First ever trip to mud

[nicko_]

Headed off to mud this morning for the first time ever. I must say this site is birlliant for information, i collected plenty before i went.
We got over there probably around 7 and started fishing the western side. With no sounder it was pretty difficult knowing where to fish. For the day i was using gulps and dad was using squid. He was pulling in a million tiny sweetlip, good fun but pretty pointless. I got a sweetlip on a shrimp in nuc chook (first ever fish on plastics) and after that we decided to change spots.

Not until anchoring up did we realise we could see the bottom and therefore pretty much not in deep enough water for quality fish. Still thought we'd have a try and on the same plastic in 10 minutes i pulled in 5 gar all about 35cm. Threw them all back, anyone know what they are like to eat?
So after another move i got onto a decent parrot which went in the eksi.

Around 11 thought we'd head home but on the way into the mouth we stopped at that new wall at the port. Threw in some plastic worms and got about 10 quality whiting in about 20 minutes. Went quite after that so headed home.
All up it was a pretty decent day, just disappointed i didnt get onto any squire as i'd hoped.
Cheers, Nick

[Leighton]

not bad for a first trip
By the sounds of it you were probably catching Pike on the plastics not Gar, I might be wrong though

[Seahorse]

Good Stuff Nikko.
Glad U Ended Up With A Feed


Cheers
Greg

[nicko_]

to tell you the truth i have no idea of the difference between pike and gar so yeah probably was.

[For Steve]

Congratulations on a good trip. You and your Dad did well - Mud can be hit and miss and you found some action without the help of a sounder. You gotta be happy with that.

Pike are far more common around Mud. Also I've found tuskfish to be more common than parrotfish around there. I might be wrong but the two are often confused. Both are excellent eating but have different size limits so it's handy to be able to tell them apart.

Look forward to more reports from you for Mud Is.

Cheers
Brad

[sleepygreg]

Sounds like a great trip. Grab yourself a copy of Grants Guide to Fishes...its worth the money to be able to ID fish. Might save you from throwing away damn good tucker....or keeping something that will make you crook. Its all part of the learing process. Gar are great eating..and also good bait. Pike are not so great eating..but fantastic bait - so no matter what they are they have a use..you just need to tell the difference. Im sure some clever (computer savvy) members here would be glad to put up a pic of the two for you???

Cheers
Greg

[Braddles]

well done Nick... I have to say, even with a sounder Mud is hit and miss so you did well. Make sure you let us know how you go next time.

Regards,

Brad.

[Scalem]

Good success on plastics. Next time resist the temptation to anchor, which is always difficult when that is the way you have preferred in the past. Good luck next time, like Brad said, pinkies are a little hit and miss at Mud ATM, but that first one must not be far away;)

Scalem