First spanish mackerel

[mikeyb]

I been reading some posts and I though it was about time I put something back into the reports.

How lucky was I , decided to go out by myself today (mate had a big saturday night). it was rough, the swell was up, snuck out through the seaway and out to Mermaid Reef (nice and early) trolling some bomber lures hoping for a spotty.
Then BANG big hit and a big run, it took at least 100 meters of line on the first run, well into the backing, after a good 30 minute fight I had my first look at him before it had another 100 line ... out to the backing again...another 4 looks before I finally had my first gaff shot and it was good.
I got a bit lucky, as you can see by the lure, I did remove the front treble, and upgraded the hooks.

Mikey...

[ON-THE-CHEW]

Good stuff, good to see someone getting some fish. I was down at the seaway yesterday afternoon and it didn't look to flash. Gutsy going out in that weather even gutsier going out in it on your own. I think you need to do another upgrade on your hooks.

It might be a good idea when fishing outside you have a reel that has a bit more than 100metres of line before you get to the backing. :) You don't want to miss out on a fish of a lifetime because you ran out of line.

Andrew

[mikeyb]

had few 100 meters of line, I use a stradic 6000 FH so I think they hold about 200~250 meters, I had the lure about 50 meter out the back.

[ON-THE-CHEW]

Nice fish anyway, how much did it weigh? Did you get anything else noteable for the trip? Was there much bait or bird action out there today?

Andrew

[mikeyb]

One hit one fish, there was not a lot of bird action, but I was following them around, I did see some chop on the surface which I though where Mac tuna. After fighting the Spanish I was buggered and not feeling good from the rocking (sea sickness) so I decided to call it a day. I didnt have enough Ice on board and wanted to look after my catch so I headed back.

As for the weight... it was heavy...hahaha
I dont know 15kg??? maybe a few more.

[wags on the water]

Nice work on the spaniard. Even better was to brave the conditions solo. Definately a few feeds there.

[saltchaser]

nice spainard good to see their about well done for your first cheers

[jtpython]

Good on ya mate
Specially for ya first one, they are an incredible sports fish and a feed to boot.
JT

[turrum]

Nice one
I got to the end of the seaway and they were curling over with suds everywhere, hmmmmmm no good in the tinny, so returned home alot wetter for the experience, will have to take an rdo, during the week, looking at that fish

[Cloud_9]

you where ether brave or stupid for going out today.
the swell was huge mate does the nets on the coast and he had to count swells to go do the nets and you went fishing!!~
its not worth loseing your boat for a fish.
Cloud 9

[capt]

Yeah Mickey, you certainly were very lucky judging by the look of that lure !

It's a great feeling catching your first "blue". Congrats. and I hope there are a few more to come. I got one around 10 kg near there on Friday . Great feed they are.

Cheers Jimmy

[thelump]

Awsome mate I'm so jealous. Its the one fish that has eluded me. Gotta get one soon and when i do you will here me yelling from Newcastle.(plus I've got a box of beer bet with a mate.Whoever gets the first Spaniard in their boat)

[wiz]

Nice fish
I'd like to catch something similar one day

Cheers

[Vindicator]

Ahhhhh so they HAVE arrived. I was out having a drag around last monday but all I could manage was a tuna. Nice spanyard should start to see more of them in posts from now on.

Cheers
Kezza

[larfin]

Nice fish there mickey worth a quick trip out.
cheers
greg

[LINZ_74]

top effort mikey. i had the pleasure of getting my first spanish around Nov last year up here off Mackay. You would be fairly accurate in the weight for mine weighed in at 16 kg.
Very lucky with the lure. refit with new mustads and she'll be as good as new.

cheers

Lindsay

[outsiderskip]

nice fish
hope a few more arrive soon

pete

[Jeremy]

those red chemically sharpened trebles are brittle and weak. Go the VMCs. Nice spaniard!

Jeremy

[JB]

Nice fish mate. Were you a bit excited about the catch because 30mins is a hell of a long fight for a spanish.... you must have been using 4lb line were ya?? I've seen mates catch 40lb spanish in under 10 mins...

Jas

[seapup]

Nice work mate! It has fired me up for the upcoming late Spaniard season!

[JACE...]

Spanyola Well Done Champ
I Want One

[mikeyb]

I will give the VMC a go, I have not had any problems with them on the spotties, but was surprised by this one....
I hope there are a few around, now that I have broken the duck,I will be out there giving them a crack...