Scalem
02-02-2015, 08:31 AM
Got through the list of friends who were all on holidays and wanted to come out for a fish. 3 Trips over the holiday season with mixed results, I have consciously made the decision NOT TO try and teach soft plastics to guys who are just as happy soaking a prawn at anchor. To be honest, I am more relaxed this way too, how can I expect to teach anyone the finer points when someone says " this is the 1st time I have ever used a reel like this" as he cradles my 4000 straddic and attempts to cast it with one hand on the rod. Talk about stress! Oh, and my newly re created old favourite rod I posted about in the tackle section got its 1st use, not by me, a crew member who brought his broomstick and reel with around 40lb line, fishing for bream. I said "here, use this ol mate" for which he was very greatful. About an hour later the sun was forcing us all to retreat under the bimini for shade, and ol mate gets a cracker of a bite, but he forgets he is sitting under the bimini when he strikes at the fish.... HARD! :oSo now the totally new clear epoxy finish of my pride and joy has a mark/ crack in it from where the rod smashed into the bimini frame. I think the blank is still OK, but still, it would drive me crazy if I had OCD. Not happy!>:(
Who would have thunk I needed a trip by myself to restore calm to what should be a relaxing past-time. But having had my whinge, I just have to accept that boating and fishing with a mixed bunch of experience in my boat will meet with a normal amount of attrition to my gear.
Had a day off on Friday so decided to hit the Sand Crabs early - SOLO! Set my 4 pots at sun up, over to peel, checking SW rocks, then over to the spit. The sounder was all lit up there, hey this looks promising! In comes a nice grassy, legal size, but nah, he can go back. In comes a nice 36cm Squire, sent back, then his twin, you can go back too, then I look up and BS! Where did all the boats come from! I had to reposition, set up another drift in the exact same place I just caught 3 fish, one bloke had circled a few times looking for the right spot, then clunk clunk clunk, over goes the anchor. Another boat is in my spot I am drifting toward, and when I finally get to the ground I caught the fish, nuthin! Typical! Sounder is bare, too many boats for my liking, so off to harries I go, at least its less confined. Caught my fair share of pinkys, I could have kept a couple for the table, but when they are just legal, I send them back. The dolphins at harries are locals that have definitely learned. Minimal effort to catch a feed when so many boats are releasing undersized fish. They just hang around till the right moment.
Top day, no broken or damaged gear, 16 crab out of 4 pots for one morning soak. We live a great life if you enjoy a feed of sandies, they are fairly consistent. The photo is what I had left after the neighbour got his - (part of the verbal agreement, I give him crab, he mows my grass ;);D) and a few between friends.
Happy with that!
Scalem
107445
Who would have thunk I needed a trip by myself to restore calm to what should be a relaxing past-time. But having had my whinge, I just have to accept that boating and fishing with a mixed bunch of experience in my boat will meet with a normal amount of attrition to my gear.
Had a day off on Friday so decided to hit the Sand Crabs early - SOLO! Set my 4 pots at sun up, over to peel, checking SW rocks, then over to the spit. The sounder was all lit up there, hey this looks promising! In comes a nice grassy, legal size, but nah, he can go back. In comes a nice 36cm Squire, sent back, then his twin, you can go back too, then I look up and BS! Where did all the boats come from! I had to reposition, set up another drift in the exact same place I just caught 3 fish, one bloke had circled a few times looking for the right spot, then clunk clunk clunk, over goes the anchor. Another boat is in my spot I am drifting toward, and when I finally get to the ground I caught the fish, nuthin! Typical! Sounder is bare, too many boats for my liking, so off to harries I go, at least its less confined. Caught my fair share of pinkys, I could have kept a couple for the table, but when they are just legal, I send them back. The dolphins at harries are locals that have definitely learned. Minimal effort to catch a feed when so many boats are releasing undersized fish. They just hang around till the right moment.
Top day, no broken or damaged gear, 16 crab out of 4 pots for one morning soak. We live a great life if you enjoy a feed of sandies, they are fairly consistent. The photo is what I had left after the neighbour got his - (part of the verbal agreement, I give him crab, he mows my grass ;);D) and a few between friends.
Happy with that!
Scalem
107445