made it possible!
Regards,
Josh Tan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)