First Dollie.

[SteveCan]

Got a chance to do a quick run out before work this morning on the best type of boat there is - a mates. We dropped the hook in about 40M of water east of the seaway and burleyed up. It was a bit up and down and the kids were a bit seasick and the fish on the bottom were not co-operating so it was looking like one of those days you put down to expereince.

After about an hour though I was surprised to see a nice Dollie, checking out our burley trail and hanging at the back of the boat. A few chuncks were thrown out the back experimentally and they were keenly received by the fish. We got a line up and dropped a piece of pillie on and then dropped it about 2M down in plain sight with some more chunks.

Imagine our surprise when the Dollie just took the bait right in front of us and then just took off. Suddenly the kids were not so seasick! A nice fight with a lot of jumping and carrying on ended at the gaff and we had on our first ever Dollie! Happy people indeed. :-)

Then had to pick up the hook and go to work :-( Oh well. It was a great morning and super fun.

Cheers
Steve.

[reel scream]

Good on ya Steve. Nice looking fish. Great for the kids to see.

Cheers Scott.

[plaztix]

Nice Dollie mate.

That would have been a sight watching it hit the bait at the back of the boat. I bet the heart was pumping when that bait went in the water........Brilliant

What size gear, line + leader was it on?

[jarhead]

Nice stuff mate, good to see.

[frankgrimes]

Nice work Stevo.....I hear there's plenty of room on your mates boat for a few passengers ;)

[SteveCan]

Plaztix - Gear was a cheap, dodgy surecatch overhead on a cheap 8-10kg rod with 20lb mono (Old) and a 40lb Patternoster Leader. In other words - a basic bottom basher suitable for Trag and Parrot - but not Dollies. The Fish had a choice between that and my nice abu C7000 with 50lb braid rig, but ignored it and went slumming instead.. A very lucky catch, bloody thing comitted suicide.

Frank. you never know your luck in the big city. If the door ever opens mate you will be on it. :-)

[Pistol_P]

Very nice dollie mate.
The are such a pretty fish.8-)

Pete

[Vindicator]

Nice dollie Steve. I bet it made the day at work much more pleasurable.

Cheers
Kezza

[finga]

SteveCan...SteveDid :D
Goodo. First dolly eh. I reckon it'll be the first on many in time to come.
It just goes to show ya. Fish aren't too fussy on the price tag associated with rods and reels.
If they're hungry they grap anything on anything.
Cheers then
Scott :D

[Salty2]

Good on ya. There seems to be a few dollies around at the moment. I had to haul a 10 kg model in with my dads 30 year old telescopic rod and older reel last week. It took six laps of the boat and lit up brighter then our Christmas tree. Old gear does catch fish but adds to the challenge a bit.
Best wishes :-X

[Fishbait]

Fantastic Fish! Also, just goes to show you don't need expensive gear to get the big ones. Congratulations on your first dolly - I'm yet to go out and get one too. Happy Christmas.

[BrewGuru]

Nice Dollie, biggest I have seen in the bay for a while, well done!!